This is mini-series about my trip to Paradise, Michigan in the heart of the UP in the belly of winter with my mom and my grandma.

Residents of the Upper Peninsula are called “Yoopers” and they call downstaters “Trolls” because we live under the bridge.  My family and I admittedly belong to the latter group, but we carry a deep and abiding affection for the UP and have earned some credibility there after many dead-of-winter visits and a long hike or two, so I like to think of us as Troopers.

rise UP
take advantage
snow canoe
for the love
control
heavy load
seeing well