Ground Porn

One of the first things I got to do after my last post was get out to my rock.  And luckily, Aaron was still home, so just Duce and I went while B napped.

Without a squiggly little boy on my back, I can be more nimble.  I am also able to hold a camera steadily and not get kicked while I snap the photo.  This particular day, wet and warm, I was interested in ground cover.  Here are some of the shots I took on the way out.

A tiny ecosystem grows on an old stump

If I didn't have a one-year-old,

I might have this as my carpet at home

For some reason, I have always been intrigued by these tiny ground covers.  They turn something old into new life.  Their structure seems simple, yet effective.  Like how those light green stems in the top picture have a dent in the top, so water can pool there, and they can stay moist.  Genius.

Out at the rock, my soul was on fire.  I scampered all around like a child, exploring all areas of this magnificent geological beast.  One of my favorite parts was the lichen.  Guess I was still on that kick, hey?

Lichen on my rock

White, gray, green and orange all in the same spot.  Pretty spectacular.  And once my own heart settled a bit, and I could hear beyond myself, I heard this woh woh woh woh sound.  In not too long, I knew it was a freighter.  For some reason, I got really excited.  Probably because I couldn't see it, but I knew it was there.  I could almost feel it.  So I sat on that rock, and I waited.

Enjoying my view again

The woh woh woh woh kept getting louder, so I figured it would poke out from behind the lighthouse point at any moment.  I tried not to stare at that spot and just enjoy myself, but it seemed to be taking quite a while.  And my excitement just built.

Then there it was.  Haha.  It was pretty anticlimactic.  Yes, there it was: a freighter in the mist on the horizon.  Seen it a hundred times.  Got lots of pictures of it.  So I thought for a moment how the anticipation was more intense than the actual delivery.  Kind of like a kid opening a present on Christmas, you know?  Life is like that.

Now I will forget a lot of incidents in between, but here are a couple more of note.

Winter Wonderfest was a blowout despite the fact there was no snow.  The grass was lush and green.  People hung out by the fire because the air wasn't even too chilly until it started to drizzle.

Okay, but let me back up.  B and I worked a shift at the bake sale that day.  During that time, we saw lots of people come and go.  I always wonder where they come from.  Then around 3:30, before the ornament decorating was about to begin, the kids came in droves.  Holy crap I was almost claustrophobic!  Where did they all come from???  Were they here to make ornaments?  See Santa?  Well, I still don't know the answer to that, but they came.

And after the park lit up at 6pm, they all ran into it to play around the lights.  That part was pretty cool -- mostly because we weren't all in the same room.  Thank goodness for the great outdoors.

Well, HERE IS A VIDEO OF THAT GRAND LIGHTING.   Just click that underlined part.  Oh, you know what to do!

It was pretty sweet, I tell you.  Nice job to Donny and all the helpers.  Maybe you'll be there next year!

The other cool story happened yesterday.  I was out on a walk with my friend Annele (thank goodness I have another adventure buddy for the winter!!!), and while we stood on Jamsen's dock, this freighter scooted by.  It was so close, but we didn't hear it -- just barely saw it in the mist.  Now this photo is heavily edited, so you can actually see the freighter.  But it looks cool that way anyway.

Freighter in the mist through the gap

I mean, how perfect is that?  It's half the length of the gap!  If the wind was from the north, we probably could have smelled the fuel.

Oh, see? Now I'm remembering some other things.

One day I walked along Lake Fanny Hooe, and she was soooooo still.  I mean look how still she was!!!  A perfect reflection!

A perfect Fanny Hooe reflection

Can you tell where I was standing?  That's the resort on the right side.  Pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

And lastly, I recall a day when I wish I had my camera.  I had just gotten back from a hellacious drive from town.  It was a day that I wish someone had told me how horrible it was going to be, so I just wouldn't have gone!  But I did, and we didn't die.

So I got back, and often times, instead of turning right at the blinking light, I'll go straight  through and take Brockway Ave. along the lakeshore.  Man, we pulled up to the Jamsen's dock, and I couldn't believe the gap!  It was a constant whitecap!  The water level seemed to be higher than the rocks out there!

