1. The Meaning Of The Word “Yooper”
The first thing you learn when you move to the Upper Peninsula is that it’s full of people called Yoopers.
While it’s only recently been added to the dictionary, this term has been around for a while to describe people from the Upper Peninsula, and they’re quite proud of this title donning it on everything from their store fronts to their T-shirts.
2. You Learn How to Survive—No Thrive—In An Icebox
Yoopers are survivors. So, you learn very quickly not to complain about a few measly inches of snow, it won’t slow anything down.
The winter daylight hours are short and with annual average temperatures dipping below freezing at times, over 300 inches of snow can accumulate throughout the winter months.
Yoopers are fine with this though, as they long perfected the art of surviving cut off from the rest of the country.
3. In The Upper Peninsula You Describe Where You Live With Your Hand
Any time someone from Michigan is asked where they’re from, they’ll put up their hand and point to a spot. Yoopers are in the 3 percent that get to use the top hand, and any Yooper knows exactly what wrinkle their geographical location correlates with.
4. Snowmobiles Are A Necessity In The UP
With so much snow and such a long winter, snowmobiles are often more useful than cars in the Upper Peninsula. Home to over 2,000 miles of trails, it’s possible to ride all the way across the top of the state on one of these bad boys.
5. Ice Fishing Is A Totally Legit Way To Get Some Dinner
Something most of America only hears about, Yoopers are able to try first hand. With plentiful water sources thriving with wildlife, fishers don’t have to take any time off when it gets cold. They just simply drill a hole and wait for a bite.
6. How To Properly Pronounce “Cudighi,” And That They Taste Like Heaven On A Bun
This spicy Italian sausage is to the Upper Peninsula what pizza is to New York. It’s impossible to visit without giving it a taste and everyone always argues over which place does it the best.
Most commonly, sandwiches have the sausage served up on a bun, topped with tomato sauce and melty mozzarella, but every recipe has its own twist.
7. How To Pronounce “Pannukakku,” Too
A side effect of the heavy Finnish influence in Yooperland, the Pannukakku can stack up against any other pancake in the country. Known for its custardy taste, these baked pancakes give Yoopers a whole new reason to wake up in the morning.
8. You’ll Become A Cribbage Jedi
One of the only card games that involves moving pegs on a board, Cribbage is a classic in Yooper communities. With the weather as intense as it is, the Upper Peninsula has a history of turning to this game to pass time during the long winter nights.
9. And Get Pretty Darn Good At Euchre
Another hometown favorite, suggesting Euchre at the next game night in nearly any other part of the country will leave everyone else confused. In a game where a jack is the highest card and the winning suit constantly changes, it might take a while to snag your first victory.
10. Mackinac Island Is A Slice Of Perfection
Known worldwide for being one of the most pristine island communities around, Mackinac is one of the few places in America where you can’t drive a car. Less than four square miles, it attracts a ton of tourists during the summer months with its huge Victorian style homes and beautiful coastlines.
11. Folks In The UP Are All Champion Shovelers
After a couple weeks of the winter season, you’ll have mastered the art of moving snow from one place to another. The Upper Peninsula is no stranger to shoveling, all that snow has got to go somewhere, at least it’s a good workout.
Every once in a while you’ll hear a shovel referred to as a “Yooper scoopers,” which is basically a normal shovel on steroids.
12. Thimbleberry Jam Will Totally Become Your Jam In No Time
Technically, they’re called the Rubus parviflorus, but to Yoopers, this larger, softer raspberry-esque fruit is simply called a Thimbleberry.
It doesn’t ship to other parts of the country well because it’s so soft, so make sure you get your fix while you’re on the Keweenaw Peninsula, where they’ve been known to grow the best.
13. You Learn To Love The Hunt
If you’re a hunter yourself, you’ll quickly discover that the Upper Peninsula has some of the best options around, with not much competition and plenty of animals.
If you’re not the type to bring back an animal yourself, you’ll still quickly become addicted to all of the awesome things those with the guns bring back to town. While you might not picture yourself eating Bambi before you more to the Upper Peninsula, venison is sure to quickly become a staple in your diet.
14. Steer Clear Of Bullwinkle
While the rest of the country is dodging deer, Yoopers are keeping their eyes peeled for something six times the size. While the moose is a very majestic animal, it’s also pretty dangerous, as it is sure to do serious damage to a car if it’s hit.
They’re also pretty aggressive towards humans, known to charge when threatened. But don’t feel bad for the moose in the picture above, it’s simply a staged shot.
15. Folks In The UP Are Masters Of The Slopes
What’s the point of living somewhere were you get so much snow if you don’t embrace it? By the time winter hits, makeshift ski hills tend to pop up everywhere, constantly dumped with fresh powder. There are even a few big resorts if you want to get fancy.
16. Sorry Lions, People In The UP Are Proud Cheeseheads
It might have something to do with the similar weather, but most Yoopers are part of the Pack Nation.
Come football Sunday, the Packer fans in the Upper Peninsula are just as devoted as the ones in Wisconsin. Some people still cheer for the Lions, but after that winless season a few years ago, most Yoopers seem to be seeing green.
