Looking back in the archives from the past 19 years has proved to be quite interesting. More often than not, there will be photos that are quite similar or at least of the same subject, but different years. Today's photos are in that "similar" category, with the top one from 2003, taken by Dan Urbanski. He sure had an eye for good shots and knew what to do to get them. This one with the sun's rays shooting out of the sunset is amazing, to say the least.

Then ten years later, in 2013, Shawn Malone from Lake Superior Photo snapped a similar sunset with a bonfire on the beach addition. Another outstanding piece of photography.

About a week ago, the Northern Lights were out, putting on a show in the early morning hours. Joy Ziemnick got out of her cozy bed to find a good spot to photograph them. This shot was taken at the Eagle River beach. Joy says she's still learning about photographing the Lights and thinks she's "not quite there yet". I don't know, I think this shot is beautiful. I love the colors she captured and I like the light on the picnic table. Joy said that was from the moon behind her, shining on that table. Did you spot the big dipper?

Today's photos remind me why I love living here in Michigan's U.P. Those of us that live here, sometimes take the beauty surrounding us for granted. We need to slow the pace and look at our surroundings with the wonder of a child. Take a listen and look at today's video…it reminds us of what it's like to be a Michigan Kid.

Oh wow, what great pictures! And I sure loved
that video. So much of it really did remind me of
growing up in Michigan. Great job!

LOVE those pictures....wow....and that vid had me
in tears...it's just awesome...I'm a Michigan
Kid...and how I wish I could be that kid again!!

If you click on the video where it says "You Tube"
it'll take you to the video on the you tube page
and you can click on the LIKE button if you wish.

What a happy-feeling video...made me smile the whole time. Nice review pix, too.

Thanks, Donna! Went in and "liked" it!!

There's no doubt that we are surrounded by beauty here in the U.P., I've pretty much lived here my entire life; to bad though that we have to freeze our butts off 7 months out of the year and deal with 250 inches of snow. Speaking of snow I saw a blurb on the weather channel that said snow is the number one weather related cause of death, surpasses hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined, mainly due to icy roads and poor visibility.

Good looking photos, and a nice video!! I too am a "Michigan Kid", not to be confused with Blue, rather, Green and Gold, a "Northern Michigan" Kid, Go Cats!!

Enjoy your Saturday All!!

Just caught U.P. on yesterday's video, "Life in the Keweenaw", what a great, informative, and positive video!

Yes Daveofmohawk.
The U.P., like a church, is a refuge from the natural wrongs of the world, from the vagaries of nature; We live up here, as a traveling blast of life, in a conscious attempt to make a place of eternal safety...on earth!

I'm with you Dave. I grew up in Michigan and have lived in both the LP and UP. Now that I'm in northern Illinois I always tell people how the UP winters were actually easier do deal with because it gets cold and stays cold. A person knows day to day what the weather will be. Here in Illinois we get just as cold as the UP (sometimes even colder) but the temperatures fluctuate, cold then warm, rain then slush, freezing ice then frozen ruts in the road.

As I am closing in on retirement I have the opportunity to move or at least become more mobile. I've had enough snow and cold for a lifetime. Getting somewhere away from these Winters has it's temptations. But I do find myself spending way more Summer time in the UP.

BTW, great pictures and the video reminded me of times 50 years ago.

I'm an Ohio kid, but that is one great video. Need to find a way
to get back to the Yoop.

The 2003 picture by Dan Urbansaki is absolutely gorgeous and I believe is one of his last before his untimely death in August of 2004. He took so many beautiful pictures. I never met Dan but but became acquainted with his work several years before the internet when he submitted an article with photographs of the UP to the AAA Michigan Magazine. RIP Dan you will always be missed.