Complete Circle of Lake Superior

I will end this travelogue with me standing atop Brockway Mountain at the end of the Keewanaw Peninsula.  That is the long finger of land that juts from the south into Superior from Upper Peninsula Michigan.  All of that geography is to say that this is the freshest air on earth - self-proclaimed.  The wind comes from Canada across its forests and across Lake Superior to this spot.  No manufacturing, little sign of civilization.  The air was clean.  You could smell it.  Glorious!

As of this writing December 1, 2015 the peninsula is closed.  They get so much snow that, well, you get the idea.  A few hardy souls do stay out on the tip all winter using snowmobiles and Arctic Cats  to go for supplies.  Good to be home in Hayward with a 5 inch snow falling and four-wheel drive. 

Upper Michigan Dunes

Beyond where Case is standing is a vertical drop of sand to Lake Superior.  You are to use a rug or cardboard to slide down.  There are signs saying not to do this.  And where I stood to take this photo is as far as I went.  Case did back his way up to me.  Then there are also signs of who to call in an emergency.  And driving out...there was an ambulance station quarter mile from these dunes.

The waves were so rough that day that no tourist boats went out to view the Pictured Rocks.  The noise of the waves was tremendous.  We will have to return another time to see the Pictured Rocks.   

Correction

Peninsula

Hero in the UP-Upper Penninsula Michigan

 A tree started to fall across the walkway.  Case held up the tree while I walked safely under.  : )

 Here is another magnificent waterfall on a beautiful fall day.

The best part of this falls is that you can feel the mist. 

 I thank God for this day in His wonderful world. 

Rapids and Locks

Part of the rapids on the St. Mary River that divides Canada and Michigan.  These rapids are the reason for the Soo Locks.  The International Bridge is in the background.  We hiked out on an island that extends into the rapids on the Canadian side to obtain this photo.

Standing on the Canadian Lock which is only used for pleasure crafts. 

Upon leaving Canada, I put away my wealth of Gordon Lightfoot tapes and CDs.  We had been listening to them most of the trip.

Goosed in Wawa, Ontario

This huge Canada Goose is one of the most photographed in the area.  The town is Wawa.  Didn't catch why...probably a native name.  I am posing like the goose.  Case puts up with a lot.

This is a quaint inn and famous restaurant run by a family from Austria.  Wonderful accommodations and great food.  Then I remembered... Austrian family.....hmmm....sound of music...

...so when I saw the gazebo outside our room, I leaped (hardly) around in it singing, "I am 60 going on 61...."  you get the idea.  Lake Superior in the background.

Ontario

 Ouimet Canyon at a north part of Lake Superior.  It is so huge that the camera can't truly convey it.  The geologists DON'T KNOW how it was formed.  There is a sign explaining the 2 theories. 

Jo with Winnie-the-Pooh in White River, Ontario, his hometown.  Before WWI a Canadian army lieutenant bought a female cub and named her after his hometown of Winnipeg.  When the Lieutenant went to war, he gave Winnie to the London Zoo.  A.A.Milne and his son Christopher Robin visited Winnie often.  She sparked the idea for Milne's fictional character of  the Winnie-the Pooh.  Case and I had a picnic lunch at Winnie's park - and I thought that Winnie was male, didn't you?

I Know People in High Places

I bumped into Pope Francis at a religious bookstore.  Couldn't resist.

This is Kakabeka Falls near Thunder Bay.  Oh, the noise!  It is wonderful!

Here I am adorning a very large chunk of amethyst.  Behind me is the open pit mine where they very carefully extract the purple gemstone for jewelry.  Whatever is not jewelry quality is used for other items.  And then what is leftover gets thrown into a pile for people like us to pick up and take home for $3 a pound.  The experience was worth it.  There are many mines like this north of Thunder Bay.  This one is the best.  This is my second visit to this mine AND it won't be my last.

I wore my Packers sweatshirt the entire trip.  It was definitely a conversation starter with strangers.

