They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot

I have been visiting Paradise in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan since 1978 when I first came here for the spring hawk migration. After visiting, in every season for a variety of birds over 29 years we finally bought some property, ultimately building our cabin.

The main place to shop for food in Paradise is the Paradise Food Pantry Market. The market has limited produce, but decent staples and a good selection of meat, cheese, ice cream and alcohol. Without driving 45 miles to Newberry or 75 miles to Sault Ste. Marie this is the choice of a place to shop. But you have to realize that Paradise had a population of some 5200 people (99 residents/square mile) and many of those leave the area during the winter months. Between the residents and tourists the market can barely survive. SO we shop there whenever we need something that they have.

For many years, during the Spring and Fall the Berry Patch was the only option for baked goods and a meal. I can remember many times driving from White Point to the Berry Patch (the longest 11 miles in Michigan) to grab a meal when migration was slow. Otherwise, meals were whatever happened to be in the car.

Years ago when the Berry Patch was sold the new owner expanded seating and the menu, as well as adding a gift shop.

A number of years ago the Fresh Coast Café opened. They are a basic sandwich shop, but serve good food. Then three years ago a food truck appeared to the south of the café serving burgers, fish and other food truck items.

The café shares the parking lot with the market to the north. Slightly further north at the old TJs restaurant is another food truck. This one serves only fish dinners,

There are a few other options in Paradise, but these are the ones we visit.

A final place to visit is Silver Creek Barr and Grill. Many times when we would drive north after I finished teaching e would arrive too late for anything in Paradise, so we would stop at Silver Creek. Then for many years we were among the Friday night regulars for the fried whitefish dinners. Anytime you become a regular you make friends, the owners, regulars and sometimes unexpected birdwatchers or naturalists appear.

Anyway, it’s getting late. More tomorrow.