You Know You're "Up North" when...

"Up North." I grew up hearing that designation as everyone's destination for a summer getaway. Up north to the cottage. Up north to the cabin. Up north to the lake. Everyone always went "up north." And that's just where we've been --  thanks to kind friends who lent us the use of their cabins on the Paint River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Where is "up north?" Well, I suppose it could be anywhere north of where you're standing, but I have always held that "up north" in Wisconsin doesn't begin until about 45 degrees latitude - generally any point parallel with Wausau.

That's when the landscape starts to change from rolling farmlands dotted with cow pastures and red barns to dense forests - some loaded with rows of telephone pole pines planted back in the 30s and 40s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Yep, "up north" is like going to another country... remote, beautiful, and peaceful.

But you don't need a map to know when you're officially up north.  Nosiree. You just need to know a few common sense indicators and landmarks.  Besides the nearest town having only one movie showing, how do you know when you're "up north?" 

You know you're up north when...

tree stumps are carved into decorative lawn features.

You know you're up north when...

old rusted out trucks seem picturesque.

You know you're up north when...

you see 1950s googie-style national forest signs.

You know you're up north when...

the trees look like they dipped their feet in moss.

You know you're up north when...

you see notes like this on the mouse-proof food cabinet.

You know you're up north when...

interior decor gets folksy. 

You know you're up north when...

working a puzzle is a mandatory part of your day.

You know you're up north when...

cabin architecture is whimsical...

and furnishings can become valuable collectibles...

and antiques.

You know you're up north when...

the river calls you daily.

You know you're up north when...

the fam thinks a mine tour and eating pasties

is a cool way to spend a few hours...

 

 ...and an old 8-bit Michael Jackson video game

is more fun than the latest Wii offering.

 You know you're up north when...

waterfalls are spectacular...

and beautiful.

And of course, last of all:  You know you're up north when...

VINTAGE FABRIC curtains are still in everyday use!
(You knew I'd get something about vintage fabric in this post, didn't you?)