When I stepped out of my car -- getting pelted by freezing rain and sloshing through a huge puddle -- I noticed the waves in the harbor itself were breaking over people's docks!  I don't know if I've ever seen that before.  A lot of elements had to be aligned for that to happen.  And it did.  And I got to see it.  But I didn't have a camera.

Let me leave you with the fact that we are in the middle of a lake effect snow storm.  I'd say approximately 3 inches of fluff has built up on my porch so far.  It's beginning to look a lot like the Keweenaw!

Luckily I Took Pictures...

Power went out a couple times today.  Then it was on a couple times, and who knows what will happen anytime soon?

Come on, Brain.  Come on.  The people want a post here.

So, yeah.  Today is one of those days they write songs about.  I even hope to write a poem about it (once my brain is capable of going beyond everyday tasks).  

In an effort to celebrate the high winds, big waves, bone-chilling rain and lack of electricity, my little bun and I went out to Hunter's Point.  

It was definitely windy and cold and wet.  The video I took proved my timing to be a bit anti-climactic.  Not even worth the bandwidth to upload.  But I thoroughly enjoyed the lush hike to the tip of the Point.  Here is the best wave picture I got.

Waves at Hunter's Point 9/10/14

The lake was (and still is) really agitated.  She can be such a beast at times.  It's a good thing the Queen IV wasn't scheduled for Isle Royale today.

On the way back, I found some little friends.  I've been seeing mushrooms everywhere lately because it's been so wet and cool.  If I had my normal level of curiosity, I would start learning mushrooms this fall.  They have been quite spectacular.

Fungi in the woods

On Monday, I sought out to capture the full moonrise because I knew it would come up near the lighthouse if I sat on the Harbor Haus dock.  While the sun sank and I got chilly, the geese came around.

Geese and The Gap

I also got swarmed by a flock of seagulls.  It was really something as they came around from all directions.  I didn't have any food, and I'm not really sure what stirred them up.  Neat experience, though.

Then I got chillier and chillier as I waited for the moon.  I didn't think the clouds would hide it because the horizon was somewhat clear.  Just at the moment when I thought, I bet it's gonna be really cool, I saw a glow ascend from a low strip of clouds.  The moon!  I watched in awe as it crowned.

And then it hid behind a cloud in the layer just above.

So here's a picture of the middle of the full moon.

Moonrise 9/8/14

That's East Bluff in the far background on the right side of the shot.  It was a beautiful night.  And the clouds looked all purdy too, so here's one more of the evening.

Facing north during the sunset

Earlier in the week, I took some other pictures from around town.  Boy, am I glad I took pictures.  I don't know if my words can create them as well right now!

Gladiolas in front of the Gas Lite

Though they don't have a scent, I LOVE gladiolas.  I remember, growing up, that my parents always had a rainbow of these beauties around their garden.  This is one of the few domestic flowers I would actually go through the effort of planting.  It could be a nice project for the little one and I in the spring!  Remind me I said that, will you?

And at the Brickside Brewery, Project 49918 is exhibiting the Beginning of the Road collection.  It gets some cool comments when visitors realize that they have met some of those people on the wall.  I am just glad that snow is gone now....

"Beginning of the Road" Exhibit

Yes, I know it's a bit blurry, but that's how things usually look in the Brickside.  Ha!  Unless you can't drink beer!

I also wanted to show you this because I am proud.  This is my first professional book review done by Charlie Eshbach.  He is a long-time Keweenaw resident, naturalist and author himself, so his opinion holds some weight around here!  Thank you, Charlie and the Keweenaw Traveler!

Book review by the Keweenaw Traveler

Having trouble reading it?  Try clicking on the image.  Still having trouble?  Pick up your printed copy of the publication around the UP for free!  It's great for visitors and locals alike.

Wait.  I have to put a different hat on.

Our band, Powers of Air, is scheduled to play the outdoor gig at the Chili Cookoff September 20th!  We are sharing the stage with Frank an' da Beans -- one of my favorite funky dance bands in the area.  Music starts around 4pm, and I think we're on around 5:30pm.  Please view the poster below for more details.  

And for heaven's sake, make some chili to bring!

Chili Cook-off time again, baby!

Color Report

Well, I haven't been down the Covered Stretch lately, but I'll go on Friday.  Whatever leaves are still hanging on the branches that haven't blown off the trees are mostly green, I would imagine.  But this cold snap could change things.  Stay tuned!

