Return to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
A couple of weeks ago, we shared one of our Adventure family’s trips to Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While there, they stayed in the small town of Curtis and took time to explore the beautiful Manistique Lakes area—both by land and by air.
Armed with a drone and launching from Camp Interlaken, they captured breathtaking views of the sprawling lakes and the endless wilderness. Seeing the vastness from above offers a humbling perspective compared to what’s visible from the ground. The lakes stretch out like glassy mirrors framed by thick forests, reminding us how wild and untouched much of the Upper Peninsula remains.
Memories of 1998
What made this trip extra special, though, was its quiet connection to the past. One of the travelers had made a nearly identical trip to Manistique Lake back in 1998 as an 8-year-old boy with his parents, siblings, and fun-loving grandpa. It was their last big family vacation before his only sister headed off to college that fall.
They stayed at a classic cabin-court style resort on the shores of Big Manistique Lake, spending lazy days fishing for perch, playing outside, and soaking up the fading days of summer. He still remembers the excitement of catching fish with his dad and brothers, his sister and father cleaning the catch at the old fish house, and his mom (yes, that would be me) racing to the Curtis IGA to grab supplies for a good old-fashioned fish fry. It was a simple, joyful time that left a lasting impression.
New Memories
Fast forward nearly 30 years, and he returned to the same lake—this time with his girlfriend and her family. Her dad and young nephew set out onto Manistique Lake and just like in 1998, the perch were biting. The day ended with another fish fry, laughter, and the kind of simple happiness that makes northern Michigan so magical.
One of the things we love most about the Upper Peninsula is its timelessness. Sure, some buildings have changed, and new homes have appeared along the lakeshores, but the rugged beauty and peaceful wildness of the area remain untouched. It’s a place where memories are made—and sometimes remade—across generations.
1998 & 2025
To help tell the story, we’re sharing photos from both trips: the nostalgic snapshots of 1998 alongside the sweeping drone shots and family fun from 2025. Whether you’ve been visiting the U.P. for decades or are planning your first trip, we hope it inspires you to make your own Upper Peninsula memories.
Big Manistique Lake 1998
Manistique Lakes Area 2025
