Dashing Through The Snow

All we were missing is the one-horse open sleigh when we drove over the hills to and from Copper Harbor on Friday night. They put on quite a nice Christmas light display with about 40 trees decorated in the park next to the community center. We've both been a bit under the weather, but we didn't want to miss it, so we ventured out. It was snowing lightly as we left Calumet, and we met some snowmobiles hopping off the trail at the end of our street.

By the time we made it to our road in Keweenaw County, the flakes were getting larger.

We headed down our road to meet up with Hwy. 26. We wanted to follow the lake from Eagle Harbor to Copper Harbor.

By the time we got onto Hwy. 26, it was really too dark to see much of Lake Superior, but that road is always fun anyway. We did see a few deer, but they were kind enough to stay out of our way. It was almost 6:00 p.m. when we drove into Copper Harbor. The town was hopping--a typical Friday evening in the Keweenaw.

Yep, that's Hwy. 41-- the main drag through town! We forgot our thermos of cocoa, so we stopped at the general store for a couple of 20 oz. pops. Steve told the guy behind the counter that we drove up to see the Christmas lights. "Oh, are they on?" he asked as he stretched his neck to look out the door. Steve got the impression that he would have switched them on for us if they had been off. Here's a photo of the Copper Harbor Community Center.

The park between the community center and the one-room school is where they have the large display. I took some photos for you.

Copper Harbor's motto is, "It's worth the trip." Well said. We decided to take Hwy. 41 out of Copper Harbor on our way home. The first stretch is often called "The Covered Road," as there is very little shoulder and the branches of the trees literally cover the road. It's beautiful any time of year, but it was spectacular to drive this road in the wintertime darkness. Snow was falling in big flakes and snow was hanging on the branches over the road. It was so lovely, but I wasn't able to capture it on film without getting out of the car.

You can see the effect a bit more on the video I shot, but it's not nearly as dramatic as it was in person.  What a peaceful drive.  We also wanted to see the little church in Phoenix that's decorated each year.  As we came down the hill, we spotted these two trees next to the church first.

Then, we pulled in front of the building, and I snapped another photo for you--a lovely setting.

As we made our way back into Calumet, I took a few more photos of some of the beautifully decorated store windows on Fifth Street. They have a yearly window decorating contest for the shop owners. Here are two of the windows in Copper World.

We had such a pleasant evening, but it's always nice to see our own front door again.

All is well in the Keweenaw!

Merry Christmas!

Snow has been falling softly all day; the house is warm; our tummies are full; and we're sitting in the living room in the soft glow of Christmas lights.  It's a perfectly lovely evening in Calumet.

All is well in the Keweenaw!

Christmas Eve

Whiter Than Snow

Many of you are getting a real good taste of winter right now.  We're getting snow here, but they're only predicting about 5-7" for the Keweenaw.  That's typical winter weather for us - nothing to be concerned about.

When we look out our windows and see the way the snow has renewed our yard (covering Cocoa's previous tracks), we can't help but think about Psalm 51:7, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."  The snow gives us a beautiful picture of God's forgiveness. 

Remember some of the words in the old hymn, "Whiter Than Snow?" 

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to live in my soul.

Break down every idol, cast out every foe

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

   Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow

   Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, before You I patiently wait;

Come now and within me a new heart create.

To those who have sought You, You never said "No."

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

   Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow

   Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

All is well in the Keweenaw!

Christmas Dog

What do you do when your daughter-in-law, Beth, sends you a Christmas outfit for your dog?  You put it on the dog and ask your wife to take a picture!

Cocoa was a good sport about it.  She wasn't nearly as humiliated as Beth's cat was when we put reindeer antlers on her in August.

All is well in the Keweenaw.