Thursday 8/6: day 5

Thursday 8/6: Day 5

Well, another great day on the UP. A “rebound” seems like the first part of the trip was garbage, which it wasn’t, but this day was near picture perfect.

Before the day: a couple random thoughts:

Of the many Trump signs here, a good number fly Trump 2020 flags with the sub title: “No more Bullshit” (their words, not mine).

It really got me wondering. Is this to say that Trump’s first term was the “bullshit” and now they will cut it out and start governing? Or is this to say that there’s bullshit that they did not get to after 4 years, and are evidently admitting that they kind of fucked around the last half decade, but now they plan on getting down to business.

Herein lies the problem of running and outsider campaign...twice. Then again, roughly 43% of the populous is all over that, and roughly 90% of the UP sign toters, by my count.

Another random, but similar thread of thought: I do not exaggerate when I say that possibly one of the highlights of this trip has been simply talking to other midwesterners. We’ve had extended conversations with people from Monroe, MI, Lansing, Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, and plenty of “locals”. It’s been interesting to hear their perspective on Covid, and how their region is handling it as well as the return to school in their respective location. Ironically, I’d bet that all of the tourists, have NOT been trump supporters, although, I’m sure some of the locals were.

Alright, random thoughts aside, it was a great day. Got up for a run in Seney down the same forest road I had doubled down yesterday, boring, but dirt and pine trees. Not complaining.

We struck out on all boat and kayak tours in Munising, despite there being bountiful only a week ago, to the point that I didn’t bother reserving. I was bummed about that, no doubt about it, but after getting into town around 11, grabbing a coffee, and hitting the beach, the feeling soon passed. The sand point beach was busy, but not swarming. Chilly, but quite swimmable water too. And very hard to beat the scenery. We lounged for a few hours, then went into town for a pastie at Mundees right downtown. I hope this was the place that M and D suggested? It was good regardless. Checked into the hotel, put dash down for a nap, then headed out for a short hike from miner’s cliffs to the beach. It was a little busy, but not bad and only a mile hike. For some reason, I pictured a gravel beach. We were again greeted with an outstanding sand beach overlooking iconic cliffs off in the distance. Lots of people there as there’s a road directly to the beach, but again, not insane.

Headed back into town for a couple beers at the 2(!) breweries in town, before getting some takeout pizza back at the room. All eats were great and could hold their own against another tourist locale. It was pretty interesting to see the transition of Munising from ten years ago when I was here last. It’s rapidly getting that Springdale or Estes park feel of a town at the edge of a national park, for better or worse. It’s funny, it was jam packed with people, and they were busy redoing the roads, but it was clear that infrastructure had not caught up with tourist demand yet. I’m sure again this was exasperated by COVID and people traveling closer to home. 

I still liked the town though. Pretty beachy with a good vibe. Way different than 10 years ago which felt more like, deprived than anything. I’m sure it’s created tension with the locals who just want the way things used to be, but it also can’t be bad for the economy. I always feel so split on that, when people resent the changes, but couldn’t exist without them. Tough times to live through I’d bet.

With all this said, it was a great day, as stated before. Great weather and good times on the great inland sea.