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!

24 Hour Turnover on Hunter's Point

Winter is in full swing today!

However, we did have a lovely day or two earlier this week.  Here is one for you.  Enjoy the color and sunshine... it doesn't last long, as you'll see.

Sunny day from the Harbor Haus dock

The two most memorable outdoor events of the week happened yesterday and today.  Boy can the weather change in 24 hours!

Yesterday Steve, Tiki and I went to Hunter's Point because the temperature was so lovely -- about 30 degrees.  A breeze blew from the southeast making the journey surreal.  The drifts were opposite of what they usually are!  Here is what we saw on the way.

The sign drifted in from the south

A beauty of a drift!

Crossing "The Gap" to Porter's Island

Steve and Tiki on Porter's

I haven't been on Porter's Island since May of 2011.  It's a liberating feeling there, even though it's so close to the rest of da Harbor.  

We laid on huge ice formations and watched the ebb and flow of Lake Superior.  We ducked under icicle caves.  We saw icicle prisons made of huge ice bergs surrounded by icicles.  We watched the ice break up on the Harbor side.  It was magical, I tell you.  So why don't I have pictures of all that stuff?  Because Steve's and my cameras both ran out of battery power!

I remember the moment Steve told me his camera died.  I thought, "Whew, good thing mine is all charged up."  But next time I checked, I had one blinking bar.  Yikes!  The irony of a photographer and a blogger on such a gorgeous day and such a seldom journey running out of camera juice.  Hopefully we still have the memories in our brains!

Today I woke up to the sound of pounding wind.  Thirty mile an hour winds with gusts up to 50 from the NNW sure changed things in a hurry!  All the towns south of us got pummeled with snow... a foot and falling was the last report I heard.  Here it just blew our bootprints over within half an hour.

Even Mount Bohemia was closed today due to the high winds.  So I had to find something else to do on a gusty day off.  

Aaron, Steve and I drove down M-26 because we knew the waves would be rockin'.  After busting through drifts on the road, we parked and hiked to Devil's Washtub.  As you watch the video below, be grateful you weren't there getting pelted with the ice pellets from the waves.

Waves at Devil's Washtub

Good Lord.  Youtube turned it yellow on me.  The sky was certainly gray instead, but you get the idea.

Then we went to Hunter's Point to see how much the shore changed.  Here are a few shots.

Trees turned icy from the waves

Waves rolling in

Walking back to the truck

(note Steve's jacket covered in ice... he got splashed!)

Our goggles thawing on the defrost vents

It's hard to say how much snow we actually got here because it blew all over the place.  I mean, we have a four foot drift on the back porch!

With all this snow, and Bohemia closed today, it's going to be wicked tomorrow.  Oooh, I can't wait.  Good thing my snowboard is freshly waxed!

Catching Some Southern Waves

Yesterday was windy.  So windy that the power went out for about four hours -- at least here!

A combination of a windy day and two curious women, Aaron's mom and I, made for some unique adventures.  We drove down the Gay/Lac La Belle Road toward the south shore.

Our first stop was at Isabel, a little roadside beach with just enough room to park.  We stepped out into the light rain and high wind to walk along the shore.  This is what it looked like.

Head-size rocks along the sandstoney/slatish shore

(I tried to figure out the geology of this area to no avail.  Any answers?)

I haven't seen a shore like this on any other part of the peninsula

The sandstonish rocks washed up

A view toward the Big Lake

This tree's trunk got buried in the sand

The wind kept our steps swift as we walked south.  As the rain dampened our backs, we took in the beauty and rareness of the area.  I am always surprised to see how the same peninsula is so different on all its parts and shores.  This was a real treat.

Going back toward the car helped to soak our front side.  It was a little more difficult to enjoy the beauty when rain pelted our eyes, but we still had fun.  That's what girls do!

After that site, we found our way to Big Traverse, and parked at the mouth of the Big Traverse River.  We stopped because the waves crashing over the break wall were  enormous!  Here is a video of some of what we saw.  I apologize that my camera got spewed on, but I didn't realize until I watched it on my computer.  Also, at 40 seconds into it is, what I would call, the most impressive wave.  You'll know it by my reaction.

