(beep sound) (upbeat music) - On this episode of UTR, we head up to the UP's frosty center for some wild winter fun.

We'll let the good times roll, go frozen fishing, let gravity be our guide and then warm up with some awesome edibles.

We'll even show you some snowshoes you can use.

Get ready to explore the cool people, places and things that make Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a great place to play.

- [Narrator] Thousands of years ago, glaciers carved out two mighty Peninsulas.

Ever since then, winter has always been more than just a season.

That's why we invented the snowboard.

Became the birthplace of organized skiing, patented first modern snowmobile, and groomed thousands of miles of winter trails every season.

Because when you're crafted from winter, this is what you do.

This season, let's winter in Pure Michigan.

- [Woman] A visit to the Stahls Automotive Museum, will take you back to a time when cars were more than just a way to get around.

In addition to beautiful cars, enjoy the collection of gas pumps, road signs, oil cans and other car related accessories.

Info at stahlsauto.com.

There's something special about the pride, the skill and the passion it takes to build something great.

The Construction Association of Michigan, CAM understands that passion and has been providing contractors with the resources they need since 1885.

(upbeat music) - I've been around the world, but there's one place I keep coming back to.

And the more I explore the more I realize it's the place to be.

I'm Tom Daldin, and this is "Under The Radar Michigan".

(upbeat music) Now, if you've watched our show before, you know that we absolutely love Michigan's incredible Upper Peninsula.

Whether winter, spring, summer or fall, this incredible land mass has something for all.

But for reasons you're about to see, we picked winter.

What gave it away?

Actually, no matter the season there's eleventy-billion reasons to head up here.

But, if you love winter, the UP consistently offers up every inch of it.

From substantial snowfalls to breathtaking natural beauty, this winter wonderland was made for you and me.

Heck, even if you're not into the great outdoors, there are just as many great indoor activities for you to enjoy.

So, grab your sense of adventure and get ready to rock the UP's Frosty Center, UTR style.

Now even in the winter, Michigan's awesome Upper Peninsula is located North of the Lower Peninsula.

They tried moving it South, but Florida got kinda upset.

Well, as every UTR, UP adventure starts, we headed up and over the five mile span of the mighty Mackinac Bridge.

I'm telling ya, this never gets old.

And once we got across, we turned left and headed West toward the UP's Frosty Center.

But, about two hours into the trip, we decided to make a quick stop to say hello to an old friend.

I'm of course talking about the famous Kitch-iti-kipi Spring at Palms Book State Park, just northwest of Manistique.

This incredible natural wonder is absolutely amazing.

10,000 gallons of pure, clean water bubble up and out of the spring every single minute.

If you've never experienced Kitch-iti-kipi, when the air is a bit nippy, check this Michigan treasure out.

You'll be glad you did and sad if you didn't.

The next part of our UP winter adventure took us up and around both big and Little Bay De Noc.

Through the awesome City of Escanaba, which is another town you really need to visit and then further West deep into the wilderness.

But before things get too wild, we thought we'd treat ourselves to the other kind of wildlife at the Island Resort and Casino in Harris.

I mean, even hardy lads like us need some pampering every once and a while.

Besides, it's cold out here.

Hey, you guys need help with the luggage?

- No we got this.

- Bonus.

That's right, we decided to heat things up for a day, at this awesome full service resort.

And to make sure I sample every bit of it, I sat down with Tony Mancilla.

So, Tony how long has this resort been a part of the landscape up here?

- We're the second oldest tribal casino in the country.

We've been here since December 20th, 1985.

We started in a pole building on the reservation.

And in 1991, we moved down here in a small 28 unit hotel, small casino.

Expanded in 1998, we've expanded in 2005.

We now have 326 rooms, 1200 slots, 26 table games, it's a full resort now, the golf courses the spas.

And we're actually going to expand into another 150 rooms here this next year.

So we're growing every year.

- Now a little bit of culture here.

This Casino and Resort is owned by the Hannahville tribe?

- Yeah, it's a Potawatomi tribe.

There's eight Potawatomi tribes across North America.

We're one of the eight.

We're one of four in Michigan.

They moved from Cedar River over here to Harris, back in the 1870's and we've been here ever since.

