A road we've traveled before... The sign announces the little hamlet you arrive in, once you crest the top of the hill, called Gay. It's also descriptive of the feeling most folks get once they discover the view in today's second shot taken by Cindy Freeman. After passing through the streets of this small town, you'll come upon a variety of different shoreline views, ranging from rocky, to sandy, to sloping, to steep, but make no mistake, they all soothe whatever ails the mind and soul. Lake Superior is like that!

Good morning from Laurium, MI

Good morning from Mishawaka IN

I love the picture of the shoreline. I can almost feel a breeze and smell the water. A great way to start the day. Have a good day everyone.

Good morning world!

Wow, everyone's up bright and early this morning. All bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, just raring to get back to work (or school) after a long weekend (for some lucky folks, excluding me).

Great picture of the big pond, soon the air will have that fall smell to it and the leaves will be changing color and dropping to the ground and the days highs will only be in the 50’s just before the onslaught of old man winter. No matter how harsh a winter in the u.p. It is still beautiful and makes spring, summer and fall all that more enjoyable. Hope the winter is a good one for the tourist trade.

My father, (and his 7 brothers and sisters), were all born in a house in Gay. Makes me homesick just to see the sign!

(So you can only begin to IMAGINE how I felt on April Fool's Day, when the picture of the Gay Smokestack falling down was placed on the front page of this Website).

Every time I drive through the U.P., I try to stop at the Gay Bar to get immersed in local U.P. culture. The U.P. accent is very apparent in that little tavern. Even though every time I walk through the door there, everyone briefly glances, knowing I'm not from there, the hospitality is always warm. A memorable place to have lunch while exploring the east half of the Keeweenah.

Morning everyone. Can I retire to the U.P. yet? Later, Skylar.

Sure Skylar, come on UP!

Mornin', great pics. Love the shoreline.

Good morning everybody. Has anyone lived/vacationed in Phillipsville? Its not that big, just wondering how many people out in Pastyland have a tie to it.

Get to see that sign on the way back to Ahmeek after a stay in Big Traverse's Bay.
Mom and Dad are so lucky !!!!!!

the Gay photo is interesting. We just made the trip over there on Sunday. Got a pic of the Gay Bar sign...mandatory :)

A 2nd good morning from Mishawaka, IN.

Another stop for a good picture, and what life is like in the U.P., there is a LARGE trap infront of a home on Pike River (Paridise) and Creamery roads in Chassell. You'll know how big the bears get in this large part of the country when you see the trap. This would be a good picture for this site.

I was surprised to see my pictures from Gay this morning when I logged on. How I wish I could be there now! Even though it was a little cloudy that day, the shoreline was so beautiful to me. Also just down from this spot, we stopped to watch an eagle in the top of a tree for almost an hour. It was fascinating to see, especially when some hawks flew into the area and the eagle suddenly left the tree to soar high in a huge circular pattern above. I assumed that it was pronouncing its territory to the hawks. Then, of course, we had a nice lunch at the Gay Bar. It was such a wonderful peaceful drive.

Good Morning from Brighton

Great picture I love the shorline !!!

Joe

Good morning! I was just swimming 3 days ago off the shore in Gay, MI! -- Just got back from being in Gay, MI over this past Labor Day Weekend! Nice to see a pic of "home" as I am getting ready for work. Have a great week!

Good morning! Nice pics. I just wanted to say thank you for all of the complements on my picture of the Traverse River on Saturday.

Many fond memories of Gay - used to play for the Gay Bar softball (summer) and pool (winter) teams. We had a really nice ball field out there. Does Chuck Gustuffson (sp?) still own the bar?

Good Morning. Back at work to get some rest this morning. Those days off are a lot of work! Here's just 2 of the 10 keeping us so busy:

Dan in Fenton,
How much for the pups? How old are they?
Thanks

Great shoreline pic! Put it right on my desktop.

We are dealing w/ the remnants of Frances this morning here in GA. Here in northeast GA, lots of rain and wind, some trees down, lots of power out. Our school system is open, but some schools have no power at all. Some nearby school systems are closed.

They are adorable Dan, but I cannot do it, thank you for all the information though.

Dan,

They are so adorable!!! Hard to believe they are getting so big so fast. They will make great hunters/pets for someone. Keep us informed on their progress.

Hi Yooperwannabe, Helen, Sarahk. Pups are 5 weeks old today. Yooperwannabe, if you email me, I would love to send you more information. Pups are eating like a horse, wrestling together, and pulling heart strings all day long!

