Why People Drive so Slow

I did it.  I went south of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for my first time in about three weeks.  Man, am I glad I don't have to make that drive often.  I wouldn't have any hair left, my teeth would be ground to nubs, my fingers would be stuck in a white-knuckle curled position and I would excessively use the words my father told me never to say EVER.  

Why?  This story, excerpted from my book Little Slices of da Harbor, illustrates why I had to slam on the breaks multiple times while driving back home on the Covered Stretch the other day.

Leaf Peepers on “The Covered Stretch” -- By Yours Truly

(Reproduced with my permission)

Wife: Oh, Honey, look at those leaves! Have you ever seen a red color like that before?

Husband: Well, no, I --

Wife: Slow down! Let me get the camera ready.

Husband: But there’s a car right behind us.

Wife: Well, pull over then.

Husband: Look at this road. Where am I supposed to pull over?

Wife: I don’t know, just -- ugh. We missed it. Oh, my word! Look at that orange! Is that a maple?: I think so.

Wife: Well, slow down! I’m missing it!

Husband: But that car is right on my tail!

Wife: So find a spot to pull over.

Husband: Honey, look at this road! There is not place to --

Wife: There! On the left!

Husband: That’s the other side of the --

Wife: Pull! Pull! Stop!

Husband: Ahhh! Okay!

Wife: Whew. There. Nice job.

Husband: You mean nice job not getting us killed.

Wife: I suppose. Yeah, cuz this really isn’t the best spot to take pictures. Besides, that road sign is in the way. Let’s see what’s up ahead. Just go slow.

However, in their defense, this is what the drive looked like on Wednesday.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FALL ON 41 VIDEO

Color Report

Let that be all for the color report.  Brockway is rainbowing up nicely.  We had a gorgeous week for weather too.  If you weren't up here, then you'll just have to live vicariously (which is what I'm here for).  However, Mt. Bohemia is still offering their Fall Chair Lift rides this weekend.  There's still time to savor it!

Back to work for me... two nights until I'm freeeeeeeeeeeee!

Prime Color Time!

Well the weather certainly didn't cooperate for all the tourists this weekend.  I'm sure that packing for 50 - 60 degrees of fog, rain and high winds didn't make their suitcases feel loved.  But they came any way.  They came to mountain bike, ride Bohemia's chair lift and look at the colors.  The locals and I still shake our heads in amazement at all the traffic still in town.

Color Report

But the leaves are primo right now!  If you can capture colors through the mist and fog, you have it made.  Today my friends Hannah, Tiki and I hiked around the trails, so I could find some color for you.  Though Brockway Valley is still pretty green, here is a shot to show you Aetna Ridge by the Burma Road.  You have to look into the distance of this picture.

Colors behind Lake Manganese toward Aetna Ridge

It was a bit too gray and foggy for my GoPro to expose the colors justifiably.  But Hannah and I stared with dropped jaws by the lake.  Tiki, well, she didn't care because she's colorblind.  At least that's what I hear about dogs.

Come on up this week to see the rest of the colors.  As far as forecasts go, though I am not a believer in them, this next week should be like a dream vacation.  Colors, nice weather and still a chance to get your Harbor Haus dinner!  Don't wait any longer.

We saw quite the mushroom spectacle in our hike too.  They grew nearly half way around the trunk of this tree!

Tree-hugging mushrooms

I need to get out on a few more adventures before the snow flies.  I hope I can find the time to cross them all off my list.  After this next week, that won't be too hard as long as I manage my time well and stay focused on my goals.  Wish me luck, and you'll reap the benefits!

Is It Still August?

Please pardon the absence of pictures in this post, but it feels like August all over again – with the weather and the rush-around-with-your-head-chopped-off feeling.  October 13^th (the day after the Harbor Haus closes) is my light at the end of the tunnel.

But here’s what doesn’t feel like August:

- Mushrooms are popping up all over and oozing their brilliant colors through the ground and old logs.

- The ponds and falls are finally starting to dry up.  Okay, well I guess that usually happens in August.

- The Isle Royale Queen IV is done with her ferry service for the year.  The last boat came back Monday... we danced out last cancan at the Harbor Haus.

- Mount Bohemia is offering chair lift rides this weekend!  Come on up, and look at the colors from up above!

Color report

Yesterday when one of the waitresses arrived at work, she said, “It was a gorgeous ride up today!”  What does that mean for you?  You might want to check the trees out!  I wish I could get out and take some pictures for you, but don't even think about asking right now.  Copper Harbor is still lacking in the color department, but you’ll miss the whole way up if you wait much longer.  I can’t say 41 is peaking right now, but it’s getting there, and after the gusts we had yesterday, the leaves won’t be able to hang on forever!

I am ashamed to say that I did this for the first time since I lived here.  “I don’t care about history,” was my excuse.  But I toured the grounds and buildings at Fort Wilkins in depth on Sunday, and I was blown away.  Their displays are well thought out.  I learned so much my head was swelling.  And the artifacts they display really take you back in time.  A couple of my favorites were the mine diagrams and the census from 1870.  If you haven’t been there, I highly recommend it.

On a history kick after the tour, a couple friends and I stopped at the Fort Store, and I found four out-of-print local history books bundled for $5!  What a steal!  The first one I’m reading is Mac Frimodig’s The Copper Harbor Stare … and Other Strange Things.  There’s even a story about the Brockway Hermit in there.  This book is a must-have treasure for any Harbor lover.  Get your soon because they are out of print!

I still hear the logging trucks cutting, slicing and hauling away the trees up by the Burma Road.  I think they started this last extraction two years ago.  Must be lots of trees left to cut down.  Careful if you drive around up there.  With the new logging roads, it’s easy to get lost, and those new roads are not on any maps.

Guess what.  It's October.  When I can feel October in my veins, I will truly celebrate.  For now I have to keep up with the grind.  The leaf peeper grind.  Hey, that could be a new dance!

"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.