family day at the Copper Island Mines Historic Site

July 2086. Stephanie Nova and Justin Kim are 26. Willow and Lily are 4.

Lot tour of the Copper Island Mines, and assorted random picspam of their family day out on the island.



The Copper Island Historic Mines are located on Copper Island, just a short ferry ride from Copper Hill. This site is managed by the Great Lakes Historical Preservation Society, and after many months of work and rehabilitation, it is now reopened for the 2086 tourist season.


Justin has been working so hard (and so far underground) that he never even noticed that this little patch of beach was down here. He brought his ladies out to the island today to show off his hard work on the renovations. He gets a special employee discount at all of the historical sites. For regular folks, it's $20 per person to visit.


Steph is winding down and getting ready for her maternity leave, although she still has about five weeks left until her due date. She's only working Saturday afternoons now. And she's loving it!

But wait, hold the train. She has to pee. She always has to pee. And now. And the nearest bathrooms are a quarter mile uphill, inside the museum.

Almost there, almost there, almost there, please, please, please... 


"Oh, God, yes!"


These victories may be small, but they are glorious.


They have lunch in the museum cafeteria. This building was converted from the old hoist house for the mine shaft. The building is still fitted with the original brickwork and copper fixtures, although there have been some upgrades to accommodate for internet access, electrical work, and more efficient plumbing.


This is the manager's office, for the crew lead only. And Justin would like you to notice that he is in it!

You are currently looking at the proud new site manager of the Copper Island Mines. Adam Thompson, their chairman, appointed Justin with the role upon completion of the renovation project, as he fully trusts that Justin will keep things in order here as they transition from renovation to everyday maintenance. Adam will move half of the crew to new projects on other sites, and Justin will hold down the fort here.

Justin is pleased about the substantial raise and the higher position, but the most satisfying thing of all is that he is now the boss, the workday lord, of that meathead asshole Cooper Riddle. These victories may be small, but they are glorious.


We move upstairs to the woodworking gallery, where Stephanie will demonstrate the hands-on crafting exhibit. We will call this exhibit, "Overconfidence."






Ouch.


Justin boasts that they rebuilt most of the wooden structures on site using these very benches to remain true to the historical design of the nineteenth century architecture. He says, “I’m pretty darn good with my hands.”

Stephanie says, "I can think of a couple more things you can do with those hands."



Justin tries to interest the girls in the mining ores gallery, but the girls don't find it very interesting at all. For one, they're not even allowed to touch the rocks. Or smell them. Or throw them. Who wants to look at a bunch of dumb rocks?

One of Justin's first tasks as manager here is to brainstorm some ideas for how they might make use of a 10 x 30 meter plot of land behind the building that is currently unused. Justin would like to add something more interesting for the kids. Because all they want to know is, "Can we swim now?"


To reach the underground grotto, we must first descend the historic mine shafts, which have been fitted with stairs and lighting for tourists safety. These mines have all been stabilized, and they've had their air ventilation and electrical upgrades certified.

Upon turning into the second mine shaft, we find a memorial to the men who worked and died here when the copper mines were active in the late 1800's through the mid 1900's. Some people have said that these mines are still haunted with the spirits of these men, but nobody saw them today. 

This grotto was formed in the late-twentieth century when an abandoned mine shaft collapsed and later filled with water, making a pool out of the rocky chasm it left behind. Over the years, the water drained and refilled again and again, bringing the rocks to settle in place. The crew has installed fixtures and water filtration systems to make the grotto safe for tourists to swim in.

Another smaller rock pool is heated by natural air vents from the earth. 

Sorry, Steph, it's too hot for the baby. Although, the warm steam coming from the hot tub is divine.


But still too close to the diving platform and the splash from the main pool is frigid.




Justin realizes that being a father to preschoolers might be to his advantage. Children are fickle and demanding, it takes a lot to keep them entertained. Bringing the girls here today has given Justin some ideas about what they might do with that extra space out back.



But he'll have to sketch out those plans another day. Right now, they're all ready for dinner and bed, and Stephanie needs to pee again. Stephanie needs to pee constantly and forever. She might as well live on the toilet!


The next week, Justin put his crew to work on building a hands-on excavation site for the kids to play in. They buried some of the less valuable artifacts and rock ores in the sand, and children can use real historical excavating tools to discover and analyze their findings. This is not just a sand box, this is a learning experience!

Justin brings the girls back to help him decide whether the new exhibit is a pass.




Willow and Lily approve of the new addition. It's fun and educational for children of all ages!

The Copper Island Historic Mines are open from 9am to 6pm, seven days a week. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12.

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footnotes: Copper mining in northern Michigan // Justin's promotion // that asshole Cooper Riddle

outtakes: this creepy dude