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Some other links of recent interest to Pasty Cam watchers:
• Ancestors 2007   • New Arrivals 2007
• Visit the Hut Inn Eight years ago on the Pasty Cam: 10/22/99 ^{Printed on Recycled Internet}

The Pasty Cam was a stowaway in our car on a trip downstate back in '99 on this date. It peeked out the window as we crossed the Mighty Mac.

Crossing the Mighty Mackinac is always a pleasure.

When I cross the Mighty Mac on my less than mighty motorcycle I like to ride on the metal grate. This allows me to occasionally look down and see the waves go under my feet. Scary at first but you get accustomed to it.

Good morning! When we cross the Mac, if I drive on the grate, my wife is screaming at me!!

Good morning! Now that's a nice way to wake up. If it isn't Mother Superior that I'd like to see, it's definitely either the Mighty Mac or the Portage Lake bridge.

Wejust drove over the Mighty Mac yesterday. I love that bridge. It was a blustery weekend in the straits.

my wife is scared bigtime of going over bridges. She's always been that way. We got stuck right near the top, over the grating , when they were doing construction on one trip. The wind was blowing, plus being stopped on there anyway was really freaking her out.
I opened the car door to peer down, which was actually pretty strange looking a the water from way up there. She was trying to hide on the front seat floor....couldn't even enjoy the view.

Welcome back, Pennie.

David, what a shame that your wife is so scared of the bridge. She could have enjoyed a spectacular view.

David, I am with your wife! I don't like it either and Uncle Chuck @ Little Betsy and my husband like to drive on the grating just to make me crazy!! I do love to drive on the bridge to see the beautiful view. And to get to the great UP. Just stay off the grates!! Have a great Monday eveyone.

Thanks Deb! There was a wind warning on the bridge most of the weekend. Especially on saturday, they were doing escorts of high profile vehicles crossing the bridge. Long delays. It can be scary when the bridge sways from the wind.

Certain snow tire patterns will make a car wander and seem out of control on that grating. I often wonder if any of the accidents were the result of this?

I've only been on the mighty Mac once and I loved it. However the person that I was with ( who was driving, I might add) was less than happy. White knuckle time. I should add that it was very windy that day and we had just heard about a small car going over the side a couple weeks previous. There was a boat going by under it and it was very cool. Next time, we'll let the bridge people drive it over, maybe then she can just sit back and enjoy the view. LOL

Good Morning, Everyone! I thought I had signed in earlier this morning, when I was reading it, but I must have been sidetracked, sorry. That is easy to do in our household. :-)

I hope you all enjoyed the nice warm & good weather (except for the high winds all around the region) this weekend, and that you had a good weekend!

We love crossing the Big Mac Bridge! We had to be on the grating a lot of the time both ways when we crossed it this summer because of the painting that was going on. I'm not that fond of the grating, but it is part of the Bridge, so I accept it. It seems like there are High Wind Warnings more often than not when we cross the Bridge.

The only issue I have with the Mighty Mac, is that I don't get to cross it as much as I would love too! Being only 5 ft. tall, I enjoy being up high!

There are some very cool videos here. http://www.absolutemichigan.com/dig/articles/michigan-video-on-top-of-the-mackinac-bridge/ When you get done watching them talk about painting the bridge, click on the pictures under the video for more videos-crossing the bridge in high winds(freighter on the right), under the bridge(with the waves really coming in), approaching the bridge in a boat, etc. Very nice.

Good morning!!

Well, it appears that fall weather (or at least what Houstonians call fall) has arrived in SE Texas. I'm at home today and we just had a front go through that dropped the temp from 77 at 8am to 59 by 8:20!! It is also quite windy, dark, and dreary out right now. Still, it's not the same as being in the copper country......

I was always nervous about crossing the bridge until I went on a bridge walk and discovered that the wind passing on the underside of the grating does not really exert a powerful suction that could suck a small car right through the grate. Since then I have just enjoyed the view.

I rode my "chopper" motorcycle on the grating lane and had the ride of my life for a short distance. Almost felt like I was floating on a cushion of air. No not really. It made the bike dart back and forth and make a funny sounding noise...like WHIIEEIIZZZZEEE and sent a vibration thru me like a low voltage shock wave !!

You brave guys riding your motorcycles in the grated lane impress me! I have had my motorcycle license for 20+ yrs. and I don't think I could ride my Harley in the grated lane! But thanks for your inspiration!

When I cross the Mighty Mac (headed N.bound) it's a great feeling, the air is better and my cares just seem to get a little lighter, great pic, would like to hear the hummin of the steel belts on the grates right now!

