Bigfoot Has Been Here!

It was some stroke of fate that I couldn't find the tire pump for my bike today.  I really wanted to go on a road ride down M-26 in the sunshine on this fine, sunny day.  But the tires were too low, and I couldn't find that darn thing anywhere.

Okay, then, Mr. Butters.  Let's go to the lighthouse.  We haven't been there for a while, and the winds are from the south, so it should be nice there too.

On our way down the "hill" towards the lighthouse gate, I heard someone alarm the forest of our intruding: the eagle.  Ooh, the eagle!  I chirped back.  When we approached its area, I was surprised to actually spot its nest -- it's been a while.  But there was no eagle in sight.

We wandered on down the usual lane to Lake Superior.  Oh, she was so sparkly blue today.  I took a moment of gratitude to be in her presence again.  As we meandered on our way, I saw tracks I have never seen before.  Not at the lighthouse, not anywhere in Copper Harbor.  I think they were from bigfoot!

I still don't know if I believe it or not, but here is a video of what I saw.

The only other tracks I could find after that could have been the same prints or from snowshoers on a different day.  I couldn't be sure.  Either he took the lakeshore somewhwere or swam.  Maybe he hopped on an ice float to Isle Royale!  Luckily we got back home safe and sound, without seeing a tall, long-haired beast.

I looked it up.  Bigfoot does like juniper berries... I wonder if he found my fort!  I will be on the lookout around town, and I'll let you know if there are any other sightings.

On my way back to the gate (as if I could concentrate on anything else) I heard the eagle again.  Then I looked up.  There it was!  It's on the top left corner of this shot, behind all the branches.  Definitely in the adult stages.  It was the only one I could see.

A mature eagle in its nest.

Well, maybe I can go on that bike ride later this week.  Who knows what will be out that way?

Tourist in my own Town

This past weekend my family came to visit me: Mom, Dad, Aunt and Uncle.  This was the first time for latter two.  So what did I get to do?  Show them around, and play tourist!

Da Harbor is a wonderful place to be a tourist in.  We watched the sun set up on Brockway Mountain, got ice cream from the Berry Patch, found stones and peace on the shores of Hunter's Point, watched ducks swim around from the 3rd Street Dock, had a drink up at the historical Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, ate dinner at the Harbor Haus restaurant, stopped in all the shops and (the most unique experience for me) toured the Copper Harbor Lighthouse by boat.

You are well aware that I used to live on the private road to the lighthouse.  It used to be my stomping grounds.  I can't even tell you how many times I've jogged or snowshoed up those concrete steps.  But now I don't live out there, and the fam wanted to see the lighthouse.  "Let's take the boat tour then!"

The Harbor was calm and the air was humid, so it was nice to be on the water.  Nick was our captain, and he did a great job explaining things the whole time.  I learned so much!  Plus I actually got to go in the museum and lighthouse itself for my first time ever.  I was glad we did it.

I chose this adventure to elaborate on because it was such a different feeling for me to be a tourist in what used to be my back yard.  I had fun telling other visitors the things that I knew about the area.  They always seem excited to meet a local, and I always do my best to represent.

It seemed like everyone had a wonderful time while they were up, and I am grateful that my understanding boss and coworker gave me the two days off to visit with my family.  And now, back to the grind!

The weather has been a little eerie lately, but we just got a couple good storms, and the air is cooler today. 

I've been eating a few bilberries here and there.  I had one sugar plum today.  Buffaloberries are ready too, but the rest are still green.  I look forward to when they are ripe.  But for now, I'll keep on fulfilling all my other worldly duties.