Things To Do In The U.P.

The Jalapeno Burger at the Thirsty Whale

The Thirsty Whale in Norway, MI is definitely one of the Upper Peninsula’s hidden gems. It’s well known to everyone in the Norway / Iron Mountain area as the best place to get a burger, but if you’re not from the area you could easily blow past it without stopping.

Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.

Owned and operated for years by an always cheerful woman named Paula, the Thirsty Whale isn’t you’re average bar and grill. And what makes it “not your average bar and grill” are the people and the service. Paula makes a real effort to hire “fun girls,” as she told me, and because of it, the atmosphere is always cheery and the service is consistently excellent.

Now lets talk about those burgers. Most of the award winning burgers are half pounders, served on a toasted bun. Each one comes with that special “something” that just makes your eyes go wide with burger induced happiness after the first bite. I could probably ask Paula what makes her burgers so good, but I don’t need to know. I know that whenever I want a great burger and great service, I go to “The Whale,” and I’m never disappointed. (My favorite is the Jalapeno Burger.)

Mmm... sweet potato fries...

But the Thirsty Whale’s great food doesn’t stop at burgers. No sir, Paula often makes homemade soups and chili, and the beer batter they use for their Friday fish fry is also homemade.  This place is part bar, part home cooking.

The Whale also hosts the area’s most popular summer volleyball league, so it’s often a fun place to be on weeknights. They also have free Wi-Fi Internet in the bar, free pool on Thursdays, and weekly specials.

What’s not to love?

Next time you’re looking for a meal in the Iron Mountain area, give the Thirsty Whale a shot. You won’t be disappointed!

To see more photos of the Thirsty Whale Bar & Grill, check out my Facebook page and browse to the “Thirsty Whale Bar & Grill” album.

Bottom Line: The Thirsty Whale Bar and Grill has the best “bar food’ in the area. If you’re in the mood for a burger, this is a great option.

Address: 825 W US Highway 2 Norway, MI 49870

Phone: (906) 563-5466

Facebook Page

Other Things to Note:  The Thirsty Whale is right off the snowmobile trail, and across the highway from the Norway, MI AmericInn Hotel .

Previous << #37 – Explore the Eben Ice Caves

Snowshoeing is a popular activity at Fumee Lake

Fumee Lake Natural Area is one of the most popular cross country skiing destinations in the central Upper Peninsula. This serene preserve offers mostly level terrain, making it an easy spot for beginners to build their skills.

This area offers a variety of trails, but the most popular are the “Little Fumee Lake Loop” and the “Big Fumee Lake Loop.” As their names imply, both trails circle one of the area’s two lakes, with the little loop measuring 1.35 miles and the big loop coming in at about 5.2 miles.

Because the 1,808 acre natural area only allows silent sports, you can find peace and quiet there all winter long.  In fact, it’s not uncommon to spend a few hours on the Fumee Lake trail system and not see another soul.

Cross country ski tracks dot the trail system

Because “Fumee” (as we affectionately call it) is so close to where we live, my family and I end up spending quite a bit of time here. If we just want to get outside for a little while to get some fresh air, we’ll do the little lake loop, but if we have more time we’ll do the big loop.

Each visit also usually includes a break in the action to check out something cool, whether it be an animal, calming sunset or some neat feature we somehow missed on all our previous visits.

Bottom line: The Fumee Lake Natural Area is a terrific (and beginner friendly) spot to cross country ski or snowshoe.

How to get there? About two miles west of Norway on U.S. 2, turn North on Upper Pine Creek Road, drive about one mile, then turn left into the Fumee Lake Natural Area. (A sign marks the entrance point)

To view more photos, click here to visit my Facebook page and browse to the “Fumee Lake – Winter” album. (You’ll need to the “like” the page if you haven’t already)

The Pine Mountain Ski Jumps are a world class-sporting event that take place every winter right here in the U.P.

Technically called the FIS Continental Cup and sponsored by the Kiwanas Club (link) “the jumps” are a big highlight of the winter. The event usually takes place smack in the middle of February, so it breaks up the winter nicely. (ie. It gives you something to look forward to in February, when there’s not a whole lot going on. And then after that, hey, March is just around the corner and you can almost hear the birds chirping.)

