When you live in the U.P., you really don’t have to venture too far for an interesting mini tour. Jill Hodges and her hubby, Bill recently took to the road and did just that. Their first stop was Big Eric’s Bridge State Forest Campground in Skanee, where Bill took out his fishing pole to see what he could catch. The second photo was not Bill’s catch, but one his grandson caught, with the goal to see if he could catch the smallest fish.

Next stop on the road trip was at Sugar Loaf Mountain in Marquette. That’s Bill again, this time on the observation deck taking in the view there.

Germfask on the eastern end of the U.P. was the next destination, where they stopped to see Benny the Beard Fisher a huge wooden troll created there by artist Thomas Dambo. We first featured Benny here on the Pasty Cam back on September 26, 2023.

Last, but not least they made a visit to the Great Lake Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, near Paradise. They were able to see the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald, along with other artifacts in the museum. Taking a mini-tour like this, without even leaving the U.P., it doesn’t get much better than this!

We wrap up the mini-tour with episode #88 of Discovering. Kristin Ojaniemi visits Benny the Beard Fisher, a 14-foot-tall cedar and maple troll, at Northland Outfitters in Germfask. The owners Durea and Levi Brady give Kristin the backstory on how Benny came to be and the improvements they've made to this cozy little campground and canoe livery. She also takes the "troll stroll" and paddle (more like float) 10 miles of the Manistique River to see Benny come to life. Benny was built by Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo using reclaimed wood and scraps and he creates giant trolls like this, around the world. Lastly, Kristin takes in trillions of trilliums on an ATV ride in Ontonagon County.

What gorgeous pictures...you truly don't need to go
far..."Staycations" are quite doable U.P. here.

The troll builder has trolls around the world.
What an awesome way to leave your mark!!

I'm addicted to Discovering...that was one cool
episode. Kristin says if you glide by on the water,
it's like Benny's eyes follow you. She took a spin
in the water and it's true...it's like he's
watching you. That is just way too cool...

Great and varied set! Would really like to get to Big Eric's Bridge some day. Haven't seen Benny in person but have enjoyed the other places featured today. Thanks everyone!

That first picture is my favorite.
It looks so relaxing out there
communing with nature. I would
love to go fishing there. The only
place I've been to here is
Whitefish Point. I love it there.
Thanks for sharing your staycation
with us.

Never seen Benny before. Missed him in 2023. Benny Rocks!

The Shipwreck Museum is always a somber visit.

Big Eric's Bridge campground is one of my favorites.
Here is the same shot with some motion & sound but a bit less water:
Big Eric's Bridge