Ever notice how much various parts of the country feel different? Donn de Yampert captured the feel of the U.P. in this shot near Trenary, the place where they make that crunchy toast which cleans your teeth.

I could go for a little korpuu right now, but seriously doubt can find any here in the desert southwest. Grand Canyon ,AZ to Hoover Dam to Lost Wages, NV all in one day. Too bad we couldn't swap some heat for snow, as I see on the weather channel they're havin more back home in God's country.
Good night from Nevada and good morning from da U.P. - - trip notes

Toivo,
Did you happen to see a small village named Tortila Flats during your passage through Arizona? It is near the Apache Junction area. It's kind of out of the way(depending on the route you took from Cali), but a neat little stop off. Last time I was there, I think the population was 6 or 7.

<Toivo>: Mike - - Afraid I missed Tortila Flats, but I ate a tortila and I had a flat while I was here.

Yooper_US_Tour

Thanks for the pun on a long remembered line of a poem: "April showers bring snow plowers." It was true even here in the southern UP. Another line I got a charge out of was "freezing fog" on todays weather report for Calumet.
The latest snow I remember was on June 9, 1950. I was leaving Munising for the big city and couldn't leave that day as Larry had changed the snow tires on the bus and put on summer tires. The bus would take me to the train in Escanaba but we got so much snow he wouldn't risk the 60 mile trip on summer tires.

I'd rather be in an April snowstorm with "chooks" than a sandstorm with turbans.

This is it. Exactly 4 weeks from today my wife and I will be leaving Florida for our home on Bumbletown Hill. We are so looking forward to be going home after being away for so many years. Florida is filling up fast with people from up north. The way we look at it is we are giving them more room by going home to our hill. The pasty cam will continue to be very close to our hearts. A place where we can talk to all our friends and enjoy the beauty of the Copper Country. Who knows maybe we can even supply a picture of the hill someday.

You missed out Toivo, if you had you heart set on a korpuu whilst on your voyage, the only place I know of where they can be purchased on the west coast is Astoria, Oregon, which boasts a copious Finnish population indeed. I have tried them, and although they are not up to Trenary toast standards, they are ample surrogate if there is no other option. Don't fret about coming back, they are predicting more "lake effect snow" this weekend, which basically is very anomalous for April. As tried and true Yoopers, though, we will "grin and bear it" if you will.

Wheatman

<Toivo>: Mr. W - - Didn't get any toast in Astoria, but I did cross a mighty long bridge. Even so, it's a mile shorter than Mackinac.

Yooper_US_Tour

Yum,Trenary Toast.I wish I had some to go with my coffee this a.m. Does anyone remember Star Toast? It was popular years ago.

Star Toast? Is that where you propose many, many toasts, and after a while you see stars?

Sure do remember Fran. It was made by the Star Bakery on Hancock St. Hancock. Do you rememeber when they even did home deliverys. Old Bill H. was the delivery guy for years.

Hey Toivo,

You don't sleep when you are in Lost Wages. Can't tell day from night in the casinos...that's their plan. But the food is really very good, they wan't to lure you in and then have you stay a while.

Strictly an observer, my bit of money is too hard to come by. Fun watching the gamblers, though. Some real characters !!!

Toivonen,
Heed Nita's advice and do not wander into Caesar's Palace....you cannot get out!

<Toivo>: Nita and Pikkuleipa - - Thanks for the warning. More temptations than this poika has seen in one day. If a guy doesn't already know who he is, Sin City is no place to find out.

Yooper_US_Tour

Have seen scenes many times like that at Trenary. Lived outside the town on a farm north and east of it toward Limestone. Enjoy seeing pictures from around the old home places.
Went to the high school there for a few years and have many good memories of that town.

Toivo - If you're going through Sacramento, CA, I can recommend a terrific Pasty shop there. It's the best Pasty place I've found anywhere else in the country apart from the UP. For that matter, it's the ONLY such shop I've found! The first time I walked into this place the smell reminded me of Lawry's, so I knew it was going to be good stuff. And it is!

The Pasty Shack, "The Original Cornish Pasty," 4746 J St., Sacramento, 916-454-9630.

Look for the bright orange Pasty sign hanging out over the sidewalk.

And, if you're passing through Ventura, I can show you some great eating spots down by the beach.

<Toivo>: Jeff - - Don't remember seeing any pasties in Sacremento. But near Ventura, north of LA, I remember asking myself why I was still wearing longjohns .

Yooper_US_Tour

toivo, i did even notice your trip log page at pasty.com, if i knew you were coming thru coeur d alene, id, i would have went up to one of the interstate 90 overpasses and waived "hi" to ya.

<Toivo>: Hei Spudman! - - Had a great time in Couer d'Alene on St. Urho's Day. Maybe next time.