The ski jumps are basically a huge party. Around 5,000 people bundle up and hang out in Iron Mountain, MI to watch Olympic caliber ski jumpers launch themselves off Giant Pine Mountain. Beer is consumed, brats and burgers are grilled, and when the wind is right, there’s even some ski jumping. (inside joke)

I’ve had two very distinct types of experiences at the jumps.

1. Partying. We get a group of people, a grill and a bunch of food and beer, bring a portable fire pit, and have a party outside in the middle of winter. It’s a blast. Oh, and there’s ski jumping too. We honk our car horns when someone has a nice jump and then give random high fives to strangers.

2. Spectating. (aka – “Not partying”) A couple of years ago, only one of my friends was able to make it up for the jumps. He happens to be a photographer, so he and I made taking photos more of the focus and stayed away from the booze. And you know what?  It was brilliant!

The Upper Peninsula’s crisp, clean winter air is awesome if you’re dressed for it. We walked around, took photos of the jumpers, caught whiffs of other people’s campfires and still made time to grill out. Oh, and then you have the stairs (link).

Climbing the Pine Mountain Stairs isn’t the easiest thing in the world, and after a few beers, it’s not a lot of fun. Conversely, if you’re sober you can just blow right by all the people who’ve had a few and get a little exercise while your at it. (And in effect, more of that crisp winter air in your lungs. I swear, crisp U.P. winter air is like a drug in and off itself.)

To see more photos of the Pine Mountain Ski Jumps, click here to access my Facebook page and then browse to the “Pine Mountain Ski Jumps” photo album. (You’ll need to “like” the page if you haven’t already)

Bottom line: The Pine Mountain Ski Jumps are absolutely one of the best winter events we have here in the Upper Peninsula. It would behoove you to check it out!

Website: Kiwanis Ski Club

Other things to note: You need to buy a “button” to gain admission to the jumps, and they cost around $20. Save yourself around $5 per button and buy them a few days before the jumps.

Map: To see Pine Mountain Ski Jump’s location on my map of the U.P., click here.

Photo by Douglas Feltman

Fumee Falls is a great little roadside waterfall / rest stop on US2 between Iron Mountain and Norway. And believe it or not, it’s been a rest stop for over a century. (It’s likely that Henry Ford and company stopped here more than once on their travels through the Upper Peninsula).

The falls are part of Fumee Creek, which flows from the Fumee Lake Natural Area (which boasts great biking, hiking and paddling) south into the Menominee River. A nice set of stairs leads to the top of the falls, where there’s a bench and a little viewing platform.

The water level gets pretty low during summer, but tends to flow strong in spring and late fall.

A sign in the parking area shows photos of people camping in this very spot with their Ford Model T’s years ago, back when US 2 was still a dirt road. Now there are bathrooms and a couple picnic tables here. And while nearby traffic doesn’t make this the most peaceful spot in the world, it’s still a good spot for a picnic lunch.

If you’re heading West on US 2, grab something at The Norway Deli, drive a few miles out of town, enjoy lunch near the waterfall then stretch your legs on the stairs. You’ll be glad you stopped!

To see more photos of Fumee Falls, click here to access my Facebook page and then browse to the Fumee Falls album.

Bottom line: Fumee Falls is a great little rest stop along US 2 between Iron Mountain and Norway. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, it’s well worth the stop.

Map: To see Fumee Falls on my Map of the Upper Peninsula, click here.

This is a fruit bat. You won’t see these on Millie Hill, but you’ve got a good chance at seeing some of it’s smaller relatives.

The Millie Hill Bat Cave

The Millie Hill Bat Cave is one of the prime attractions in the Iron Mountain area. But most people don’t what I’m about to tell you, so they miss out on the bat viewing action.

Passing cars often brake as they pass the “Bat Viewing Area” sign in town. Many of them don’t actually stop, but it’s enough to get their attention.

“Huh? Bats? What?” they likely mutter as they drive on.

And on my frequent summer evening walks up the Millie Hill trail, I’ll often encounter a group of people perched on the bat viewing benches. I usually try to sneak past unnoticed as they stare longingly at the cage surrounding the entrance to the old Millie Mine.

