Autumn Rants

I am actually sitting inside on this lovely, sunny day, so I can type to you.  Aren't I a sweetheart?  He he.

What's going on these days in da Harbor?  Well, last weekend was crazy busy again.  All the motels rooms were booked.  Restaurants were slammin'.  Visitors were driving like (excuse this rant) total morons that don't look before they pull out into traffic.  They even (bless their across-the-globe hearts) parked all along the Covered Stretch and walked around as if they were about to watch a parade while they took pictures of the leaves in the rain.

This time of year is beautiful here.  Yes.  Refreshing and cool.  Uh huh.  And it also brings the worst drivers in the world to our narrow, winding, sidewalkless roads.  I feel safer in the winter behind a car with bald tires breaking at every curve because though they may slide into the ditch, they most likely won't just pull to the side of the road and open their car door in front of the vehicle behind them.

Whew.  Thanks for letting me say all that.  Fortunately for me, I don't have to drive any of those roads on a daily basis.  And this really only happens two weeks out of the year.

But autumn has brought me some new friends!  Well, they're not really my friends.  They just use me for the seed I keep out on the front porch, so I can watch them flit around and hear their lovely sparrow songs.  I almost think these could be some of the same little birdies that hung out in my back yard in the spring.  Welcome back, you sweet little sparrows!

So, you may or may not be into this, but MoveOn.org has an official petition to sign for those who oppose the cell tower going up on Brockway Mountain.  It encourages the FCC to look for a different, less obtrusive placement for a tower.  I did my part.  Feel free to do yours.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE BROCKWAY TOWER PETITION

Thanks.

What else is happening?  Well, my hubby and his trail crew just got back from Duluth, MN where they built trails all summer.  (You can imagine my relief for that moment when "I think it's time!!!)  And they are continuing progress on the Keweenaw Point Trail.  

This path, if I haven't mentioned it already, will allow hikers and bikers to travel legally, easily and safely around the tip of, you guessed it, the Keweenaw Peninsula.  If I am not mistaken, it will pass points of interest such at Montreal Falls, Schlatter Lake, High Rock Bay and others.  

This nearly 30-mile trail will be epic for the Keweenaw.  We might even have to get a Starbucks to accommodate the traffic.  Ha!  I am just kidding.  That's just crazy talk.  But anyway, I can keep you updated as this big project progresses.  Phase I is in the works.

Closings

So this is what we call the end of the season, you know.  The Harbor Haus closes Saturday the 11th.  Jamsen's Fish Market and Bakery closes Monday the 13th.  I would imagine the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge closes later this month.  Motels will drain pipes and board up windows soon, I'm sure.

And then, you know what happens.  6 months of cold and snow that will drag on like last year.  I am already starting to praise our occasional moments of sunshine.  I, I really don't know what else to say about this right now.  I think I scared myself a bit.

Color Report

The Covered Stretch was still a beauty two days ago.  Lovely, in fact (ask all the visitors parked on the side of the road in the rain!).  I bet Brockway is still nice.  Though many of the trees are wind-blown, the oaks, birch and popples are taking their turn now, spewing burgundy and yellow.

Maybe next time I'll have some pictures for you.  I felt a bit inadequate today when I sat down and looked for something visual to share and realized I had nothing.  So hopefully you have enjoyed my sarcastic rants and blunt opinions.  I'm not a sugar-coater, you know.  Especially with these hormone fluxes.  Yes.  I'll blame it on that.  Two weeks until my due date!

Be well.

Over the Mountain and to the End of a New Road

Did you forget about my annual ride over Brockway Mountain Drive?  I did!

I remembered in October and have been watching for a nice-ish day when I could spare the energy.

My 6th Annual Pedal over Brockway was Wednesday, October 30th.  The wind was mostly calm.  The temp was in the high 40's.  The air was dry.  The sky was gray.  A pretty nice day for October in the Keweenaw.

