Top 5 Things to Do in Paradise

Fact: the photo below was not taken in some tropical paradise, even though it looks like one. Yes, friends, we went to the very exotic destination known as "America" for our summer vacation--Michigan's Upper Peninsula, to be exact. Once known for its booming copper mines, the UP (pronounced "you" "pee"--har har) is now riddled with ghost towns and shipwrecks. However, its utter isolation is actually one of its best features, as far as tourism goes. It is just one gorgeous white sand beach strewn after another.

 

Here are a few things to remember if you find yourself heading across Big Mac, the super long and kind of freaky Mackinac Bridge, to see the magic that is the UP.

1. You gotta stay in a town literally called "Paradise" and watch the moon rise. If time permits, wake early to watch the sunrise while Lake Superior gently laps at your feet. We relived our sunrise engagement, naturally :)

2. Drive to the end of the road to the Shipwreck Museum and take a long walk on the lovely driftwood beach.

3. Climb to the top of a dune. Marvel at the pristine blue of Lake Superior. I mean, really marvel here. How does this even exist? And why didn't I know about it before I moved to Michigan?

4. Take a leisurely boat ride through Pictured Rocks national lakeshore. Note "Indian Chief Rock." And the waterfall. And the amazing chemical reactions that produce the painterly strokes across the sandstone cliffs.

5. Decide to never leave, until you have to, then dream about returning pretty much every moment of your life back in the Lower Peninsula. Some fun facts: Yoopers (Upper Peninsula natives) call those who live below Mackinac Bridge "trolls." Hilarious. And no relation to Troll Village. Also, tourists who go to the UP for fudge are called "fudgies" (and yes, the fudge is divine). With this trip, we successfully completed #13 of our 101 Things list! Score!

This trip was one of the absolute highlights of our Pretty Cool Summer. What about you? How did you spend your summer vacation? Or, if you were stuck at home, where would you spend your dream vacation?