Hello from Eaton Rapids!

Good Morning from Houston,

Another cheerful town I think of in Michigan is "Christmas".

How was everyone's labor day? The kids and I went to Huntsville State Park and the boys fished while my daughter and I sat at a picnic table and worked on our scrap books. It was a terrific day, and we even got to see an alligator. :)

I am looking for some advice. My wife and I will be visiting the Keweenaw in three weeks (We will be staying in Laurium). This is her first visit to the Keweenaw and I would like to drive her around to see the fall colors and the Big Lake. But also, a guy has to eat too, so I was hoping that someone could recommend several places to eat. The chamber of commerce website has a long list of places in the Keweenaw, but unfortunately we do not have time to try them all. Where is a good place to eat breakfast? (we love omelets and wild blueberry pancakes) Also, as we drive around to see the sights, are there any particular roads that you would recommend to see colors and the lake?

Good morning everyone!
I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend and all our friends in the southeast are doing all right.

My Mom (Dorothy) works at the "Gay Bazaar" in the Township Hall on Saturdays during the summer. This weekend was the last one! The proceeds help the Fire Department - its the Ladies Auxiliary that sponsors that hugely popular "sale". If you haven't had the blessing of "doing" the Gay Bazaar, do it next summer! Saturdays really hop in Gay!

Dave, for a great breakfast, you have to try the Suomi Cafe in Houghton -- the best pancakes and omelets! For a fantastic burger or sandwich, the Mariner North in Copper Harbor is a perfect stop. Of course, Toni's in Laurium is a good place for pasties and other goodies, and The Ambassador in Houghton offers what I think is the area's best pizza (and great sandwiches). A stop at the JamPot is a must for bakery. As for where to go to see the lake at its best, everywhere has something wonderful to offer. Calumet Waterworks Park (affectionately known as Bucky's by generations of visitors) is great, McLain Park is great, driving the "upper road" to Copper Harbor, from Eagle Harbor is unbelievable, the US-41 scenic drive is wonderful, going into the bush on the Mandan is awesome...you can't go wrong with ANY of it! Have a great time and remember you won't get to see everything the first time. You'll need lots of visits back!

Boy did I need these pictures this morning! I've been SO agitated and upset trying to figure out this blasted computer and being so dumb about it! I actually could feel my stomach relax and I'm calming down now. Thanks to all who give us all these beautiful and funny photos to help things out. I'm not any smarter but I'm calmmer :)

Dan, what kind of pups are they? They are just TOO cute! Makes me want one!

Here's a pic of the stamp sand beach in Gay, a uniquely different beach....plenty of High School parties were held here..:>)

I just figured out that I can retire to the U.P. in 29 years. That's not so bad is it? Later, Skylar.

Candy, CA:
Thanks for the information. I am hoping that after my wife sees what it is like in the Fall she will want to back... again and again... I hope that some leaves are still on the trees. Where is the covered road that people talk about?

For a really good pizza, go to The Studio in Houghton, next door to the movie theatre (Shelden Ave.). Absolutely fabulous! Also, Spice of Life in Hancock makes the best sandwiches. I agree that the Suomi Restaurant has the best breakfasts. The best steaks are at North Shore Grill & Pub in Hancock.

Dave, another must is a drive up Brockway Mountain. I wanted to get up there the last time I was up there - but didn't get a chance..

I believe the covered road is on the way to Freda, which is just outside of Houghton. I have not been out there since I was in grade school so I can't remember how to get there..

I think there was a picture of that road a few weeks back..

Have fun on your trip!!

Ahh, good old Gay I know it well. Indeed, as already mentioned, the Gay Bazaar is a fine time to swap fond memories, war and fish stories, and enjoy a hot cup of coffee all at the same time. Truly a warm and hospitable respite for native and visitor alike.

Hello All

One Thing that I noticed while driving the keweenaw was the roads . They are very good not like the one's us troll's live with down below .

joe

SKYLAR, Sorry you have to wait 29 years. We only have 7 years to go. Would love nothing better than to retire up in Copper Harbor but would be too far from grandkids. We just have to settle for our summers up there and bring the grand kids with us. We do hope to be able to stay for the summer at Fort Wilkins as campground hosts. Since we have been camping up there for the last 18 years we pretty much know about the area. But, we still learn something new every year. Since I have been reading the pasty cam I have learned a lot.

