Tourist season is coming! Time to travel, camp, go sight-seeing and vacation in the Upper Peninsula. If you’re a local don’t forget to be a tourist in your own town this summer and visit all the places you’ve read about but have never visited. For tourists and locals alike we put together a list of resources to help you plan your Upper Peninsula vacation, road trip, or afternoon drive.

However, this isn’t your typical tourist guide, you won’t find any brochures here. Here are a few great sites to explore places you want to visit this summer. From Mackinac Island, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, Lake Superior, to the Porcupine Mountains and hundreds of places between, you can browse photos, read the history, and see exactly what’s available on the route you’re traveling.

Panoramio — Pictured Rocks

Panoramio is a service offered by Google to map all of your uploaded photos. Enter the name of any town in the Upper Peninsula for a quick exploration. It becomes a great way to plan a trip and find locations that are really interesting. Our linked example shows you several photos of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Explore Wikipedia in Google Maps

Are you a history buff? Or, perhaps you’re a student that just needs to finish a paper about the Upper Peninsula. Google Maps now offers a feature to explore Wikipedia entries by geographic region. Need more information on Doyle Township? This makes it a piece of cake as well as finding relevant Wikipedia entries in the same region.

Google Maps is a powerful tool. You can also YouTube videos by region if you have a Google account, just browse their directory for the YouTube application. You’ll also find dozens of other awesome Google Maps tools such as real estate, weather, elevation contours, and more.

Browse Flickr Map — Escanaba

If you haven’t checked out Flickr before, it’s incredible. Be prepared to explore photos from across the world, just don’t forget to check out the Upper Peninsula as well. With millions of users you can usually find photos tagged in every corner of the United States. For starters check out some places to visit in Escanaba.

Flickr also has a featured called Places. Here’s an example of Marquette where you can find users, area groups, photos, featured photographers, and even get the weather.

Everywhere Magazine — Ambassador

Need to find a place to eat? Maybe a few travel stories about somewhere you’re headed? Everywhere Magazine is the site to check out. But they need more reviews for the Upper Peninsula and it’s all up to you! Everywhere’s content is reader-generated. That means you have the change to write in about your favorite spots in the Upper Peninsula, send in a few photos, and get published.

Over the years every Yooper hears stereotypes, jokes, and definitions of the word “yooper” that we can all chuckle about, roll ours eyes at, or even confirm in rare instances.

At Yooper Steez we’re always looking for people using the word “yooper” online, in books, or anywhere else. Well, our latest research came across something completely blasphemous. Let us know what you think…

Yooper — “Person from north of the bridge. a second class citizen of the U.S.. A canadian trapped on american soil.”

Example: Yoopers think they’re american, but everybody in america hates them. which is why michigan is selling the u.p. to canada for a carton of cigarettes.

Courtesy of ‘Bob Saget’ on Urban Dictionary

Out of the 9 user-posted definitions on Urban Dictionary, thankfully this one has the least number of votes.

What do you think, worst “Yooper” definition ever? We’re opening this up for discussion, let us know what you think, are we really worth just a carton of cigarettes?

This shot was snapped by James M Phelps yesterday, validating that spring is here. A photo that speaks for itself, the yellow feathers pop out on the green background (and foreground) of the spruce needles.

Check out more of James’ photography at www.jmp-photography.com

Photo courtesy of JMP’s Flickr page.

At Yooper Steez we love the latest in the world wide web, including social networking. We’re also hoping to reach Yoopers across the globe.

After merging those two ideas we thought it’d be great to give you an awesome list of Yooper related Facebook Groups. Though these are far from all the groups, they are some of favorites and most unique.

The Yooper Appreciation and Protection Society

“This group is for everyone that has ever encountered the ethnicity known as ‘Yooper’, and feels the need to embrace and appreciate the Upper Peninsula. The people that live in the Upper Peninsula or the U.P. are called “Yoopers” and are proud of it. The people that live under the bridge are called “Trolls.” Although Yoopers are generally considered to be citizens of the State of Michigan, they constantly yearn for release. With their own culture, dialect, and food the Yoopers perhaps should be considered a nationality.”

For Yooper Girls Only

“A collection of women from Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Women from the U.P are better, stronger, smarter and prettier than women from all other places. You can only be a Yooper Girl if you have lived in the U.P. for at least 20 years.”

Ya know yer a yooper when…

“You use the Yooper Rule of Apostrophes: dinty = didn’t he; shounta = shouldn’t have; and wounta = wouldn’t have. Gotta love the U.P. Language!
The word “Eh” seems to find its way onto the end of every sentence.
You leave you beers outsite to get cold.
You break something and then fix it with duct tape.
You refer to downtown Iron Mountain as a classic example of urban decay.”

Yooper Bar Fan Club

“The ultimate fan club for those yoopers and beyond that are in love with the ultimate chocolate bar - The Yooper Bar!”

Give da yooper back to wisconsin eh!

