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As we concluded the first complete week of the Pasty Cam back in 1998, Jonathan's shot of the Phoenix Church captured the feel of mid-winter in the Keweenaw. This picture would go on to be the first to appear in our annual calendar, which was started in response to numerous requests. This year we would like to do a 15-month calendar, including even more favorites selected by our daily visitors.

As that first week came to an end, I think Jonathan and I could both sense that we had stumbled on to an idea that was quickly taking on a life of its own. There were lots of small technical details we had to work out: the dimensions of the tables and pictures themselves, the background, font sizes, etc. And now, at the end of week #1, we had to decide whether to continue on one page throughout the month, or whether to start an archive week-by-week. Most folks tuning in to the Pasty Cam never think about these things, and should never have to. We began to ask the question, "How do people feel when they visit the website?"... and we began to look for feedback from others who tuned in. These days, with daily visits averaging around 10,000, it really has taken on a life of its own - and along with it the need for hours of attention in search of a daily glimpse of life from the U.P.

more tomorrow...

Morning!

Good Morning all,
Thanks Charlie for the history lesson. I too had stumbled onto this site and because my mom was born in Calumet, I have a special feeling for the history here. I only wish my mom was here to enjoy it too. We did take a trip up here in "85" and now I am so glad we did. Keep up the good work and we really enjoy all the photos everyday.

Mornin', love the picture of the church in winter. Like the life guard too.

I'm glad youse guys came up with such a wonderful idea! Great Pics!

Morning all. Love the church! I swear we've seen every church in Michigan AND Wisconsin because when we used to take my grandparents on trips we had to stop and look at the insides of all the churches. It was like a ritual. So now I love to look at churches.

Thanks for all your hard work! The chance to check in and experience memories of a great time in my life helps keep me sane in the daily hub bub. Appreciate you guys SO MUCH!

Good morning all. Nice picture of the Phoenix church....it is a pretty place in all seasons.
I imagine Scotty is on his way to Houghton by now.
Hope his sail home is a good and safe one.
I watched the show on PBS last night about the loss of the ship SS Milwaukee in 1929 during a storm on Lake Michigan. Storms in the fall and winter on any of the Great Lakes are really awesome and ,in some instances,tragic.

Morning. I see you've decided on Yooper Lifeguard for the picture. I remember when it was first posted and the hilarious discussion on it. :D
What a Yooper.

Charlie,

This site has meant so much to so many over the years! We all appreciate all the work you and the others put into this site for the benefit of all of us.

Keep it up...you are all very appreciated!

Ooooooooh, I love the pic of the church. And titling the other pic, "Yooper Lifeguard", is definately a hoot ;) It would definately make a great postcard, eh.
Usedtobeayooper, What great memories to have of your grandparents :)
Charlie, I love reading about the history of Pasty Cam each morning...and learning about how it came to be.

Every U.P. snowmobile vacation was never complete without stopping to see the Church in the top pic. I think that has to be one of the prettiest churches!

I would like to second Ilovelucy2's message. I stumbled on this site as my mom grew up in Baraga. I visit this page every date (usually during lunch) and love the escape to God's country. Thanks for everything Pastycam!!!!!

Morning All.
WOW 10,000 hits on this site a day, it is a good thing they all don't post a message because it would consume your whole day just reading them. As always thanks to everyone at Pasty.com for their continued efforts in bringing us a slice of the UP on a daily basis. The historical significance to us babyboomers is enormous. On another note, if any of you are in the Grand Rapids Area I heartily endorse going to the Gerald Ford Museum. Our own Presidential Museum right here in Michigan. Spent this past weekend doing just that and I was amazed. Enjoy the day everyone.

Erica,
I thought that I would wait for the cold front to come through before we start to head north. Most likely will now wait till tuesday and play another weekend at the overseas. Looked at my log from here in 2004 and I left march 9th and was back in the UP june 8th, so no rush as it was still cold on the lake. Thanks for the thought though.
Scott
SV Chip Ahoy

Charlie.....I have lived my 70+ years in Michigan and never visited the Keewanaw. Because of this website my wife and I came up to visit last fall......how many more have done the same?
I feel that you should be compensated by the local tourist industry for all of your efforts! They owe you Big Time !

RCW, this must be across from the wireworks in Dollar Bay, 'eh? The yooper lifeguard, I mean. Mimi and I stopped at the Phoenix church a coupla years ago, It is pretty.

Hi
happyooper, I also remember all the fun comments around the guy sitting in the water. I have a hard copy of the picture and the funniest comments somewhere. Oh, and a friend of mine from the Canadian Soo had a suggestion for what the guy WAS really doing: fish watching.

Erica - Florida Keys:
I saw that program about the SS Milwaukee last night on the History Channel. I posted my comment about it on page about the City of Bangor and the Chrysler vehicles. It was very interesting to see the diver's conclusion how it sank. I don't know why that captain headed back out in such a bad storm. There were 3 shipmates that were left in Wisconsin because they didn't think the captain wouldn't be going back out in that storm. I'm sure they thank their lucky stars.

So sad to hear of the death of Dana Reeves. She certainly did a lot with her life and left a legacy of strength behind.

Seeing the guy watch the fish reminds me to ask...does anyone know if Keweenaw Bay is open or did it finally freeze? The fishing boats were still going out when I was back in Jan.!! Looks like the canal in town is frozen but that probably won't last too long with the warmer temps.

Stix: I was at Baraga yesterday and the bay is iced over; but it looks thin. A good wind in the right direction could break up the ice and open it up again.

You got it right Ken. That is the old Foley Copper Products mill. I spent 5 years catching hot copper there!!

Just a note, the ice is off the Tawas Bay, Lake Huron, Saw an eagle soaring and about 10 canadian geese flying north.... It won't be long now, folks!!!!

Afternoon All.
Signs of spring are begining all over. Saw my first Robin yesterday while pruning some trees in the yard. I guess I'm ready. Not much of a winter here in SE Mich. Wish I was back home.

Magnificent and very nice photo Charlie!!!

Kosk: to answer your question of yesterday, my sister was in a throwing event and won for throwing the farthest.

Haven't seen any robins yet here in Lower Michigan
but have seen alot of geese heading back from the
South. Surely that is a sign of Spring.

I am in Commerce Twp, Downstatedon and I have seen a bazillion Robins! In fact, I saw a huge flock of them in the Commerce cemetary in mid January. The 15th to be exact! I was taken by surprise when I heard the familiar squawck and told KodiSue; 'that sounds like a robin'... she wagged at me completely oblivious and when I looked around,, they were everywhere! Flitting and perching in the trees, swooping to the ground, and back up again, there were 14 in one tree! (of course I had no camera!) We had lots of snow after that and I had to wonder if they were enjoying their wormsicles. They're still around, but not in the flock like I saw that day!
P.S. I am glad you enjoyed my post of the Emily Dickinson poem, Kosk and Usedtobeayooper!

Still lotsa fish shacks on Baraga Bay. Sure looks dodgey to me. No robins, but a bald eagle lunching on road kill.

Today's rain and freezing drizzle will probably end the fishing on Keweenaw Bay, maybe for the season. It seemed to be a very short season this year but great fun. Smoked salmon and crackers. Mmmmmm.....

Maija--
Good for your sister. Our Internet has been
down for a couple of days, so here I am trying
to catch up on Pasty Cam.

That's a very nice looking church, and the pine trees and snow
add well 2 the whole picture. What denomination is it?