We stayed a bit to watch the surfer dudes catching some waves, but we were really getting wet and cold, so we went to dry off.  To the Gay Bar!

Surfer picking up a wave on the left

You'd have to be a big stickler not to have fun at the Gay Bar.  The bar itself is in a "u" shape, so everyone faces each other like at the dinner table.  

My big icebreaker was when I went to use the ladies room.  Well, there's a little door above the loo that reads "PEEP HOLE TO MENS ROOM."  Of course I had to lift it up.  I was just looking back at myself in the little mirror, but I heard some beeping noise in the bar area, and people started laughing.  Oh, boy, I thought.  I'm busted.

Sure enough, everyone was teasing me when I came out, asking if I saw anything good in the men's room.  I noticed a yellow light on the ceiling that would blink and beep when one of the ladies fell for that trick.  I did, but it was worth it.  We all had a good laugh.

Soon it was time to head back north.  But by then it was pouring rain.  Puddles and running water were on the loose!  Good thing I knew where I was going!

Since we weren't quite ready to go home, we stopped at Big Betsy.  I angled the car with the windshield facing the lake, wipers on.  We just watched the waves roll in and bounce off each other.  It was fascinating for a few minutes.  Oh, that lake... she gets me every time.

We continued north, and I realized that Linda had never been to the Bear Belly in Lac La Belle.  Never?  Never!  So I had to take her to show her where I work in the winter and where we go after a long day on Mount Bohemia.  

It was pretty quiet in there except for the thunder and lightening.  We saw a big bolt hit just across the lake, and the boom echoed immediately.  Whew!  That was a close one!

Right as we buckled our seatbelts in the car, it started to hail.  What a day for weather, and we got to enjoy all the fun parts of it!

And just for fun, here is a picture of me and Gilly at halloween: the dynamic super duo.

Super Yooper and Bait Boy

Yoooooooooooooooooou betcha!

Last Event, Spring Skiing and Big Waves

So there is one more event on Copper Harbor for the winter.  Maybe you can make it up!  The ice is plenty thick!

Info for the Ice Fishing Tournament

Yesterday was primo spring skiing at Mt. Bohemia.  With so much snow still on the hill, we just smeared it around like cream cheese.  I stepped in the fat skis instead of my snowboard, and actually did pretty well.  By the end of the day we found a big crew of friends that were out enjoying the sunshine and the soft turns.

I actually don't realize it until I see one, but the snowmobilers have dwindled.  The weekend might bring some because we still have a lot of snow, but otherwise, it's been quite peaceful in da Harbor!

That last video I posted about the waves from Hunter's Point was okay, but this one, taken from the lighthouse in 2007, is even more impressive.  Enjoy!

Big Waves and Frozen Tracks

It was a busy weekend, my friend.  So many cars were in town that it reminded me of the Forth of July -- only in the winter time.  I know my parking lot was full.  So was my house!  All the rooms were booked in town, so people opened their houses to bunk volunteers and spectators for the Copper Dog 150 dogsled race.

We even had live music at two establishments!  Raven Congress played at the Mariner and Frank and da Beanz played at Zik's.  Finally a night where I wasn't the only one dancing!

Yesterday's winds were blowing from the north.  Up to 30 mph gusts.  Not the craziest I've ever seen, but the day before was so calm, the big lake was like glass!

Hannah and I went to the shore at Hunter's Point to check out the waves.  It was so cold out there, that I could only stand for so long in the elements.  Otherwise we hid behind a huge rock while we watched.  Here is a video of the lake.

I must say that the best part about this video is what happened right after I pushed stop.  On the 39th second of the scene, you can see quite the wave coming in to shore.  Right after I stopped recording, it crashed so hard that I jumped back and screamed.  It almost soaked me!  Those rogue waves... you just never know how they're going to hit.

Beach pebbles spewed on to the shore of Hunter's Point

Today was quite beautiful with partly sunny skies.  Mr. Butters and I took a walk along the cross country ski trail in Clyde's field.  I was pumped that I didn't need snowshoes on the trail.  But one foot off the track, and I sunk to my knees!  Annie Lennox would say I was "walking on, walking on frozen tracks."  There sure is a lot of snow here still.