- So, what people don't realize, this is so much more than a casino.

This is a full service resort.

- Yes.

We're one of the few casinos that has everything.

If you look across the Midwest, there isn't very many that have the multiple golf courses, the full casino, the big hotel.

We have a showroom, a spa, so, everything's attached which is great.

So what we feel we're kinda unique.

- Now what does this resort give back to the community?

- Well, we have a compact so we share money with the state and the locals, a tune of about $3,000,000 a year.

It's a big engine here.

It funds the tribe and the tribe has a school, it has a health center, it's got a cultural apartment.

It does a lot for the tribe and the surrounding communities.

And as we grow, they can do more, our locals get more revenue sharing.

It helps the whole entire Central UP.

- Well I'm like, do you have a low rollers room cause I'm not much of a gambler.

(laughs) - There's a few low rollers around but they're even important, everybody's important.

- Hear that guys, I'm important.

Tony said, I'm important.

I'm gonna remember that.

(laughs) Well enough talking about how fun this place is.

Time for Tommy to go get me some.

And you know me, I tried everything.

(upbeat music) (laughing) That is hot today.

I'd like to cash in my chip, please.

(animated sounds) Oh, thank you.

(laughs) So if after a few days outdoors, the indoors beckons checkout or into the Island Resort and Casino.

They've got everything you need to feel like a million bucks.

And who knows?

It just might be your lucky day.

It sure was mine.

Come on baby, daddy needs a new pair of shoes.

Now I've got a really close friend that said, what I'm about to do is on his ultimate Michigan bucket list.

So, Nick Banda, this segment's for you.

But Sorry dude, the fish are for me.

That's right, we're going ice fishing, but not just anywhere, we're going in one of the coolest and most beautiful places imaginable, on little Bay de Noc on Lake Michigan.

And we're not just going with anyone, we're going with the Iceman himself, Mark Zuka Loski.

Now this guy's got more positive energy in fish smarts than you can shake a rod reel at.

And he's about to school me in the fine and frigid art of ice fishing.

It was a full on blizzard that day.

So it was a pretty wild ride.

But me and the boys, we were ready for adventure and once we got about a mile out under the bay, it literally looked like we were in Antarctica.

There were dozens of little ice shanties, dotting the frozen ice cape.

As far as the eye could see, which that day wasn't that far and once we found Mark's magic spot, up went the portable shanty in no time at all.

Cause when it's this cold, you move fast.

So, with the whole drill and handled the heat turned up, it was time to get down to some serious ice fishing.

Well, as serious as we could be.

And what are we fishing for?

- We are fishing for Great Lakes yellow perch.

- Great Lakes yellow perch.

- Which is the delicacy of the North, is what it is.

- I didn't know you'd have electronics out here, that's amazing, so that tells you-- - I'll tell you what right now electron everybody, there you are.

- Oh, that's my lower-- - That's your lower going down.

- Okay, and I don't want a 15 feet - And now you're gonna get you're headed to 20.

So, when we see a purge come through, you actually see it rise up from the bottom then we'll be able to watch it anticipate, your bite.

- I got a friend that, he does this old school he sits on a bucket.

I don't know like he doesn't do shanties.

And you can't see this at home but-- - Shut your bail Tom.

- Shut my bail.

- You are just gonna click this is a bail.

- I click it.

- Now you got a real a little bit, you're doing good.

- You can't see this at home, but there's actually a heater in here so, it's toasty, this is very comfortable.

So, a quick question, is this catching a release or is this fish to fork?

- You actually have a fish way below you?

Can you rear?

Yeah, rear your line a little bit.

I'm sorry, I missed the question-- - Is this fish-- - Fish it out out already I'm sorry.

- No I know I can tell you.

Anybody that does this in these conditions.

We're out in a blizzard today.

It is really is really into fishing.

Is this catch and release or is this fish to fork?

- Absolutely.

- What fish to fork?

(laughing) - Or catch and release?

- Oh no, I'm hungry.

- Okay, we can do that too.

- Okay.

- I know guy you know I got to play nice.

- Now it's a waiting game.

- It's it it's a waiting game.

- So, with the help of a little TV magic, it wasn't long, sort of until the fish found us.

