Back in today’s archives, was this first neat shot from Melanie Hakala Rossi, during the 2011 Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival race. The cavalcade of bikes was just coming off the Lift Bridge, heading out on the race route. Pretty impressive seeing all those bikes pedaling away like that.

On 8th Street in Hubbell this week, there was a different type of cavalcade, as you can see in the remaining photos from Bob Gilreath. That first shot of his is the Michigan Army National Guard arriving on foot to help shovel out the Catch Drain at the top of the road there. During the flooding, it was completely plugged up with sand, huge boulders and debris that washed down from the railroad/ATV trails above. There’s normally a heavy gauge metal grate covering the opening to keep debris out, but that was ravaged and pulled off by the flood waters, too. You can see in the progression of photos from Bob, the job these Guards helped us out with. The last photo, showing just the standing water, was taken early yesterday morning, but shortly after, a caravan of excavators showed up to remove major piles of sand and with a vacuum type piece of equipment (sorry I don’t know the technical names), the drains were finally sucked out clean so the water could again run through them, rather than down the street.

Bob also had a video of the Guards as they were digging this drain out. They literally dug in and got the job done. It was impressive to watch. Forgive me for a moment of “Mother’s” pride...the young man in the white t-shirt and orange hat is my son, there helping to clean up his street.

I just have to add here also, that the amount of volunteers helping has been outstanding, all ages there to pitch in. Fire Departments, organizations, people from all over the U.P. have been coming to help with the cleanup. We even spoke with some folks who were here vacationing and came to help. Truckloads of supplies have been arriving daily, one from as far away as Kentucky arrived Friday morning. There is still much to clean up all around the Copper Country, but it has been so heartwarming to see all the good in our country’s people, instead of the media focus on all the bad that happens between folks daily. God Bless all the volunteers. Kudos to you all!

Amen, God bless those volunteers and the National
Guard and everyone who has helped the CC during this
time. Wish we could be there too.

A day at a time.

As horrid as the whole thing is...it is absolutely
beautiful to see what's happening after.

And Jeff rocks!

They all rock, they all rock the Copper Country...;O)

Thank You, one and all.

I am so proud to be able to say that I'm
from the Copper Country! The way everybody
has pitched in to help is amazing. And I
have said the same thing that Mary said at
the end. It was such a tragedy, but from
that tragedy we got to hear some uplifting
stories on the news, not just depressing
things like murders and political stories.
But rather people caring about other
people's probems, even if they don't know
them. I hope and pray that the area gets
cleaned up quickly. And I pray the water
situation gets taken care of. Copper
Country Strong is an understatement!

It's so nice to hear people just jump in and start to
fix the problems rather whining and waiting for help
to arrive and do the work! You SHOULD be proud Mary!
God bless the people of the CC!