Michigan - UP

[Scott P]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone

[DeTour]

I grew up on the eastern tip of the U.P. - the source of my username here. As a teenager I remember watching a freighter pass through the MacArthur Lock with what was the heaviest tonnage ever at the time. It was the Edmund Fitzgerald, a year or two before she went down.
I wasn’t a hiker when I lived there so I missed most of the opportunities the area offers. The North Country Trail from Tahquamenon Falls north to the Two Hearted River of Hemingway fame and along Lake Superior to Pictured Rocks is extraordinary. Porcupine Mountains are beautiful and remote but five hours from the Soo (and not really mountains). We hiked to Agwa Falls in the Ontario Provincial Park as a training hike for our first 14er, Longs Peak.
I’d say embrace what the area has to offer, none of which is mountainous. Lake Superior is incredible, an inland sea with one tenth of the fresh water in the world. I’m sure there are places in Ontario that are more remote than anything you’ll find in Colorado (and with ample opportunities to get in deep trouble if one isn’t careful.) You can count on lots of chances to test out your rain gear. And don’t leave home between May and November without your mosquito net headgear.

[Scott P]

I ended up taking the position. It's only a year I'll have to be there and then I can come back west.

The Midwest isnt my thing but:

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ww ... GboHi9z9k2

The work should be interesting and challenging. I'll be the QA Manager for this $3.22 billion project:

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/m ... or/727147/

[Istoodupthere]

I’ve heard about this new lock for years so I’m glad it’s getting started. You’ll have some good memories of the time you spent up there I’m sure. If I lived up there I’d be doing some road trips to the national parks in Canada where you’ll find true wilderness.

[Wish I lived in CO]

I lived in da U.P. for 8 years - H.S. and college, central UP (Iron Mtn, Marquette, Houghton). Enjoyed it very much. And then living downstate I visited many times per year for family and for fun. Most people are pretty laid back, slower pace to life in general in the U.P. Other people have posted some of the highlights.

I'd add to go canoeing. Two Hearted in your area is very nice. But I've also done 3 days on the Taquamenon (started at Dollar Bay - but really I'd recommend at long day trip starting at the Falls area to the mouth), and the Manistique in that area. I've done many on the west side of the U.P. (and heck downstate, I figure about 20 river trips overall - lots of great canoeing). You can do single or multiday trips. Canoeing was my favorite way to enjoy the U.P. And camping. Endless camping possibilities.

Also be a tourist and do take the 3 hour boat tour of PIctured Rocks in Munising on a nice summer day. Classic. Gotta do Mackinac Island for sure - bring or ride a bike around the island, visit the fort.

If you don't mind being taken / conned for a few bucks have a few laughs at the Mystery spot in that area.

Like to swim? There's about a 10 mile stretch of pristine beach on US-2 about 15 or so miles west of the bridge (Lake Michigan is much warner than Lake Superior). Enjoy the breakers coming in. Colorado doesn't have anything like it; you'll be blown away. For a bigger experience go the Sleeping Bear sand dunes in the LP (though really the best dunes are Warren Dunes and Van Buren WAY downstate). Though if we're on the LP then Ludington state park is the best state park in the state - if you can get camping reservations.

Don't forget to enjoy some pasties. You'll find out what they are. I'm a ketchup man, but many people like gravy on their pasties.

[Wish I lived in CO]

And for the winter:

Searchmont ski area in Canada is close to the Soo (in Canada). Never skied it, but it's supposed to have 700' of drop (highest in MI is like 650). Not anything like CO, but it's still skiing.

Snowmobiling. Granted most of my snowmobiling was in MI, but many people say the UP is the best in the country. Reasons being that you have dependable lake effect snow = great trail conditions. Small towns along the trails cater to snowmobilers. And an extensive trail system across the entire U.P. It's a big thing with people taking multi-day trips across the U.P. Or just cruise locally nearby for a few hours. I owned a few machines for many years, but obviously gave it up now that Im in AZ. Don't want to buy one? Rent for a day or two. Tons of fun. Just be safe (or just don't be stupid and you'll be fine).

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Did anyone mention hunting? Deer hunting anyway - no end of that if you like it.