Over 60 women from 12 states are in the U.P. for the weekend with their rigs
ISHPEMING -- It's been 51 years since actor Jimmy Stewart charmed viewers as the leading man in "Anatomy of a Murder," the feature film that seemed to put the Upper Peninsula on the map. Half a century later, the movie is still drawing people to the U.P.
Sixty-four ladies came in dozens of RVs, all part of an organization called RVing Women. Nationwide, the group is more than 2,500 strong, and its mission is simple: to attract female RV enthusiasts, and travel the country scouting out the best of the best tourist attractions. This month's event is happening right now in the Upper Peninsula.
"The U.P. is not on the way to anywhere, and so I had to have a good hook to get people up here," says Rachel Brett Harvey, an RVing woman from the "Great Lakers" Chapter.
Rachel planned a weekend for the ladies that includes an "Anatomy Walking Tour" through Ishpeming, a meal at Mount Shasta--made famous in the movie--and a day trip to Big Bay and the infamous Thunder Bay Inn.
"I was thinking, oh well maybe we could have 15 people or 30 at the most. We've got 64 women from 12 states showing up!" Rachel says.
Sixty-four women in dozens of rigs all camping out at the Country Village RV Park in Ishpeming. It's the organization's first trip to the Upper Peninsula, and besides seeing the sites made famous in the movie, some of the ladies have other expectations of the U.P.
"I like it! I like it! Now all I need to do is see a moose!" says Judith Robinson, who's on the National Board of Directors, as well as a member of the Florida Chapter.
I had the opportunity to step inside some of the RVs, and these ladies are really traveling in style! The rigs range in size from the one room camper to the big rigs with flat screen TVs and full-size refrigerators.
"Oh I think we're tough old broads! And we're pretty independent, and we're pretty capable, and we prefer our privacy, but we love the camaraderie of the other RVing women," says Arlene Dawson of the Florida Chapter.
The ladies will be in Michigan through Sunday, taking in the U.P. and all its greatness.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC