MTFCA Forum

I am thinking of touring up through Crivitz and up to Iron Mountain and the north next summer. Maybe all the way to Copper Harbor. You could join me for a jaunt or tell me what is there to see. Should be a nice Model T drive. my e-mail is dlhort1955@juno.com

As a Michigan Tech Husky I can tell you there is plenty to do in Michigan's Copper Country. Everything from Copper mine tours to brewerys...plenty of brewerys, light houses, waterfalls, small mining towns, natural beauty that will make you cry....In short it's God's Country

That is a great choice of destination for you and your T. We vacation there often, traffic is generally light and there is plenty to see and do. We have come across Model T tours in progress several times over the years, participants say it is one of the best places to drive your T. We again will vacation there in 2020 and will look for you!

Didn't Ford have an operation up there?

"Didn't Ford have an operation up there"....Yeah I think he had his appendix out up there....

Kingsford and Iron Mountain are adjacent cities. Thats where charcoal and wood came from to make your Model T.

We visited the oldest grandson [Model T Driver] at Tech two weeks ago and i seem to never get tired of the Quincy Mine Tour.We also toured the mineral museum and i had no idea there were that many mineral's! The cardboard boat race's were a hoot with a few sinking.Just a short rest,and now back to making homemade sauerkraut!! Bud.

Ford had a sawmill in Alberta east of Houghton

In Iron Mountain: Ford Glider Museum, Cornish Pump Museum, Ski Jump top of Pine Mountain are all favorite sites of mine. September could be a great month to tour as the weather is still nice and most vacationers are gone.

Hey Dave,

I might be up for a tag along to the UP. The club did a hub tour out of Crivitz a few years back that included Kingsford and Iron Mountain. Lots of waterfalls and such in Marinette county too. I have driven the T up to Eagle River / Rhinelander area many times, have some nice back roads routes from my place to there.

That would be a wonderful trip. I second the suggestion of September - My daughter went to Northern Michigan and that was a great time to visit....less traffic and fewer tourists, state parks less crowded. Just wait until after the Old Car Festival which is usually the first weekend after Labor Day. I'd seriously consider making the trip from the Thumb of Michigan for such a trip.

If you make it to the Copper country I am east of Hancock and would gladly give you a tour of my collection!

H-58 from Munising to Grand Marais is a wonderful road also. We rode it on the Harley a few years ago. I think speed limit is 45 and LOTS of curves and a very good road. Pictured Rock state park is at Munising. Lots to do and ser in the UP. Our family has had a cabin north of Newberry since 1978. T the UP is on my list.

As a troll (I live below the Mackinaw Bridge) I must admit that I love the UP. I've driven the sandy back roads along Lake Superior (Whitefish Point) in my M38a1 Jeep and imagine that they would be good for a Model T. The Keweenaw, Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks, Grand Marais, and many other locales offer great opportunities for touring in a T. I've only had a running T since August so I've missed out on the western UP tours of years past. Maybe its time to do it again (hint hint).

Tim,Crisp Point has been a favorite of ours before there was a real road to it. A gift shop and restrooms? Just aint the same, but worth the drive.

Found 3 campgrounds starting at Crivitz, then Iron Mountain, then Houghton. Tent and RV sites, and hot showers. After OCF might be a bit chilly. When do the skeeters die off up there?

Skeeters and black flies never die off. Up by Houghton you have Alberta which is a Ford town, Lanse Baraga was big for Ford hardwood and Pequamin (sp?) which was also a Ford town. Henry had a house in the latter and used to sail up in his ore boats. Lots of Ford history. Also a cabin (mansion) in the Herron Mtn Club by Big Bay, but private ownership. These are places the Vagabonds went to.

Might be a good Michigan Jamboree!

