What’s Your Up North?

Depending on your southern zip code, up north could mean anything to Memphis, Tennessee to Manitoba, Canada. In Michigan, up north could be Holly and Lake Orion or Bay City and beyond. As the state became more populated the destination of “up north” kept moving, well, north. Then as more of that population entered the middle class and beyond, automobiles became more prevalent and backwoods areas became more accessible.

The definition of up north mostly depends on who you talk to and what their family determined to be this hamlet location. Early settlers took the wagon from Detroit north to Royal Oak and settled in the 1800s. Train travel took Michiganders and more to exotic sites as Alden and even Charlevoix and beyond.

But is up north actually a location or a mindset?

Vacations usually mean up north whether its summer or winter. The pristine lakes provide all the relaxation and fun a family can handle when temperatures rise in the summer. And the hilly terrain offers plenty of skiing action when ol’ man winter blows in. Even springtime can be an up north destination mindset when morels start to peak from their slumber.

But just where is up north? Midland and Mount Pleasant is the starting point for many and Bay City beckons travelers as they traverse the Zilwaukee Bridge – the Bridge that Made Zilwaukee Famous! For many, up north is when the trees become more prevalent and the skies break wide open and galaxies materialize in early morning and night. When the city lights fade and the stars shine bright, up north comes into focus. Four lanes become two, then single lane highways and dirt roads lead to a restful and peaceful adventure where folks are more concerned with where the fish are biting and they can still get an AM signal to keep up with the Tigers.

Up north could be the 45th parallel and the magic that lies beyond it. Places where shorts and warm hoodies are packed together, the loons become your soundtrack and fresh air clears the work overload from your brain.

The Mackinac Bridge comes into focus and fudge and horse drawn carriages, bicycles and ferry boats become the definition of up north. The brutally cold waters of Lake Superior are to be endured but not quite conquered. Over the bridge is up north to many as the Upper Peninsula stretches high to touch Canada at Sault Ste. Marie. Jeff Daniels forever memorialized Escanaba in his stage and film, Escanaba in the Moonlight. Marquette, Ishpeming and other north of the bridge locations are truly – up north.

The up north location seems to be determined by the mindset and the wallet. Wherever a bonfire can be lit, time with friends uninterrupted and an all-night Euchre game replete with tall tales become up north whether it’s Oakland or Wayne County or even a trip to the thumb to Huron and Sanilac Counties. Up north can be west as Muskegon and Mason Counties or east as Alpena.

Up north is what you decide it is for you. Just get out and find it, find your up north – all over Michigan.