“I met a dude from Mich. the other day, the real Mich, not the UP and he was a complete tool. So in honor of that bag of douche and others like him, I’m starting a petition for Wisconsin to take control of the UP. Frick man, its not even connected to Mich. WTF mate?”

Yooper and Yooper wanna-be’s

“This is a group for all of those people who are Yoopers and are in a different state, but still want to show they are Yoopers. It is for those who unitentionally say “eh!” when they are talking. It is also for all of those who want to become Yoopers or get to know some Yoopers. If you dont know what a Yooper is, it is anyone who comes from the upper peninsula of Michigan.”

I think I’m getting a Yooper accent!!

“If you think you might be going to the darkside…and getting YOOPERized!!!!!! If you have recently said ya, der, or any usage of the yooper dialect.”

I went to the U.P. and now I want a pet Yooper

“There are too many yoopers lost out in the wilderness up there that need a good home. Let’s be good citizens and take them under our wing and give them the experience of real english and the normal human culture…. Even though their true Yooperness is what makes them just so darn cute!!! Whatch out for Discovery Channel’s new series on Yoopers… I know they are planning on making one. Such rare and beautiful creatures they are”

Upper Michigan: We’re not part of Canada, Damnit!

“For all those with a slighty ridiculous yooper accent who are perfectly comfortable driving in 6 feet of fresh powder in August to the first day of school. Your rusty 1982 Chevy still runs and you are dressed to impress in your flannel shirt and your long underwear. You keep your beer cold by sticking it in a snowpile, and you own atleast one article of Carhartt clothing. Dignity is not an issue, since we are aware that yoopers have little to no etiquette and have come to terms with the fact that your girlfriend can out drink you and your two best friends combined. You start every sentence with “Da”, end every other sentence with “Eh”, and you feel completely comfortable peeing between the parked cars and bushes. You learned to shoot a gun before you could walk and yes, we are home to the worlds largest chainsaw, and the worlds largest rifle.”

Yeah i’m from the U.P.,but i’m not a $@%& hick!!!!

“this group is for any ‘yooper’ that is continually made fun of or laughed at because ‘we talks funEE’ and because we come from the U.P. Everybody other than a yooper makes fun of us only because they want to be a yooper.”

Petition Facebook to create a Upper Peninsula, MI region network

“For those you in the UP who are sick of not having your own region network—or worse yet, using the Green Bay or Thunder Bay region network. This is the biggest Upper Peninsula group on Facebook, containing more than 1.2% of the UP’s population! Everyone is welcome to join.”

The Upper Peninsula (U.P.) isnt Canada

“This group is created to clear up the fact that the U.P. of Michigan has no affiliation with Canada. Also to state when calling a Yooper a Candian it is a huge insult.”

So if you’re on Facebook, check out these groups for one more way to stay connected to the Upper Peninsula and show you’re Yooper pride.. And don’t forget to join the Yooper Steez Facebook page as well.

Also, which group should we award with the “Best Damn Yooper Facebook Group Award”? Let us know and we’ll do our best to hook up that group with some Yooper Steez.

“Picnic Tables Awaiting the Spring” by Aunt Jojo on Flickr

After the lingering winter it stills remains more and more promising that spring is around the corner. Parks are clear of snow and starting to take down their “closed for the season” signs and opening their gates.

This photo is taken at Hagerman Lake, nine miles southwest of Iron River. The photo was snapped on April 24th, 2008.

As the parks open it’s time to pack for a picnic and enjoy it free of cold, but you better do it soon because the mosquitoes will be coming shortly.

Photo courtesy of auntjojo, titled “Picnic Tables Awaiting the Spring” on Flickr

On the night that my beloved Red Wings could sweep the Colorado Avalanche, the last thing that I want to do is feature a post that’s all about a player on the Avalanche.

Hockey has an enormous presence in the Upper Peninsula, from youth hockey, to adult leagues, and NCAA National Hockey Championships for MTU, NMU, and LSSU. Pretty impressive. And although many players from the universities have gone on to play professionally, and many locals have gone on to successful hockey careers, I only know of one Yooper, born and raised, to play in the NHL.

Jeff Finger, of the Colorado Avalanche faces off against the Detroit Red Wings tonight (a team I’m sure he grew up watching regularly) as Colorado hopes to keep their playoff hopes alive, however they’re down in the series 3-0. Finger played in the April 26th game against Detroit, logging over 19 minutes in ice time.

Finger is a native of Houghton, Michigan in the Keweenaw and at 28 has is playing in his second year in the NHL. Finger played in 72 games for the Colorado Avalanche during the regular season, netting 8 goals and 11 assists. After being drafted in 1999, Finger had a difficult road in front of him before making it to the National Hockey League. The local defenseman is now at the peak of his career and will continue to have success in the NHL if his play continues.

On his way to the NHL, Finger played in the USHL, WCHA, ECHL, and AHL before playing 22 games with the Avalanche during the 2006-2007 season.

This year is Fingers first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance.

Jeff Finger is the only Yooper in the NHL, past and present, that I’m aware of (PLEASE, let us know if you know of any other U.P. born NHL players).

