Chicago Athlete on the Road: Keweenaw County

Chicago Athlete hit the highway for a summer time journey to the Higher Peninsula in Michigan for the Canal Run. This occasion is held each July and is only one of many endurance occasions that athletes can take a part of within the U.P.

The race happened in Hancock, Michigan, and was only a quick 6 1/2 hour drive from Chicago. The drive itself was scenic and filled with Instagram-able moments. After leaving the freeway in Wisconsin, we wove by way of numerous small cities and forests that would have held Large Foot himself. There have been additionally tons of elevation modifications, so make certain to have the gum or juice containers prepared for popping ears.

We arrived on Friday night and went on to the Keweenaw Waters Resort positioned alongside the Keweenaw Waterway in Houghton, Michigan. This new resort is actually positioned on the sting of the waterfront and hosts breathtaking views, irrespective of the time of day.

We had been texted a code to make use of for entrance to our cabin, so we didn’t must hassle with a registration desk or prolonged ready upon arrival. We entered the cabin and had been instantly greeted by recent wooden and the entire cabin smells and feels. I can say that this was one of many coziest in a single day lodging I’ve ever had.

“The outside is clad with Higher Peninsula white cedar, whereas the within is adorned with white and pink pine shiplap, all created by hand in our personal sawmill. The cabins are perched above the blue waters of Portage Canal connecting to Lake Superior. When stepping right into a cabin, the eyes are drawn to spectacular panoramic vistas alongside the Portage waterway. Giant, household sized decks and patios, full with lounge chairs, tables, and BBQ grills, are the proper place for gatherings whereas immersed within the never-ending panorama of rolling hills separated by the clear recent waters.” – Keweenaw Waters Web site

The cabin got here full with a full kitchen, two queen beds, a big seating space with a Roku TV, and a spacious and clear rest room. There was additionally a washer and dryer and a sauna! I can’t consider a greater place to remain and chill out, each pre- and post-race.

With a full kitchen, I used to be in a position to put together my very own meals the night time earlier than the race, which is, essential for these runners like me with delicate stomachs. The patio had personal entry from our cabin, full with a grill and seating, the place we sat to shut out the night time. Daytime lasts longer in the course of the summer time in Northern Michigan, so it didn’t get darkish till about 10 PM. We loved watching and listening to the waves as we absorbed this unbelievable getaway.

The subsequent morning was the Canal Run which included a half marathon, half marathon wheelchair division, 10 mile run, 10 mile stroll, 5 mile run, 5 mile blade division, 5 mile stroll and a couple of mile run/stroll. This level to level race supplied so many alternative distances that runners of all ages and skills would have the ability to take pleasure in. Runners had been in a position to park in downtown Hancock and board buses which took athletes to their numerous begin traces. The course took runners alongside the Portage Canal, with a number of elevation modifications as runners labored their approach again.

The race completed in downtown Hancock, the place runners are in a position to stroll to the various parking areas the place autos had been left earlier within the morning. That is extremely properly organized, and properly attended. I used to be not in a position to race the occasion this 12 months, however I’m hopeful that I can return and partake within the enjoyable subsequent 12 months. That is undoubtedly a race that you must hold in your radar for 2025.

On Saturday afternoon, we visited downtown Houghton Michigan with one in all our first stops being the Copper Country Running Company. This small native enterprise had the entire identify model working gear that any health fanatic might need. It jogged my memory a whole lot of our native shops in Chicago, with pleasant workers helping patrons, and working occasions posted all through the shop. It was good to have just a little piece of residence so far-off.

We then grabbed a cup of espresso on the oldest espresso store within the U.P., Cyberia Cafe. This native cafe had all the pieces from smoothies to specialty crafted espresso drinks. There have been board video games and comfy seating all through the store. We ended up returning again to this espresso store on Sunday morning previous to leaving as a result of it has such nice character and improbable drinks to get the morning began.

We additionally visited just a few of the native shops, together with Chickadees, Michigan Made, and Surplus Outlet. The charming downtown space of Houghton are filled with small native companies and the friendliest folks. Across the nook from the business space, you’re rapidly hit with the fantastic thing about Lake Superior. There’s a waterfront path that you would be able to stroll alongside to benefit from the lakefront magnificence that’s the higher peninsula. We spent fairly a little bit of time wandering the realm and taking in the entire websites.

I used to be amazed with what number of hills lined the streets of Houghton and Hancock. Fortunately, my son is simply ending up drivers’ schooling and is well-versed on the methods of downhill and uphill parking. It’s been fairly some time since I needed to flip my wheels up, up and away on an uphill park.

We left the downtown space and headed to the Nara Nature Path Boardwalk. The Nara Nature Path Boardwalk is a 4,500 foot lengthy elevated wooden boardwalk working alongside each banks of the Pilgrim River. This boardwalk has fishing websites, benches, and entry for launching kayaks and canoes.

“A historic thunderstorm dropped over 7 inches of rain on the realm in only a few hours within the early morning of June 17, 2018. The flooding that adopted worn out the wetland boardwalk system all through Nara Park. The Metropolis of Houghton labored with FEMA to fund the cleanup of the particles and repairs the boardwalk. A undertaking to wash up and rebuild the boardwalks was designed and the brand new boardwalks had been constructed within the fall of 2020.

The brand new boardwalks had been upgraded to present accessibility requirements which embrace regrading, width, and railings. The boardwalks “float” on the soils inside the wetland sections. At key factors massive screw-type anchors assist the construction to maintain the boardwalks in place throughout excessive water occasions whereas minimizing influence to the wetland soil construction. City of Houghton Website”

This stroll is one thing that even younger youngsters can do however I might be hesitant to convey a stroller on the boardwalk, because it’s simply because it sounds with a number of boards making up the complete walkway. It’s narrow-ish and I’d suppose the bumping alongside can be troublesome with a stroller. It’s an out and again although, so you possibly can simply minimize the stroll shorter for little legs.

We completed the time off with dinner at The Ambassador, an area restaurant in Houghton, Michigan. This restaurant had stained glass home windows and worn comfortable seating for patrons. The meals was unbelievable and had plenty of gluten free and wholesome choices.

I might extremely suggest a visit to Keweenaw County and a keep on the Keweenaw Waters Resort. Watch Chicago Athlete for bulletins of different endurance occasions on this space!