Dave,my great grandparents Deslongchamp and family lived for a long time in Phillipsville and I visited them often;hand pump over the kitchen sink for well water for many years.

Hi,
There's a Houghton northern lights picture on EPOD (Earth Science Picture o the Day) today:
http://epod.usra.edu/

Dave , I think the covered stretch you keep hearing about is actually located on the last 11 mile stretch on US 41,heading into beautiful Copper Harbor.The fall scenic view is usually quit breathtaking along this route with plenty of foliage to marvel at between Delaware and Copper Harbor.

For excellent, interesting decor and quality food go to Harbor Haus (right on Copper Harbor) and the Keeweenaw Mountain Lodge on 41 just south of Copper Harbor. (wonderful building with interesting history.) Eagle Harbor Inn in Eagle Harbor is also good with great friendly service.

Ambassador in Houghton has great pizza, subs, lasagna and ravioli. Great nostalgic decor with a beautiful bar, original murals and stained glass. Michigan House in Calumet has the same type of decor and is good for lunch.

Wherever else you go, be sure to take 26 (lakeshore drive) from Eagle River to Copper Harbor. (Left off of 41 at Phoenix) Take a break at Esrey (sp) park between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor and climb the rock. (there are stairs) Also Great Sand Bay betw Eagle River and Eagle Harbor for at least a quick stop at the turnoff. Also the turnoff on Quincy Hill as you drive out of Hancock. Be sure to go over Brockway and south on 41 out of Copper Harbor at least as far as Keeweenaw Mountain Lodge. Go in there even if you don't stop to eat. Nice cozy bar there also.

Lovely beaches at Bete Gris and White City if you have time.

As someone already said, you won't be able to see all the beautiful places. There are so many other places that others will probably mention, depending on what you're interested in doing. You will also have no trouble finding good places to eat.

Have a great time!

Brad & Ozzie,
I bought some land in Phillipsville a few years ago. part of the original plat but the road was never cleared. I have been wondering about using the land for camping in the summer but not sure what it would take? I would have to get the trees cleared first.

That stretch along the north side from Five Mile Point to Copper Harbor looks like a nice drive as well as the road that runs from Gay to Bete Gris along the east side of the Keweenaw. Are there plenty of places to stop and take pictures along there?

http://pasty.com/cam/searchpc.html search for "covered drive" from this search page here at pasty .com there are two covered drives..

I actually prefer the drive on Pike Lake Road south of Twin Lakes to the Freda covered road. There are several small lakes just off the road that are especially picturesque in the fall.

Favorite restaurants include the Ambassador for tostada pizza and the Harbor Haus for the view.

Hi Ert, the pups are German Shorthaired Pointers. I know what you mean about them making you want one! It's hard to do anything else at home when there are comical puppies to watch. This one here is going to Midland, Texas:

Long walk to Texas for a little pup. Don't you think?

OK, this is the second time in a week I've composed a message and forgot to click "post"!

I prefer Pike Lake Road south of Twin Lakes to the covered road to Freda. It has several small lakes just off it that are especially picturesque in the fall.

I second the votes for the Ambassador for tostada pizza and the Harbor Haus for the view. I have a page in my U.P. journal devoted to restaurants I've heard endorsed on pasty cam and the names of their endorsers since I can't try them all in one trip.

OK, my message was just slow in arriving. I'm not really losing it (no pun intended)!

Dan in Fenton:
Please e-mail me regarding the pups. I assume that they are German Shorthair Pointers.

Thanks

Hi....no one has mentioned "The Summit" at the Calumet Golf Course. (open to the public) It has great food and a wonderful salad bar on Friday nights...I don't know if it still has the wonderful Sunday Brunches or how late they stay open in the fall. I know it's where just about everyone goes on Friday nights in the summer.

Dan, that's what I thought the pups were. How I envy you! I grew up w/ a G. Short-haired Pointer named Joe. Not only was he a great hunter, but he was also a great pet. My daddy and uncle hunted w/ him, and my sisters and I played w/ him. He was a terrific dog!

Have fun!

Hey, what's up with the "Bridge Cam" today? It hasn't reloaded a fresh image since yesterday evening!

Hi Ert. I'm having fun, but also quite busy! With Joe, I'm sure you found out that they're versatile every-use dogs. That's what attracted me to them. As long as you train them, they're very manageable and can be family as well as working / sporting dogs.

The puppies are the sweetest! I love the way they are all going in separate directions; they look like they'll make great hunting companions.

