Waves kick up in November

The leaves are gone but now the focus on the North Shore is wave watching. It's quite exciting and thriling to see a big roller pound into the rocks. Sometimes the spray shooting 20 feet plus into the air. The sounds that occur with the waves are also stimulating. November is wave watching month just ahead of the ski season which opens on Thanksgiving weekend.

Fall Memories

Fall is over but a new ski season is about to begin. It was a extended fall and very nice color. This shot behind the Cascade River State park is of Lookout Mountain. A favorite hike each fall. More postings in the future as I've been traveling and not at the computer this past few months. Stay tuned..........

The event of the summer!

http://visitduluth.com/tallships2013/

Late Spring on the Northshore.

It was very surprising to see ice still hanging to the side of Devils Track River Canyon this Memorial Day weekend. It was a nice hike and a lovely day. I've never seen ice that late.

They are everywhere now!

LIVE CAMS!  Today I found that even the Sea Caves north of Bayfield Wisconsin even have a live cam. Not sure how? Up a tree? But it's a wonderful view of the sea caves. So far this year there is no ice to allow entry to the caves on foot. But at least you can enjoy the changing views of the caves and lake. I find this area very nice and there are hiking trails
and the Meyer's beach area for kayaking. 

http://wavesatseacaves.cee.wisc.edu/wave_pics.html

Bayfield Wisconsin Windsled

The ferry can no longer make it's way thru the ice and it's time for the windsled. Soon if it's cold enough cars will drive the ice road again?
I know of no other place that has a windsled? It might be unique to Bayfield?  It's something interesting in Wisconsin. Also a event special in February:

Books Across the Bay-February 16th -See www.batb.org

Evidence of the Fires

The snow plainly shows the fires that have taken place in the boundary waters.Pagammi Creek and Ham Lake fires are clearly visible on the satellite shot. These burns cleared the landscape but it’s coming back strong. It’s really interesting how clearly they show up in the wintertime.

Ice in the Channel

Between Bayfield Wisconsin and Madeline Island the ferry is still running
thru the ice but it's starting to look like it might freeze solid soon with the big coming arctic cold snap.

The friends of the woods get hungry.

The winter isn't harsh yet but the deer still come looking for a bit of corn. Later this week it will be needed however as a cold snap is coming.

 

North Shore snow dump!

The North Shore gets it's snow for winter sports this year. It might well be a promising year for XC skiing and winter sports in general. So far so good for snow. No more 80 degree March weather please as happened last year. I shouldn't even mention such things. Bad luck!

Christmas Season in Grand Marais, Mn

Santa on a float goes flying past during the Grand Marais Christmas parade. Gosh we thought they have a long parade for such a small town?
That is inpressive! But wait? We have seen this float before, they are going around a second time. But do the kid even know? Do they care?
It's all great fun and entertatinment on the holidays.

Looking alot like the holidays now.

Very holiday like with decorations and fresh snow.

Here it comes! Bring the snow!

The ski season begins with the holiday snowfall.

The ski resorts are open with man made and now a bit of snow from nature this holiday weekend. It's a welcome drop of snow and a good start. After last year's early end to the season the Northland is due for a strong ski season.

It's time to light the Christmas Tree

At this time of year in Grand Marais it's time to go down to the park and light up the tree. Santa will be there and the shopping season begins. Support the area and buy a few gifts when visiting. The Ben Franklin is a favorite of mine. Everything you can imagine is packed into that store.

November

I enjoy the strata you find along the road on the north shore HWY 61.Cutface overlook and the Cutface wayside has interesting rocks. The Harbor Inn cam today really was showing November skies. It's only a matter of time and holidays and serious snowfall.

November sky

It's looking Grey and November now with the leaves gone. This vantage point is above Grand Marais,Mn from Pincushion Mountain Overview.

All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey.

And just like that we are into late fall and the leaves are gone. Thoughts are to Thanksgiving and even snow season. That is the Cutface overlook just south of Grand Marais. Even if the leaves are gone it's still nice to take a stroll in the woods. The sound of the crunching leaves is nice.

Flurries today but what about the winter?

There has been a few flurries here and there. But my thoughts are to the winter and possible snowfalls. According to NOAA it's below average in the long term forecast. Which isn't good for skiing and snowsports. We all recall last March with 80's and no snow. Lutsen kept a few runs open with great effort to make their April 1st goal of staying open I recall. Resorts are working on the XC trails. Brushing is the term they use. Hopefully NOAA is wrong. The winter season is very important to the resorts.

The North Shore is calling....

The North Shore is calling again. I'm going to take another fall trip up the coast just because it's wonderful. The weather may or may not hold and perhaps there will even be a few flurries but it's still a good time. Tamaracks should be a lovely gold right now. You could even see a Aurora or a Moose? You just never know? But what is for sure is it's a nice time dining and sightseeing no matter what season. Winter is coming.