“Let’s camp in the U.P.” That’s what we said one night over beers at Soo Brewing. The owner, standing across the bar from us, said we would not be disappointed and that we must enjoy some microbrews on our trip. Soon I was hooked up with a forum called UP Overland and my desire to overland was rekindled. Actually, it wasn’t just rekindled, it was a full out burn. My 2001 Jeep Cherokee was not going to be a mall crawler. I wanted her to see mud and trails.
Since this was my first time hitting two tracks, and with limited time available, we decided on a more “adventure drive” format rather than a full out overlanding adventure. What’s the difference? An adventure drive is a short (usually one day) drive on back roads and trails. Overlanding proper is a longer (a few days to years) vehicle-dependent adventure on back roads and trails. Either way, you see some amazing things.
For our adventure drive, we started out from our campground just outside Munising, MI at Bay Furnace. After a hearty breakfast, we headed to Munising Falls and Sand Point. After a stop at Miner’s Falls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore we kissed the pavement goodbye. It was all forestry roads and two-tracks from there to Grand Marais where we sampled the fare and drink at the Lake Superior Brewing Company. Heading out of Grand Marais the road quickly turns to a horribly washboarded dirt road with some absolutely incredible views of Lake Superior.
More trails and forestry roads and we found our way to Crisp Point right around sunset. This would be the end of the road for us. We hit the main roads (still dirt for the most part in this part of Michigan) and found our way back to the highway then to camp. We were exhausted, but ready for more. It turns out, the journey is the best part. The destination is just icing on the cake.
What’s the point of this? I want you to get out there and drive. You don’t have to leave the pavement to have fun. Pick a road and see where it goes. Put the GPS coordinates for some landmark in your phone and ditch Google Maps…find your own way. Cars are ours to enjoy, and vehicle-based adventuring can be anyone’s.
[Image Credits: ©2013 Hooniverse/Dustin May, All Rights Reserved.]
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