We had a high wind warning here in the western end of the upper peninsula also, must of probably been the whole U.P.!
Winds were just slamming everything in sight!
Even the dogs ears were flying with the wind!

I've always loved crossing the Big Mac in the NORTHERLY direction...and hated it going the other way! My only problem now is that I'm driving when I cross, so I don't get to look around as much as I'd like. When my mother was alive, I always got her to drive across the bridge, so I could look around. And there is an inexpressible feeling of calm, and delight, and relief when I get to the northern side and know I'm only 6 hours from home...

Uncle Chuck: I so agree with you about the fresh air. There's nothing better than getting out on the northern side and doing a big stretch & inhale.

I love approaching The Mac at night when she is dressed up in lights. You can see her from so far away. It's a feeling of nostalgia and hope. I left the UP for work in Florida in March of 1997. A lady had hit the 12" high railing and flipped over in the few weeks prior to my crossing, and I was scared to death when I crossed. I cried the whole way over. Goodbye UP, Goodbye home, Goodbye fresh water Lakes. I didn't know when I would be back. I drove on the grating to memorize the sound of my separation. I have only crossed her one more time since, in January 2006 to inter my brother. But this time, the feelings were reversed. I cried when I was headed north, and I felt a smile come over me when driving south. Knowing I had brought my Brother home, and that I too would return when it was my time to come home for good.

On to another subject...one of my Finnish-American friends claims he has a Chevrolet with a Finnish name, "Impala". Should I tell him that there is no such Finnish name? Or, is there possibly such a Finnish name or a name that is similar?

Tough call, maybe an American spelling. Moms maiden name is not spelled right, it was americanized. Can't remember how that one is but it is supposed to start with an I and there are a lot of a's.

Thanks for sharing your story, Theresa.

Matt Karhu (Matt_k):
" … a Finnish name, "Impala" … is there possibly such a Finnish name or a name that is similar?"

Perhaps "Impola"? That seems to be a fairly common Finnish surname.

That, and I seem to recall an MTU Professor from the late 1950's/early 1960's named R. A. Impola (Now was it Robert, or Richard?)

Note also that there is a fairly well known Finnish translato(and author?) by the name of Dr. Richard A. Impola.

See also: Bookfinder.com links to works by Richard Impola Hmmm, one and the same?)

And, Words of Wisdom and Magic From the Kalevala, Translated by Richard Impola

chevy impala = finnish cadillac

The only place in the world where the Big Mac isn't a hamburger.

"Impola", that sounds familiar. Kiitos.

A man named Roy Underhill used to have a half-hour TV show about old woodworking tools on public television stations. He is on tour in the mid-west with a similar show at various venues. I wonder if his name originally was Finnish as "Allamaki" ("under hill" in English).

I love to Go over the Mighty Mac,and I don't care if my Hubby rides the Grateing or not. I just know ,I'm going Home!!!!

Good to see you're back Uncle Chuck! One-handed typing is a blast ain't it?
Mr. Deb

Hello my name is John and am new here, I wasnt to sure where to post a new topic or comment so I'll start here, I took this pic (sorry for the qaulity) in White City this last sat'
[IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/chitownjohn/100_0381.jpg[/IMG]

When the sun started to rise I noticed the 2 Freighters sittin there in the bay, I had heard that conditions were pretty bad on the Lake and that the Barometer was way down. So I guess they were hiding in the bay from the bad weather, do they still use the Channel? Thanks for any info

John

Hi John. Welcome to Pasty.

Some still use the Portage Canal, if they are less than 750 feet long. If they are longer than that, they can not make the tight curves in the canal. So, they do take refuge in the bay from the rough weather in Mother Superior. I love your picture! Thank you.

Mr.Deb, LOL, you ain't kiddin brother, Im laughing right now, because not many could appreciate that comment. After working on email all day in my office, I literally had to lift my left limb to the key pad, I know what you're going thru now, it really feels like gravity is forcing my left shoulder down, I see the surgeon on Thurs. it's really something I did not expect, hope you're doin well Mr Deb! All I can say is, Im glad my office is in my home.
Take care friend!

Theresa, That story actually brought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful. I hope it's a long time until you go "home" for good.

