Wisconsin in May

You cheated, didn't you?  You already scrolled down to see what pictures or videos I posted.  If you didn't, thanks for your patience.  If you did, I know.  I do that too.  Ha!

I made a fun video from our kiting adventures, but I cannot access the internet on the computer it is on.  Guess you'll have to wait one more post!

Here in northwest Wisconsin, things have been interesting.  I spent the first three days wearing a tank top in the warm sunshine boiling sap and drinking homemade wine. 

But by Wednesday, we got 15 inches of snow in one day.  "I'll believe it when I see it," is always my reaction to an abundant snowfall prediction.  I went to sleep with a dusting on the ground, and I woke up to 14 inches balanced on all the railings, birdfeeders, chairs... everything.  Aaron's dad snowblowed a path around the yard, so Duce could hobble around to do his duties.  That was nice of him because I sure didn't want to shovel all that snow!

Duce is doing well, by the way.  By now he thinks he's SuperDog and he can bound after robins in the snow.  Nope.  Not even close.  He needs to spend most of the day lying on his bed.  He hates it, but he will enjoy the rest of his life if he takes it easy these next few weeks.

As for the Keweenaw, the snow started melting so fast that some of the roads were flooding and the waterfalls were rushing.  I knew I would miss it.  I don't know how much snow they got this last storm, or how much snow is left on the ground now, but I'm sure it will all be different by the time I get there in three days.  I'll let you know.

I'm starting to get that uneasiness in the pit of my stomach every time I think about going home now.  Life is going to get hectic in a hurry.

March 12th is the Keweenaw Path fundraiser for the Gundlach Shelter.  I'll be biking from Chassell to Phoenix: 34 miles.  Would you like to sponsor me?  If you'd like to donate to this worthy cause, you can send a check made out to Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home and mail it to:

Keweenaw Path

P.O. Box 65

Copper Harbor, MI 49918

I thank you in advance for your support!

Then I need to get into the woods to gather some final information for my book, so I can finish and publish it before the summer gets too deep.

I've got 9 gallons of wine to bottle when I get home too.

May 17th - May 21st I will be in Ontario for my first Michigan Outdoor Writers Conference.  I'm looking forward to that.

Somewhere inbetween, I need to clean, set up and stock the Harbor Haus bar because I return to work May 25th.  Then, life as I know it is dedicated to the whir of the summer.

Deep breaths.  I can do it.  You will be with me through it all, and somehow you help keep me sane.  I thank you for that.

So for now, I will simply enjoy the freshly peeking sun and the company of one of my bestest buddies: my mother-in-law.

What I Did, What I Should Be Doing and What I Will Do

I really try not to get too personal in this blog, but last week, I was consumed by a very special event -- my wedding!  Since the ceremony was on the shore of Hunter's Point, and the reception was in the township park, it certainly relates as a wedding in da Harbor.

The rain held off all day for us.  Family and friends travelled from afar and neighbors travelled from across the street to share in the celebration of our love.  Here are some pictures that I found on facebook.  Sorry, I don't remember who took them all!

My papa walking me down the beach rock aisle

Making our way to the "altar"

Of course, Duce has to be a part of everything!

Yes!  I may kiss the groom!

So now I am Mrs. Rogers.  Not too bad, hey?

Well, I guess the only "bad" thing is that my adrenal glands are shot for the time being.  Today is the big excursion from Chassel to Phoenix on road bikes, Phoenix to Delaware running and Delaware to Copper Harbor walking.  Sound familiar?  This is the annual Keweenaw Path fundraiser for the Gundlach Shelter for women and children.

I was supposed to do the bike leg, but I can hardly dress myself let alone pedal 34 miles.  I truly am bummed to miss this event, but my heart goes out to all who are participating.  Now I will have to give a monetary contribution to support this worthy cause.  You can too!  Make your check payable to:

Gundlach Shelter Home

Calumet, MI 49913

And make a note that your donation is via the Keweenaw Path Fundraiser.  Or you can donate online with this link!  Don't be shy, domestic abuse is one of the most common crimes in Keweenaw County.  Thanks for your support!

Other than that, guess who else is back in town.  The bell buoy!  I first heard him on Thursday.  Welcome back bell buoy!  Nice to see and hear you again!

