more gorgeous scenery in Upper P. This was our first visit to the Upper P and everything is as…read morescenic as we'd heard. There are lots of lovely waterfalls but this was the first we saw that had the stunning gorge and rock formations. Not the typical billion stairs to see but the trail is a bit more rugid than several of the previous. some of the boards in the boardwalk were loss for uneven, roots and rocks on the trail. so you had to be careful as you walk. the walk was peaceful scenic and the sound of rushing water was just lovely. there were bathrooms but not the flushing kind so i decided to wait till our hotel. But walking the trail with the sound of rushing water didn't help the urge to pee lol. Hope to return sometime in the fall.

I wanted to highlight this Canyon Falls and Gorge area located 15 miles south of L'Anse, Michigan…read more It's a quick roadside attraction situated right off US 41. I happened to be driving US 41 north towards Houghton, MI and ultimately to Copper Harbor, MI taking the ferry out to Isle Royale National Park. But along my journey I happened to notice signs for Canyon Waterfall and immediately thought to myself...I have to see what this waterfall is all about! After visiting and loving all the incredible falls in the town of Munising, MI right along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore I confess I've turned into an addicted waterfalls enthusiast! Funny, just a side note...while on my Michigan to Minnesota summer travels this past year, I found a whole new perspective for appreciating waterfalls. When given the opportunity to witness a potentially majestic falls area...I'm a sucker, sign me up, lol. There's something about them I find quite fulfilling. Sorry for going off on this tangent, but for those out there who want to witness some of the best waterfalls in the United States...I can't recommend the Columbia River Gorge area enough just east of Portland, Oregon. It's epic! Back to this Canyon Falls and Gorge area. You must be thinking...why did I only give it 3 stars? Yes...unfortunately the falls here were just okay. They weren't impressive. And as much as I was hoping they would be...the ambiance and setting didn't give me that humbling moment I was hoping for when discovering this place on a whim. To give some background details about being here... When I arrived, the parking lot was relatively quiet during morning time back on May 31, 2021. I was practically the only person here around 9am. You have to hike or shall I say walk a little to get to the falls and gorge. The parking lot is where the trailhead begins. I want to use a quick excerpt of what you can expect to find here. This is according to https://www.michigan.org/property/canyon-falls... "Canyon Falls is an impressive and easy to visit falls, and the gorge is quite impressive by Michigan standards. A scenic trail along the Sturgeon River to a series of rapids and small waterfalls before you reach Canyon Falls. "Grand Canyon of the UP". The river slides nearly 30' over a large chute of smooth black rock into a box canyon". Now of course, this michigan.org website will put the description of Canyon Falls and Gorge into the best light. But I'll explain some of the real moments from my visit... The hike is easy to traverse, about 1 mile each way. There's no elevation while hiking. When I finally arrived at the falls there's just a tiny platform area for you to stand upon to admire the surroundings. And overall, I kind of questioned...this is it? I guess I was a little disappointed but at the same time I didn't have the highest expectations considering I had never heard of this place to begin with. It was a struggle taking a few photos because for this morning time when I was visiting, I was looking straight into the sun with shadows and glares in the background. I never captured the most efficient looking pictures. I'd suggest if you do stop on by here, to come in the afternoon time when the sun will be at your back. But as you can tell with my photos, looking at the waterfalls were overly sunny on one end whereas the pics taken going away from the falls came out naturally more photogenic. From this little vista point section, it appeared that this observation point was the endpoint of the hike. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be. Still, I'd say I hung out at the falls and gorge for maybe 20 minutes before turning around and hiking back the 1 mile to the trailhead parking lot. And while hiking you venture through the woods of the forest. Overall, the conditions were pleasant for being the last day in May. Overall, I'd just suggest tempering your expectations when coming here. It's sort of a good midway point to take a quick break while driving from Munising towards Houghton, about a 140-mile road trip. Lastly, by looking at Google Maps it shows that these Canyon Falls and Gorge are part of a bigger Canyon Falls Roadside Park possibly good for more sightseeing and exploring even with a campground. Though...I am not sure about this, I am just assuming. For myself, I wanted to view what these falls offered and at least it gave me a chance to stretch my legs for an hour or so. Alright this is Canyon Falls and Gorge just outside Baraga, MI in L'Anse Township, Michigan.

Nice clean and quit campground and the employees are friendly the roads in the campground are a…read morelittle confusing

The best corned beef hash around! Our server was super attentive and the restaurant was super clean.read more

Every year in mid-August, Iron County's fairground located on a back road north of the Iron River's…read moremain street district comes to life. For those of you who are city dwellers and never went to one of these fairs, let me break it down for you. The primary purpose of a fair is for the locals to compete in numerous categories: the best livestock (pigs, chickens, cows, horses, etc.), the best fruits and vegetables, floral arrangements, crafts (needlepoint or quilts usually), and then all the kids artwork done by the local 4H Club. The exhibit barn is symmetrically designed with a separate wing for pigs, goats and sheep, one for the cattle, one for the horses, and yet another for chickens, rabbits and smaller animals. The upper level is for the fruits, vegetables, crafts, and flowers. The judging area is a circular pen in the center of the barn, with seats arranged all around and an upper level viewing deck. Minus the rides and amusements, you can explore the whole fair easily in an hour. What I admire most are the kids who raised the animals, some of whom are just a few years older than my 5-year old son. You see the kids dressed in their best shirt and jeans, proudly leading their animal into the judging arena. The judge watches the animals and their appearance, their gait, and physical attributes. He then calls out the winners and what he likes about the particular animals. The winners are often purchased by the local grocery stores or meat shops, who display their name next to the market steer or lamb. For the non-winners, he offers advice on what they need to work on for the next year or what he found undesirable about the animals. Besides the competition, there's a carnival too, with all the rides and foods associated with carnivals, right down to the inbred-looking ride operators with bad teeth, fading blue tattoos and permanent sunburns. OK, so the rides are fun, but what better way to tell your kids about the importance of a good education so they don't end up like one of these guys. OK, so some of the rides are fun. This was the first year my 5 year old was able to go on some of them since he's tall enough. Iron County's fair is small compared to the one in Marquette or Dickinson County. However, for the 5 days it lasts, it is a point of pride all around town. On the Saturday night of the fair, the highlight is the Demolition Derby. In the days leading up to the derby, you begin to spot these beat-up junkers parked in driveways and lots around town. Then on the day of the derby, around mid-afternoon you'll see a procession of these cars rumbling towards the fairgrounds. By late afternoon, the town is shut down as everyone is at the fair. And just for a few hours, all the worries of everyday life disappear as the townspeople gather in the grandstand bleachers for the main event.