From an underground copper mine to a remote mountainside overlook, waterfalls, the Porcupine Mountains, and a host of other sites, this book explores the western side of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Ralph G. Pifer, who has explored the area for more than forty years, celebrates the beauty of the less explored, less known, and wilder part of the state-a place that was the home of famous residents such as Ernest Hemingway.
Ancient mountain ranges, numerous lakes and rivers, museums, ghost towns, endless trails, and miles of Lake Superior's lakeshore make up this part of Michigan that tourists and area residents alike fail to fully appreciate.
Once a thriving area with mines and logging, it is today a quiet backwater. Its history stretches back thousands of years, and it remains a place of great beauty, solitude, and wonderful people.
Filled with photographs, site descriptions, maps, and helpful suggestions for travelers who want to avoid the beaten path, this book is an essential resource for anyone seeking to know more about this vibrant area.

Ralph G. Pifer is a retired associate professor of psychology and social science. During his career, he was recognized as "Professor of the Year" and named multiple times by students as the most influential professor in their academic careers. His lifelong interests in geology, nature, and photography have served him well in his explorations of Michigan's Upper Peninsula for more than forty years. He lives in Dixon, Illinois, with his wife, cat, and box turtle.