Gosh, lots of new life is popping up too.  Fiddleheads are delicious.  Forget-me-nots have bloomed.  I think I have seen leaves on every kind of berry bush (not that I pay attention).  Lots of raptors and migrating birds are coasting in the Brockway Valley.  And, if I have to admit it, I have seen a few swarms of blackflies. Here we go, people.  Get your bug nets out!

Now guess where I am going this weekend.  I'll give you a hint.  It's the only place I could love more than da Harbor.  You got it!  Isle Royale!  My husband (Ha!  Husband!) and I are cruising there for the weekend to hike parts of the north shore.  Oh, I am so excited to be there again.  I'm sure I'll have some great pictures and stories for you after that!

Well thanks for making it to the bottom of this lengthy (and somewhat mushy) post.  Hoo, you and me both!  Now I need a nap!

Playing Catch Up

Patience is a virtue.  Since you waited so long for me to post, I’m going to make it up to you by adding some lovely pictures. Go ahead, scroll down.  Hopefully I won’t forget everything I have to tell you.

Let me start by saying that “The Walk” went well.  We had two runners and three walkers covering our 37 mile stretch.  Jo and I walked the last 12 miles together.  Here we are at our starting post.

A couple notable events:  We saw a turkey cross the road.  That might be the first turkey I have ever seen up here.  During our stretch of pavement, we wondered how the heck we walked that whole way the last few years.  Jo kept saying that it was nice not to be walking on “stumps.”  Yes, we could actually feel our feet by the end of it!

Next year’s adventure is scheduled for May 9, 2012.  That one will be a doozy.  Stay tuned for details!

If you have experienced any kind of media today, you probably already know that the Northern Lights made an appearance last night.  A crew of us walked outside at around 10:30 pm to watch them fill up the whole north half of the sky.  I have never seen that phenomenon where they all meet at the halfway point and turn the rest of the sky green.  From here, they were only green, but a spectacle as always.

Today I went for a hike up Keweenaw Mountain.  Oh, did I need that.  I thought I might find some Harboresque pictures for you, so I took my camera.

Below is the “bear” made out of a fallen over tree stump.  It gets me every time -- even when I know it’s the stump, I think, “oh, but there could really be a bear there this time!”  Come on, use your imagination... he even has a face!  He looks like he's coming at me with a stick.  Run!

I also saw this little birdie eating something white.  Do you know what kind of bird this is?  It made a beautiful sound.

As I looked back at the nose of Brockway Mountain, I thought you might like to see its yellow colors reflecting in the little pond.

Here is another shot with the Garden Brook Valley as the dip in the middle.

Other than that, I AM FREE!!! and it feels wonderful.

The Walk

Tomorrow I will be a part of "The Walk" from Calumet to Copper Harbor -- 37 miles.  However, previous years in darkness and blurry dusk have proven the unlit beginning and end of this trek to be sketchy with drivers.  So we broke it up into parts.

Hannah and Kelly will be running (yes, they are crazy running girls) from Calumet to Phoenix.  Donica will be walking from Phoenix to Delaware.  Jo and I will be walking from Delaware to da Harbor.  I think that's a good split, and everyone seems to like it.  Others may join along the way.  Come on up with your walking shoes!!!

Why are we doing this?  To raise awareness and funds for the Gundlach Women's Shelter in Calumet.  Help save the women!!!  If you are interested in donating to our cause, you can send a check their way; let them know it's for "The Keweenaw Path" fundraiser.  Any amount helps, and it is much appreciated!

That's what I'll be doing tomorrow.  If you drive by, please honk, and show your support.  We are all meeting at the Mariner North at 3 pm when we are done.  Mmm, food will taste so good!

The Walk

Wednesday, October 13, just after 7 am, Jo, Donica, Jay and I took our first steps in the dark out of Calumet. Northbound on Hwy. 41.

The wind cut a bit, but we knew we'd warm up soon both physically and from the sun, who's orange haze would glow on the horizon in less than an hour.

First stop would be Slim's Cafe in Mohawk for a gooey, buttery omelet. Gurgle, gurgle said my tummy. Don't worry, only two hours and 6 miles to breakfast. I could hardly wait.

