We visited the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, Michigan. Jenn has Finnish ancestry, so it was particularly interesting for her.
The adjoining North Wind Books store:
exploring
Attractions and other places we visit.
Suomi Home Bakery & Restaurant
Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
We took a scenic drive around the upper Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Here’s an interactive map of our route, heading counter/anti-clockwise (Jenn recently pointed out that I always write “anti-clockwise”, but “counter-clockwise” is the typical American form; my Kiwi roots showing again):
Lake Linden:
The beginning of US 41:
Copper Harbor:
Copper Harbor Overlook, with a view of Lake Superior:
Esrey Park overlook:
Eagle Harbor lighthouse:
Jacob’s Falls:
Keweenaw snow thermometer:
Quincy Mine Hoist:
Isle Royale National Park
We visited Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, journeying there and back on a small floatplane; much faster than a boat.
An interactive map of the Rock Harbor area is Isle Royale:
Float plane:
Isle Royale:
Lunch at the cafe:
Seating and harbor:
We did a hike on Stoll Trail:
A post-hike snack:
Loons:
Back to the float plane for the return journey:
Indiana Dunes National Park
We visited Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana. Perhaps one of the least interesting parks we’ve visited… it really should have remained a National Lakeshore.
To be fair, we were recovering from Covid at the time, so weren’t feeling up for climbing dunes or even walking along the beach… which is pretty much all there is to do there.
Here’s a map of the park; click or tap for a larger edition:
Bison out front of the visitor center:
Flowchart of options:
Map:
Visitor center:
An art:
Beach access to Lake Michigan:
Century of Progress historic homes:
A dune:
Yawn.
Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago White Sox
We did a pregame tour and attended a game of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs the Chicago White Sox at the Pirates’ ballpark, PNC Park.
Jenn’s game summary:
We took a tour of the park before the game, and it’s a lovely ballpark. A beautiful view of the skyline and numerous neat touches throughout—plantings and artwork that tie the present to the past. The team has a rich history and shows much respect for its roots. The current team, however, is not good. Blown out by the White Sox, who are also one of the worst teams—an embarrassment. Still, the fans show up to root for “the Bucs”. Cute pierogi race between innings and a Warhol cam to salute a famous son of the city.
An interactive map of the ballpark and environs:
PNC Park:
Exhibits:
Pirates logos:
Exploring PNC Park:
A suite:
Tenders and fries:
View from our seats in Section 115, row S, seats 27 & 28:
Preparing home plate:
Play ball:
Warhol Cam:
Nachorita:
Race:
Mascot:
Scores:
Crew credits:
Fallingwater
Baseball: New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners
The second of two games of the New York Yankees vs our Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium in New York.
We visited their Monument Park:
And their museum:
Some Benihana for dinner:
View from our seats in Section 124, Row 10, Seats 17 & 18:
Starting lineups:
Marking home plate:
Cal:
Keys to the game:
Seat selfie:
Mariners warming up:
Play ball:
A nearby fan caught a foul ball:
Run scores:
Exploring the ballpark:
More food:
Dancing grounds crew and train:
Run scores:
80’s in the 8th:
Tied game:
Alas, Yankees win again:
Baseball: New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners
We attended a couple of games of the New York Yankees vs our Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium in New York.
Jenn’s game summary:
A very nice stadium. Even though it’s not the original one, they imbued it with some classic touches and filled it with old ghosts and memories. The game did not start well for the M’s, with Luke Evans giving up three runs in the first, which wound up being the number of runs they lost by. The Yankees starting pitcher, Schlittler, made his MLB debut and pitched five strong innings, striking out 7. The M’s went deep four times, including Cole Young’s first major league homer. It still wasn’t enough to overcome the early hole, alas. Pleasantly surprised by how friendly all the Yankees fans near us were—they seemed impressed by my scorekeeping.
An interactive map of the ballpark:
Our seats in Section 124, Row 1, Seats 7 & 8:
Exploring the ballpark:
Sundae:
Exploring again:
Dancing grounds crew:
Rain:
Play in review:
Scores… the Mariners with lots of runs, but Yankees had more:
After the game:
USS Constitution
We explored the USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides”, the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy. It is operated by the Navy in partnership with Boston National Historical Park.