The Grand Portage

Way back when Europe wanted beaver skins to make men's hats...the only way for voyagers/trappers to get their skins to Lake Superior was the Pigeon River shown here.  They had to "portage" 8 miles around these falls.  Then they would carry needed supplies on their trip back to the west and the north by river.   This process developed into a large business - The Northwest Company and later, the Hudson Bay Company. 

This is Case with a "portager" friend who carries 90 pounds on his back with a forehead strap.  These portagers would carry supplies west and furs back on the 8 mile trail (16 total) in 6 hours.  This photo taken illegally in the National Grand Portage Museum.  I had to plead guilty to the curator and promise not to take anymore photos inside the museum.

Travel Blog Interruption

I interrupt the irregularly scheduled blog with this news flash....

Evergreens are already being harvested to make into wreaths and garland at places around here to send where you are so you can buy and have for Christmas...70 days away. 

Every year at this time when the "bough hunt" begins, I shake my head. It's so early.  Better to buy from the independent tree/wreath farmers who leave the northwoods to sell their own product in parking lots...definitely, fresher than the big retailers.  Of course, we think Obama owes us so we cut our own from the national forest.  There is a $5 fee per tree, but, like I said, Obama owes me.  I am on Obama care.  'Nuf said.

From a previous year....

...still with saw in hand.  You, go, Case!


We did get a few flurries last night....

Fun in Grand Marais, MN

This is a knick knack shop with curb appeal.  Photo taken after closing time but it is always hopping during the day.  The we went to the harbor to view the Lake and see the light house.  It blinked on and off a certain interval.  Our camera is a point and shoot, slow one so it took about 40 snaps between the two of us before Case finally got a shot with the light on. 

Spectacular Views of the Big Lake

Pies and Waterfalls

Along the North Shore of Lake Superior (MN) are pie joints and state parks with waterfalls.  Both are very good.   Photo is the pie menu board.  I had Berry Berry and Case had Raspberry Rhubarb.

Case is getting misted at Gooseberry Falls.

Lake Superior Circle Tour

...or also known as the Right Turn Tour because if you are driving clockwise, it is always right turns.  It is 1300+ miles.  We took 1600+ and seven days.  It is a BIG lake.  10% of the world's fresh water and it is shark-free!  I will be doing a few days of travelogue.

This is the highest point in Duluth where all the migratory birds fly over in the fall heading south.  When the birds come from the north and reach Lake Superior, they fly along the coast and fly over here to continue south.  There are as many as 12,000 a day.  When we were there, there were 3 in one hour.  Oh well...
On the platform above me are the spotters who also do the counting and identification of species.  There is a fake owl on a pole to the left of the platform. Small gray speck.   Hawks hate owls and will dive bomb the fake one. 

Highest Waterfall in Wisconsin

Big Manitou Falls in Pattison Sate Park is the highest waterfall in Wisconsin.  And 4th tallest east of the Mississippi River.  All on a beautiful Sunday afternoon about an hour from our home.  Retirement is grand!

Farming Continues to Go High Tech

A group of us on the family farm waiting for the drone to go up and check on the corn to the left.  My arms are up taking the photo. 

Drone is aloft taking a video of the field.

At another field...I used the old way  - looking at the end rows and hoping that the rest of the field of soybeans look as good as this.

Reliving Childhood Memories

My Mom raised Shetland ponies when I was growing up.  My job was to teach the young colts to get used to a halter and walk on a lead rope.  Eventually, they would learn the "show stance."  Of course, we rode with saddles.  We also had a couple of "buggies" that the ponies would pull.  Recently, a  friend of mine purchased a horse that was trained to pull this fancy carriage made in Belgium.  She called and asked if I wanted a buggy ride.  I sure did. 

Pal, Jo and Barb - actually this is her loaner buggy because a piece of the Belgium one broke and Barb is making the new part herself.  We didn't wear helmets years ago.

