Saturday Drive to Escanaba

Menekaunee Lighthouse at the mouth of the Menominee River

OK, I'm getting caught up.  I'm back working in Corvallis for a couple of weeks.  Last weekend, I took a drive up the lakeshore to Escanaba, MI.  Here's some pictures of a midwinter drive in the UP.

The "Milk Can Cow" on First St., Menominee

This brilliant sculpture is in front of a house on First Street in Menominee.  I get a real kick out of it.  It looks like it's made entirely of milk cans and containers.  The glasses are a nice touch.

Hwy 35 at Cedar River, MI

Cedar River is about 30 miles up the lake front from Menominee.  It's a wide spot in the road.  This section of the highway is dotted with lakefront vacation homes with names like "Surf House," "Jamaica Beach," and "The Palms."  I'm guessing it's a lot nicer in the summer ;)

Entering Escanaba, MI, that's the UMC on the left.

Escanaba is about 55 miles up the lake.  It's at the junction of US-41 (the main highway) and MI-35 (the lakefront road).

Main Drag Escanaba

The Casino in the middle of nowhere

After turning off 35, and hitting US-41 back toward Marinette and Menominee, you travel through some rural country, and then come across this casino.  It is literally in the middle of nowhere.  I'm guessing there's lots of traffic, since there are a couple of other motels close by.

Upper Peninsula Farm Country

I passed several farms in this stretch between Escanaba and Stephenson.  Not much to look at in the winter, but I think the spring and summer will be very nice.

Back to Menominee

This picture is coming back into Menominee from the North.  I had a great drive, and saw a lot of places I'd like to check out when the weather improves.  There are a lot of parks along the lake, but they're closed in the winter, and covered with snow.  I have to admit that the countryside is not very attractive in the winter, but I think that will improve as the season changes.