But this time I took a different route.  I hadn't been on the Lakeshore Drive of M-26 in quite a few weeks, so I figured I'd take that west, then climb up the Brock from the Silver River side.  I saw this little guy on the way up.  This is not my picture, however.  I googled it when I got home.

A Spotted Salamander

Cute, hey?  He gave me a little more ambition on that long climb.

Closer to the top, I couldn't wait to be done climbing.  Keep in mind that I didn't get to coast down this west side like I usually do.  "It's okay," I told myself.  "I'll be coasting down soon."

The view was lovely and windy at the top, as usual.  I noticed some new interactive signs up there.  I read them all on the way down.  Nicely done.

But the way "down" is not typical, as I'm sure you know.  Even on that "down" side I had to pedal soooooo much up those steep ascents -- and I didn't get to go down any of them on the way up!  I knew it was karma.  See, not going up the steep east side, I thought it would be a little easier of a route.  Not at all.  I felt like that whole ride was uphill.

I will never go that way again.

So next time, I'll go up the steep east side and get all the hard stuff out of the way.  Phew.  Sounds like a plan.  Want to come with?

Then on Friday I made an impromptu run to town to check out a few spots for my Copper Harbor Adventure Guide.  It was all fine, but I did something quite surreal on my way home.  I took Bumbletown Road out of Allouez.  Through Bumbletown was nice -- more houses than I would have thought.

Further down it turned into a dirt road, which I had expected.  My plan was to get to the end of Bumbletown Road in Gratiot Park.

I thought Gratiot Park was a park at first.  Driving along, I saw towers in the distance -- a sure sign of a town.  Finally dirt roads turned back into paved roads with legitimate green street signs.  Houses and people out in their yards.  I drove around a bit to look for any sign of Lake Superior, but I must not have gone the right direction for that.  "Okay, so this must be Gratiot Park," I confirmed to myself.  "Guess I can go home!"

On my way out, a sign read "Entering Keweenaw County.  Zoning Enforced."  What?!  When did I leave Keweenaw County?

I looked at my map, and Gratiot Park was in Keweenaw County.  At home, I googled it, mapquested it and scoured all my maps.  I found none of the road names ANYWHERE that I saw on those green signs in Gratiot Park.  "This place isn't even on the map!"

I seriously doubted where I had been.  I still don't know for sure.  But one thing I thought was that the people who live their must feel even more at the end of the road than we do.

On Top of Mountains

My last post was in July???  It must be August then!!!

You would be proud of me.  I just sent out my last articles about Mount Bohemia Adventure Resort.  Outdoorhub.com hired me to write them.  For my research, I kayaked Lac La Belle, hiked to the top of Mount Bohemia (yes, I am recovered) and mountain biked Bohemia.  Check out one of my live articles about it at this link!

So now that that's done, I don't have such strict deadlines.  I mean, I have a few more articles to write for other publications, but I need to get out and enjoy myself a little before I delve much deeper right now.  No worries, though.  Life is grand.

Did I tell you about Breakfast on the Flow?  Each Sunday morning from 8 - 9 am, the owners, cooks and staff from The Harbor Haus Restaurant pack up food, coffee, stoves and place settings and hike it to a spot on The Flow trail.  Then they make breakfast for everyone who shows up!  It's awesome!  Here are some pictures from last Sunday.

Breakfast cooks in action!

Happy breakfast eaters!

Do you take your coffee with a view?

Pretty cool, hey?  Do you know why they do this every Sunday through Labor Day Weekend?  Because they love the trails!  You can enjoy a scrumptious breakfast with friends and a great view all for a donation to the Copper Harbor Trails Club.  The CHTC truly appreciates the Harbor Haus for doing this, and you for supporting it.  This Sunday's menu includes gourmet omelets with fruit and tabouli salad!

Most of the berries are peaking right now.  Blackberries and chokecherries have a couple weeks yet, but come on up for the rest!