- Actually, there's one here it comes right up to you Tom.

- You could see that.

- There's a big fish right from below here.

- It's like reading the matrix I haven't-- - We're gonna watch for your bottle to go down he's actually right on top of you right now.

When you see that bottle go down, or I say set it you just gonna drop the hook, he is right on you.

- Yes, all right there is leveling so I got it.

- You gotta reel him in?

- Which way which way?

- I think he got off, he did get off.

But that's okay.

- Now you told the story about the one that got away.

- You're out of here.

(laughing) Reel it back in we'll put a new wiggler on, because he cleaned off - Okay, turn it.

- Very well.

- This is actually exciting.

I used to drive by shanties like this, and lakes and see him on the lake.

- Okay put them right back down.

- And I feel sorry for the guys sitting out there.

But this is actually fun.

And relaxing well it's fun.

It's exciting and relaxing.

- And I think all sharks were developed like I said by married men.

They want to spend their day in comfort and tell their wife how miserable it is.

- Yeah, you know what I would totally you look at the blizzard outside right now.

And you think those poor guys out there are suffering.

You're born and raised up here?

- I was born and raised up here.

- What do you love about-- - I wouldn't have grown up here cause I'm not really grown up yet?

- Well, I think I sort of gathered it.

Now what do you love about the UP?

- Sunrises and sunsets and the people, I mean the people as in Michigan in general, but in the UP you can stop, and ask look at people stop over here asking what you setting up get anything?

- Yeah I noticed.

- You won't get much friendlier of environment that we have up here.

Hope there's one bite at top.

Give it a little jiggle.

- A little jiggle.

- He's right on you.

Put your tip down.

Watch your bobber to go down.

When we see your bobber go down, you're just gonna give it a little snap.

Which is what we didn't do last time.

- Well, I was my first time.

- It was the wind.

I mean the wind caught your hand I understand.

(laughing) - Or inside.

Turn it.

(whispers) Yap I got him.

Holy cow.

- Holy Tom Sawyer.

- Oh my God Oh I'm sorry.

Fish on.

- Fish on get the net.

Kodak moment we got another one down there too.

- Oh, it's coming up on.

- It's time to do this.

- Yes.

- He does this.

- Oh, my gosh.

- Ladies and gentlemen.

- Look, hold on, look at the size of it.

(laughing) - Nice.

- Look how big it is.

(laughing) So, the iceman cameth and showed us all how it was done.

Marv made sure we caught our quota.

And a great time was had by all.

Well not sure about the fish.

So, if you're looking for a classic sports adventure, get up to the UP and do some ice fishing a little or big Badenoch real soon.

Just make sure it's in the winter though.

Otherwise, its just fishing.

The next part of our UP winter adventure, took us about an hour and a half North to the town of the Nagaunee.

Now we actually came here way back in season two, for some awesome edibles at the Midtown Bakery and Cafe.

And Marybeth Kurtz is still here, making mouth watering magic every day.

But this time we're here for a couple of reasons.

And yes, one of them is food, but we'll get to that in a minute.

First, it's time to work up an appetite UP style.

Now when people in these parts Say I Love Lucy, they're not talking about an old TV show.

They're talking about Lucy Hill.

This is where the Upper Peninsula Luge club, grapples with gravity almost every day.

And guess what you can to.

This is the only fully iced natural track facility, in all of North America.

And this club takes great pride in preserving it.

Now, before I go down a slippery slope as it were, I thought I should check in with a Luge club president, Fred Anderson.

Okay Fred, first question, very important.

Who's Lucy?

And how did she get a hill named after her?

- It's just one of the local.

The people that somehow Lucy Hill got that name.

- It stuck?

- It stuck yes.

- Well, how long has the club been in existence?

- The club has been in existence since 1983.

But we were in Marquette.

We moved here to Negaunee in '89.

And in 1995, we had a World Cup.

- Now, did you move here because I understand, this hill is the only natural terrain, naturally iced lose track in North America?

- That is correct, yes.

Not even Canada has flat natural track.

So, we're the only one.

We're the ones, we're the ones that are training young athletes to go to York.

- How di you do in the Olympics?

- I never found any more clothes.

- So, the track is about a half mile long.

- Half mile long, 31 turns.