My daughter and I took our St. Bernard, Lucy, to a swimming spot between Gay and Lac LaBelle on Saturday, and we all enjoyed a great swim. Lucy went completely under the water once, and I thought I was going to have to do mouth-to-snout resuscitation, but we got her up and sent her swimming to shore. She sure loves the beach, and so do we. The water was cold, but refreshing. We plan on going for a swim in October, just so we can say we did it. Anyone care to join us, after all, misery loves company!!

Was wondering what happened to the Gazette. Keeps comming up August 31? Am I the only one?

EVERYWHERE in the Keeweenaw is a great place to stop and take pictures. You'll see! If you like Asian food, there's a restaurant on the 9th floor of the Franklin Inn in Houghton that has good food and gorgeous views of the canal. Also a Sunday Brunch.

By the way, Mich Tech's Ripley motion cam is back! I get here through Tech's web site so I can stop and look at the canal every day. And come winter carnival, you can watch some of the snow sculptures being created live. Second greatest site in the UP!

Cliff Dweller, sounds like you had a lot of fun! I'll stay on shore in October, though.

is Geno's (Gino's, Jeno's - sp?) Restaurant still in
business in Hancock? I grew up on their canned
spaghetti sauce. Anyone have the recipe?...

Would it be Baroni's canned spaghetti sauce? Or did Gino's have it too?

Hey Lily: I just wanted to know where the "Spice of Life" Restaurant is located. I live in Hancock and never heard of it. Thanks in advance....

on the MAIN page of PASTY.COM you will find http://www.gemignani.com they have a spice mix..{is Gino's and Gemignani's related ?? I think that's the original Gino's last name??The best is Baroni's canned sauce from Calumet http://www.baronis.com

http://baronis.com/

ok...
We ate at Gino's Sunday night...had their half & half deal..sphagetti and ravioli....very good. The sauce is very close to Baroni's but has more flavor. It is described as their own on the menu.

The 5 mile point to Eagle River drive...we were there Sunday as well...did a blitz of the Keweenaw...that is a pretty nice drive, but much of the view is blocked with houses...and trees...but still worth the trip...very much like the Maine coast if you've ever been up there.

Dave from Laurium-

If you're reading this, please post again. You were part of our community and I miss your humor!

Pete, I had the same problem and had to run clean disc.now it works wonderful

what happened to my message?

anyway GINO's///we ate there Sunday night...I had their half & half...sphagetti and ravioli. The sauce is very similar to Baroni's but with more flavor...mor tomatoe....the menu states it is their own sauce.

5 mile point road to Eagle River...was there Sunday as well...did a blitz of the Keweenaw :)
Very nice drive...somewhat a Maine appearnace..there are quite a few stretches with the lake view blocked by trees...and some houses, but a nice drive overall.....

Shelly/ If I didn't know any better I would think the post from Yooper66 is from Dave of Laurium.

Well Shoot!! And I was wearing my camouflage hat too.... You guys are good!!

Karen; Picked up on some past messages that you
are doing o.k. Glad to hear that. Guess it is still a mess there. I hope that your home is o.k.
Take care.

Seeing as we have pictures of the Gay area and animals here today, how about a picture of Da Gay Bear in Da Gay Bar!!

Hello... I need expert help !Most of the stamp sands around Portage lake were dangerous EPA superfund sites and were recently covered at
great expense to the US A . Some now are very
valuable homesites. How come the Gay sands are
not covered?

Dave...dont listen to Mark...he just dont know...
Go to Freda by way of the river road out of Houghton until you see the sign that says...."covered road".......duh.......head to Freda and all will be revealed...........
The Mark road is indeed covered and beautiful...but it aint da covered road.........
They have beer at Schmidts Corners on the way...

John -

Chuck Gustafson no longer owns the Gay Bar. I just met him and his wife over the weekend at a neighborhood cookout in Gay, MI. Nice couple!

Dave -

Places to Eat: (These are my personal favorites) 1. Michigan House in Calumet 2. The Gay Bar - go on Friday and get the Fish Fry OR try the pizza OR footlong hot dog. Excellent! 3. Slim's Cafe in Mohawk 4. Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor - breakfast specials great or try lunch specials too! Beautiful view of Lake Superior right on the lake. (We had our wedding dinner at the Harbor Haus 3 years ago.) 5. Lac La Belle Lodge, also known as The Season in Lac La Belle. Beautiful views and good food.

