Who Needs a Map Anyway?

After spending just one week in Houghton, Michigan, I knew I wasn’t ready to leave. There was something about the people, the pace, and the access to nature that stuck with me after I got home. I kept thinking about the hikes I hadn’t taken, the spots I hadn’t seen, and the feeling of really being connected to a place — not just passing through it. So, exactly one week later, I booked an Airbnb back in the Upper Peninsula. This time, I planned to stay for five weeks.

I wasn’t entirely sure what those five weeks would look like, but I knew I wanted more time to explore, reflect, and just be in the moment. The first week set the tone in the best way: camping at Keystone Bay, hiking through the quiet beauty of Estivant Pines, and taking a tour of Delaware Mine. It was the kind of week that made me realize I’d made the right decision coming back and that there was still so much more to experience.

It all started with a night at Keystone Bay.

Camping at Keystone Bay ended up being one of the most peaceful nights I’ve ever spent outdoors — but getting there was a completely different story.

There are no clear directions to the site. You basically have to follow a maze of unmarked trails and hope for the best (or in our case, trust that Marcus somehow knew where he was going). After a few wrong turns, we finally found the right path — but it was barely wide enough for his car. Thankfully, he drives a small one, because I genuinely don’t think a truck or even a Jeep would’ve made it through.

Then we hit the puddle.

It wasn’t just a puddle — it was a full-on flooded section of trail. Going straight through it meant risking getting stuck in deep mud, with no cell service and miles to walk back to town. I suggested we turn around, but of course, Marcus wasn’t going to give up that easily. So, we went for it. By some miracle (and probably a lot of luck), we made it through, even though the whole thing felt incredibly sketchy.

When we arrived at the site, a spot right on the beach, we realized we had the entire place to ourselves. It was perfect. The sky was clear and we were greeted with one of the most beautiful sunsets.

Dinner was simple: hot dogs and Rice-A-Roni cooked over the fire, which somehow tasted way better out there. The fire gave us a bit of trouble at first. We tried to set it up closer to the beach, but the wind kept blowing it out. So we gathered everything and moved it closer to the woods, where the trees blocked just enough of the wind to keep it going. It felt a little chaotic at the moment, but looking back, it was actually pretty funny.

Once the sun went down, it was completely dark. The kind of darkness you only get far from town. The stars looked like they had been waiting for us. It was the perfect night to sit still, look up, and take it all in. Falling asleep was easy. The only sound was the waves hitting the shore, and something about that made everything feel peaceful and safe.

After packing up the next morning, we headed to Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary. We had heard this place was home to some of the biggest and oldest white pines in Michigan, and we were curious to see it for ourselves.

The sanctuary did not disappoint.

We followed the trail, stopping often to take photos or just stare up at the trees. Some were so tall you had to crane your neck just to see the tops, and a few were so wide you couldn’t wrap your arms around them. One cool spot along the trail was this huge, hollow tree that you could actually climb into. Sadly, it was no longer alive, but it was still such a unique part of the forest — like something out of a book.

After soaking up the stillness of Estivant Pines, we switched gears and headed to a completely different kind of adventure — the Delaware Mine.

It’s one of the oldest copper mines in the Keweenaw Peninsula, and unlike a lot of touristy places, this one lets you explore at your own pace. First you have to watch a historical/safety video, then you are free to roam the property and down into the mine. By the time you reach the end of the 100 feet of stairs down into the ground the air gets much cooler and damp. We wandered through the old tunnels carved deep into the rock, reading signs along the way that told the story of the miners who worked there in the 1800s.

It was eerie and fascinating all at once — imagining what it must’ve been like to work underground with just candlelight and hand tools. There were old carts, ladders, and other mining equipment still left behind, which made it feel like you were stepping into history rather than just learning about it.

One surprising thing was the huge number of bats living down there, and I mean way over a hundred fluttering in the shadows. It was honestly a little spooky — especially when a few started flying around near us.

That first week set the pace for what turned out to be one of the most meaningful trips I’ve ever taken. Every day brought a new little adventure — some challenging, some peaceful, and some just plain fun. It reminded me how important it is to slow down, pay attention, and let the moments unfold. If you’re into exploring quiet trails, cool finds, and remote places that leave a mark, I’d love for you to follow along. There’s a lot more to share.