The Keweenaw is calling

A area I really enjoy is Keweenaw County of Upper Michigan. A big remote and unpopulated area with very nice scenery and history. I like the lack of bill boards and tourist traps.
If your a history buff and need your daily fix of the Keeweenaw this blog below is just the place.
Pasty.com is a wealth of information with all the postings of it's followers. They know just where that remote waterfall or vista is in the U.P. Often providing information you would never find anyplace else.

http://www.pasty.com/cam/index.html

Bentleyville down at Bayfront Park

This is something everybody in the Duluth area should see. Bentleyville light display.

http://www.bentleyvilleusa.org/

It continues until Jan 2nd 2010.

Speaking of snow

This famous photo of a past big winter storm that didn't miss Duluth.The house on Canal Park was almost buried by the wind and drifts. Perhaps somebody could mention the date? I don't recall the exact date of this huge storm. Will Duluth have another this year???

Grand Marais Cam with no snow??

The snow missed Grand Marais during the last big storm but they have the cold like everybody else. The harbor is iced over. The South Shore of Lake Superior really got the snow. Near 20 inches in Washburn and Ashland Wi. Ironwood Mi. has 29 inches on the ground and Duluth got 10-12 inches also. Copper Harbor Michigan has been getting Lake Effect snows all week and has two feet on the ground. Winter is here for awhile on the big lake.

A very polite Duluth Blogger pointed out that south of Duluth they got 10-12 inches, in Duluth

at Canal Park they got just a inch and north of Duluth a dusting.

The Famous Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

Built during the Depression by the CCC workers this Lodge is a classic. White pine logs and a big stone fireplace. This is the place for brunch or a nice evening dinner. It looks like it was built yesterday. Maintained by Keweenaw County for the good of all. I would say it's one of the most impressive Lodges in the Midwest. You can feel the history in the Copper Country. It oozes it everywhere you go. You can picture the CCC boys clearing logs for the Lodge from the mountainside that is today's nine hole golf course. Mountain bike and XC Ski trails surround the Lodge which is open year around. Fantastic place!

It's coming

What is coming? Winter! These pictures just completely say the change of weather is in the very near future. The stark birch trees and grey water. While fall is my favorite time of year with the color I was surprised how much I enjoyed the white leafless birch trees and grey background.

Late Fall on the North Shore

The great November weather allowed for a wonderful day to run up the shore to Gooseberry Falls State Park to see the falls. The rain in October made for more water and some nice waterfall viewing. The stark leafless birch trees allowed a view of the Gooseberry River as it empties into Lake Superior. The tourists are gone so there were very few people around.

Lutsen Resort 1950's

Back in the 1950's during the winter at Lutsen Resort you could swim after skiing.Their outdoor pool was covered with a big bubble. This picture was featured in the Grand Marias Cook County paper last week. It's from the State Historical Society of Minnesota. You have to enjoy these pictures from the past. Wonderful history is found on the North Shore.

Fall color tour

The Presque Isle River of the Porkie Mts are the place to be during the fall color season.Interesting rock formations and colorful backgrounds. The hiking was very nice as you follow the river all the way to Lake Superior. On the way back to the parking lot we heard some folks talking about bears. We had just missed a bear walking along the parking lot heading toward the camping area.

http://hunts-upguide.com/porcupine_mountains_state_park_presque_isle_river_waterfalls.html

Harbor Haus of Copper Harbor Mi.

Unique dining can be found at the Harbor Haus at Copper Harbor Michigan.
As you enter, you first notice the copper doors. In the entry is a bear greeting diners.
Located right on the harbor it has a nice view of the ship that leaves for Isle Royale daily.
When the ship returns in the evening, the staff does a silly dance welcoming it back.
The staff wearing German dress serves a list of wonderful dishes. That saucer shaped building next to the restaurant is their bed and breakfast. Take a stroll on their dock after dinner and look at the sunset. It is an interesting must do while visiting Copper Harbor. And there is that Brit couple again, being a small village you might run into the same people often while touring.

Her main concern was a good stiff drink and a Chocolate Souffle'. The fellow was just pleased to stand next to a bear.

Hunters Point Copper Harbor Michigan

Just West of Copper Harbor Michigan on M-26 about one mile from the village is a road to the right that takes you to Hunters Point. Newly acquired and saved with donations so the public can hike. This wonderful rugged shoreline is very beautiful and changes as you hike along. And there is that Brit couple again sporting their rain slickers just in case of a shower.

Brockway Mountaintop Views

After leaving Eagle Harbor Michigan it's a short drive to Brockway Mountain Drive.

At the top is quite a view of Lake Superior and some fall colors. That is lake Medora in the background behind a lovely British couple who were visiting Upper Michigan. They seemed to really enjoy being windblown? They remarked while it wasn't the Scottish Highlands there were more trees.

Eagle Harbor Michigan

The coast of the Keweenaw is the Maine of the Midwest according to some guides.

It is very lovely and scenic. The small village of Eagle Harbor Michigan is a postcard.

The lighthouse and harbor have a New England feel to it. You think I could spend a week here just relaxing,reading and hiking. If your lucky like we were you get the nice weather very late in the season. The local history is very rich and the local historical society does a great job telling it. Not a single Inn or restaurant disappointed us. Locals were more then friendly and very good at their jobs. I can't recall better service even for lunch. It's a quieter and slower pace of course due to the remote area. The summer crowds if any are gone in the early fall. Hiking trails abound and mountain top views are impressive. More to follow!