Oh, I finally jumped into Lake Superior for my first time this summer.  It was on Sunday after mountain biking Bohemia... and a beer because that takes some courage to jump in there.  It actually wasn't too bad that day.  I would do it again.

Gosh, now I have to get ready for work.  You know, my other job besides writing -- bartending.  I bet it will be another busy night in da Harbor!

A New Fort and Brockway

Wow.  This winter has been quite fulfilling.  Work has been busy.  Adventures have been plentiful.  Hobbies have been creative.  I am grateful.

Last Tuesday, when the temps rose and the snow turned heavy and wet, Mr. Brimm and I went out to (dun, dun, DUN!) build a snow fort!  I took him to the spot were Fort Juniper was, but he saw a more manageable spot one ridge over, so we started there.  We got a great foundation built in an hour and a half.  I think we got more built in one day's work than all winter when I worked by myself!  No thanks to the many melts on that, though.

Since that day temps plummeted and the snow has been too dry to work with.  That's okay.  I can wait for a good building day.  There's plenty to do on the mean time!

Like yesterday.  Aaron and I journeyed up Brockway Mountain.  He wore his skis and skins on the way up, and I wore my snowshoes.  He was taking GPS points for a downhill mountain bike trail, so I just meandered behind him.  It was delightful to be out on a calm day.  Here are some of the moments captured in that adventure.

Looking north to the Big Lake

Looking north higher up the mountain

Aaron's tracks through the trees

The sun through the clouds at the top

I couldn't help but put together a little video for you.  Come with me!

I finally learned how to edit videos.  Can you tell?  You are a part of my learning process, so bear with me.  The clips should get snazzier as I figure more out, but don't set your expectations too high.  I'm a writer, not a videographer!

5th Annual Brockway Climb

Another fall, another pedal over da mountain on my road bike.  It's a little later in the month than I usually go.  I thought I might miss it this year, but last night I primed myself up, and this morning was mostly cloudy with a slight breeze at 45 degrees, so I went for it.

I'm not going to lie.  I almost didn't make it.  The first two miles up that beast are so brutal.  I kept thinking maybe I'll just go to the top and come back down this way.  Or if I go down the other way, maybe I'll just take the lakeshore drive back.  Maybe I should just turn around now because this is hell.

But I kept going.  The word sisu danced through my head, and pushed me forward.  Goodness gracious, was it horrible.  But I did it.  I finished the first 4 mile climb in 34 minutes, just like the last couple years.  At least I'm not getting slower!

At the top I put my jacket back on and coasted down to the bottom of the west end.  17 minutes down and 38 minutes up.  The latter was faster than last year, but I felt really strong on that climb, and I gave it some oomf.  I tried to stay in my highest gear as much as I could.  At the top I took some pictures for you.

West toward Eagle Harbor and Lake Superior

What's left of the leaves in the valley.  Not bad!

Toward Lake Medora

Toward Lake Fanny Hooe

And just when I thought (though I know better) that I got to go down the mountain, I was faced with giant reminders of why it is not so down at all.  I would be cruising so fast that I had to brake a little or die.  I'd keep all my speed and pedal hard on the flat section to get me up the next hill.  Then, wham!  It would be so steep that I had to shift quickly from 27th gear to 2nd, or I'd tip over.  Man, oh man.  Three hills were that dramatic on the way down.   I shook my head and smirked at the top of every one because I made it.  I wish I could have recorded an example of that for you.

I only saw four vehicles during the whole ride, and they were all on the west side.  Nobody was at the top either -- a first.

And now that I know I can still do it, I look forward to next year!

Keweenaw "Summer" Vacation

I feel like I just got back from a vacation in the Keweenaw!  My friend Hannah and I have gone on a slew of adventures.  

Friday we hiked up the south side of Brockway Mountain.  We took the Woopidy Woo Trail up and hiked right on the ground! 

Flying Squirrel and Woopidy Woo

Then down the north side.  We tried to take The Flow Trail, but the snow was so thick, that we just "skied" down on our snowshoes on some parts.  We weren't lost... we just couldn't find the actual trail.