Joe, you were close Pequaming and the Huron mountains. You are correct a lot of Ford history in the area

"Black fly season typically starts in the middle of May and runs through late June or early July. They're often gone by mid-July."
You can find them later in the year in certain areas, but generally August and later are OK. When I travel the UP enroute to Oshkosh in late July each year they've never been a problem. Skeeters do come out around dusk but aren't much of a problem in campgrounds. Average high temps in the UP during September are around 70° - maybe a little cooler along the Lake Superior shoreline. September sees about 8 days with rain on average which isn't bad.

The Michigan Jamboree is typically held in early August which would be a good time.... the problem is finding a sponsor familiar with the area willing to put it on. Maybe Michigan and Wisconsin could cooperate in putting on such an event

The Michigan Jamboree was in Sioux St Marie this summer. I do not think they want to go back to the UP so soon, but good idea.

Sault Ste. Maire

I believe the Michigan Jamboree was in Iron Mt. in 2016. Perhaps somebody could share a copy of that years tour book, with that year's tour routes.

My understanding is the Jamboree will be in Lower MI for 2020. I think I heard SW MI, but I cannot recall for sure.

Some trivia I learned at the 2019 Jamboree: Sault is the French word for rapids. Sault Sainte Maire translates to the rapids of Saint Mary.

From past experience I would stay off Freddy's skid trail!
Dan in Eau Claire.

As mentioned in other posts, all the Model T Chapters in Michigan are affiliated with the MTFCI, the sole exception being the Piquette Chapter, which belongs to both national clubs. There is no chapter in the UP, and the closest chapters of either club to the western UP are in Wisconsin.

The Michigan Jamboree was held in the Soo this year, but the people planning and hosting it came from the northern lower peninsula. It's getting harder to find people willing to put it on each year. Last I heard is that it will be in SW Michigan in 2020 - maybe the Holland area.

A western UP tour is a great idea, but putting it together presents some challenges.....

Holland is a nice area. Easily accessible from Wisconsin via the SS Badger.

Thats pretty close to home for me. What goes on at a jamboree ? Is it a tour or more?

No information for 2020 is posted yet, but their web site: www.michiganjamboree.org has information about their history and past tours.

I went to the Jamboree in Harris, Mi. in 2016. It was about 3 days with 2 big organized tours of about 100 plus miles stopping at various points of interest. Very well run and organized. I believe that one was sponsored by the club in Marinette Menominee. They had an ice cream social to start and a banquet on the last night.

I too, was on the Jamboree in Harris. Our Fordor lived at Grand Marais for 20 years, and participated in a few 4th of July parades in it's then un-restored state. We took it there again for the 2018 parade, and were delighted to meet Eric McLeod in the crowd!! The town is so small, the parade circles the town twice I would be interested in touring the Keewenau as well.

Dallas,
The Michigan Jamboree is probably the biggest tour held in the state each year. They always base it at a hotel that also has camping nearby. Three days of touring with interesting attractions worked in is the norm. Many out of state visitors usually attend - I personally met folks from Florida, Wisconsin, N. Dakota, Indiana, Ohio and Ontario at the 2019 tour in Sault Ste Marie. It is a MTFCI event, as all Michigan Model T Clubs are MTFCI. I belong to both national clubs so I can take advantage of the great tours each has to offer.

Hey, my car is in that picture, it's the Tudor between the 2 green cars. Not that anyone cares, just thought I would mention it. The jamboree this year was very good. The UP is a great place to tour, even better with a T.

Hey guys. I am not planning a tour here. Certainly not like most tours where you have a host hotel that you come back to every night. I have never seen much of the UP, but I always hear stories about how great it is up there. .....................So I was thinking out loud that I would like to drive up there. This is no sissy tour and no vulture wagon. This is a point to point trip. Milwaukee to Copper Harbor. I am thinking I could do this early August. Anyone wants to come with would be great. If you can be with just one day, cool. You dont have to do the whole thing. Join me for a day of sightseeing - would love to see you. Camp in a camp ground or stay in a hotel. Every day you have a choice. Milwaukee to Crivitz to Iron Mountain to Houghton to Marquette to Iron Mountain n back home. Dean Yoder style trip.