- How do you maintain this incredible lose track?

- Well the members of the club, we build the track, we pack the snow dome, poured a lot of water down, but it like it's snowing right now.

Later on, we'll have to go and blow snow.

- It takes a lot of passion and dedication.

- It does.

- we're not the only ones doing this, over in Europe, Austria, Italy, Germany, all small communities similar in Agony, are doing the very same thing for their athletes, for their communities.

So, it's not just that it's a worldwide group.

- I mean, these kids wouldn't have this, if it wasn't for you.

- That's correct.

I've been a Scoutmaster with a scout troop.

So I was looking for activities to bring my scouts to.

We came and tried it as an activity.

Two of scouts ended up going to Lake Placid.

One became a world champion.

The other one got the first Olympic medal for the United States doing doubles.

What opportunities the kids can have by participating in the sport.

- And I noticed there's two tracks here, is one for like the experts, and another one for us.

(laughs) - Yes, for general public, we start everybody low on the track, it's very safe, It's fun, but you're in control.

And then we work you up the hill, we give you some good speed.

You'll be able to steer the slide very well by the time you're through.

- Can I start at the very bottom.

- You can do that.

- And stay there.

(laughing) So after a brief bludge lesson, Now pay attention fellers.

Jim tried it.

Look at him go.

Then Eric tried it.

Nice for him dude.

And then well, it was the moment of truth or dare, because the guys dared me.

This will be easy.

(mumbles) So, if you can't remember the last time you did something for the first time, it's about time you tried luging at the Upper Peninsula luge club in the Nagaunee.

And like I said, it's a great way to work up an appetite.

(laughs) And you thought I forgot.

Well, I promised you some good food was coming up, and as always on UTR we aim to please.

So if you'll please excuse me, I gotta get something to eat.

That's right.

If you're in Negaunee, and you're looking for a place where you could eat, drink and be merry after a mighty run down the luge track, kick back and relax at Jackson's Pit Gourmet Grill and Bar.

It's right downtown, and right up Aurelly, if you love good food and friendly folks.

Now everything here looks good.

And I hear tell they got an outrageously awesome burger, but a little birdie probably not a chicken.

Told me that they also serve up some great wings.

Yap, they're known for these popular poultry parts.

And people come from far and wide to partake.

But before I mess up my mouthtache, I thought I'd better get a bit of the backstory, from owners Mike and Ivy Ridenour.

What's a nice couple like you doing in an awesome place like this?

- We had a construction company in Ascoda and business kinda slowed down when the economy tanked.

And I guess the last straw was the company that Ivy worked for went out of business.

And we looked at our options and I got two job offers.

so we chose the nicer place to move.

- So, you went and open a restaurant, and grew it up as a gourmet place according to the sign up front.

- Well called Gourmet Pub Food.

- I love young couples like you guys.

You decide you know what, we're gonna reinvent ourselves.

We're gonna make our own lives make our own paths.

I'm sure people will doubt us.

There's always doubters.

- Yeah, we started building the place in February of 2014.

We opened on July 4th of 14 and more than one person told us we would be out of business before Christmas that year.

And here we are five, almost six years later.

- Well, speaking of six years, we were here in town.

Gosh it's been about eight years ago now.

And things have really changed You've improved here.

And you guys like market makers.

You guys are helping turn the town around and make it what it can be.

- Revitalizing people love the history in the downtown area.

And they don't wanna see the buildings empty.

So, trying to do what we can for that.

- Doing good stuff, with good food and tasty vaulted beverages.

Wow that's like three great things.

- We do have a great selection of Michigan craft beers here too.

- Well, I guess we'll have to stay.

Right guys?

(laughs) Well, it was time to launch wing attack plan T. As for Tom needs to try some of these tasty wings and burgers.

And without hesitation, Well, the guys beat me to it.

But that's okay.

There was plenty for everyone.

If you love good food, the UP and people who care deeply about what they're doing, spend some quality time at Jackson's Pit Gourmet Grill and Bar in Nagaunee.

Oh and barring any interruptions from these guys, you just might get your share.

Now the last part of our frosty UP adventure, took us about 50 miles West to the South side of Munising for an adventure in formidable footwear, for this frosty frontier.