And then…

This is the entrance to the “bat cave.” Batman eat your heart out.

“Hey! When do the bats come out?” they’ll inquire.

“You can see them in April and September,” I’ll say, which always begets disappointed groans.

“Really?” someone will ask.

“Yeah,” I say, as I go into unofficial park ranger mode.

“They hibernate down there from around September to April every year. So spring and fall are the best time to see them.” (For the record, it does say this on one of the nearby signs.)

“Thanks,” they’ll say, not really meaning it. I could tell them about the great view that lies just a little up the trail. Or I could encourage them to come back in September when the place is buzzing with bats. I’ve tried these things, but it’s no use, they’re officially bummed.

Benches for bat viewing.

Sometimes I play dumb and say I don’t know when the bats come out. But then I feel bad because the poor people just keep sitting there, waiting. And waiting…

Do you see my dilemma here?

And hey, if I stared at a metal cage for an hour hoping to see a bunch of bats, only to have those hopes crushed by some random guy with a camera, I’d be bummed too. I get it.

So, lesson learned here, right folks? The last few warm days of September or the first few warm days of April will usually get you a piece of the bat viewing action, but that’s it. They bug out in summer and they’re down there sleeping in the winter.

Cool? Cool.

Now next time I see people up there waiting to see the bats in July I can just hand them a business card, smile, and ask them to read this post.

To see more photos of the Millie Hill bat viewing area, click here to access my Facebook page and then browse to the “Millie Hill Bat Cave” photo album.

Bottom Line: The Millie Hill Bat Viewing Site is definitely worth a stop, you just need to time your visit in accordance with the bat’s migration patterns. (Usually April or September.)

How to Get There: From downtown Iron Mountain, drive up East A Street and make a left on Park Street. Then make a quick left at the “Bat Viewing Area” sign to the trailhead.

To see the Millie Hill Bat Cave’s location on my map of the Upper Peninsula, click here.

Previous << #22 – Log Slide! 

Exactly one block off the beaten path through Iron Mountain sits The Bakery Shoppe.

Did you skip breakfast? You could spend five bucks for a McDonald’s greasy number whatever or $2.25 on one of The Bakery Shoppe’s huge muffins, which are not only healthier but keep those lunch time hunger pangs away much longer.

A regular stop for many locals, the Bakery Shoppe could very well go unnoticed by passers by because even though a sign just off of U.S. 2 alerts you to it’s presence, the traffic through downtown Iron Mountain can be a little busy at times which doesn’t give you much time to check out local businesses.

The bakery rests in one side of a little two-unit brick building and the welcoming interior is is decked out with photos of Iron Mountain’s past. (Did you know that Henry Ford and Thomas Edison used to hang out in the U.P.?)

In typical bakery style, a glass case filled to the brim with tasty treats lies in waiting as you pass through the breezeway.

A friendly staff member is always prompt to take your order and if there happens to be a small line, pass a few moments by scoping out the aforementioned photo wall. It’s covered with photos of Iron Mountain from days gone by. (My favorite is of Ford, Firestone, and Kingsford and Edison, circa 1920’s)

The Bakery Shoppe is one of my regular stops. Sometimes I “accidentally” skip breakfast at home so I can pop in and grab a giant muffin or raspberry scone. My wife is partial to their bear claws and fruit tarts. Good stuff!

Try the muffins. Try the bread. Try the sandwiches. Everything is excellent and fresh coffee is available in carafes.

To see more photos of The Bakery Shoppe and their tasty treats, click here to visit my Facebook page and browse to the “The Bakery Shoppe” photo album. (You’ll have to “like” the page first if you haven’t already)

Bottom Line: If you like baked goods you should definitely swing into The Bakery Shoppe when in Iron Mountain for some fresh bread or a tasty treat.

Location: 700 River Ave. Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Website: www.thebakeryshoppeironmountain.com

Phone: (906) 774-5000

Other things to note: The Bakery Shoppe also sells cakes, homemade BBQ sauce, and excellent sandwiches.

To see the Bakery Shoppe’s location on my map of the Upper Peninsula, click here.