The rising sun soon took over the stars in the black sky. The hundreds (if it could really be hundreds) of automobile headlights bounced off our reflective vests on their way to work. That would definitely be the most traffic we would see all day. Thank goodness.

Breakfast was heavenly. TV 6 was there to do a little interview with Donica and film us walking. I can't imagine its too exciting watching people walk. But we were excited. The sun sparkled upon us, and smiles graced our faces. Six miles into it, it was time to start our walk.

Four people is really a nice group to have (not that I would object to more or less) because it gave us a nice variety. We could all talk in a bunch. We could spread out and keep to ourselves. Or we could walk with different partners. This rousing display of events got us to Phoenix faster than I would have imagined. 17 miles down. We were all in high spirits.

Then we had that stretch to Delaware. Delawhat? Delawho? Where the hell is Delaware anyway!? I'm hungry! The skin on the balls of my feet is rubbing off. Delaware is always late. Good thing we were all slightly delusional. We laughed much of the way despite Delaware's inconsideration for us. Thank goodness Ed, Jo's husband and our supply runner, (thank you, Ed!) shared his bag of giant cookies from Slim's. Mmm, giant cookies. Still. 3.5 miles to Delaware. Delawhat?

But the stop at Delaware is really the best. Karen waited there for us with fold-out chairs, homemade hoagies, chips, grapes, Snickers, water, ibuprofen and her wonderful coffee. Oh, she is an angel.

And I swear, the next 8 miles to Mac Frimodig Park were the best. For me, at least. We felt surprisingly, rejuvenated from the previous stop, the sun's warmth and our blue streamers found along side the road that we fastened to our packs and wrists just so we could watch them blow in the breeze -- entertained like cats -- we marched on, soon unable to feel our stumps of feet pounding the ground.

The sun set into Lake Medora to our left, and soon we were in the dark. Literally. It was sort of fun, though, because by the last 5 miles, we knew 1 out of 3 cars that passed. Honk and wave my friend, honk and wave. That's all I ask besides moving over a little so no one gets clipped.

Then the Mountain Lodge took forever to get to us. Where is the Lodge? I wondered if someone moved it for a joke. It sure is illusionary, walking the stretches that we usually drive by so quickly to our destination. Sure makes you pay attention!

After smack, smack, smacking our numb feet down, down, down the last mountain, we were met by the loved ones that came to greet us.

Home. Home. What a wonderful journey home it was. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Walkin'

Just wanted to send you a quick note that tomorrow is "The Walk." Jo, Donica, Jay and I will all be walking from Calumet the 37 miles north to Copper Harbor. The weather should be impeccable.

We are doing this to try to raise funds for the Barbara Kettle Gundloch Women's Shelter. If you see us, please honk your horn and wave. Or stop and give a donation! Really we'll need the encouragement -- especially mile 30.

Wish us luck!

Happy October!!!

Holy Buckets! If you have been voting for the ambulance barn in Copper Harbor, bless your heart!!! We are now at the number 2, yes 2 spot. We are starting there in October, so please keep voting here every day to keep us there or move us to number 1. Then you won't have to vote again. Until we come up with another crazy idea!

And so this is October. The month I look forward to all summer long. Oh, sweet crisp air. Oh, colorful leaves. Oh, only 16 days left of my six-nights-a-week job. Thank you, October. Thank you for coming.

In this month of October, a couple friends and I will be walking the Keweenaw Path for the Barbara Kettle Gundloch women's shelter once again. If you were with me last Spring, you may recall that three Copper Harbor residents and I walked this walk -- 37 miles from Calumet -- in May of 2009. We are doing it again October 13th. Only this time, we will be in the dark for the beginning and the end.

We will depart from Calumet at 7:00 am and arrive in da Harbor by foot, of course, around 9:00 pm. We will have a gathering thereafter at the Community Center. You are welcome to bring a dish to pass and rub our swollen feet!

Since you know how my schedule has been lately, it goes without saying that I do not have time to walk for miles to practice this journey. But, as my Brockway bike ride went, it will be more a journey of will power. Maybe with a little scotch mixed in with that last 5 miles of asphalt down hill. We'll see. I'll definitely let you know how that goes.