I was returning from the grocery store today, when on 6 Mile I ran into an Amish traffic jam. I encountered not one, not two, but three buggies that had all converged simultaneously near their farmer’s market along 6 Mile. The buggy pictured had been heading westbound, as had I. I saw it first and slowed. Another buggy was eastbound and the third turned right out of the market’s driveway. I had to wait for the other two horsedrawn wagons to pass and then wait further for this one to turn left into the market’s parking lot.
The Amish along with the Ojibway are two minority communities that have flourished as of late in Chippawa County, while the majority white populace has languished. Chippawa County has one of the lowest average income levels in the State of Michigan. That being said, both minority communities are somewhat insular.
That’s a great picture! A north country trail friend of ours was asked during the last major economic crisis (housing in 2008) how the yooperland was doing. Her reply was awful but it’s been this way for 25 years. Actually longer. Not an easy place for most people to make a living.
That’s why people retire here instead.