Closer to Heaven

We feel closer to the Lord in the Keweenaw. We find ourselves talking about it quite often. Is it because we're further north? Because the sky seems so much closer to us than it did downstate? Because we hope the Keweenaw is our last stop on earth before we die? No, we think it's because we're in love with the beautiful scenery around us, and that beauty turns our thoughts toward God.

The Lord gives us plenty of snow up here, but He also gives us the brilliant "Keweenaw Blue" skies and the sapphire blue of Lake Superior to enjoy. We took a drive up into the peninsula last Wednesday afternoon in order to enjoy those beautiful blues.

As we left our driveway in Calumet, I noticed the marks carved into the snowbank from the last pass of the SNOGO.

Steve turned onto the highway and pointed the Traverse toward Eagle River. After a brief stop in Phoenix to grab two pops at the tiny general store and to greet Arbutus, the proprietor, we made our way down into Eagle River. We could see the sapphire waters of Lake Superior as we approached.

Shipping traffic had just resumed on Lake Superior, and we were fortunate enough to see what must have been one of the first big freighters out on the water. Can you see it on the horizon?

After getting our fill of the Eagle River beach scenery, we headed toward the deer yard at the roadside park on the outskirts of town.

In order to make it through the harsh Keweenaw winters, the deer leave the higher terrain and head for the lowlands near the water to spend the winter months. The snow depth isn't as great along the shoreline, and there are plenty of wooded spots for shelter. Local groups like the U.P. Whitetails of the Keweenaw feed the deer to further ensure the health of the herd. This roadside park is one of the feeding spots, so it's a great location to get up close and personal with these lovely animals.

It's a popular spot.

Hey, where are you two headed? The restrooms are closed at this time of year!

Oh, I guess this one just wanted to get closer to me for a photo op.

When we drove down the road a bit to turn our vehicle around, we noticed more deer relaxing among the trees.

OK, back on the road again.

Next brief pause: Jacob's Falls.

Here's the best place for muffins in the Keweenaw - probably won't open until the last weekend in April again.

More scenery on the way to Eagle Harbor.

Here's the beach in Eagle Harbor - through the car window.

Here's what we saw in one of the yards across the road from the beach in Eagle Harbor.

We then headed down the Cutoff Road toward our property. The snow got deeper and deeper as we made our way down the road. Our driveway was blocked by this deep, crusty snowbank.

Just before the end of our road and back to Hwy 41, we came to the Popeye Rock. You can see Popeye's face painted on it under better circumstances. It's just a huge lump in the snow at the moment.

We made the right turn back onto Hwy 41 to make the drive back to Calumet. Here's the scenery as we headed down into Phoenix.

Turn your head to the right as you go through Phoenix and you'll see this tower.

Ahhh, we never grow tired of these rocky cliffs.

Is it any wonder that Steve refers to this place as "one step from heaven?"

All is well in the Keweenaw.