17. But Yoopers Do Roar For The Tigers
When it’s time for the teams to take the diamond, you can bet that those in the Upper Peninsula will be backing the Tigers. They might be separated by a little water, but that doesn’t stop a Yooper from showing some Tiger love.
18. Yoopers Dread The Annual Troll Invasion
When a new person comes to the Upper Peninsula, there’s a sort of tension that develops between the locals and the stranger. It must be part of the small town culture, but Yoopers don’t like people invading their paradise, especially the trolls, Lower Peninsula inhabitants that come up past the water bridge during the summer months to crowd the Upper Peninsula’s natural spots of beauty.
19. Lumberjacking Is A Seriously Badass Occupation
Flannel shirts, beards, and plenty of flapjacks, the lumberjacking business is alive and well in the Upper Peninsula. It might not be the same booming industry it was years ago, but don’t be surprised if you hear a yell of “TIMBERRRR!!!”
20. Sugar Bush Syrup Is The Nectar Of The Gods
The longer you stay in the Upper Peninsula, the more frequently you’ll use syrup. It will start as a simple pancake topping and slowly progress until it’s being used as a fix-all condiment.
21. The World Is Your Hockey Rink
Another benefit of having such a long and intense winter in the Upper Peninsula is the free rink time that everyone gets. As lakes and ponds freeze over, they make for the perfect place to pass the puck around.
It’s not uncommon for a neighbor to water down their backyard, turning it into a private rink for the local kids.
22. You’ll Perfect Your Photography Skills
It’s easy to get great at taking pictures when everything is a photo op. One of the most underrated nature destinations in the country, the Upper Peninsula is budding everywhere with natural beauty, especially during the warmer months.
With tons of waterfalls, awesome rock formations, and some of the bluest waters around, there’s always something new to see. If you’ve been a Yooper long enough, you’ve probably taken up hiking, the best way to get the coolest perspective on what makes the Upper Peninsula a special place to be.
23. Yoopers Don’t Go To the Packie They Go To The “Party Store”
To the rest of Michigan, the Upper Peninsula is known for their ability to drink like champions. However, instead of heading to the liquor store or the “packie” to pick up their booze, Yoopers make their way to the “party store.” We’re told it helps make the colder months pass a little bit faster.
24. Bigfoot Is A Yooper
Perhaps the most infamous and mysterious celebrity in the country, many Yoopers claim that Bigfoot is among them.
With plenty of forested areas to hide in, it’s no surprise that the “Finding Bigfoot” crew was unsuccessful getting any solid evidence of the creature’s presence during their feature on Animal Planet.
25. Michigan’s Nights Skies Will Blow Your Mind
With no huge cities, there aren’t many lights to obstruct the view of what’s above. You’ll never feel closer to the stars than you do in Michigan and there’s a good chance you’ll catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights or the Milky Way.
26. Never—And I Mean Never—Leave Home Without Bug Spray In The Summer
The summer months in Michigan are notorious for summoning huge swarms of this pesky bug. After one or two unpleasant experiences, you’ll never forget to bring your bug spray again.
27. Nothing Beats The UP In Spring
It might snow a lot during the winter, but part of what helps Yoopers get through the bitter cold is the promise of bloom in the spring.
The state comes to life like something out of a fairy tale, with vibrant colors popping up in every direction. The warmer months are so awesome, it will easily convince you to stay year round.
28. Yoopers Are Great At Impromptu Sledding
Extreme snow sports aren’t for everyone. They require a good amount of practice, they’re expensive, and they’re pretty dangerous. Sledding on the other hand, is practically human nature.
Yoopers are great at turning anything into a sled, whether it’s a disc, a shovel, or even an old couch.
29. In The UP Pretty Much Everyone Knows Everyone
Part of the small town syndrome, everyone in the Upper Peninsula is pretty close with each other. Most people are always a cudgihi throw from someone they share blood with.
These close knit communities are one of the things that makes the Upper Peninsula such a cool place to live, but also one of the things that can make it hard for new people with no connections to adjust.
30. Yoopers Are Super Fluent In Canadian
The further north you go in the Upper Peninsula, the more people start sounding they’re Canadian. Phrases like “yah,” “betcha,” and “eh” get thrown around pretty frequently. It’s hard to notice that you’ve picked up the accent until it’s pointed out by an old friend from across the country.
31. You Learn To Love Being A Yooper
Yooper pride is stronger than hometown pride anywhere else in the nation. People show it with tattoos, pins, and bumper stickers, never doubting that they live in the best part of the Midwest.
Being a Yooper takes more effort than living elsewhere. A Yooper has to be self-sustaining at times, they have to learn to survive in some of the harshest weather around. But it’s that aspect of living in the Upper Peninsula that makes “Yooper” an earned title, giving them a right to brag that they live in the greatest place on earth.
Feature Image Source: Flickr user RTD Photography
What’s something you learned living in Upper Peninsula? Tell us in the comments below! 
