Quite often the first half of December sees little snow accumulation in the Keweenaw. And then, close to Christmas, it has an uncanny way of blanketing the region like a Currier and Ives lithograph. This year that blanket – and the mantle of ice along the shore – have begun to build up early. These are from two of my favorite webcams: Sunset Bay Campground out on Five Mile Point Road, and the MTU cam aimed toward the the heart of Houghton/Hancock.

One webcam scene conspicuous by its absence today, is the Bridge Cam. Some building reconstruction (where it has been housed for about the last 18 years) had put the Bridge Cam on an extended vacation. Word now is, that it will be returning ‘on the air’ very soon. Wouldn’t surprise me if we start seeing updates again tomorrow.

By Wednesday that bridge will have seen over 10,000 holiday pasties cross over from Pasty Central this fall. (Yes, winter isn’t even officially here yet). The Express shipments are shuttled to Marquette, and the Ground shipments take the turn at Covington Junction, heading South through Eagle River, Wisconsin. Our pasty elves who have been so busy, will finally be able to get some rest.

Have a good week :o)

Nice views!!

Such marvellous views of some of my favorite places in the whole
world. We'll be driving through that way in a week. Christmas in
the U.P. It doesn't get much better than that.

Are you sometimes one of the pasty elves, Charlie? I loved reading
about the traveling itinerary of all of those pasties.

Surprising, considering the mild November weather.

That #1 rating sure has kept those Pasty elves busy, hasn't it?

My recent favorite has been the time lapse recordings available on the MTU Keweenaw Waterway: East.

Most recently the one on December 15th shows the recent Portage quick moving ice flows, eventual quick freeze and even a glimpse of a 97% full moon rising.

Catching the ones showing great sunrises is always a challenge this time of year. November 10th was particularly good. Stick around till the end and catch a glimpse of the USCGC Alder passing through on her Autumn Aides to Navigation run.

The rise of the near Super Moon this year (1 day early) on November 13th also had a great sunrise and you can even make out a couple of planets rising. Not sure which ones.

Beautiful Christmas Time.