• Wednesday-What'sUP October 14 - 04:32 am

When the Autumn colors began a few weeks back, someone mentioned that they hoped to see some photos of the Covered Road, near Freda. So, when I came upon these shots in Joyce Tormala's Pasty Guest Gallery Album, even though the colors are past peak now and most likely nothing like this anymore, I had to share them. This stretch of road is beautiful to drive through in spring, summer, winter or fall, but it's particularly pretty with the leaves all colored like these shots from Joyce.

If you're wondering how to get there for your own tour sometime, I found these directions in our archives: "Take the Houghton Canal Road west (NW) off M-26. Travel 2.0 miles to Coles Creek and turn left (due west) on S-63. This is locally known as Coles Creek Rd or Smelts Road. After about 4 miles the road angles NW toward Redridge and becomes the covered drive. Enjoy!"

What BEAUTIFUL pictures...and what a gorgeous ride indeed!!!

Thanks for sharing Joyce! (But where's your beautiful animals?? :-D )

We were there 2 weekends ago, so beautiful, as was the Red Wood Dam area.

There is nothing like being in the UP in the Fall.We are so Blessed with GOD'S beauty.A great day to everyone!

Thanks for the outing.

I guess I need to drive this road in the fall again! I've been opting for Pike Lake Road instead, but I think next fall I'll have to do this one again.

Beautiful Fall picture again today. I can remember going over this "covered road" way back in the 1950's. The nuns at our school in Hubbell taught afterschool religion courses to some children in the "Beacon Hill???" area there. can anyone add to this?

It was always fun when you met up with one of the big dump trucks hauling ore from Painsedale to the Champion Mill in Freda. You had to find a wide spot in the road to let one pass, as the "Rule of Big" took precedent in this situation.

Eddyfitz: I believe there was a Catholic Church located along the main drag between Beacon Hill and Freda, if that helps at all.

Great looking Pictures!

Great pics!

We went through there about the same time frame. We thought it looked like a beautiful natural cathedral.

Nothing like an Autumn drive on a nice rustic road.

Awesome! Awesome! Pictures, so beautiful!

OH MY!......what a beautiful example of God's handiwork! Reminds me of the road north out of Harbor Springs (can't recall the hwy # at the moment).

It's M-119 (formerly M-131).
http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m119/

I remember going to Freda while at Suomi for Friday night beer
parties, also Red Ridge was nice. Oh the things we did when we
were young and foolish. Now we're just older.....
The UP in the fall, nothing is more beautiful, except when you have
someone special to share it with.