• Sunday-What'sUP March 29 - 06:28 pm

Yesterday marked the passing of Dwight Eisenhower (as we reported on Saturday's Day in History), and it prompted me to do a little research. Through the years there have been a number of U.S. Presidents to visit the U.P... But did you know that Ike was the only one to spend a couple of weeks here just relaxing? (At least, the only one so far :o) It was not a campaign stop or a political rally, but instead a real fishing trip in the summer of '61. He stayed at the Lodge of Lawrence Fisher (of Fisher Body fame) on Snap Jack Lake in Gogebic County. Mr. Eisenhower loved the Watersmeet-Land O' Lakes Sylvania Wilderness area, which would become part of the Ottawa National Forest before the end of the decade. (See today's encore Pasty Cameo)

It was a family reunion of sorts, as the former President was joined by his three brothers during his stay in July of 1961. The boys took in a few rounds of golf also, at the Land O' Lakes Resort, where the state line runs right through the course.

Maybe it's the long cold winter finally behind us, but I've been thinking alot this weekend about warmer days. And I can't think of a better place to spend some time in a canoe or swinging a golf club, than right here in the U.P. For more history of U.S. Presidents' visits to Upper Michigan, see Larry Chabot's entertaining account of "Presidents Seeking a Pleasant Peninsula"

Have a good week :o)

Good morning Charlie. Greetings from hot and humid Florida. After a couple of months of Wahoos, Red Snappers, Hog Snappers, and the like, It will be nice to get home to some fresh Lake Trout. Those who know me, you might be surprised that I voted for Ike in his first election which was also my first presidential election. I must admit I didn't vote for him in his second.

Hey Charlie, and everyone at Pasty Cam Thanks for all you do. Those "Days in History" are fantastic I learn something everyday! It's great to see these historic photos, the old boat, which looks brand new (wonder what kind that is?) and the old time fishin rod. I would say that fish was probably a keeper? I think every president should spend a couple weeks in the UP, I believe it would do well for all. I know it does me :)

My mom took me to L'anse/Baraga one time and took me out into some woods to show me a place that was once the Henry Fords' summer place. The time she took me out there it was a bed and breakfast place.

(I do not know why that statement does not sound right or worded correctly) Anyway it was in the woods.

As always, I enjoyed Day in History. Charlie: thanks for the link to
Larry Chabot's article for "Michigan History." I had no idea that so
many presidents had been to the UP, but of course It IS a pleasant
peninsula. Nice job, Larry.

Very cool! It'd be nice to see some of the other president's stay a while and enjoy the area.

Although I'm 2 young 2 remember President Eisenhower's legacy, I thought he did pretty well getting the U.S. through the early years of the Cold war from what I've read. May he rest in Peace.

Ford was not a president but, it was still a nice-little trip my mom took me on.;O)

Your mom took you to Pequaming, a beautiful spot even today. A friend of ours is caretaker at the Ford house (The Bungalow) and, last I heard, it is still rented out for family reunions, etc.

In case you missed it earlier, we added a 4 minute video from LinbladeT about "Paddling Sylvania", with goes along with the original Cameo about Sylvania Wilderness.

Thanks for adding that, Charlie. Yet another beautiful area of the
UP to explore.

Thank You Marsha. :O) I did have a great time with my mom wherever she took me. It was beautiful- I remember that, too.

Is that Nort Neff sitting in the middle of the boat?

John Hess

Is that Mort Neff sitting in the middle of the boat? Sorry that is Mort not Nort.

John Hess

In 1992, I walked the bridge with Bush. What a great memory that was. We had to get in line before 5am due to security. The secret service was in the water and on the toll boths. Pretty neat experience i will never forget.

I saw the infamous Alabama governor George Wallace and the hippy Abbey Hoffman in Marquette the same week. The experience of seeing G.W. Bush at the dome was one I gladly skipped. I shared a smoke with Buddy Rich on the band bus in 1976!