Drives: I would recommend driving the following loop. Drive US-41 to Phoenix. Continue on US-41 to Copper Harbor. (The trees overlap the highway so that you feel like you are walking in the woods. The limbs form a canopy over the highway. The colors are especially brilliant when you come up to Mandan-an old ghost town.) Once in Copper Harbor, head back on M-26 that runs along the north shore. Take the Mountain Drive to the top of Brockway Mountain right outside of Copper Harbor - scenic panoramic views. Head down Mountain Drive towards Eagle Harbor - Take M-26 to Eagle Harbor - great view of Eagle Harbor lighthouse. Continue on M-26 to Eagle River, MI. You will pass by Great Sand Bay, the newly built eastern Orthodox church and Jacob's Falls on the way to Eagle River. Once in Eagle River, look at the Eagle River Falls by the old schoolhouse. Then head back to Phoenix on M-26. This is my favorite loop in the Keweenaw. There are plenty of places to stop and take pictures.

Ahmeek Cliff Dweller - I went swimming off the Gay Stamp Sands this past weekend. When you go swimming in October, let me know. I will join you! :-)

Good evening from Mohawk.

Just to add that i saw two bear this past weekend on the Gay Mohawk road.Only three bear this season compared to the nine i saw last year.One that crossed Stanton Ave. about two houses down.

Hello from Palm Beach County Fla. We have no power, no phones and just empty promises from JEB and Georgie. Just what we would expect. Have a great day everyone. Oh yeah, to answer your question in advance ---- I borrowed 5 min. on a cell phone to check my mail and check in here.

Now that I live here again I rarely check out this site. Since I did, I'm happy to add my 2 cents. One of my favorite eating places is Paradise Gardens just north of the Airport road on Oneco road off 41. Great NY strips (especially if Tribin cooks), ribs, & burgers. The service has always been outstanding. Drinks are generous and priced to move. Used to be a nice out-of-the way place during prohibition with a way of satisfying customers even then. Original "paintings" on the walls of the countryside. Drawback? For non-smokers it can be a bit smokey. Enjoy your visit to the Copper Country.

Dave, the covered road that the flying lower today is talking about is the best one and it can get you to the houghton canal. Schmidts is great for a beer and locals. Ambassador is the best for pizza and there subs and the interior of the building is great. The best place to go for the color is brockway mountain at the very top you can look over for miles and view the carpet of colors all the way to lake superior. gorgeous. miss it already

Dave-
Another great place to eat in the Keweenaw is the Eagle Harbor Inn in Eagle Harbor along with the Evergreen Inn in Calumet. When my husband and I are up there we like to have breakfast at the Evergreen and supper at the Eagle Harbor Inn. Of course - we stay in Eagle Harbor and just walk up to the "blue place". This year - we also enjoyed eating at the Season's at Lake LaBelle. Here you can sit out and watch the lake during your meal. We ate there both at breakfast and supper and enjoyed both meals. Have a great trip!

GREAT TAVERN! IN GAY, WISH I WAS THERE SIPPIN ON ONE AND EATTING A TOMBSTONE PIZZA!

the drive mentioned by M.B. is the best way to see the most. I love that drive. As for eats, welll...when your mom is a good cook why go someplace else. But I do enjoy the pizzas from //oh wouldn't you know it I forgot the name of the place... It's in Lake Linden at the bottom of the hill.

Dave-Laurium

Glad to see you back posting again.

Anita,
Is it the Loading Zone on lake linden main street.

Dave C., listen to Candy in CA, she's got some great picks! Also, the fish at the Mariner is wonderful, and don't miss Prime Rib Saturday nights there, too. They have the best sandwiches I've had anywhere in the country! Great bar, too.

The "covered road" may be to Freda, but US41 into Copper Harbor is also known as the "covered drive", though most locals refer to it as "the tunnel".
You'll have to wait 'til next year, but the best place for ice cream is Nousiainen's (sp?) at the end of town in Copper Harbor. They close it up before the school year starts.

The south shore drive, aka the Gay road, is quite breathtaking, too. The variety of the Keweenaw lakeshore really is amazing. Going north, take Five Mile Point road out of Ahmeek, which will drop you onto M-26, and follow to Copper Harbor. Take US41 (tunnel) when you leave, and turn off towards Lac la Belle and follow the Gay road south. If you do get to make more than one trip, the rest of US41 between Delaware and Ahmeek is great for color, too.
While in Laurium, check out the Calumet Theatre and the many old stone churches around, too. They just don't build'em like that anymore!

