Day 4
Start: Wells, MI
Finish: Ironwood, MI
Miles: 181
States: MI, WI
I woke up bright and early today as I had an 8:20 tee time at Sweetgrass Golf Club. There are actually 2 courses at the Island Resort & Casino but I played Sweetgrass as it was hyped up as one of the best in the UP. I could describe it but I'll just post the pics I took instead.
 |
Hole #1.
|
 |
Hole #8.
|
 |
Hole #10.
|
 |
Hole #12.
|
 |
Hole #15. Their "famed" island green which I parred!
|
 |
The gallery watching me par hole #17.
|
I'd give the course an 8/10. It would have definitely been higher had it not been so soggy but we'll put that one on God. Holes 9 and 18 were both par 5's that shared a green which was a cool concept other than the monstrosity of a casino hotel looming in the background.
I didn't really have anything planned for the rest of the day but I began my journey west nonetheless. I can't think of ANY particular reason to stop in Iron Mountain but I did anyway and came across The Ice Cream Station.
 |
The waffle cone was wack but the ice cream was great. I also spilled all down the front of my shirt. I then dumped water on myself to "clean" it up. Didn't work.
|
There were no more stops until Ironwood where I'm staying for the next 2 nights but this place turned out to have some great spots to check out. Let's start with this interesting item.
 |
The "World's Tallest Indian" statue which stands 52 ft high and is made up of mainly 18,000 lbs of fiberglass. It depicts Chief Hiawatha as he gazes toward Lake Superior.
|
 |
Across the street from the statue is this rail car to commemorate the regions history of mining. I checked inside, nothing but leaves and sticks.
|
 |
A few blocks away in downtown is this Miners Mural.
|
The next stop was at the top of the Mt. Zion Scenic Lookout. There are mountains like this all over which lead to iron ore mining being so prominent in the area.
 |
From the side.
|
 |
From the other side.
|
 |
The main view. Panorama style.
|
I know what you're thinking. How could this little town in da UP get any better? Well, let's take a look at this 1/3 mile hike to the 18 ft high Interstate Falls. Fun fact, the Montreal River, which flows over the falls, is one of the rare rivers that actually heads north! Technically, you park in WI and hike to the falls which ARE the border. About 75% of Ironwood is in MI and 25% is in WI. That has to be annoying with the time zone change if they actually follow it. I haven't been able to keep track of the time the last few days because my phone keeps jumping between central and eastern time zones.
 |
Up close and personal.
|
 |
| From the middle of the river. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
 |
| Downstream. |
 |
| This just smelled really good. | |
|
 |
And to finish the day off, the local spot was closed so we had to settle with this. They're back open tomorrow though!
|
Upcoming: a whole day in the Porcupine Mountain area.
No comments:
Post a Comment