3 Weeks

Here's a drastic change. I hinted at this post on Friday. Again, here's how the maple tree near our dining room windows looked on October 1.

Here's the same tree exactly 3 weeks later.

It's amazing that a tree can go from mostly green to completely leafless in just 21 days. After the big blow we had last week, we don't have many leaves left on the trees in the Keweenaw, but we still saw some color on the way to church on Sunday, October 22.

And when we got home that evening, the setting sun was lighting up this tree on our property like it was on fire.

I wish the camera could have captured how beautiful it really looked. Mr. Cut Off said it reminded him of the glistening ice in the trees during our ice storm last spring.

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Property Color

I thought you might like to see the fall color progression on our property over the last several weeks. Here's how the maple tree near our dining room window looked on October 1 - just a hint of color.

By October 6, it looked like this.

October 9.

And October 15. Amazing what can happen in just 2 weeks.

Here's the same tree from a different angle on October 6. 

October 10.

And October 20. (Yes, we will have a deck on the back of the house outside the sliding doors. It's coming. . . but not before winter!)

I also snapped some photos of the other fall color around our property in October. I always like the look of the driveway and barn from this perspective.

Pine needles on the driveway.

More color in the treetops.

And one final photo today - the tree that sits across the road from our driveway entrance.

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Enjoying Fall in the Keweenaw

There's no better time to experience the Keweenaw than when the leaves are peaking in the fall. We went out to snap some photos in our area 9 days ago. We feel so blessed to live in an area where we still have roads like this one that leads to Gratiot Lake.

I obviously couldn't show you the road only. Here's the shoreline of Gratiot Lake taken from the boat launch.

Looking back toward our vehicle for the next shot. There was an empty trailer hitched to the gray truck in the background - meaning that there must have been a boat out on the lake at that time - but I never saw it. 

Gratiot Lake seemed perfectly quiet - except for one loon floating in the distance that was making occasional dives below the water. Note the small blue arrow pointing to the loon! (You can click on the photo to see a larger version.)

We decided to head to Copper Harbor next, so we made our way up Hwy 41.

It's always a lovely drive under the canopy of trees.

Although we did drive through town, our main goal in Copper Harbor was to take in the spectacular colorful view from Brockway Mountain. Here's looking one way. . .

and the other.

When we go up to the top of Brockway Mountain, we usually see other vehicles; but the fall color tour traffic is the worst. I know - not much to complain about! Right?

These stone barriers (constructed as a WPA project during the depression) are the only things between you and a huge drop off. It's a little unnerving on windy days. Hang on to your toddlers!

We hated to leave, but it was time to head for home. We drove back down the mountain and made our way down Hwy 26 - taking the long way home through Eagle River in order to enjoy the the Lake Superior shoreline a bit longer. We stopped at the falls in Eagle River to check the color there. Not as much water flowing at this time of year.

We also stopped at Ten Foot Falls for one last photo opportunity. I love the orange bed of pine needles among the tree roots. Such a tranquil spot.

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Speaking of Pink

Speaking of pink sunsets, take a look at our sunrise this morning.

I enjoyed that sunrise, but tonight's sunset was even better for the pink lover in me!

Here's the wide shot.

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Autumn Sunsets

My most recent Sunday Reflections photo showed the sunrise illuminating the trees in our backyard. That caused me to think about sunsets. I've captured about a half dozen pink sunsets over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, we weren't at the beach viewing any of those sunsets, as they all took me by surprise. I'm sure anyone at the beach on those evenings got some super spectacular photos!

I previously posted one photo (another Sunday Reflections) of this sunset we spotted when passing through Houghton on our way home from Marquette recently, but I have a few more to share today.

All the signs for Hwy 26 and Hwy 41 cracked me up in that second photo, as I don't ever remember noticing how many signs are crowded into such a small area. I guess the intersection you're approaching can be a bit confusing if it's your first visit to the Keweenaw, and Houghton really wants to make sure you know where you're going. 

I snapped that third shot as we were crossing the bridge between Houghton and Hancock, and next is a fourth one taken from atop a hill further up the highway. (Sorry about the dirty window. It had rained most of the way to Marquette that morning.)

The next 4 photos were all snapped from inside our house as the sun was setting in back of our house on different evenings.

And as I began to prepare this post tonight, I looked up and saw more pink in back of the trees.

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

On the Clips-Board: Stay Home

For those of you who know us personally, I'm sure you figured out long ago that we're a couple of homebodies - just one of the many reasons Mr. Cut Off and I are perfect for each other. We LOVE being home. After returning from church, errands or some other "adventure," it's quite typical for one of us to excitedly exclaim, "There, now we don't have to leave the property for another (x) days!" Seriously! We say things like that! Therefore, you may find the latest phrase on our clips-board a bit amusing.

It's sort of our theme.

Homebodies. To. The. Core.

Even got the "Home Sweet Home" towel to prove it.

All is well in the Keweenaw.