A Day to visit old Haunts

I’m still trying to wrap my mind around how many road trips I’ve taken since May. What is wrong with me that I just keep jumping in the car (or the truck with the camper in tow) and taking off some place.

Well, I think I’m done for a while. Our warm, beautiful Autumn has turned into cold, dreary winter-fall. And there are so many things to do around the house. But you’ve not heard the last of me; not by a long shot.

The middle of August, we jumped in the truck (no camper) for a ride up to the UP to a few of our frequently visited places.

Lake of the Falls County Park near Mercer, Wisconsin, captured my heart many years ago, so any time we drive north along Highway 51, I have to swing in for a visit.

The water wasn’t nearly as high this August as it had been in June of 2020, when Hubby and I camped there. 

The cofferdam in August 2021

The same cofferdam in June of 2020

 

Looking over the dam this year. 

And last year. 

The runoff was the most remarkably different. This year. 

Last year. 

And no ride through Mercer is complete without a visit to the world’s largest talking loon. "Claire d'Loon" weighs 2,000 pounds, stands 16 feet tall and was unveiled in May, 1981. Two loons in Minnesota, a floating bird on Silver Lake and a concrete loon overlooking Long Lake, surpass her in size, but they don’t “talk”. Neither does Claire. She makes loon noises. You know – those haunting calls you can hear at dusk over lakes in the Northwoods. But I haven’t heard Claire calling any other loons when I’ve visited her.

Our next quirky stop was in Ironwood, Michigan, at the world’s largest Indian. Erected in 1964, Hiawatha’s height is 52 feet and his weight is nine tons. He was designed to withstand 140 mph winds, which is a good thing because he sits on top of a tall hill on the south side of Ironwood.

But here’s a fun fact I found online after searching out more information on the statue. In 2019, he was repainted and had a complete structural repair to the tune of $25,000. The company which did it is only one of very few places nationally that makes and repairs these fiberglass structures. And that company is the F.A.S.T. Corporation of Sparta, Wisconsin, which we visited in June. Who knew? 

Now, remember Hiawatha can handle winds of 140 mph? But our next stop was built to withstand winds of over 190 miles per hour and was even designed to sway up to 18 inches in a brisk wind. Built just five years after Hiawatha, it rises 1,782 feet above sea level. 

Copper Peak is the largest artificial ski jump in the world. It hosted the first international ski flying competition in the winter of 1970. Unfortunately, it has not been used for that purpose since 1994.

 

You can however take the Copper Peak Adventure Ride. An 800-foot chair lift ride takes you to the crest of the hill, after which you take an 18-story elevator ride to the main observation deck. From there, you can climb an additional eight stories to the top starting gate. For $25. We opted out. 

We rather hike through the woods at Black River Harbor to visit Rainbow Waterfall.

Or soak up the power of Lake Superior. 

Who knows where I'll take you next time.