The Pilgrim River Steakhouse just east of Houghton is a great place for steaks and fish. Their soups are awesome!!! Gino's or Gemignani's for spaghetti, Ambassador's pizza is good, Jim's in Calumet and Hancock also has good pizza. The Spice of Life Deli in Hancock has a wonderful chicken salad sandwich on homemade whole wheat bread. Yum!!!!

Can you still get shrimp on your pizza at Gino's?? I remember loving their pizza and all of their food was delicious. A real favorite years ago. Also, I remember how delicious Baroni's spagehetti sauce was. Does anyone remember Nelson's Restaurant in Houghton? They had the most delicious steak sandwiches. In high school I can remember going there for french fries and cherry cokes after school with friends. I also remember a place in Calumet(?) that my grandparents took me to where you could order chicken in a basket. The order actually came in a basket and for some reason I remember the crinkly fries and crinkly cut carrot sticks, and thought that was so cool. I also remember the A&W rootbeer stand in Ripley and how big of a deal it was to get to go there as a kid and order a big frosty A&W (in a "glass" glass), and the carhops brought it to your car and put it on a tray hooked to the car window. When I tell my kids these stories they get a real kick out of it!

Did someone say they needed "expert help"??? haha

In regards to the stamp sand question. Not all stamp sands are dangerous. What makes certain stamp sands dangerous (to an extent) was the processing techniques used by certain mining companies. The Torch Lake sands are the worst because those companies used ammonium/sulfuric acid leaching, while one of those companies tried VERY briefly using cyanide. However, the cyanide proved too costly and never worked as well as what was hoped.

The stamps sands at Gay were not subjected to these chemicals and therefore, aren't as polluted as their Portage Lake counterparts. The Gay sands are no more dangerous than the original basalt bedrock they came from. Remember, ALL basalts in the Keweenaw Peninsula contain trace amounts of arsenic as a by-product with the native copper. There is also trace amounts of cobalt and nickel on the Peninsula, which gives us Domeykite or "Mohawkite".

Hope this sheds a little light on the stamp sand issue. So go on out to the Gay sands and have yourself a picnic!!!

Does anyone remember eating at the Dime Store
lunch counter in downtown Calumet many years ago?
They use to make the best hamburgers and malted
milk shakes.

For memorable eats in the Copper Country, I would recommend the following: The cherizo omelette at the Harbor Haus for Breakfast and the Copper Harbor Marinated Hickory Trout also from the Harbor Haus for Dinner with Grandma Dyson's Pie for dessert. The Jampot is out of this world for sweets, with particular regard to the mocha and/or hazelnut truffles and Abbey Cakes. Their peanut and jelly brownie will also leave you full and drowsy, but with a smile on your face. You eat like this too many days in a row and you're certain to get kicked off the bungee jumping team!

Oh No! Is that really Purple Loosetrife in Cindys 2nd pic? Looks like it. Nevertheless great shot!

Jack Sprat/ would have to agree with you on the hazelnut truffles from the Jam Pot. They are delicious!

A&W in Ripley...my aunt used to cook there. They had awesome burgers.

She then opened a small drive in just north towards Houghton from the Pilgrim steak place...that used to be called something else..Mike's maybe ????.
it was just south of the 2 houses that are there...in fact my great grandmother lived in one of the houses.

prior to that, my aunt cooked at
Fitzgeralds in Eagle River...the eagle river Inn.

Dave~~~~Slim's Cafe in Mohawk has delicious mouth watering blueberry pancakes!! They have wonderful omelets too!! It would be a great way to start your sight seeing excursion in the Keweenaw!! Another breathtaking view of the fall color is the Cliff Drive Road (it starts just outside of Ahmeek)!! Have a great time!!

Ah, yes, my home town of Gay. It was wonderful to see the Gay sign and all the interesting posts today. We always swam in Lake Superior down from the park and never minded the stampsand. Every July 4th we go to the parade there and visit at the hall. Met a cousin and an old friend from the Gay school days this year, and had a blast! My aunt, Alida Tierney, owned the bar a number of years ago. It feels so good to visit there every year to reminisce with old friends and get in touch with my "roots".

I DO REMEMBER the dime store!!!!!!

And thanks to everyone for making me more homesick for the UP than ever before! (Grin). I enjoyed reading these posts today so much.

Shirley... Did Alida have a Malimute or Husky dog?

