May 22, 2016. Calumet and Fort Wilkins State Park.

May 22, 2016.  Calumet and Fort Wilkins State Park.  We left behind Gitche Gumee RV Park this morning and drove to Copper Harbor to Fort Wilkins State Park.  Our drive took us through Ishpeming, Houghton and Calumet, MI.  Calumet, according to Jeff Glass was once the wealthiest town in America.  It rode the copper market in the last half of the 19th Century and the first quarter of the 20th.  The copper mines played out about 1920 and Calumet fell on hard times.  It is odd to see the extraordinary red stone buildings which form what was a bustling business district juxtaposed against the run-down and dilapidated residences in Calumet. 


Fort Wilkins was established in 1844 following a treaty with the Ojibwa (sometimes spelled Ojibway or Ojibwe) tribe which resulted in the Upper Peninsula being ceded to the United States.  We knew the area was rich in copper deposits.  The government expected tensions between Native Americans and miners and also expected trouble among the miners.  The fort was established to keep order in the UP.  Fortunately, none of the anticipated trouble developed and the garrison maintained there lived a pretty boring life. 


The fort was decommissioned in 1870 and transferred to the state of Michigan in the middle of the last century.  The buildings have been restored and the Fort is inhabited by re-enactors during the peek summer months.  Annie and I were impressed with the condition of the buildings and the interpretative exhibits displayed. 


The "tear-drop" trailer in the final picture is parked behind us in the campground.  It was made by Dave, from Phoenix, who is hauling it to Detroit.  Dave formerly worked on automotive assembly lines refitting the lines with annual model changes.  He is returning to Michigan to say goodbye to several of his former workmates.  Dave is in his late 70s and said he is aware that this is the last time he will see the men he spent his work life with. 


Dave ordered the plans for the trailer over the Internet and paid $5.00 for the plans.  It took him about four months, with interruptions, to construct the trailer.  The rear compartment is a kitchen with drawers for spices and even a liquor cabinet.  He said he spent the night in it when the temperature dropped into the mid-20s and stayed toasty without heat.  He said the heat from his body and the small enclosed space was the key.  Of course, he also had a sleeping bag. 


Dave seemed upbeat about his final reunion with his old pals.  He said this would be the last time he would see them.  He might, he said, see some of their wives when he flew back to Michigan to attend their funerals.  I told him that his plans sounded sad to me.  Not so, said he.  He planned a big party and was looking forward to it.  More power to him. 


Tomorrow, we will move west toward Duluth.  We don't know where we'll be tomorrow night.  I'd like to see the Apostle Islands but Annie isn't keen on the idea of loading Harvey on a ferry.  She'll probably prevail.  A wise man picks his battles. This isn't a battlefield I am willing to die on. 


So, tomorrow we will be some place selected by Annie. 


Goodnight.