Tip of Keweenaw PeninsulaSep 24, 2009
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site at Ft Wilkins SP
view of Lake Fanny Hooe from my front window
at the north end of US 41!
Fort Wilkins State Park is at the end of the Keweenaw Peninsula and US 41. At the end of the road is a circle around a big sign explaining how it came to be and showing its path from this point down to Miami, FL which is 1990 miles away. I almost decided to travel 41 all the way down to Miami, but changed my mind when I saw that it goes through Chicago. I’ve heard it’s a nightmare drive for motorhomes, so I will avoid that city at all costs.
One cannot drive out to visit the lighthouse at the very tip of the peninsula, but there are tours of the lighthouse if a boat trip is purchased. Second best thing is a picture from a lookout point!
At the other end of town is a drive up Brockway Mountain. I drove up it (very steep) and after 4 tries, was able to use the phone to make a quick call. There aren’t many modern conveniences here, but that’s just fine. The views were fantastic. I saw that the road is near sharp bluffs at the top. Most of the leaves are green and if I get a chance I will drive up to take a picture before I leave if the colors are showing. I got great views of Lake Fanny Hooe and Copper Harbor.
Lake Fanny Hooe was named after a popular woman in town in the 1840s. Lakes were originally named for men’s wives but most were changed later on for whatever reason. This lake kept its original name because she was so well liked – she was the only white woman in over 200 miles! It was rumored that she got lost and drowned in the lake, but she really died down south. Her nephew was one of John Wilkes Booth’s aides who housed him after he shot Lincoln and that nephew was born here.
The town itself is mostly motels and cabins with a couple of restaurants, a general store, and some local craft stores. The post office is a room in the post masters house and it is tucked away amongst trees and bushes so that if it weren’t for the mailbox out front, you wouldn’t find it!
Just before dusk, I drove a side road past a lodge and campground and found a sign saying “Manganese Falls”. So, I just had to look. Again, there wasn’t much to see from the platform. I followed a worn trail to the top of the falls and saw that this creek goes through a steep and narrow canyon! I wonder what all these falls look like in the Spring, but not enough to be up here that early in the year! (insert smiley face here)