I am brushing Pal down after our ride.  I do miss the smell of horses.  Photo is in her horse barn with 3 stalls, indoor arena, large open area to work with the horses and harnesses, bathroom, and a tack room that looks better than my living room.  Owning horses can be an expensive hobby.  Nice to have a friend who shares!  It was a great day.

Picture of Pie

I got the word that the pie photo did not come through so here is another one of the $40 blueberry pie that I made for the pie auction at the Moose Lake Festival.  It is the major fundraiser for the Lions Club that we belong to.

Well, I might as well send the pic of both pies I made.  The one on the left sold for $50 to the Fire Chief of the local area.  The one on the right sold for $40 to one of our friends.  His wife writes the local news column.  She gave my name and a thumbs up for the taste in her last column!  Never thought I would be famous for pie!

Amber Waves of Grain

Current photo of our yard - we purposely have "no mow" grass.  For the last seven years, it grows 6-8 inches and lays over - which is what we want.  We sold the mower when we moved.  Well, this year, the grass has done this.  It looks like "amber waves of grain" from the song "America."

$40 Pie

Here I am with my $40 blueberry pie!  It sold at auction at the Moose Lake Fest sponsored by the Lions Club we are in.  We raise money for good causes through this day-long event.  One part of it is the Pie auction  In the photo is Alyssa, the sweet little girl walking around showing the pies as people bid, me, and the pie-buyer, a friend of ours who lives on Moose Lake.  His wife Jan took the photo.  Left background is the auctioneer in a cowboy hat auctioning the next pie.  Right background is the bloodhound and handler for Sawyer County.  If you get lost and incapacitated in Sawyer County, those are the faces you will see when you regain consciousness.   All in a day's fun in the Northwoods. 

                      

 

The Green-Eyed Monster

Case got a new kayak.  His other one was cheap and terrible to paddle.  I made him sell it.  He ordered a new one - two month back ordered - made in the USA.  It is a Dagger with all the bells and whistles that a kayak can have.  It arrived today and we took it right out.  He said that it is great.  Of course, my kayak looks like the poor cousin now.  Wish I had a new one...no justification for that.  Photo of the Dagger and Case to follow.

A Pleasant Paddle

I was out paddling one morning humming some Gordon Lightfoot tunes that I had been listening to in the car on my cassette player - the perks of having an older car (it also has a CD player).  I found myself in the middle his most famous song the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The wind picked up and the waves were getting bigger.  Time to paddle home...

Red Wing Boots

I bought a pair of Red Wing boots after I hurt my foot in 2002.  Been wearing them ever since, planting trees, moving dirt and rocks, and recently, logging.  Last month, the sole of one fell off.  After 13 years, it's time for a new pair.  Of course, I want Red Wings again.  We were traveling to Lucyna's in Iowa so we went through Red Wing, Minnesota to visit the flagship store.  No luck in the downstairs outlet so on to the main floor.  Even though they didn't carry the style I was used to and wanted again, I found a pair -aluminum toe to cut down on the heaviness.

Flagship store has the world's largest boot as seen here with me and my new purchase.

Before heading out we went upstairs to the museum which was, basically, Red Wing boots in display cabinets so we did a quick lap.  Something did catch my eye...IT WAS MY BOOT IN THE CABINET.  There it was, why didn't they carry that any more.  Then a question came to mind: what size is it? and do they have the mate to it?  I won't even ask so I took a photo and left.

Happy ending as the new boots feel great and are very sturdy. 

Milsie, the Lovebird

Haven't blogged in a while...our last pet bird died from old age.  The last few weeks I arranged his cage to be handicapped accessible so he would be comfortable.  He was 15 years old and has been a part of our lives since the kids were in grade school.  The house seems too quiet now.

Photo from March - Milsie enjoying his favorite spot inside my shirt!

Also, May is a busy month because all my volunteer organizations have events in May.  Plus there is Tad's birthday (28) and our anniversary (39th) and Kata's first visit to Hayward.  And May isn't over yet.  The trees have leafed out and summer has arrived.