I was hoping to write today that it's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring. We could use a lot more then the drizzle we do have. Many recall about my lady and crossing the Bridge from my post's in the past. Nice to hear mine isn't the only one, and wish some how they all would never fear it again after once crossing it. We just happened to be staying in Mac.City back when the little Yugo that was driving to fast, and alcohol use was involved, as was in the paper I recall. We saw the car with body in it covered up in yellow while we were there. The woman was from Royal Oak, MI. where we lived too at that time. I often heard many use the Impala as being a Finnish car, from my youth. There yoosta be a Sunday TV show on WLUC channel 6 called Finland Calling with the host named Carl Pellempa. (sp) Who is old enough like me to remember that? WLUC TV used to be (With Luck U C if your antenna on the roof was still there and pointed towards Marquette after a snow storm.

It brought tears to my eyes too,and I on the other hand hope you do get to go home soon.

Sorry, I now realize my mistake, still want you to be kicking when you do

David Hiltunen (Davidcorrytontn):
"There yoosta be a Sunday TV show on WLUC channel 6 called Finland Calling with the host named Carl Pellempa. (sp)"

Surprise, Dave, Finland Calling, with Carl Pellonpää is still alive and well, and on the air!

Pellonpää = Flax pate (?) ( = He with the flaxen hair?)

"Finland Calling" was still going strong as of this summer and Carl
Pellonpaa (maybe sp?) was still its host. I had a lot of relatives
(Finnish ones) who owned Impalas--with the accent on the first
syllable. Chevrolet was pronounced Sevrolay--again with the
accent on the first syllable. I miss those old accents. All of that
generation has passed on now, but in my mind's eye/ear, I still
hear them talking.

Theresa--I sure hope you get back UP many times before the final
one. I bet many of us have "cried me/us a river" when heading
South on Big Mac.

And I thought I was the only one that cried up a storm when heading back south on the Big Mac. I am not even across the bridge and I have tears in my eyes and a felling of sadness (and an attitude) that is with me for weeks. Been back home for three weeks and still miss it up there something awful. Fortunately this site and John Dees keeps me slightly sane.

I don't get to go over the bridge to get home(Minnesota bound) but the tears well up as I leave Great Sand Bay. It's customary now to take one last picture looking back.

FRNash, I remember good old Carl from the old days and had heard that he is still alive and kicking too. I used to wonder why in the heck that show was even on. But I was a kid and couldn't understand Finnish. Those were the good old days though.

I'm with you on that one Suzy!! I'm MN bound too, and there are always tears looking at the lake as we're leaving. I never get enough of it AND Great Sand Bay.

you can watch Finland Calling from the 6 website..
I can remember that show from waaaaaaaaaaay back :)

I also read about WLUC history a bit...brought back when we got our first BW TV...they started broadcasting in color in 1963 or so...can't remember when we got color, but it was after that.

can still remember the test pattern being on most of the day :)

Carole you are not the only one that cries. I hate that sad feeling that I get when heading south on the bridge. Still feeling depressed today about it.

I remember that test pattern too. I also remember Captain Kangaroo. Those were the days when kids TV was great!! Saturday mornings were the time to look forward to. I can't remember when we got color either, but I know it was for a Super Bowl game. LOL Oh yeah, that was important. I remember the first time we got cable, the first program we saw was "My Little Margie". I was so excited!

'63 was the year Kennedy died. I don't think we had color then because I remember the funeral being in B/W.

Yes, Suomi Kutsuu is still on after 45 years! We watch it every Sunday after we get home from church. (I tape it while we're gone.) I play tenor banjo for Kilpela and Friends Finnish Polka band. We've been on the program many times. Also with Ron Jarvinen and the Backwoods Boys. Carl and Doris Pellonpää are really very nice people. The Backwoods Boys will be at the Masonic Building in Marquette next Sunday from 2 - 5:30. A fundraiser for the Scandinavian Day celebration on Presque Isle next summer. In Finn you'd call it 'Juhanus päivää' or Midsummer Day.

Ohpytavay, Richard Impola has been on Suomi Kutsuu also. Singing. Been a while, though.

Matt Karhu
Roy Underhill still has his "Woodwright's Shop" TV show on PBS. In southeast Michigaqn I watch it on WFUM on Saturdays.

Well I be dog gone,I did not know that! You can always tell a Finn, but you can't tell um to much.But in this case I'am glad you told me. The link was interesting.Many people have told me I look like Captain Kangaroo.Bob Keish (sp)when I let my hair grow long.

On another note;Where did you go Japei? Haven't heard from him since the you tube thing.I hope he understood about that,eh?

Captain Kangaroo: Bob Keeshan (June 27, 1927 – January 23, 2004)

Dave, check the link & scroll down to his picture. Do dat look like you?