Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Sunday Reflections

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Falling Water

After sharing the video of falling ice at the end of last Thursday's post, I thought you might want to see some falling water today.

These photos and the two videos were all taken back on April 23rd. We knew more water would have been rushing over our local falls earlier in the month, but we were on vacation when that was happening. It's nice to see the falls at any time of year.

Although the day was overcast and we still had a little snow in the trees, I always appreciate the view as we head down into Eagle River on Hwy 26. The darkest blue/gray area just above the trees in the center is Lake Superior.

Eagle River Falls is located near the center of Eagle River. Turn right just after you cross the bridge, park near the bridge on the right side of the road and walk over the foot bridge to view the falls.

I've said it before, but I think I could stand there all day and listen to the sound of the water.

Click on the following link for some (slightly shaky) video:

Eagle River Falls 4-23-17

Next, we headed up Hwy 26 toward Eagle Harbor. Jacob's Falls is located between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor. It's on the right - just off the road - so you can pull over and view it from your car window (or park and walk over to it). This one is much smaller than Eagle River Falls.

Click on the next link if you would like to hear this one.

Jacob's Falls 4-23-17

Time to head home, so we continued on Hwy 26 to Eagle Harbor.

As you can see, things didn't look much like spring in Eagle Harbor yet! That slide at the beach is waiting patiently, however, and will be well used by many children this summer.

All is well in the Keweenaw.

Fabulous Family Fun - Part 2

This is the second and final installment giving you the lowdown on the recent visit of Shawn, Carrie, Grace and Wylo. Wednesday, July 15th started out with a lighter breakfast of cereal and toast, as Breakfast Chef Extraordinaire, Steve, had some errands to run in Calumet. (Seriously, he's the chief egg chef around here, since I'm allergic to them.)

Our guests planned to spend some time at the beach in the afternoon, so sandwiches, pretzels and Rice Krispies bars were packed for them to snack on while there. We took separate vehicles and led them to Haven Falls first.

We had to show this spot to Shawn & Wylo, since they had heard Grace tell and retell the story about me falling down the extremely steep hill next to the falls - head over heels - when I was trying to rescue Grace - back in 2012. (I obviously survived. It looked worse than it was - a little bloody - nothing serious!) Time for more posing. Notice how Carrie is a chip of the old block (of Steve). No wonder I love her!

The girls.

Daredevil Grace on top of another waterfall. No rescue required this year.

Off to Bete Grise - the beach with the singing sand.

Here's Grace testing the water temperature.

It was a bit cool! OK, it was downright cold! Shawn told the girls he would give them $10 if they jumped in and got fully wet - head to toe. Wylo went first, followed by Grace, followed by Carrie. Carrie ran over to Shawn and gave him a quick, cold hug after she got out. We died laughing at the imprint she left behind.

It was time to leave them there for the afternoon, as we were confident Shawn could find the way back to our house. I snapped a couple more quick shots on our way out - one showing Grace wading back into the water. She's always been part fish.

After they returned to our house, Shawn & Carrie took a nap while the girls drove the golf cart around, rode our bikes and played with Cocoa. Grandpa got the grill fired up and made a bunch of hot dogs and hamburgers. I made cole slaw, corn on the cob (and some mac & cheese for the girls) - plus we had the tuna macaroni salad we hadn't eaten the day before. We all feasted until we were uncomfortably stuffed. I cleaned up the kitchen, we all got ready for church and headed into Calumet for our Wednesday evening Bible Study/Prayer Meeting - arriving just 1-2 minutes late. When we returned home, we had some Lemon Cream Cheese Pie with a dollop (or 2) of Cool Whip. A little more laughter and a little more rē-lăx-sā-shē-ōwn, and we all turned in.

Cut to the next morning, July 16th. Steve awoke first and noticed something different outside. Poor Georgia Hummingbird was on the ground below the feeder - twitching slightly and breathing his last. He was our dominant male who loved to sit on top of the shepherd's hook and conduct his reign of terror on all the other males who ventured into his territory. Yes, I know Georgia is a girl's name, but that's what Carrie named him the day before. Grace and I argued for Georgie, but Georgia seemed to stick. Anyway, there he was. No autopsy was conducted, but we suspect the cause of death was accidental -  a result of severe injuries sustained in a collision with the sliding glass door. The door will not face charges. Grace (our resident daredevil, part fish and serious animal lover) conducted a respectful funeral and committal service. . .

after posing with the body!

She also posed with the grave - smiling after a job well done.

Time had gone by too quickly, and it was time for them to get packed up to leave. Their plan was to leave about 11:00 a.m., so we had plenty of time for a massive breakfast. Chef Steve was in the kitchen whipping up eggs, bacon and sausage. I broke out the Belgian waffle maker and worked on those, and we both worked on the toast - homemade bread, of course. Not a bit of trouble - just pure joy - when feeding loved ones.

Their rental vehicle was packed, and everyone posed for one last time - with some unnamed individuals still in (or partly in) their pajamas.

BIG HUGS all around. . . and. . . they were off.

