This past April CCE celebrated the beginning of its fourth year of Copper Country exploration, with my first post here on this site going up on July 31, 2006. Since that time I have written over 440 posts and posted some 5500 photos documenting the ruins and history of the region. In those three years I have probably driven, biked, walked, climbed, bushwhacked or crawled my way across this entire peninsula. This has all given me a unique perspective on this rugged finger of land called the Keweenaw along with an appreciation for all the beauty, history, and adventure that awaits those who travel here.

Unfortunately some people can’t spend three years to discover all the great places there are to explore here in the Keweenaw like I did. For those people we thought it would be great if there was a place out there that had already found all those great places and was willing to share them with others. A guide book of sorts, that would list every historical, natural, and recreational point of interest found along the Keweenaw. A guide written by people who have actually been there – hiked the trails, explored the ruins, and walked the beaches. A Keweenaw Guide like no other before it.

Well today that ultimate Keweenaw guide is finally here. After over a year in the making I’m proud to announce the grand opening of CCE’s newest sister site, one committed to providing the most complete inventory of Copper Country attractions available anywhere. Better still, everything listed on the site is completely free to enjoy at no cost to you. That’s why we call it Keweenaw Free Guide.

Keweenaw Free Guide (KFG) is the quintessential Copper Country guidebook, featuring over 330 historical, natural, and recreational points of interest scattered along the peninsula -with more added every week. At KFG you’ll find hundreds of historical attractions, including mine ruins, great architecture, old cemeteries, and railroad remains. You’ll also find numerous places to enjoy the region’s unmatched natural beauty such as hiking trails, nature preserves, parks, scenic overlooks, and Lake Superior beaches. What’s more, each entry in KFG includes its historical, cultural, or geological background; notes about general conditions, accessibility and available facilities; and detailed turn-by-turn directions complete with interactive map.

Navigating this massive database is made simple with the help of several browsing options. First you can narrow your search to only those entries that are within a few miles of Houghton, Calumet, or twenty other locations. You can also view only those entries that match your particular interests such as history, architecture, hiking trails, parks, or beaches to name just a few. Lastly a set of eleven region maps allow you to navigate through the guide graphically based on their geological location.

KFG is more then a simply database however. For starters there are weekly articles, where we provide an “insider” look into what the guide has to offer, offering our take on some of the Keweenaw’s best offerings. We’ll also provide tips and tricks that will help you get the best out of your Copper Country explorations. Then there’s our Free Events Calendar which list dozens of free events offered throughout the seasons such as concerts, parades, fireworks, and lectures. You’ll never run out of things to see and do and never have to spend a dime to do it.

So, to start your guided tour of the Keweenaw simply head over to Keweenaw Free Guide (www.keweenawfreeguide.com) and check it out. We’re providing you – our loyal CCE readers- an exclusive first look at the site, and we respect your opinion. So please let us know what you think by leaving a comment below. Tell us what you like and what you don’t like, tell us what we’ve done right and what we can do better. We think we’ve made a pretty good site but we want to make it even better with your help.

(And by all means, tell all your friends! Thanks!)