ft. wilkins & copper harbor!

At the northernmost tip of the U.P., adjacent to Lake Superior, lies the beautiful little town of Copper Harbor. Just east of Copper Harbor sits Fort Wilkins. I stayed at the Ft. Wilkins campground, which is a tranquil little retreat right on the harbor. The water was a mere 10 yards from my teardrop, directly past a tiny brush covered trail. Lulu and I spent many hours sitting perched on that root (below), absorbing the breathtaking views and giving thanks for the amazing moment (as well as countless others). Me with my sauvignon blanc and lulu with her "flossie" bone.

I found a perfect shady spot close by our "perch" to do some morning yoga. My yoga usually draws some eyes, so I look for a discreet spot so I can quiet my mind (the voices can get kind of loud). Through the trees I noticed something moving. After my eyes had time to adjust I could make out that it was a woman crouching down trying not to be noticed. Um, lady, I have news for you... I can see you. After about 5 minutes, I looked over at her and said as loud as I could, "GOOD MORNING!" It was hilarious, she jumped from the trees and galloped over to me. Sue was chatty but sweet. It was quite funny when she said I inspired her to go get her mat and she couldn't believe I found a "flat" spot to practice. She said she's been coming up to Ft. Wilkins for years but could never find a good space on the grass so she practices "on" the picnic table! Talk about drawing eyes!! Haha I chuckled, A) at the thought of yoga on a picnic table and B) I couldn't help but notice all of the flat grass all around me! Oh, Sue!

We couldn't leave Ft. Wilkins without touring "The Fort". As the story goes, Fort Wilkins was built in 1844 as an army outpost to police and protect the coalminers that had moved into the area to work. Folks were concerned that the late night drunk and rowdy coalminers would need some policing. From what I was told, some like to drag the Native Americans into the story, but they were long gone from these parts by 1884. The soldiers were summoned a mere two years later to battle in the Mexican American war of 1846, leaving The Fort abandoned. The Fort was occupied again for a brief time in in the 1860's, but by 1923 it became an official state park. My brother Michael would LOVE this place!

Our little perch...