The only trouble with having family visit is that we miss them so much after they leave! Sigh. Can't wait 'til next year! 

All is well in the Keweenaw.

(P.S. Several male hummingbirds moved into our feeder territory within an hour or so after Georgia's demise. There was so much fighting going on out there for awhile that we purchased another hummingbird feeder, and we have 4-8 hummingbirds here almost all the time - from first light in the morning to last light in the evening.)

Fabulous Family Fun - Part 1

Carrie & Grace have been Carrie & Grace + Shawn & Wylo for the last year - ever since Carrie married Shawn. Shawn has been a wonderful addition to our family, and he takes great care of "our girls." Plus, his daughter, Wylo, fits in spectacularly. She and Grace are just over a year apart in age. They're BFF's and truly sisters. So, we have double the fun - 2 granddaughters now. The more, the merrier, right?!

They all came to visit us this month - the first time Shawn & Wylo have ever been in the Keweenaw. We really love sharing the Keweenaw with everyone who comes to visit, but it's extra special to share it with family.  They arrived on the evening of the 13th and had to leave on the morning of the 16th. That left us with just 2 full days to cram in as much as possible, but we were up to the challenge.

Before we turned in the first night, I had to chuckle when I looked up and saw this hanging over the edge of the loft.

Yep, that's our Grace. (Excuse the temporary loft railing.)

After a leisurely morning and a spectacular breakfast of our special Hamilton Blend coffee, pancakes, bacon, eggs, and toast with a variety of toppings, we headed out to our first stop - Ten Foot Falls.

I wish you all could experience the peacefulness of this place. At this time of year, you would be smelling the fresh scent of pine and listening to the sound of the water cascading gently over the rocks. 

Time to say, "Cheese."

One more time.

Up next, the falls at Eagle River.

 

After a quick drive past the Keweenaw County Courthouse, the Sherriff's office and the beach, we headed to Jacob's Falls. 

Here's Shawn with Steve. . .

and our daredevil, Grace. Yep, that's her at the top of the falls. 

We headed to The Jampot (bakery) next to the falls for some muffins made by the monks. As Steve says, "Those boys know how to bake!" The Lemon Cream Cheese are our personal favorite. We drove just a short distance further up the coast and ate our tasty treats while overlooking Great Sand Bay. Then, it was back in our vehicles, and we drove through Eagle Harbor and around to the Marina Road. This is the spot where we get this lovely view of the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse.

The plan for the rest of the day was for Shawn & Carrie & the girls to continue up to Copper Harbor to shop (Carrie wanted a Copper Harbor hoodie.) and to drive up Brockway Mountain. I supplied them with a map and marked the best gift shops. Steve & I were going to go home. Steve had plans to work on our master bath vanity, and I wanted to make a tuna macaroni salad and pat out the burgers for dinner. I also wanted to run to Mohawk for some hot dog buns. So, we waved and parted ways at the Marina Road.

After I finished making my salad, I ran to get the hot dog buns. When I returned from Mohawk, the family had already made it home! What? Did Carrie get a hoodie? No. Did you go up Brockway Mountain? No. They made it to Copper Harbor, but got "kinda lost" and missed Brockway Mountain Drive. Well, this can't be. We couldn't allow Shawn & Wylo to leave the Keweenaw without experiencing Brockway Mountain, and Carrie simply had to have that hoodie! Nothing was more important at that moment. We quickly revised our plans for the day. They wanted to take us out for dinner one night anyway, so we decided to do it that evening instead. The salad, burgers & dogs could wait until the next evening for dinner. We all piled into the Traverse and headed back to Copper Harbor.

I'm happy to report that Carrie did get her hoodie (red), which you will see in many of the remaining photos, and we did make it up to the crest of Brockway Mountain.

All was right with the world.

On the way back down Brockway Mountain, we stopped for another photo opportunity at the Copper Harbor overlook.

We then headed back down Hwy. 26 to Eagle Harbor where Shawn & Carrie treated us to a nice dinner at the Eagle Harbor Inn. On the way back down our road, we stopped at the park at Copper Falls. Carrie & Grace signed their names on the inside of the tower 2 years ago, and they needed to sign it again as a complete family. Of course, I snapped some photos.

After returning home, I took a photo of the girls gazing out one of our sliding doors.

What were they watching?

Yes, those little hummingbirds are loads of fun to watch. Steve says they're better than TV.

Since it was a lovely evening and we had all the fixin's for s'mores, Grandpa said it was a necessity to make a campfire before the night was over. So, he started a nice fire while I made some hot cocoa for the thermos and got the items for the s'mores. Shawn gathered all the sticks we would need for our marshmallows and we were in business.

Did you ever notice that s'mores tasted a lot better when you were a kid? Grace ate 4 of them. Grandpa and I managed to gag down one each, and Cocoa (the dog) ate 7 or 8 marshmallows. A little hot cocoa and a little more gazing at the fire, and we were all ready to turn in. A perfect ending to a great day.

Stay tuned for part 2.

All is well in the Keweenaw.