Trenary Toast Factory

This trip was a bit random but turned out great. We were on our way to check out the Eben ice caves and got a little lost. We ended up in Trenary. We figured since we were already here we should go find the semi- famous UP bakery that specializes in their own brand of toast that makes it's home in Trenary. The toast, known as Trenary toast, is a unique and delicious product of the Upper Peninsula. It is covered in cinnamon and tastes even better if you put a little peanut butter on it.

We pulled up in the front of the place. Immediately, one of the owners walked out and greeted us at our car. He offered us a tour of the bakery.... I was not going to turn that down. He took us into the bakery and explained the, by hand, process they use to make the famed toast. There was a TON of toast in this place. This is the only place the company makes their toast. He let us sample some pre-toasted toast (which tasted awesome) and showed us the ovens.

They also have a retail store next door where you can buy the toast directly from them. We were told that they were soon going to be opening up a cafe that will be located inside of the retail store.

The Trenary Toast Home Bakery is a place to check out especially if your already in the area. Ask for the tour. Im sure they will oblige and you will probably get some free toast samples out of it. Don't forget to stock up on toast before you leave.

Directions from Marquette: Take US 41 South (31 Miles), turn left at M 67 North (.5 miles) and your there. The bakery is right downtown in a house.

~splash

The Eben Ice Caves

I made an expedition over to Eben to see the famed iced caves located in that region of the UP. We did have a little trouble finding the place and ended up in Trenary (which was pretty cool because we ended up getting a free tour of the toast factory, a U.P favorite). Just park on the side of the road. It was a little bit of a hike once we found the trailhead, which really isn't a trailhead but a private field that the owner allows non-motorized traffic to cross in order to get to the area where the trail begins in the woods. I think the total hiking distance to see the cave is around a mile and a half round trip from the road. Once you make it to the woods just follow the beaten path until you see the ice caves. Watch your step, the trail for this hike does get a little treacherous with some really steep areas. I would definitely recommend snow shoes but they are not really required.

The Eben ice caves are pretty cool. You can walk under and around them. If you take a close look at the front of the wall of the caves you can see how they are being formed. They are being formed out of thousands of icicles from the water of the Rock River. The area is really nice and a good day trip to experience some of what the Hiawatha National Forest has to offer. It is quite the sight. Bring a camera. Seeing the ice caves is a really enjoyable hike and worth the drive out to Eben.

Directions from Marquette: Take US 41 South (16 miles) to a left at M 94 East. Take M94 (12 - 14 miles) till you see the blinking light in Eben and go left (North). That road will be straight for awhile and curve twice after the second curve is the field that you have to cross to get the the trailhead. If you get lost just ask around in Eben, everyone is friendly and they will guide you to it.

~splash

The active Marquette ore dock by Presque Isle Park

Marquette is an old mining town and is still active in that an endeavor. There is still an active ore dock that is seeing regular use by the Cleveland Cliffs corporation. It is a pretty cool site to check out, the structure is pretty intense! The dock has the ability to load two freighters at the same time and if your lucky that will be happening when you go see it. I went and checked it out because I heard a rumor that there were two ships getting loaded. Usually the shipping routes close during November because of the weather and ice on the great lakes. I was pretty excited and got some really cool pictures of the dock and the two ships getting loaded up at night. The trains on the top of the dock were running and moving cars. The noises added to the eerie ambiance of the dock at night. It's definitely something interesting to check out and while your at it you can take a trip around Presque Isle.

Directions from Marquette: Go to the lake. Hop on lakeshore drive and head west, you can't miss it.

~ splash