"Beautiful Day Today"

The weather has been so pleasant that everyday we get to say, "Beautiful day today" to whoever we are talking to.  Mostly visitors for me, since they are coming to the Harbor Haus in droves.  At least the last two weeks of work won't be boring!

Color Report

"They're turning a little more each day," I hear people who actually leave Copper Harbor and drive the roads say.  The consensus seems to be about 25% change south of the Covered Stretch.  The Covered Stretch itself is spotty with some brilliant maples.  Not much change in the Brockway Valley yet.  With these warmer temps, colors are changing slowly.

I thought about you the other day before I went to work, and I brought my Go Pro to shoot a time lapse of the interesting sky over Copper Harbor for you.  Aren't I sweet?

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TIME LAPSE

(I recommend fullscreen mode for it) 

Oh my gosh, guess what.  I got a kayak!!!  Now I can cross Fanny Hooe and head out to Porter's Island and paddle to Horseshoe Harbor and traverse Isle Royale in my very own kayak!  That means a whole new set of adventures for you to follow me on.  I am pumped.

Other than that, all the businesses are still open up here for lodging, food, gas and gifts, so come on up (hint, hint Mama and Papa).  Next week should be beautiful for colors, we're predicting.  As for the weather, I won't even try to predict that!

Back to the grind for me.  But at least life is good!

The Little Things on the Double Lakeshore Loop

From day to day, and even during a single day, the weather has no idea what it wants to do.  One day was gorgeous and sunny, then the next night dropped to nearly freezing temperatures.  The nights are cooling down.  That helps the trees turn colors.

Color Report

Every day now, I hear someone new say that the way up North on Highway 41 is turning red.  The maples are becoming crimson, fresh blood and plum.  Not too much of the pinks and tangerines, but maybe they are to come.  Once you get to the Covered Stretch, however, those vibrant colors cease.  My advice?  If you like the reds, plan your trip and come up soon.  The oaks and birches have yet to turn.  Even Brockway Valley is still totally green.  If you come up this weekend, you'll see some nice colors, but not all of them.

I hadn't been out on my Double Lakeshore Loop since hepatica season.  That was four months ago!  So  Duce and I went out on Thursday.  Here are some pictures of the green foliage I found captivating.

One little orange and yellow mushroom

New life springing up in a drifted trunk on the shore

The path of beach rock covered in moss

So many little green things in one spot!

The foliage decorates an old stump

We just had a busy weekend, so people are still coming up in anticipation of the vibrant colors.  I am anticipating them as well, since I love bright colors in general.  I hope to get up to my favorite spot to scope out the leaves.  And this time, I'll actually bring my camera!

I have started a fire in the wood stove a couple times now.  The nights just get so chilly, and the house doesn't warm up during the day with the winds and lack of sunshine.  Even though the atmosphere mixing with that Big Lake is constantly changing our view, it sure is magical to watch.  I've got a treat for you next time as an example.

Stay tuned and have a wonderful day!

Crashing in the Harbor

Today I woke up to the wind brushing branches and leaves against my house.  I opened my eyes and saw gray skies.  As I threw the covers down, goosebumps pimpled my flesh.  Strolling toward the glass front door, I saw the waves on Lake Superior.  And when I opened it, they shouted the songs of fall.

"Okay!"  I decided, "time to find some kindling!"

Though I didn't start a fire yet today, I have all my wood dry and ready for at least a couple starts.  Aaron is in Las Vegas (a place he would never choose to be) for bike meetings, so I need to keep Duce and myself warm.

On my way to Jamsen's Fish Market and Bakery -- my summer addiction, as Jill makes irresistible thimbleberry frosting for her chocolate donuts and cheddar/bacon/chive scones -- I saw the waves crashing on the shore by the Harbor Haus.  Wait a minute... I rarely see THAT!  So I grabbed my GoPro to shoot you some video because now I have more time for you.  Isn't that wonderful?

After my camera was full of footage, I felt something.  It was a feeling that I haven't felt for months.  A rush of excitement rippled through me as I pedaled home to plug my camera into the computer to see what I captured so I could edit it and upload it and share it with you!  A VIDEO!  YES!!!  It's been so long.

I can't say it's the best video I've made ever, but it's something for you to watch instead of just reading my words.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WAVES BY THE HARBOR HAUS

Color Report

Um, well, it's cooler than before.  I can't say much has changed right in town here.  I'll get some more details from a coworker who drives 41 often.  But don't get your undies in a bundy (my mom always said that).  I think it's gonna be a couple weeks yet.  I promise I'll keep the updates coming more rapidly when things start to change.  Just sit tight; I would never intentionally let you down.  