Yooper_US_Tour

RCW,you and I must be the only "oldies" on here today.I do remember the guy who delivered the Star toast but I didn't remember his name.Do you remember that old man with this ancient black wood delivery truck that used to come around in the summer mo. His name was "Woolsky"(SP?)Did he deliver ice? Us kids use to go out and sneak ice chips from the back of his truck. The truck was pretty much open in back so maybe he had fruit in it.I just can't remember.Did your Mom buy from the Watkins man.He came to our house for years .Can't remember his name right now either. I think he was from uparound Painesdale. This will drive me nuts now trying to think of his name!!

Yes Fran, I remember Woolsky, seem to remember he sold fruits. That was and old Model T if I recall. The Star Bakery guy was Bill Holombo. I can't recall either, the Watkins fella.

Just recieved 12 bags of Trenary Toast I ordered on line 2 weeks ago...5 bags left after da wife took a few bags to work, I took a few bags to work, and the others were ate at home.
The few yoopers also stuck downstate that I work with were surprised to see that familier brown bag in the coffee room....

Was the "Watkins" man aka the "Fuller Brush" man?
I remember my mother buying from him.

Fuller Brush man was Ed Mall(sp)

Holy whuh, eh Toivo. That sure is one big hole in the ground there in Arizona.

Hey Trapped- you can get Trenary Toast at Hillers
market at 5 mile and Haggarty if you live near there.

Watkins man was Stauch, wasn't it? From Atlantic Mine. First name maybe Henry. He used to come to our house. I still remember the liniment smell. Ha! I remember Star Bakery Toast. I love korpuu in coffee. I'm a dunker.

Didn't Mike Aisiala from Hancock sell Fuller Brush also?

Suomalainen,You are right I remember his name now.If it wasn't Stauch it was very similar.I know his name was Henry.He was a nice man He sold a lot of stuff.My Mom used to buy some liguid that you mixed with water to make a Koolaid type drink.

Eh?

I bought some Trenary Toast at the little gourmet market in downtown Elk Rapids,MI. My neice Amy,a student at MTU, told me about it. It sure is tasty with a good hot cup of coffee. Trenary Toast is one of the UP's best exports.

Fahunter39@msn.com - Oh, I remember that flavored drink. It was delicious. Atleast, I thought so back then. The correct spelling of Henry's name I believe is Strauch. Yes, he was a nice man.
Snowbound in Toivola - The Fuller Brush man was Edward Moll.
Guess we aren't as old as we thought we were if we have some recollection of things in the past.

...Escanaba has a lot snow this morning!!! I am trying to remain positive knowing that it has to end one of these days...I mean it is spring, right?? The old snowblower got a workout yesterday and now we have to get it out again!!

The banana belt becomes part of the snow belt, welcome to the club. You are a great part of the UP to visit and live too.
Regards,
Donn

When we go downstate we have to bring lots of that Trenery Toast to the displaced Yoopers there. Going to have to load up again. Going to take a fast run down soon Hey Betty in AZ one of these days let me know when you will be in Oscoda or RO and will add a bag or two for you guys

Sure sounds good Yooper Miriam. Leaving here May 20th for R.O. and then be in Oscoda May 26th. Reading all about the Trenery Toast is making me hungry for it. THANX YOOPER MIRIAM!

People don't just eat Trenary Toast, they write about it. The following are links to two articles in the Mining Journal in Marquette and one in the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News.

http://www.miningjournal.net/Archive/2002news/06-june/06-02_1.html

http://www.miningjournal.net/Archive/2002news/06-june/06-02_2.html

http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/092299/fri_092299-28.shtml

I remember eating something that my Swedish grandmother in Red Wing, MN called "Rusks" that sounds a lot like Trenary Toast (but of course, it couldn't have been as good as the real thing).

Two of the nice things about the internet are 1) hearing about all these interesting things that people grew up with and 2) being able to order some and try them yourself. I'll have some Trenary Toast on the way to my house in a few minutes.

For those Yooper's like me around the Royal Oak area who would like some Trenary Toast,Holiday Market on Main St.has been selling it for years.All this has made me want some,so i'am going there now to get me afew bags.If for some reason they no longer carry them,or can't keep enough in stock,i'll get back with you.It has been awhile since i been to that Market.If i have too,it would be worth it to head west to Hiller's, thanks John.

RUSKS RULE!!!!!!!!!!

: Mr. W - - Didn't get any toast in Astoria, but I did cross a mighty long bridge. Even so, it's a mile shorter than Mackinac.

It looks like they need to visit the Houghton Hancock area! They need a lift bridge! That sure is pretty awesome though. Must be even better in person!

AZ Betty looks like we miss you again unless you are coming close to the UP on the way home. We is leaving RO May 1st and camping on the way to the Western UP.