Page 6-Friday, June 5, 1981-The Michigan Daily
Memories
of journey
to Upper
Peninsula
Students "can can" roller-
skate outside Church Street
Skates, a local rental shop.
R6llerskating has made a
recent return to popularity
largely due to the new wheels
borrowed from the
skateboard.
I
By STEVE HOOK
Like most Lower Peninsula residents, I had very
little idea what existed north of Michigan's Mackinac
Bridge for most of my life. So in 1978, at the age of 19,
I was intrigued by an offer to do some canoeing on the
U.P.'s Manistique River.
To be honest, the U.P. carried no special
magnetism for me; I'd been perfectly content with
my stomping grounds on the Lower Peninsula's Lake
Michigan shoreline. But I figured, 'Hell, Hemingway
raved about the U.P.,' and I accepted the invitation.
INDEED, I WAS awestruck by the immense size
and beauty of the U.P., which seemed covered with
forest, rich in wildlife, and remarkably void of
human beings. I couldn't believe such a vast and
spectacular region could be so untouched-almost
ignored-by the "hectic modern society" to the
south.
My second, and most lasting, impression was not
expected. I was struck by a conspicuous, virtually
militant loathing the "Upers" (pronounced eu-pers)
held for us Michiganders south of the bridge.
Talking to some locals in a Manistique cabin, I was
told that "the best thing that could happen to the U.P.
would be to blow up the goddam Mackinac Bridge."
Apparently, they resent the intrusion of "fudgies"
(southerner tourists who annually descend on the
U.P., "scour" the wilderness, jam the roads and
pollute the air, and leave southward, loaded down
with Traverse City's famous Murdock's fudge).
Clearly, there is no passionate affection for us
Lower Peninsula-ites-apparently more out of fear
than actual harm done. But you can't blame the
Upers, I guess; they know a good thing when they see
one, and they want to hold on to it. And they've seen
what has happened to similar wilderness regions.
But if you're planning a trip north of the bridge,
don't be diverted. It's your state too; enjoy it to the
fullest. Just take care of it, and you won't annoy the
Upers.
I
4
E
E
THE "ORIGINAL"
Daily Photo by JACKIE BELL
Summer rollerskating
around city sidewalks
4
(Continued from Page 3)
student at the University, said he can
now play basketball better on roller
skates than he can on foot.
You have an advantage at learning to
roller skate if you already know how to
ice skate, ski, or skateboard, said Di
Ghosh, salesperson at Church Street
Skates, because these sports help in
developing a sense of balance.
THE KEY TO roller skating is to
angle one foot at a time so you can push
against the ground with it while keeping
the other foot straight so you can glide
forward. In order to stop you can either
drag the side of the wheel along the
ground or you can push the toe stop, a
rubber knob on the front of the skates,
against the ground.
If you're thinking of buying or renting
a pair of skates, make sure they have
polyurethane wheels with sealed
bearings. This new kind of wheel (first
used on skateboards) has caused the
recent surge in the popularity of roller
skating. They roll with less friction and
provide a smoother ride than do the old-
fashioned steel wheels.
Skates can be rented at Church Street
Skates on 620 Church Street for $2 an
hour, $7 a day, and $5 overnight, and at
Bivouac on 330 South State Street for $2
for the first hour, $1.75 for every ad-
ditional hour, and $5 overnight.
I
-- VISIT ANN ARBOR'S
OLD FASHIONED
BIKE STORE
SEE OUR NEW DISPLAY
- - AND REPAIR ROOMS
FAMOUS FOR GAMES & TOYS SCHWINN-RALEIGH-FUJI
S14 E. William St.
662-0035
CAMPUS BIKE & TOY OeM.t
9:30 'til 5:30
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