My family and I just returned from a trip to the U.P.!  We had a great time and enjoyed much cooler weather (60's) and mostly sunshine.  The picture to the left has some of my family members.  I'm in the back row to the right.  We are at the Devil's Washtub in Copper Harbor.  It's a bit of a rocky hike, but was worth the climb.

On the way to the Copper Country, we stopped by Hartwick Pines and Manistique.  In Munising, I did a book signing at Falling Rock Bookstore and Cafe and was surprised that my friend and author Donna Winters had driven an hour from Fayette to keep me company at the book signing!

We continued westward and stopped at Canyon Falls in L'Anse which was beautiful.  By the time we arrived in Houghton, it was evening and we were exhausted.  We rented bicycles the next day to bike around the waterfront, then met up with Jim and Joyce Floriani for dinner at Gino's.

The next day we continued northward for another book signing at Copper World in Calumet.  Tony (the owner) and his son were gracious hosts.  Afterwards, we took a tour at Calumet Theatre, stopped by the Calumet Visitors Center as well as Italian Hall to pay our respects.  When we reached Copper Harbor, we quickly had dinner so I could prepare for my presentation at Fort Wilkins.  The presentation went fine as I had rehearsed my lecture many times over the last six months.  After the presentation, I could finally do some relaxing!  But instead of kicking back, we took time to sell more books. . .Copper Empire is now being sold in over 35 stores which I'm very grateful for.  I truly hope people enjoy the book.

Anyway, we stopped for lunch at Lac La Belle, had a peaceful visit at Bete Gris and took a tour at Delaware Mines.  And to top of it off, we had an energetic hike at the beautiful Estivant Pines, then took a smaller hike around the Copper Harbor Lighthouse.

We had a wonderful up north!  And now it's back to work for me.  :)

UP: Here I Come!

I'm busily preparing for my upcoming trip to the U.P. at the end of July. . .I'm very excited to return to my "second home".  I can't wait to see the small towns, friendly people, slower pace, the blueness of Lake Superior, the beauty of the U.P. landscape, etc.  I'll be doing a book signing at the Falling Rock Bookstore in Munising on July 20th at noon.  I'll also sign books at Copper World in Calumet on July 22nd at 1pm, then later that evening I'll present on the 1913 labor strike at Fort Wilkins.  It'll be a vacation revolving around my book, but I hope to have a moment or two just to sit and back relax.  Hope everyone is having a great summer!