Snow on The Flow

Saturday was the real adventure.  We planned to fourwheel out to a cabin close to High Rock Bay at the point.  However, we picked the day with the most wicked runoff, and were unable to make it up a steep section through the river and ice.  Oh, well.  We just went to Horseshoe Harbor, went for a couple hikes and laid in the sunshine!

Beauties and the beast before our departure

Looking east on the ridge at Horseshoe Harbor

Looking east from a hole inside that ridge

The sunset

We camped that night under a beautiful, starry sky.  Soon we were awaken by lightening and thunder.  Since we planned to sleep in a cabin, we did not have a tent.  But we were sleeping on a Tyvek tarp, so we just put that over us when the sky started to sprinkle on us.  We watched the lightening through the Tyvek sheet, and soon fell asleep again.

The whole night I was looking for the moon, but I saw it behind us probably two hours before the sun rose.  A slim waning crescent.  The sly, sideways smile.

I am not one to sleep through a sunrise on the beach, however, so I climbed one of those rocks, stretched, waited and watched.  I have really never found a feeling that compares to that: watching the sky change colors high upon a rock, bringing in a brand new day.  Oh, man.  I love it.

The next day brought more sunshine and hot, hot weather.  It was so warm that I jumped in her Majesty, Lake Superior.  Oooo eeee!  Not as cold as I thought it would be, but invigorating, nonetheless.

Sunday night we went to Eagle Harbor and had dinner.  It was fun to hang out with the fine folks there as well.  But Monday was still so warm and sunny that we hiked up Mount Baldy.  Close to the beginning we had to cross a river.  Not only was it way colder than the big lake, it was rushing wild!  We had to try to keep our balance on the slick rocks, not get bowled over by the current and withstand the frigid temps.  But we did it -- once up and once down!

There was lots of snow and wetness on that trail, but lots of it was dry as well.  I liked how the terrain changed from sand to conglomerate to rocks and roots.  The wind was refreshing at the top, and the view was great too!  I apologize, however, I did not bring a camera.  I'll just have to go up there again!  With three miles of ascent, it's quite the journey.  But rewarding as well.

Well, back to the grind, but adventures still await!

250 Foot Tower on Brockway Mountain? You Decide.

You are probably well aware that, when you come to da Harbor, your cell phone does not work.  Either you love the fact that you can turn it off, so no one can bother you, or you hate the fact that you can't stay connected in case of an emergency.  Personally, I like the fact that this area is free from cell tower radiation.

But my opinion is irrelevant because plans are in place to put a couple towers up.  Copper Harbor will have cell phone service through Verizon.  Possibly by 2013.  This fact doesn't really bother me -- technology is inevitable (and hey, maybe the internet will be faster!).

If you click on the photos below, you will see a photoshopped version of what bothers me, and most others who love their unscathed vistas while driving into Copper Harbor and along Brockway Mountain Drive.

Photo 1

Photo 2

If this bothers you too, you can sign a petition to let Keweenaw County know that they should investigate other options besides a 250 tower on one of the historic landmarks of America.  A few smaller towers could be used, for example.

Here is the link to the petition.  I have signed it myself.  Let's help da Harbor keep it's natural beauty!

In the mean time, Let It Snow!

4th Annual Bike Over Brockway Mountain

This week promised to be sunny and 60 degrees, so when I woke up on Monday morning, I decided to take my annual bike trip over Brockway Mountain and back: 20 miles round trip.

Ah, yes, Brockway Mountain.  726 feet above Lake Superior.  The place all the tourists and locals drive up to look at the turning leaves, watch the sun sink into the lake and use their cell phones.  I figured a Monday morning wouldn't have heavy traffic, so I went for it -- in shorts and a short-sleeve jersey.  Woo hoo, sunshine!

