Day 10 - the aftermath of the storm.
We didn't really have a firm plan, but we knew we wanted to explore something new. We decided to head west and check out Copper Peak, billed as 'the only ski flying hill outside of Europe.' None of us were big ski flying buffs, but the idea of one of the largest and most unique sporting venues of its kind being in the remote western UP was intriguing, and it was only about an hour away. We stopped in the office/gift shop to get our tickets and check out some of the history.
You don't really understand the scale until the slow chairlift ride up - this is just to get to the base of the ramp.
As you walk toward the base of the elevator, you get a sense for how far back the cantilevered starting gate section goes. You can see the viewing platform at the top of the elevator section, then you have to choose to walk another 8 stories up the stairs to get to the very top.
Heights don't really bother me, but I will admit that walking up these grated stairs with the wind whipping through and feeling the platform sway a bit was enough to get my heart rate going.
I grabbed a video from the top to try to capture the view - hard to explain, but you can hear the wind pretty well.
Looking straight down the ramp gives a new appreciation for what these competitors must go through on every single attempt. Just getting off the bench to send it down the ramp must be a huge rush.
You knew this clip was coming, you had to.
Jordan on the medal stand. It could use a little updating.
I have to say if you're anywhere near this place, go check it out. It is such a mix of peculiar, fascinating, and historical that its well worth your time.
We were getting pretty hungry, so we decided to head into Ironwood for a late lunch. Seeing this mural on the side of a local building just about made me stop traffic - I needed this pic.
After striking out at 3 more destinations that claimed they were all open for business (including a brief foray into Wisconsin's 'famous' Silver Street neighborhood, apparently known for gambling, prostitution, and ignoring prohibition. Gotta have goals I guess...), we finally arrived at this place. Rigoni's Inn.
The interior was... interesting. We were trying to only support locally owned businesses on this trip, and this was no exception. Jordan enjoyed this nicely placed alcove in the wall next to our booth.
We had our fill of everything but the plates being placed in the deep fryer, and it was amazing. I realized that we were only a half mile away from the Stormy Kromer production facility, and since I had scored my very own a few days prior in Calumet, I figured we'd swing past it. On the way, we saw this.
You are not allowed to read any further in this blog (not just today, ever) if you do not watch this next clip in its entirety and think of it every time you pass a log pile for the rest of your life. I feel like that is a reasonable request.
Just around the corner - Stormy Kromers for everyone.
From here, we had about an hour and a half back to the campsite, and we would be heading back through the Porcupine Wilderness State Park to do so, so we elected to revisit the Presque Isle River hike that we had done several years ago.
Waterfall backdrop glamour shot...
One of the unique things about this hike is this suspension bridge down by the river mouth. It feels somewhat out of place given the rugged, rustic feel of the trail, but it is a cool feature and really well built.
Also, it gives you this view. You can tell from the rapids that the runoff from yesterday's storm is already working its way into Lake Superior.
The view from the beach is pretty spectacular, so we had Jordan take a nice keepsake photo of the two of us.
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