Ooh, the Copper Harbor Chili Cookoff is this Saturday afternoon!  Contest categories are for classic chili, specialty chili, cornbread and berry pie.  Bring up your concoction no later than 3:30 pm to the park to enter it!  Otherwise, just come and eat with your Harborite friends.

I won't but you any longer today.  Enjoy the moment while you have it!

A Breath of Fall Air

Know what's incredible?  I don't know if I'm more blown away by the relief I feel or the fact that it happens like this every year, and I forget about it.  September is here.  A weight lifted from my body.  Even though I tried to breathe deeply in August, I took my first REAL deep breath on Labor Day Monday.  The sprint is over.  Time to stretch.

Although this doesn't mean we have our town back quite yet, we just have more time to catch up on all the things we put aside during August.  I know I'm not the only one who neglects cleaning my house for the summer.  When people walk in, we just say, "Sorry about the mess; it's August."  And they understand.

Our last big hoorah was busy despite the rain.  For the Bell's Beer Copper Harbor Trails Fest, the cross country racers pedaled through the raindrops.  They came back so muddy it was hard to tell who they were!  Luckily, though, no one was seriously injured.  Spirits remained high throughout the evening thanks to the beer tent, cajun music and a large bonfire.

It's that time of year again, so here we go.

Color Report

It seems like bilberry bushes and creeping dogbane are always the first to turn -- purple spots and yellow leaves, respectively.  Ferns are browning and crisping like rotisserie chicken.  As for the big trees, you've got a while yet.  I'd call no more than 10% change on those, and I just took a drive south to scout for you.

The cooler temps have picked up, though, so I'll keep you updated.  We've had some windy days too, but it looks fairly calm today.  And it SMELLS like fall.  My heart is at peace.

I have five more weeks of bartending left, then I will be able to get out on some adventures for you.  I'm as antsy as you are.

Almost September

Oh my gosh, I miss you!  This whole August thing really cramps my social life.  I hardly even get to see my husband, and we live together!

But Labor Day Weekend is rounding the bend.  Tourism will start to dwindle.  It's all going to be okay.  Especially for you because then I can get out and take pictures and videos again without having to publish it all in other articles.

But woe is me.  I hope you are enjoying your summer!

This weekend is the CHTC's big bike festival.  Check out their website for race weekend details.  It's going to be another grand one!  Props to everyone who makes this event so awesome!

Also, the new playground has been built!  It was assembled in one day -- all day long.  The community efforts and people who showed up to help was astounding.  Get your buns up here and check it out!  The grand opening is this Monday!

The berries are already starting to dwindle -- except the blackberries and chokecherries.  I got me enough chokes to make 6 gallons of wine this winter.  Ooh, that is one of my favorites!

And here is a picture of the goofy serviceberries (a.k.a. sugar plums, a.k.a. juneberries, a.k.a. saskatoons).

Some normal and one spiked serviceberry

The ends of the white spikes give off an orange pollen-like substance, so maybe that's just another way for them to pass on their species???  It still seems like a defect to me.  I'll let you know if I ever figure it out.  It's boggled me for years.

I can't believe the aster is blooming already.  That's how I know summer is coming to a close.  The asters are one of the first leaves to break through the spring muck, but one of  the last to flower.  Pretty cool, hey?  Just a little wildflower trivia for your day.

Well, I just wanted to check in.  I hope you are well, and I look forward to when we can spend more time together!  See you in September!

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!

Berries, Bohemia and a Beetle

If you like to pick service berries, bilberries or blueberries, you better come on up.  I eat handfuls of each of them as I walk the trails.

Thimbleberries are spotty, but they are going to be bountiful.  Raspberries and blackberries have a ways to go yet in Copper Harbor.

Whew, there is my berry report.

Know what report I never though I would give you this time of year?  A waterfall report!  That's right, we've had so much rain lately that they are still rushing like they were in late spring.  So if you love waterfalls, get your butt up here!

And if you like cool weather, this is your spot.  Man, oh man, we have had some chilly days.  People are saying, "boy, this is the first year I had to start a fire in July!" or "I had to turn my furnace on last week to get the chill out."  It's true, and I did that too.

It doesn't make for happy campers, but the berries seem to love it!

Yesterday I went to Mount Bohemia Resort for an assignment.  I decided to hike up the face of the mountain to get a couple shots for it.  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  I have been pedaling up that steep part of Brockway Mountain Drive, but hiking straight up those ski runs is ridiculous.  I can hardly go down stairs today!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO OF ME PANTING TO THE TOP.

What?  No one is perfect!

Lac La Belle and Deer Lake from the top

And here are a couple shots I got while photographing kayakers and paddle boarders at Bete Gris beach.

A beautiful beetle carcass in the sand

The clouds above the beach

And this Saturday I get to bike in my first Copperman Triathlon!  I'll let you know how it goes!