Note: If you are not familiar with Brockway Mountain, please reference the end of last year's post to learn about direction, mileage and riding time.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I don't have anything too memorable to report except  that it was hard work.  Man, oh, man there are some steep spots on that hill -- going both ways!  When I came back down the east side (down, mind you) I really had to pedal hard in my lowest gear in a couple spots.  And going down some of the spots I came up, I asked myself, "How the heck did I make it up this hill?"

My pictures of the valley didn't turn out either.  Drat.

But I have another year under my belt, and it took me the same amount of time as last year, almost to the minute.  Maybe someone will come with me next year.

Color Update:

The leaves have not yet peaked on the north side of the Keweenaw.  Looking at pictures of past years, they certainly are behind now.  But who wants to tell Mother Nature she's running behind?!  Maybe this weekend or next week they will peak.  Highway 41, Gratiot Lake Road, Lac La Belle Road and others south of here are quite spectacular, though -- at least they were last week!

Ridges and Valleys

Thanks for waiting... I had no computer for the last four days.  Man, did I love that!  No responsibilities to the world wide web!

Da Harbor has been experiencing some beautiful days.  A couple rainy mornings, but overall, the sun has been shining.  Melt, snow, melt!

This morning the wind was whipping from the Northwest, so Aaron, Duce and I ventured out to the South side of Brockway Mountain.  There the weather was sunny and warm (a little too warm on the way up!).

We started up the Garden Brook Trail and headed to higher elevation, climbing Brockway, on Woopidy Woo.  No snow up there!  Just some mud puddles which we helped drain down the mountain side using our boots and the ends of sticks.   I love draining puddles... I made ruts for four big ones on Woodland Road yesterday.

We climbed up to the top of Brockway's ridge and sat with our backs to the South-facing stone wall, so we didn't get pelted by the wind.  Looking over the trees in the Garden Brook Valley is always a great time to ponder life and take in nature.  Ahhh.

After descending partially down Woopidy Woo, we decided to catch up with the Garden Brook Trail to the East by traversing the woods along the stream.  Oh, what a treat to walk along a babbling brook!  And with all the melt-off running its way, it was gurgling!  I never hear it like that in the Summer.  

I always like treading on new territory.  Along that walk I found lots of thimbleberry bushes.  I'll be checking those out this summer!  I also discovered an area with lots of rotted birch trees leaving behind their water proof bark.  Anyone need to make a canoe?

The weather has been so splendid lately that I've been out for a walk every day.  Once to the lighthouse, up Brockway Mountain (one dip from the West side) and twice meandering the Norland Trust.  Got to start planning for mountain bike season!

3rd Annual Brockway Climb

Before the snow falls, I owe it to myself to take my annual pedal over Brockway Mountain. This year, with the strong winds we've been having, the many hours I spend at my jobs and the fact that I don't feel like I'm in over-a-mountain-riding shape made me a little leery of my third annual journey.

But yesterday was sunny and 60 degrees. The wind was pretty tame. And my will told me that I could make it up that mountain. So I went for it.

Chances are that you have been over this 726 foot beast. Chances are you've seen the world from the top. And chances are you know how steep, sustained and l-o-n-g that first corner up is. That's the one I was sure I was going to have to get off and walk up.

Instead, I did myself the favor of not looking ahead. I just stared at the ground in front of my tire and pedaled my heart out while concentrating on my breathing. It worked! I made it to the top of hill number one. Now was it four or five more to go to the top? I am positive that my will-power is first and foremost what got me to the top of Brockway Mountain.

At the top, after a four mile climb, I began my 6 mile descent. For a descent, I pedaled the whole way except at the very top, which had me clutching my brakes. At the bottom, near the Silver River, I high-fived the stop sign on M-26, turned around and began pedaling back up. This is the first year I didn't take a break there.

But I sure did at the top! My friend was working in the gift shop at the top of the Mountain, so I went in to see her. I also took a couple pictures for you.

The first is Brockway Valley. Not bad, hey? And in the second, you can see Lake Medora. The colors are pretty nice right now. I'm glad I got some proof!

