We have another U.P. adventure from Chuck Paulson – a.k.a Uncle Chuck while he and his wife Vicki were vacationing in the Yoop this past month. This time they’re taking us to the Crisp Point Lighthouse in the Newberry area. Here’s what Chuck had to say about the adventure: “Crisp Point Lighthouse. This place was so beautiful I could have spent all day there or camped there. In order to camp there, you need to be a member and support the upkeep of the lighthouse and area. I was so impressed, that I did make a donation in the gift shop. 19 miles north off of highway 123 and the turn off to get there I think is about 8 miles west of the Falls. Such a beautiful ride on 123. And Vicki did climb up the 50 stairs to the top of the Lighthouse!”

Such beautiful views of Lake Superior there. In the fourth photo, looking out at Lake Superior, you can see what looks like pilings there in the water. Those are old wooden pilings and remnants of cribs and piers – remains of historical docks and erosion-control structures from the station’s active era.

For today’s video, we’re heading a bit southeast with Brian and Heather Outdoors to take a look at the Drummond Island Fossil Ledges. The lead-in says: “The Fossil Ledges on the north end of Drummond Island are one of Michigan’s most incredible hidden geological treasures, and one of the harder ones to reach. Plan on 4-5 hours round trip. The route in is rough two track with rock, ruts and lots of mud holes and water crossings. You need a high clearance off road capable vehicle like a Jeep, truck, or a side by side. Not a place to try in a crossover. Go with a full tank, take it slow, and let someone know where you’re headed as cell service is unreliable out there. What you get for the effort is an exposed Silurian reef. 400 million years ago Michigan sat near the equator under a warm shallow sea, and coral built up along the rim of what’s now called the Michigan Basin. That reef arc through the Great Lakes is one of the largest in the world, and almost all of it is buried. Here it’s weathering out in the open, stair-stepping into Lake Huron. Walk the shoreline and you’ll find honeycomb coral, colonial corals opened into starbursts, brachiopods and crinoid fragments, all still sitting in the bedrock where they lived. Always leave no trace and leave the fossils where you find them, taking only photos and memories home. And probably a very dirty vehicle or ATV.”

After Uncle Chuck's and Vicki's report from Tahquamenon Falls earlier, I just knew to expect another edition of the U.C. Returns UP Tour.

They have done a spectacular job in saving the Crisp Point Lighthouse considering just a few short years ago it was ready to collapse into The Lake.

Here was my perspective in 2022.


Brian and Heather have a very nice YouTube channel. I've always been interested in visiting Drummond Island. Now I have another great reason.

I would love to go back to the Crisp Point Lighthouse. My husband
and I went a few years ago when we were camping in Grand
Marais. The road was so horrible that we thought that there might
not be many people there. We were so mistaken! But it was so
worth the bumpy road. I love all of the photos! It’s a beautiful
spot in the U.P.

Just beautiful!! So great to see you made
the trip, thank you for sharing with us!
Cool video too:)

Everything is just gorgeous! Thank you for
sharing!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us Chuck! I've
never been there so this was cool.