Anyone who's familiar with Esrey Park, on M-26, between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor, knows what a great spot this is for a picnic in the summer. David Antikainen gives us all a fresh taste of Esrey in the winter! The bluff is a veritable playground in itself for the young and old. I remember as a youngster riding for what seemed like forever and stopping to stretch our legs on the steps. Then looking out over Lake Superior, hoping there would be a freighter in sight. Now as an adult I still love stopping there and climbing the steps of the bluff to take in the view. Is that big footprint still there atop the bluff, I wonder?

When I hear of M-26, I think about when my husband and I are heading home from Copper Harbor at 4:00 am, from a wonderful week of snowmobiling, seeing the big, dark waves of Lake Superior crashing against the coast in the darkness. Another type of beauty that Lake offers.

We have stretched our legs at this park also and looked for freighters. What a great view, I am looking forward to that view someday in retirement.
Hi Trish and Phil! Fellow pasty cam enthusiasts!

Yes, the Paul Bunyan footprint is still there. We photographed it this past summer.

We saw a "U PER" Sunday afternoon prox 4:00PM just north of FT. Wayne, Ind. on Interstate 69 driving a white Ford pickup truck. We knew they were youpers because they had personalized plates "U PER". It was refreshing to see the plate because we knew then that we wre getting close to home.

Esrey is my stomping grounds ! Every July when I Mt. bike up the east side of Brockway and down the westside doing the roundtripper also Hebard park on M -26 ! Black bears often visit both parks. Beautiful !! Come on July !

HOW ABOUT THEM PACKER'S

Frank.....GO PACK GO....I believe in devine intervention and think Brett's dad is the Packer's Guardian angel!!! We are trying to order tickets for next Sunday's game....not easy to do, but it will be a very special game to experience.

I will be backing the Team whose Coach is named "Mike."

How about those Lions

I love this view of Lake Superior and the coastline. I can't wait to move to the Eagle Harbor area in 2005. Also, as a girl born and raised in Wisconsin who now lives in Saginaw, it's quite funny to me that most Yoopers seem to be Packer fans! Way to go Packers! Even people in other states like you! My brother was at yesterday's game in Green Bay. I didn't see him on TV, however, probably because he doesn't paint his face or wear a cheesehead hat. Keep up the good work with this site. I never miss a day.

as for bieng born and raised a yooper,(my home town is calumet)seeing some of those photos brings back a wonderful memory of summer and fun on the greatest lake of all this site is by far one of the best ive seen in a long time thank-you for a little slice of home

IT'S SNOWING IN MURPHYS, CA...YEAHHHH!

The Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Braves are closer to the Western end of the U.P. then the state capital lansing. I know the Braves left Milwaukee. I do not want to know where they went, or who replaced them. The Pack will be in the Super Bowl. Go PACK!!!

I think that the name of the Minnesota Vikings should be changed. It does a disservice to the Vikings of old. The Vikings of old were successful mariners, explorers, settlers/colonizers, merchants, farmers, fishermen, and yes, rapers, and pillagers too. They founded cities, named countries, and rolled their ships on logs overland to get where they were going. They were the first Europeans to set foot on the North American continent. They added much to the world. The Vikings of today can do little else than fold partway into the season, embarass us all in the playoffs and the Super Bowl, and set records in losing categories. The Vikings didn't lose the Division with that last play yesterday. They lost it weeks ago and didn't deserve to win it yesterday. Go Packers!

How about those Wolverines in the Rose Bowl?

Which (professional) hockey team do we back in the UP? Can't be the Wings....they're tooooo far away :)

Well, in the OLD DAYS all the Red wings were from Canada. Same deal as the Huskie's. REAL CLOSE to the U.P.

Didn't the National Hockey League (NHL) get it start in Houghton?? I believe the Butkovich boys were involved.......

Its now wonder Wisconsins' are called CHEESEHEADS,LOL, perfect fit, lol..

Go Pack! There are plenty of Packer Backers in the Tn-Ga area. I am so happy they are doing so well. I know it helps Bret during this awful time. I am keeping him in my prayers as I believe when the games are over it will really hit him. A Rossville Cheesehead

I attended a wedding at Esrey Park. We all climbed up on the bluff. It was awesome! So was the wedding. heh heh!

My friend's son already got his tickets confirmed on-line to the Packers game. It's his birthday present from his mother. His birthday is on the 30th! Packers rule and the others drool!

Ah yes, Paul Bunyons foot print! Left there as he leaped into his big bath tub. Many memories at Esry Park over the years. Stopping to picnic and take pictures and just enjoy the view. Thanks, David, for a different view of this spot.

Mary Lou
I seem to recall that the Butkavich 's had a bar in Houghton somewhere near the end of the old bridge. I think it was on a corner and had a lot of hockey memorabilia in the windows and inside. If I am wrong someone will correct me I am sure. These memories go back into the late 1940s so may not be entirely correct

I think the first professional hockey leaque was started in the UP, but only lasted a couple of years. Wasn't the NHL, had another name. So I guess you could say professional hockey has it's origins in the UP.

Did some research.....The International Hockey League was started by Mr. James Dee. How about that!

For CC hockey history, see www.cchockeyhistory.org

Yooper to be in Saginaw, I am orginally from the Saginaw area, Merrill to be exact. I moved up here to the beautiful U.P. and I love it very much. So breath taking! But I am not a Packer fan. As you can guess I am a Lions fan!!!! There are quite a few of Lions fans up here, more than some people probably realize!!

Now, now, Hancock Harry, tis the season for "GOOD" cheer......

Whats packers got to do with Esrey Park ? Not a dang thang ! We will take Esrey any day over green bay.

A trip to "God's Country" is never complete unless we stop here for a picture or two and just take in all the beauty of this lovely area!

My parents have property next to the park. I get up there alot in the summer, but not in the winter, so thankyou for the picture!

I need another Broncos/Packers Super Bowl. Just like the last one would be nice. Gotta make the trip to Wyoming to get some fireworks for that!

Vikings are cursed by Corey Stringer. Bad Ju Ju.

Yes, ESREY is a most beautiful park a scenic natural beauty ! HEBARD is another favorite in the area. Thanks for the great shot !