First Perfect Day

Everyone has something special they do on the first perfect spring day of the year.  At Homer High School I would drive home with the windows down and my hair flying.  Before Lucyna and Tad drove, I would sit at the St. Viator High School parking lot watching the upperclassmen drive with the windows open speeding down Dryden.  (Arlington Heights' finest would be on the lookout after that day, but it was a surprise when the first day was and it was a freebie.) 

This is what I do now on the first perfect weather day...

We were driving home from verifying the election results in the town and there in the ditch was this birch tree that the town workers had felled for some unknown reason.  We had no chain saw.  We had no tools.  We horsed them in the truck and drove home with aching backs.  There is almost 3 weeks of winter fuel...all on the first perfect spring day.

Easter Time

I decided that my granddaughter's Easter time with us a few weeks ago wouldn't be complete without a lamb cake.

                               She agreed.  Grammie and Kata age 16 months at her home in Hartford, WI

I borrowed a lamb cake mold from a friend that had two of them.  (Why would you have two?  I guess to loan one to a friend.)  I have been turning out a flock of them since then.  Didn't know you could be addicted to baking and decorating these guys! 

You Won't Recognize Us...

...when we come to your house because we will be driving a truck with DEER BARS!

Don't they look great!!!!  Don't they look cool!!!  Don't they just scream WISCONSIN!  Of course, the real reason is to minimize truck damage when we hit a deer.  It hasn't happened yet but we know its a matter of time.  Why not look good while waiting!  This is our 2003 Dodge Dakota.  Case ordered the bars (80 lbs.) online and our strong FEDEX guy brought them to the house.  Case installed them.  (I was asked to assist in holding the bars while he did the first bolts.  Happy to do it.)  Can't wait to drive to my hiking group to show them off!  

A Bird in the Hand...

...is worth two in the bush.

Milsie, the Lovebird, chillin' out after dinner in my palm.

Ice Roads

On Tuesday my walking group decided to go to the Apostle Islands Ice Caves.  They closed for the year on Monday.  Oh well, let's drive the ice road to Madeleine Island instead.  We can hike Big Bay State Park overlooking Lake Superior, eat the the Beach Club, and a good time will be had by all. 

First of all, Case forbade me from driving.  "None of my cars are driving on ice period close quotes.  So someone else needed to drive.  A friend smartly didn't tell her husband where we were going.  Stopping at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center for a bathroom break on the way, we asked the Rangers about the ice road conditions.  "All clear.  Have a great day."  The rest of the narrative is written by a friend who also writes for the local newspaper. 

The original plan was to go to the Ice Caves, but they were closed because recent winds and temperatures made the walk unsafe. So. . .

We went on the Ice Road to Madeleine Island instead.

Of course, we watched the condition of said Ice Road very carefully. I think all of our husbands were worried as we left our homes this morning. But, a computer check said the road was fine. And, we stopped at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center on the way to check. Everything fine.

We hiked a trail in Big Bay State Park. Had lunch on the island. (Beach Club - it was good!) What an adventure!

On the way home, Jo wanted to stop at the NGLVC gift shop. When we went in, Penny, a ranger there, asked us if we had gone on the ice road. I told her we had. Her eyes got wide. She asked how the experience was. I told her that coming back, there was a lot of water.

She said she wanted to show me something - she turned a message board in my direction. . . right after we left the Visitor Center this morning, she got a call that the ice road was closed.

Fearless leader Barb driving her Tundra over these cracks in the ice road.  No one was wearing seatbelts and all the windows were open.

Yes, we did travel at our own RISK.

Women of the Woods and Water enjoying the island in Lake Superior.  We all made it home safely.  There is never a dull moment in the Northwoods.

 

Enjoying the Indoors

On unbearably cold days, I have been quilting, and we have both been working on puzzles.  Here are the latest ones.

750 pieces

1000 pieces - This takes up the entire puzzle table that we use so no puzzles more than 1000 pieces. 

This quilt says SPRING to me!