Entering Snow Country

Crossing the Portage River and Houghton/Hancock Michigan into the Keweenaw you know your entering snow country because there is a huge gauge showing you the record snowfalls. The amounts are staggering to think about. Sure it doesn't come all at once but it's still the record of 1978-79 of 390 inches that makes you think. Don't people get sick of shoveling? Do they just hibernate and wait until spring? Does everybody have to own a 4WD truck? Just going to get groceries is a adventure when your living deep in Keweenaw Country.

HWY 61 Moose

Heading back from Thunder Bay Ont. we spotted a moose standing behind the Thunder Bay mileage sign. I got out to take his picture and he snorted at me and then proceeded to walk into the woods.

Skyline Drive in Duluth during the fall.

One of the best drives in the fall is Skyline Drive above Lake Superior over looking Duluth and the harbor. There is something wonderful about a good vista above Duluth.The San Francisco of the Midwest some people call it. Drive up and down the hillside and speculate how they do it in the winter. Look at the interesting homes on the hillside and on top of Skyline drive. Look for raptors flying south for the winter. It's fall and it's wonderful!

Wagner Falls

Leaving Munising Michigan on M-94 is a small waterfall named Wagner Falls.Not the largest but is a very nice stop. Munising has several falls in the city limits or nearby.The landscape around town is hilly with several small streams. It's a nice little town with a population of about 2,500.

Pictured Rocks National Shoreline

East of Munising is the village of Grand Marais. Just outside of this little town are the Grand Sable Dunes. When Lake Superior was at a higher level after the glacial melt it deposited sand on the shoreline which is now exposed after the lake receded about 11,000 years ago. Give or take a thousand years. Ask a Palo Indian for a exact date. These dunes tower hundreds of feet on a extreme angle down to the lake. People do hike down for a swim but the hike back up is a killer.

Takes about a hour reported one adventurous soul. I elected to stay at the top as it was 85 degrees and humid. To the west is Sable Light on a wooded point. Down the road a few miles was Sable Falls which had three tiers. Hot tourists had to get into the falls with great care because there was slippery algae on rocks. This area was fantastic and off the beaten path. Just inland from the Dunes was Sable Lake. A nice place for fishing or a swim. Grand Marais is very small but had a few motels and a very nice harbor. I must return for some hiking and exploring someday.

Pictured Rocks Cruise, Munising Michigan

One of the most enjoyable cruises on Lake Superior. The coastal cliffs and rocks are very intresting and the turquoise water makes a nice contrast to the yellow sandstone rocks.The cruise starts right downtown at City Dock. The cruise service has four boats which are very busy during the summer. You pass cliffs,beaches and the big view of the Indian head.The captain gives local history,bad jokes and alot of information on the area. It's a very relaxing two hours plus. The time passes quickly due to the changing coastline. I've done the trip twice and would do it again.

Munising Michigan

Munising Michigan is the launching point for the Pictured Rocks Cruises and National Shoreline.

Pictured is the city dock and Munising bay. In Munising Bay is Grand Island. This area has many outstanding beaches. The water quality is very clear and has a nice turquoise color.

The Cruise is very pleasant along the coast. More to follow:

A Bay somewhere on Lake Superior

The next stop starts here on a bay in Lake Superior. It was a enjoyable time starting right here with many activities in this area. Does anybody have any idea where this is??

More to follow!

The Porkies B-17 Crash.

On April 18th 1944 a B-17 Bomber crashed in the Porcupine Mountains.
The bomber on a training mission left Sioux City Iowa in route to Marquette Michigan.
West of Marquette an engine caught fire and they were ordered to head to Duluth Minnesota for repairs. They did not make it to Duluth, the crew bailed out over the Porcupine Mountains, and the plane crashed just south of Lake of the Clouds. The men all survived and walked out to Silver City Michigan. The Propeller of the plane is on display at what is now a gift shop in Silver City. The shop was a bar back when the crew walked into Silver City in 1944. The bar owner at the time got the propeller as a great souvenir. I do not understand why they did not try to land in Marquette, as Duluth is quite a long distance from their location where the engine caught fire. It is quite a story and a great bit of history. The men who survived the war returned for a reunion in 1991. Sadly, the pilot was shot down over France and died. The rest of the crew was hidden by the French underground and a few spent the war in a German prison camp. When you think about what these young people did for their country, it is quite astounding. Young men during WWII had responsibilities that young people cannot even fathom today. War today is something most young men only see on a PlayStation game. With the exception of a few in Iraq. The numbers of young people who gave their lives in WWII is shocking if you study it.

Say Ya to the U.P Eh?

This week while traveling all over Upper Michigan this lady was spotted with a tattoo.While most is covered with a strap, you may be able to figure out that it's the U.P of Michigan tattooed on the upper back. You have to be a hardcore Yooper or lover of the U.P to do that I'd say.

Summit Peak Michigan Porcupine Mountains

A short drive off of South Boundary Road and a quick half mile hike up to Summit Peak to one of the highest points in Michigan. The highest point is in the Huron Mts. The view is wonderful of Lake Superior and would be better during the fall. In the bottom picture is Copper Peak which has the highest ski jump in the Midwest. It's barely visible if you look hard. The distance is about 20 miles to Copper Peak from Summit Peak.

Lake of the Clouds Michigan

At the end of M-107 the road comes to a parking lot and 300 feet up a nicely blacktopped walking trail is the scenic Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains. The State of Michigan is building more viewing platforms. In Canada in the parks they call these viewing Pods. Whatever you wish to call them the view is fine. If your really good at guessing peak fall color this would be the place to be at that time. I tried last visit and missed the peak by one week. Someday I will hit the peak color on a clear fall sunny day and hike the trail the climbs the ridge to the East. Can't do it all otherwise you wouldn't have a reason to return.