Now if you've been up to the UP before, you know they get a lot of snow.

A lot of snow.

And getting around can be kinda tough.

Unless you've got some iversons.

And that's because Iverson's has been making classic snowshoes right here in the UP the old fashioned way for over 60 years.

If you want to get around in the great outdoors, this is a great way to do it in the winter.

Jim Baker got his first pair of iversons when he was only 12 years old.

And now a few years later, he's helping take the company into a frozen, and solid future.

I gotta tell you Jim.

We've been up here filming for a whole week.

And almost everybody I talked to they all say the same thing.

Oh yeah I got my iversons.

I mean, everybody up here has them.

- And do you still have one's you got when you were 12?

- I do.

- Really?

- Yap my connection is that the company is there.

I got a pair of snowshoes I got when I was 12 years old.

And still use them pretty frequently.

- Didn't grow out of them?

- Didn't grow out of them.

(laughs) - They're pretty big.

- Yeah, they were a little big on me when I got them.

And they've always worked for me well and they still work for me well.

I have grown a little bit since then.

- Well my first experience snowshoeing was just this past winter.

We were at the climbing on falls.

And the Ranger there, she's wonderful Teresa Neil, took us on a snowshoe hike.

And it's funny because a lot of them were wearing those new aluminum ones.

But she's strapped on some iversons.

And she just said that's what she prefers.

She just loves them.

But she said she also loves them because you even display them, cause they look cool.

- Yap.

- But we had an absolute blast snowshoe.

- Good.

- But it's not always just for fun.

It's not for necessity to, right?

- Yeah, but about half our customers probably, are people that work in the woods.

Surveyors, trappers, foresters.

So they're functional.

They hold you up a lot better than the alluminums.

We hear from people that like to be out in the woods that they're quieter than the alLuminums.

So, if you work in the woods, or enjoy spending time in the woods, a woven snowshoe is really the full chance.

- So how don't you come to own this company?

- So, about four years ago, word got out that the company was struggling and a handful of us got together.

And there were some local folks, and some other folks like me that have kinda of a nostalgic connection to the company and the brand.

And we just wanted to keep it going.

And so we picked it up, and have been having a blast since then And turned it around and moving forward.

- It's kina like the same story as the Stormy Kromer hats story.

That he brought, that was nice hat by the way.

(laughing) It's not Stormy Kromer but same sort of thing.

I mean this company has been for over 60 years.

- Yeah 54 was when Clarence Iverson started the company.

And it's had its ups and downs over the years.

But it is a regional icon.

And both the product itself we wanna see traditional snowshoes continue.

We're one of the few traditional social companies left.

And it's a UP icon.

We wanna to keep it going.

- I understand this company also came with a couple of extraordinary people.

- Yes, Ken and Julie Holmes they are the blood and soul of the company.

Ken does the woodwork, Julie does lacing they share duties otherwise but they have been with the company for 30 years.

They know everything about the company.

The history how to do what they do.

And it's as much their soul as it is anyone's.

- So, if you live or vacation someplace where snow makes it a slow, go get yourself some Iversons, cause when it comes to Michigan winters, they come in mighty handy on your feet.

And speaking of feet, Isn't it about time you stomped your way up to the UP frosty center for a winter adventure.

You won't believe the beauty, the fun, the sports or the savory selections you'll sample.

You also won't believe how soon you'll be planning your next trip back.

(soft music) - [Narrator] Thousands of years ago, glaciers curved out two mighty Peninsulas.

Ever since then winter has always been more than just a season.

That's why we invented the snowboard.

Became the birthplace of organized skiing, patented the first modern snowmobile and groomed thousands of miles of winter trails every season.

Because when you're crafted from winter, this is what you do.

This season, let's winter in Pure Michigan.

- [Woman] A visit to the Stahls Automotive Museum, will take you back to a time when cars were more than just a way to get around.

In addition to beautiful cars, enjoy the collection of gas pumps, road signs, oil cans and other car related accessories.

info at stahlsauto.com.

There's something special about the pride, the skill and the passion that takes to build something great.

The Construction Association of Michigan CAM, understands that passion, and has been providing contractors, with the resources they need since 1885.

(upbeat music) (gentle piano music)