Lions, Tigers & Ribeyes… Oh My! - Michigan’s UP Has It All—Even Bridges

What do lions, tigers, ribeye steaks, and towering bridges have in common?
Apparently… the wild and wonderful backroads of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

In this video, I roll out with the truck camper into the Michigan woods and stumble into some unforgettable moments — from a hidden zoo filled with roaring big cats, to the crackle of a campfire-smoked tomahawk ribeye, and an epic drone fly under of the Cut River Bridge, one of the tallest and most scenic spans in the state.

This trip had everything —
Wildlife, woodsmoke, and wow — all within 45 minutes of the Mackinac Bridge.

🚐 What You’ll See:
A ridiculously perfect steak grilled over campfire coals

Lions, tigers & bears (oh my!) at a roadside zoo

Stunning drone shots of the Cut River Bridge

Remote camping right along the Lake Michigan shoreline

Some of the most underrated scenery in the Upper Peninsula

📍 Filmed Near:
Garlyn Zoo, Naubinway, MI
Cut River Bridge
Northern Lake Michigan shoreline
Just east of the Mackinac Bridge

📷 Shot with:
DJI Mini 4 Pro
Canon / GoPro

All from the comfort of my trusty truck camper

If you're into campfire food, off-grid camping, and a little unexpected wilderness fun, this is your kind of trip.
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📍 Video Timeline / Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:01 – Building the Fire Pit & Starting the Fire
01:59 – Prepping the Tomahawk Ribeye
02:44 – Ribeye Over the Campfire 🔥
04:54 – The Ribeye Is Done! 🥩
07:33 – Scenic Drone Flyover of Camp
08:25 – Exploring Garlyn Zoo
12:52 – King of Beasts (Lion Close-Up) 🦁
15:29 – Cut River Bridge Overview
19:20 – Drone Footage of Cut River Bridge 🌉
20:58 – Trail to Lake Michigan
22:14 – Walking the Cut River Trail
26:50 – Closing Thoughts

🧢 MERCH & GEAR ►
Want to check out the gear we're using? Here are some Amazon links — I earn a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you)!

Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents
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BLUETTI AC200L
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Rotary Transfer Switch Manual Changeover Switch
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OGO Composting Toilet
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OGO Coco Coir Composting Material
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Omnia Oven Kit
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Coletti Boulder Camping Press
An American Press
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Silky KATANABOY Professional 650mm Folding Saw XL Teeth (710-65)
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