Peculiarities in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Happy Summer Solstice, northern hemisphere! If you’re on the road for a vacation this summer and are heading to the Upper Peninsula of Bellairs's home state and want to wowed by some wackiness, be sure to stop by the Weird Michigan Wax Museum. Opening this June, it is owned by Dan McCarthy, who also operates the nearby St. Ignace Mystery Spot, according to roadsideamerica.com.

Ken Witzgall, Dan's nephew, has been recruited to run the place. "It's not saying that the U.P. is weird," he told us as he hammered something into place. "It's just weird instances that have happened around here."

Ken cited some examples of the museum's honorees, such as James Strang, a Mormon who declared himself to be king of a local island (and who was eventually assassinated by his subjects); the U.P.'s Wolfman/Dogman (who some say is actually a Bigfoot); and Madame Helena Modjeska, an actress who was born in Poland and died in southern California, but somehow ended up as a ghost in a theater in Calumet.

Ken told us that the 12 current weirdoes are just a start, and that the museum hopes to expand its membership. "This is basically just the core idea," he said.

If you make the trip be sure to stop outside of Petoskey for gas and say hi to Gertie Bigger, too!