Also, the moon was glowing amongst the clouds in the sky today.  I felt so peaceful in the field with the moon in the sky, and the sun peeking through.  Ah, another lovely day in da Harbor.

Wind Switch

I figure I should write to you while we still have internet... and power.

Day five in a row of chilly, wet and windy weather is upon us here in da Harbor. Snowflakes/crystals fell from the sky yesterday, so that should give you an idea of the temperature here. Not enough for snowboarding (okay, so no accumulation at all), but snow nonetheless. The power went out twice on Tuesday.

Tuesday we had strong winds from the East, which is why we lost power. The winds usually blow from the West and North, leaving the Easterly gusts to blow over everything that was leaning the opposite way. This switching of winds often leads to a power outage.

And Wednesday brought winds from the Southwest, which is slightly less rare. Knowing that the winds were just going to blow and blow, a good friend and I each clicked on our light bulbs about what to do when the gales are ripping: watch the waves.

Since Copper Harbor faces North, we had to be on the Southern shores to really get the rollers. Hwy. 203 through Calumet and Hancock, along the West coast was the first adventure. We touched down at Tamarack Waterworks Rd., Calumet Waterworks Rd. and McLain State Park. At each shore, on sandy beaches, we would have to keep an eye out at our feet so the stretching tide didn't soak us.

At McLain, however, we had to stop and have an adult beverage, for the entertainment was quite unique to the Keweenaw. At the breakwalls, where Portage Canal exits into the Great Lake, we found five hearty (and quite ballsy) surfers. Cowabunga, Dudes!

And to prove these are not just stock photos, here they are walking along the pier to the break wall, where they would jump off into her Majesty's waves. Brave? Crazy? After talking a bit to them, I would say both. And definitely admirable.

After that excitement left us shivering in the wind, we shuttled to the East Coast. Along the way, we noticed a freighter resting in the canal. I sure wouldn't want to be sea-bound on a day like that either!

Our next stop was the East entrance to the Portage Canal -- how fitting! Since the wind was more from the West, we didn't have quite the whitecaps here, but we did have some flitting wind that made us watch our steps carefully while walking almost a quarter mile along this pier.

From there we saw the Lake from many other angles I have never seen before (like the previous ones have all been). Up north on Bootjack Rd. and the Gay-Lac La Belle Rd. with a stop in beautiful Rabbit Bay.

And as I sit in my cozy cabin today, I can watch the waves smack in through the gaps into Copper Harbor from the Northwest. The wind has switched again....

Ice Volcano

Yesterday I stepped outside to see Duce running and barking towards the lake. What got him all fired up? I wondered. Some sort of animal? Close. An ice fisherman. Wait, wait, wait, an ice fisherman? But the ice just started holding three days ago. "I've been watching the webcam, and I knew I had to try it now," he said. He already caught a couple fish! Splake and Menominee.

I was half tempted to sit and fish myself since I still haven't gotten the pleasure of that succulent meat coated with a crispy beer and herb batter fried in oil. Mmm, fresh fish. But I had a few chores to do before spectating at the Ocha Potter Terrain Park Rail Jam, which went very well, by the way.

But I sure was enamored at the fact that I was walking out on the Harbor for the first time this winter. I was on the lake! I was on the lake! Soon I will be taking short cuts to Hunter's Point and the Lighthouse over the bay. He said he chopped through 4-5 inches of ice that morning. Solid. It looked like it was here to stay, and it stretched across the harbor.

So today I had to take a stroll to see how the big lake was doing. When I got to the north shore, I was surprised to see ice caves already formed. Probably 8-12 feet high so far. I almost turned away too quickly to get out of the wind, but a splash caught my eye. And another one. And another. And another!

A symphony of waves crashed on the ice castles so hard that the water was twice the size as the ice! It was amazing! And one ice cave had a half circle weathered away, so when the wave hit it, the water shot up like an erupting volcano! That one was the most active. I forgot how cold I was as my jaw was hanging in the air. What a show!

I tried to get a video of this exhibition, but my timing was off. The show came in waves, and I couldn't quite figure out the pattern before my hand went numb. But I hope you can at least kind of see what I saw today. It is winter... maybe it will happen again!