And the way back "down" the East side was grueling as always. There are quite a few steep peaks to climb before the bottom. I was feeling pretty beat and was grateful for the moment I saw the first lookout -- no more pedaling up anything major.

When I got home, I almost tipped over, but I didn't care. I did it. I DID IT! I climbed over Brockway Mountain once again. I was proud of myself.

And being the first time I actually wore a watch on my wrist for this journey, I was able to calculate some figures. For the first 4 mile roller coaster climb, it took me 31 minutes to get to the top, with an average speed of 7.8 mph. The gradual 6 mile descent took me 17 minutes at 21.2 mph. And the climb up the latter took me 36 minutes at a 10 mph average. Then "down" again took me 18 minutes at 13.3 mph.

I don't know how you want to process all that data. I just think that, knowing the terrain, it's interesting to see the contrasts from one side to the other. But no matter what, I sure am glad I went because today is gray and windy... just how the Keweenaw fall should be!

Somewhere Over the Mountain

I just had another "first" today. My friend Jo (who walked the walk from Calumet) wanted to walk from da Harbor to Eagle Harbor over Brockway Mountain. We set a date and walked that 15.5 mile walk today. Overcast, cool and foggy, the weather couldn't have been better.

Our soles pounded pavement for 5 1/2 hours. The part that required the most physical energy was that first hill up, though walking is easier than biking it. At the first lookout, the fog hung above Lake Fanny Hooe. That fog also dangled in Brockway Valley and misted us during the beginning of our walk. So refreshing!

The rest of the walk wasn't all that physically demanding. Duce, the flora, the rock formations and our jolly conversation kept us entertained. We ate our first bilberries of the year on the way up too! Yeah, I know... pretty early for those.

And the most mentally challenging part for me was the stretch from the Silver River (where Brockway Mountain Drive meets M-26) to Eagle Harbor. The speed limit is 55 there, and not everyone likes to make way for pedestrians. Good thing Duce listens well, so he stayed out of harm's way. But we all made it alive.

Then for the moment I was waiting for since the Brockway descent -- dinner at the Eagle Harbor Inn. Two local lady friends met us there as well, and we ate and drank merrily until getting off the chair was a feat (I think it would have been regardless).

So now I can say I walked over the mountain to Eagle Harbor, and people can say, "Oh, my, I don't think I could do that." I bet you could. We plan to do it again next year if you want to join!

Prime Brockway Hiking Time

I was tricked yesterday. The day held mixed tones of gray. Flurries whirled in the air. The wind bit through my jacket. I thought winter was back. I was wrong.

I just checked the forecast, and they changed it to sunshine and warmer! Ha! Don't you love it? I was surprised to see the sun come up this morning, since I thought it was going to be a stay-inside day. Not in the least!

So a gathered a couple girl friends, and we walked and talked and giggled to one lookout shy of the very top of Brockway Mountain. The sun lit the blue sky, and the breeze was cool. The road was dry and void of vehicles, which makes this walk prime this time of year. We surprised ourselves when we just kept going up and up, but the day made it hard to turn around!

Collectively, we picked up 26 cents, a hitch hook, a screw, two bolts, a nut, two empty beer cans and some trash. Quite a treasure, I know.

Toward the end of our trip, after not even having to listen for a car, we saw one. It kinda ruined the purity of the walk, but that is not ours to control. Four ATVs and one more SUV passed by before we reached the bottom.

After this trek, I talked to a man who owns part of that road, and he said that vehicles are ruining the road when they drive on it this time of year. The road is heaved with frost. It's not laying flat because of frozen gaps between the foundation and asphalt, if I am understanding it correctly. He even said that we could make it worse just by walking on it! "That's why the sign says 'Road Closed'" he mentioned for effect.

So for the sake of Brockway Drive, I won't drive a car on it until the ground thaws, but I don't think I'm going to stop walking up anytime soon. Sorry buddy, it's prime Brockway hiking time!