Upper Peninsula Overland Website Launch

Hello World!!!  Upper Peninsula Overland has finally reached a “comfy” point with their website….so much so that we’re starting to share the URL to the public.  Please take a minute to check out http://upoverland.org/index.php and tell us what you think.

We’ve certainly got a lot of work ahead of us, but it sure does feel good to get to this point.

Check back soon, we’re going to be constantly updating!
Enjoy Winter in Upper Michigan, and be sure to share your outdoor adventure with us on our FORUM.
Snowmobiling Videos and Tips will be coming soon!

Happy Holidays, Travel Safe!

On a recent Thanksgiving road trip to Northern Wisconsin we were met with an adrenaline surging, heart rate rocketing situation not once, but twice in three days.  What could it be that gets the adrenaline peaked out at maximum and ones heart rate reaching rare levels?

Being run off the road by other drivers not paying attention.  Not once, but yes, twice.  The first time was at close to 60mph and run straight into the ditch.  Luckily MDOT had it right, with nice wide shoulders and a slow graded slope.  Came to a stop, realized the driver had done this intentionally and called the cops after considering he was likely drunk and driving all over the road.

Second was just as profound, with an elderly woman driving what appeared to be a child in her car.  She starting swerving back and forth on the road forcing us into the right of way ( a much narrower back road right of way ) passing as she laughed with her younger passenger.  A very confusing situation because they appeared to not only be oblivious to our presence, but they were having a darn good time dancing on the road in their 3000 pound toy.

Be safe out there folks.  As much as we prepare for safety when it comes to hunting, snowmobiling, riding motorcycles or traveling off road through challenging terrain, nothing is as surprising as the unexpected fool on a regular drive you’ve done a thousand times.

Pay attention…or pay the price.

Upper Michigan Snowmobiling

So we’ve racked up, what, close to 2,000 miles of backroad travel (counting our scouting miles) over the last two years alone.
Having grown up in the central U.P. and snowmobiling every inch of trail in our tri-county area there is now a growing desire to take the snowmobiling to a U.P. wide level.  Utilizing our U.P. network it appears we’re going to be able to dial in a killer snowmobiling run across Upper Michigan, focusing on the UPO2008 and UPO2009 GPS Tracks.

If you’re interested (if you’re a snowmobiling addict and you’re NOT interested…we’re worried about you) head over to the Upper Peninsula Overland Snowmobile Forum where we’ve just started talking about this “idea”.  And give us yours.

Start the snow dance folks.  Whistler Blackcomb is open, Kristian’s skiing in CO…it’s our turn!

 

Oh, and p.s.  Go Cat. 

Scouting Upper Peninsula Overland 2010 on snowmobiles.

It’s no secret that we Yoopers can go places in winter by sled that we wouldn’t dare travel any other time of year.  The U.P. Overland hope is to not only tie in some much enjoyed snowmobiling but to also focus on the regions and connections we’re wanting to see during the UPO2010 Trip.  Sure there are some basic challenges with doing this on snowmobiles regarding logistics to make it a functional and fruitful exercise.  The reality also is that we will be seeing places we can ONLY see in winter, so we invite anyone interested in tagging along to drop in to our forum:

Upper Peninsula Overland Forum Get registered and head to the Snowmobile forum to start building up some discussion on where we should go and what we should do / see.

Let It Snow!

Less leaves, better chances with birds.

Ok, so we all know that the Upper Michigan grouse season takes a (wise) break during rifle season.  That means just a couple of weeks to get out and try your luck as the leaves lay low and the sight lines improve.  What’s worked best in the past this time of year for me is to find a hardwood line on a wetland perimeter and walk the daylight out of it!  That hardwood treeline should be opened up with the sappling & underbrush leaves being almost gone.

If all else fails shoot us a message in our Fishing & Hunting forum and I’ll let you know where the Russian Olives are

Safety first, and good luck!

-Tom / U.P. Overland

Upper Michigan Leaves are Leaving.

Well, we’ve had a good run of Fall Color Picture taking.  Good waterfall shots, mist on the lakes and rain rain rain.
The fall color season is all but dead with the leaves taking on their “we’ve been frosted too many times” shade of brownish-whatever-color-they-were-originally color.  (make sense?) Basically, they’re not pretty anymore and it’s time for SNOW!

We’d like to take a moment to thank all the photographers that took their time to come to The U.P. and capture memories.
Scott Mitchell and the Midwest Photographers Enthusiast Group met up at The Falling Rock Cafe’ in Munising and had a good weekend of shooting.  We hope their group can continue to grow and trust that Scott, with his lifelong U.P. roots, will continue to show them the good stuff.

To close out the fall season, here are a few pictures from The U.P. Overland 2010 Scouting run.
See you in the snow!

Overlooked Falls on our way through the Porcupine Mountains:

Overlooked Falls

Indian Head Ski-Lift is ready for Winter

Indian Head Ski Lift

You can see more Fall Color Pictures from around Upper Michigan on the Upper Peninsula Overland Forums:
Click here to see The Fall Color Thread

Upper Peninsula Overland Logos

With much thanks to Greta Berg @ Company B Graphics of Marquette, we are proud to announce the final version of the U.P. Overland Logo and it’s variations.  Greta has done great work for us time and time again and this time we are as impressed as ever.  We really do like the logo, feel it represents our  approach to the great U.P. Outdoors.

Of course, not everyone will agree and we understand that.  Soon however, stickers, T’s, hoodies and hats will be available to show your U.P. Adventure Pride.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Adventure Forums

After several weeks of work & promotion to previous U.P. Overland trips members from 2008 & 2009, the Upper Peninsula Overland forums are now live. Go to http://www.upoverland.org/forum to view as a guest or preferably, register and contribute!

Our membership is built upon the enthusiasts we’ve become friends with during the U.P. Overland trips from the previous two years.
The forums span topics such as Overland Adventure in the U.P. on through to fishing, hunting, photography and more.

Look for the U.P. Overland website to launch soon!