Homesick Yooper, I too remember the Ripley A&W. It tasted so good in that nice frosty mug. When we go home and drive through Ripley we always recall one of our favorite places! The Frostie Top in Dollar Bay was another favorite place for us kids to hang out when I was in my teens. Usually we only had a dime to spend but once in awhile we had enough to get some chips or peanuts.

Enjoyed the pictures of Gay today. We always have to have our picture taken by the Bar sign and then walk around the the ruins and the beach area. We just enjoy the scenery and then have a nice lunch at the Bar.

The name of the Dime Store finally came to mind..
it was a senior moment I was having. Woolworth's
Department Store. When I attended the Calumet Public Schools, I would go there for lunch and either have a hamburger and malt or a Vollwerth's
hot dog and coke. What a lunch!!! How about you
Alex what did you have?

Wasn't there also a dime store across from Woolworth's? I think it was called Newberry's. I could be worng tho... I so remeber the lunch counter at "Newberry's". It was such a big deal to go there as a kid.

Hey Skylar!
My hubby's idea is to retire in da U.P. and drive a groomer. LOL I think he married me just cuz I am a Yooper. LOL

Downstate Don

I too remember that cafe inside of Woolworths-a real 5 & dime store. As memory serves they shut down in the late 70's-early 80's. By the time I got there they were making some great greasy fries with a really cranky waitress...well, maybe just for my crew of friends (we probably weren't great tippers at 10-12 years old)! Anyways-interesting last time I was in the UP-Rowe Furniture was in the old Woolworth spot. That was 7 years ago-so things could be different now.

The "Covered Road", step by each:

Take SR-26 west of the Houghton/Hancock bridge about 0.6 miles then bear right onto Canal Road. Contunue along Canal Road about 1.9 miles to Smelts Road (CR A-63).

Turn left, take Smelts Road (CR A-63) to the west.
In about 0.1 miles another connector road (from further west along Canal Road) will join your path from the right (North).

Continue west on CR A-063 (Now it's called Coles Creek Road) ignoring the various minor intersecting roads joining from the left and right.

Finally you'll cross Rauhala Road at about 1.75 mi west of Canal Road.
Continuing west on Coles Creek Road about another mile you'll cross Gagnon Road (goes N)/Harma Rd (goes S) at about 2.75 miles W of Canal Road,
then another mile further west on Coles Creek Road (about 3.75 miles west of Canal Road) you'll cross Larson Road, which heads off mainly to the south.

When you cross Larson Road and continue straight ahead (West), you're on the Covered Road (Still CR S-63, though).
Less than 0.2 miles west of Larson Road the Covered Road will take on a more northwestarly course and continue for about 2.5 miles beyond the Larson Road corner, where the Covered Road will veer almost 90 degrees to the right (to the north-northwest) while another local road continues west.

Continue north-northwest along the Covered Road approximately another 0.5 miles and you'll meet up with Liminga Road (CR S-554).

From this point you can turn left (west) on Liminga Road and travel on to Redridge (0.8 mi), cross the Salmon Trout River at the now notorious Redridge dam (0.9 mi) then thru beautiful downtown Beacon Hill (3.2 mi), and finally Freda (4 miles). At Freda you will have traveled approximately 13 miles from the Houghton/Hancock Bridge.

For an almost equally scenic return to Houghton, take Liminga Road from Redridge more or less east to Canal Road at Schmidt Corner, then Canal Road south to Houghton, approximately 16 miles.

Re: "northwestarly" above:
Aaaack, and I proofread that too! Although it's only 12:30AM in Phoenix, AZ, I'm obviously gettin' sleepy!

Woolworth's AND Newberry's... Remember them both, but thought this five and dime was actually CALLED the five and dime. I remember going in somewhere in Calumet, and while I'm thinking more about it, I very well could have been Woolworth after all.

All I know is that I long to come back!

I believe Newberry's had the lunch counter. Woolworth's was across the street.

Hometown Boy: Spice of Life deli is in the former Secretary of State building, 300 Dunstan Street.

I agree with Debi, Newberry's had the lunch counter and great burgers

my mom's first job in '38 or '39 was at the "dime store" lunch counter in Calumet. (whichever it was) Since my mom and dad came to Detroit (not even married yet, mom just 19 lived with her brother) to get war work, (at Vickers where many from Keeweenaw were hired) and didn't go back till dad retired, she always spoke most nostalgically of those days at the dimestore.

Downstate Finn - Actually the pizzas in the Gay Bar are not tombstones. Years ago they were, but now they are homemade. Honestly!