It’s incredible to see a local hockey player work hard towards success in the NHL, an inspiration for hundreds of up and coming hockey players across the U.P.

Now, if only we can get a Yooper Steez shirt to him! Connections anyone?

Stephen King released his latest book, Duma Key, this past January. In addition to publishing another best-seller that topped the New York Times Bestseller List, there is another important note that every Yooper should be aware of.

On page 456 of the total 606 pages, Stephen King uses the word “Yooper”.

“Wireman was making crazy what’s-going-on gestures in front of my face. I turned away from him.

‘Panda, he saved your life.’

‘What?’

‘I know what I know,’ I said. ‘The sketch he was showing off in the plane…it was one of mine, right?’

‘Yes…he was so proud…Edgar, what are you-’

‘Did it have a name? Did the sketch have a name? Do you know?’

‘It was called Hello. He kept saying, ‘Don’t look much like Minnesota dere’…doing that dumb Yooper thing of his….’ A pause, and I didn’t break in because I was trying to think. Then: ‘This is your special kind of knowing. Isn’t it?’

Hello, I was thinking. Yes, of course. The first sketch I’d done in Big Pink had also been one of the powerful ones. And Tom had bought it.

Goddamned Hello.”

-pg 456, Duma Key by Stephen King

It’s not often the term Yooper is mentioned in mass media, pop culture, or a national bestseller. Everyone from the Upper Peninsula should take a little pride in this, but it still raises an important question.

Is Stephen King’s use of the word “Yooper” just reinforcing the stereotypes of our dialect?

The only reason Stephen King used the word Yooper was directly because he also used the word “dere”. Of course, most Yoopers can probably count hearing “dere” multiple times in any given day. So, Stephen King does know about the dialect in the Upper Peninsula, what else does he know about the U.P.?

Perhaps the most interesting question is, how many people reading the book across the entire world actually know what the word “Yooper” means?

If you know of any other best-selling books that mention Yoopers or the Upper Peninsula just drop a comment, we’d love to check it out.

Spring is finally here, we’re quite sure of it. In fact if there is another snow storm you can blame it on us.

Spring is consistently anticipated for the warm weather and the green grass. It gets better when you can leave the window cracked at night, have a nice breeze, and listen to the spring peepers, one of the most distinguished sounds of the year.

Hmmm, what is a spring peeper?

I look forward to the peepers every spring, but I have never really known what they are. Thanks to Wikipedia and Flickr I know a little more about them now.

The spring peeper is a small frog, attaining an adult size between 0.75 and 1.5 inches (up to 40mm) long. They have a dark cross on their backs roughly in the shape of an “X”, though sometimes the marking may be indistinct. The color variations of the spring peeper are mostly tan, brown, olive green,and gray. Females are lighter-colored, while males are slightly smaller and usually have dark throats.

Source: Wikipedia

• Species: Pseudacris crucifer
• Favorite snacks: small spiders and insects
• Favorite snacks of: snakes, skunks, and large frogs
• Breeding: March to June, especially after warm rains, and can lay up to 1,000 eggs
• There is a second species, the southern spring peeper, in Florida and Georgia

And just in case you you’d like to listen to some Spring Peepers right now, there is a good audio file at Wikipedia, as well as what a single spring peeper sounds like.

(Photo courtesy of Norm Walsh on Flickr)

There are 148,939,100 square miles of land surface on Planet Earth…

42,610 of it belongs to the Upper Peninsula. That comes to 0.029% of all the Earth. And if you prefer fractions, that’s 1/3,449th of the Earth’s surface. We are just a speck.

The total surface area of Earth is 510,065,600 square kilometers. It’s a big place.

The Upper Peninsula is home to some very unique places on earth. I’ll refer you to Mississippi State’s website, where a group actually made the trek all the way to the Upper Peninsula to discover our unique geology.

A month ago we posted a blog entry about Why Lake Superior Kicks Your Lake’s Butt, a look at several fun facts about the world’s greatest lake that the Upper Peninsula is so fortunate to share.

After posting the entry Dan left a comment asking about the difference in length between Michigan’s and Minnesota’s shoreline on Lake Superior. Thanks for asking, Dan!

After some research we have found some answers at Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality website.

This information has an additional 225 miles of shoreline than the statistics we posted earlier.

Dan, to answer your question the Upper Peninsula has a significant portion of the Lake Superior shoreline compared to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

It’s particularly interesting to compare the data between Canada and the United States. The U.S. has just 125 miles more shoreline on the Great Lakes than Canada, however this is solely because of Lake Michigan, which is 1,600 miles of shoreline that Canada doesn’t have.

To conclude, this chart clarifies why Michigan is truly the Great Lakes State with three times as much shoreline as the next state, Wisconsin. Michigan has 23.3% of the total shoreline of the Great Lakes compared to 8.5% in Wisconsin.

Feel free to leave some more questions and comments like Dan’s and we’ll see what we can find and it could be the inspiration of our next blog post.