Even though we all live in the UP, how many of us have experienced everything this place has to offer? Sometimes we get so involved in our local community that we forget the UP’s a big place, with things we’ve never had the chance to do. Some day, if you have a few moments, write down some of those that might interest you.
Feel free to call it a Yooper Bucket List.
What could go on your Yooper Bucket List? I have a few things on mine, but feel free to add or delete items to suit your interests.
For instance, head to Marquette and Houghton and Ironwood and marvel at all the amazing sandstone architecture you can find around here.
Visit Escanaba one of the 51 weeks of the year the fair isn’t going on.
Travel to Menominee or Iron Mountain, stand right behind the state line, and shout at the top of your lungs “Cheeseheads suck!”
Watch a ship go through the Soo Locks, and then drive to Marquette and watch the exact same vessel dock at Upper Harbor.
Kayak out to Pictured Rocks, or climb to the top of Mount Arvon.
Do something goofy–ride the Toonerville Trolley, actually go into the Mystery Spot, or head to Laurium, stand in the park that bears his name, and yell “Win just one for the Gipper”.
Watch “Anatomy of a Murder”, and see how many places you actually recognize.
Spend a day in Dickinson County and visit the places named after random dudes– Theordore, Ralph, Alfred.
Take a summer afternoon and watch the Portage Lake Lift Bridge go up & down.
Or spend a Labor Day morning walking the Mackinac Bridge.
Get some squeaky cheese, dunk it in coffee, and eat it the way your grandparents used to.
And maybe, just maybe, put dill pickles on a pasty. After all, there are some people that actually swear by it. Perhaps we’re judging them all wrong.
Like I said, you may want to put different things on your Yooper Bucket List. But I think it’s important that you HAVE a Yooper Bucket List. After all, don’t you want to experience as much of this magical place as you can?
I’m Jim Koski, and that’s another slice of “Life in the 906.”
