Bayfield Harbor fishing boat

Another scene from Bayfield Wisconsin where they still have a nice little fishing industry supplying fish to restaurants and others.

Bayfield Wisconsin Harbor

The harbor is icing up for the winter. This year a old tug is parked for the winter in a slip.

The contrast of the red tug with the ice is very nice. Last year the channel froze solid good enough for the ice road to Madeline Island to be open quite a long time. I drove across and it was two feet thick. Still it felt very odd to drive the channel in a car. Also I was thinking about the fact it's 200 feet deep. But somebody said it doesn't matter if it's 50 feet or 200 feet. The result would be the same. The story that has been floating around for years and I guess it's true, is that a house was transported over the ice and broke thru on the way to the island. I'm sure there are pictures somewhere?

I found it! In 1977 somebody was trying to have their vacation home transported to the island and it made it three miles of the four. Down it went! Truck and all. Here is a picture before it completely sank

Viking Motel

Back in the early 1980's the Viking Motel was our base camp for exploring Duluth and even parts of the Northshore. I found his postcard today and had a good giggle about it. What a interesting design this motel on London Drive had. I'm not sure when it was torn down? Perhaps somebody out there knows? I think it was just south of the Black Woods Supper Club on the

west side of the street. I know before it closed there was a shooting in one of the rooms. I read that in the paper years ago. That was back in the day when going to Canal Park was to see the industrial buildings and even junk cars on the shoreline. Downtown had a few red light businesses also. Have things changed for the better! Duluth is a wonderful city in my eyes.

Camp, Cottage or cabin? Or even Yurt in some parts of the Northland.

Adirondack Style, Lundie design, or just plain cabin.

During the winter and long evenings its wonderful to read and research the history of the Northland. The Camps and Lodges and who did what and when. To read about the camps of the early 1900’s which were turned into much more then camps but real luxury. Places like the McCormick Wilderness Tract and the Huron Mountain Club. People that were captains of Industry that found the need to get back to nature and be rigorous in the outdoors. After all Theodore Roosevelt promoted this idea.Henry Ford in Upper Michigan with friends like Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison. Imagine those fireside conversations. Venturing deep into what was truly the wilderness and old growth tracts of forests untouched. Some still that way today. It really gets the imagination flowing doesn’t it?

Copper Harbor News about Hunter's Point!

Just a wonderful pristine area is now saved for future generations of tourists:

GRANT TOWNSHIP - A long-anticipated land purchase two years in the making in Grant Township has become a reality.

In 2007, the Grant Township Board authorized the submission of a grant application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for assistance in purchasing property adjacent to Hunter's Point Park in the tip of the Keweenaw, said Richard Powers, deputy supervisor of Grant Township and chairman of the Hunter's Point Committee.

In phases, about 45.4 acres were purchased, which extend from the western border of Hunter's Point Park west to North Coast Shore Road, and also from Lake Superior to M-26.

"There's a traditional trail from the marina to Hunter's Point," he said. "A lot of our visitors up here like to go see Hunter's Point."

The purchase also encompasses 76 acres on the north side of Brockway Mountain south of the Copper Harbor Marina and Hunter's Point extending from M-26 south to the Michigan Nature Association's James Dorian Rooks Memorial Nature Preserve, Powers said.

"We looked for some way to get (the land) so that the traditional trail to the marina to the Hunter's Point Park would be maintained," he said.

The township used a $1.1 million grant from the MNRTF to purchase the 121.4-acre addition of land to the 9.4 acres that make up Hunter's Point Park in Copper Harbor. Hunter's Point Park was purchased in 2005 with the assistance of another grant through the trust fund.

"This particular grant was a phase grant," he said. "We put the grant request in ... in 2006 ... and half of it was approved in 2007 and half of it was approved in 2008, and the purchase was made in 2009."

The purchase will assure public access to Hunter's Point over traditional trails that have been threatened by development, he said. The addition of the land will also permit the Copper Harbor mountain bike trail system to be extended over Brockway Mountain to Lake Superior.

"Hunter's Point has long been a destination for visitors to Copper Harbor and keeping access to Hunter's Point available to the public is important to the local tourist industry," he said. "Its flowers and fauna, geological formations and location of the annual bird migrations offers visitors a wide variety of natural features to enjoy."

This acquisition includes 655 feet of Lake Superior shoreline, Powers said, making a total of more than 4,000 feet of shoreline the park has on Lake Superior and Copper Harbor Bay.

"The north shore of Hunter's Point is very weather-beaten," he said. "As you go further inland, there's conglomerate rock."

In certain areas, there is very little vegetation and some pockets of cedar and swamp conifers dot areas to the west end.

"There's a lot of things in there we want to explore and see what we've got," Powers said. "We have to maintain it and make it so the public gets the benefit out of it."

Going into the new year, the Grant Township Board expects to develop a use plan for the land, which appears to be 95 percent forested with white birch, northern hardwoods, pine and balsam fir and 5 percent open, non-forest land cleared for sewer, utilities and roadways, he said.

Right now, plans to build boardwalks are in the making to allow, yet minimize, the public access to keep the land as natural and unharmed as possible.

Democratic Representative Mike Lahti of Hancock assisted in obtaining the grant and Century 21 North Agency of Houghton managed the details of the sale, he said. Grant writing assistance was provided by Bill Olsen of U.P. Engineers and Architects.

Eagle Harbor fall and now winter

Having been in Eagle Harbor at the end of September I tend to keep track of the weather and happenings in the area. I really enjoy the Keweenaw and the small villages there. A fantastic web site to see a daily picture of the Eagle Harbor weather and happenings is this site: http://www.eagleharborweb.net/ People of the U.P are a hardy bunch. When I see the amount

of lake effect snow I think my gosh that is crazy!

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.