Yep, the lunch counter was in Newberry's. Woolworth's was across the street on the side of Fifth street that Vertin's was on.

Anyone remember Mae's (Mae Fobish) restaurant, once on Scott street then for many years across from Thurner's Bakery in the 300 block of Fifth?

I wanted to thank everyone for their recommendations! You are the BEST!! I can't wait to get there... just three more weeks... This trip is to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary and I was hoping to take my wife out for a pretty fancy dinner at least once. The Chamber of COmmerce information suggests that is Fitzgeralds is nice. What would you recommend?

Da Bar in Tamarack City has the best Fish Fry around-tons of food and all delicious-Gotta try it

Newberry's was the dime store with the lunch counter and the slightly tilted floors -- it's now Rowe Furniture, next to Calumet Drug. Woolworth's didn't have a lunch counter -- and they're now the Dollar Store. At least this is the way it was the last time I got home... Before Herman's Jewelers took over that building, it housed a drug store that also had a wonderful lunch counter -- the best malts and burgers around. After that, the Townhouse Cafe opened, first where Tony Bausano's Copper World shop is, then several blocks down the street, next to where Thurner's Bakery was. For under a buck you could have perfect fries (hot and just a little greasy) and a Coke and secretly watch the upper classmen...it was heaven!

And Dave, as for a fancy anniversary dinner, if ambiance is important,the Harbor Haus is terrific, if a little pricey. You get a wonderful view of the sun setting over Copper Harbor, though, and that's priceless. Fitzgerald's also offers a wonderful view, but smaller portions. If you like Chinese, the Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant on the way up the hill out of Houghton is very nice, as is the Ameurasia Restaurant and Northern Lights Lounge on the 7th floor of the Best Western Franklin Square Inn. The lounge is the Northern Lights, and you'll see why when you look out at the Portage, toward Ripley at night. The Library Restaurant and Quincy's in Dollar Bay are nice, too, although not Fifth Anniversary caliber.
You can check out lots of places here:
http://isleroyale.areaparks.com/dining.html

Don't try to do it all, though, or your poor wife will be overwhelmed! Keep her wanting more...and she'll come back again! (Don't forget to drive by the school, if you graduated from there -- it's changed a lot).

Glad to see you back, Yooper66/Dave of Laurium. What WERE you doing on those sands...

Fran, GA:
Didn't the Burbank family own the Frosty Top in Dollar Bay? My dad and grandfather mostly took us kids there for a great tasting ice cream cone. Also, Newberrys was a favorite spot for lunch with my mom and one of her shopping buddies.

Hey! What's wrong with a frozen pasty at the Hackle? Cooked and ate many of them myself-can't remember who made them tho. Sure do remember Mae's. I lived above the bakery for several years. Anyone remember Skufka's? Good hamburgers and chili.

Dave - ...
I would recommend the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor for dinner. It is also right on Lake Superior with beautiful views of small islands, the big lake, and a lighthouse. The food is wonderful. Here is their website. http://www.harborhaus.com/sample_menu.htm

Happy Anniversary!

Dave - my partner and I honeymooned in the UP, and the Brockway is a fantastic way to see the foliage!! Start on the south end, and take it north to Cooper Harbor - you get some great peeks of the Harbor from above before descending into the town itself. Along the way, stop at the little gift shop at the top of the world - windy, but the view is awesome. Enjoy - I envy you those three weeks!!

I want to go to Gay,Michigan.

Hi...am a yooper now living in Wisc...does anyone remember Nelson's restuarant on 5th street. now called the Evergreen...my mom worked at Nelson's as a salad girl...imagine such a speciality as a salad girl... that was way back in the 30's...but great memories of the UP...we go back every chance we get...

SDC,Ferndale, yes the Frostie Top was owned by the Burbanks. I have a picture of it in my files. If I can find it I'll e-mail you a copy.I think Judy B sent it to me or else RCW. I always like Newberrys and Woolworth's, they had so many interesting things. We were lucky to have Woolworths and a Murphy's here until the late 80'a and early 90's so I was able to take my grandson there. He loved both places.

I wannabe in Gay, MI right now....I miss it terribly.

My huabands cousin is chuck gustafson and he no longer owns the Gay bar. He sold it awhile back. The new owners promptly took down all the old guns on the walls, remember them? Chucks Mom is Bea, our aunt. We own the home in Gay right next to Bea's on main street. She used to have the caboose in her back yard. She still owns the home but lives at stillwaters and is doing well.