Lots of activities going on today from the archives and a current visit to a Houghton play area. We begin the day’s fun back in 2004 with Kevin Vrsek, who takes us west of Manistique, to Palms Book State Park, home of Big Spring - Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan's largest spring. This unique phenomenon is 200 feet across, with over 10,000 gallons of water gushing per minute, keeping the 40 ft. deep water at a constant 45° year-round and it is crystal clear, so you can see the springs bubbling in the sand below you, along with the fish swimming under the raft that takes you across the span.

Then we join David Subert in 2007 at the Houghton RV Campground for a beautiful bonfire on the shores of the Portage Canal. Quite the peaceful scene with the glow from the fire and the setting sun reflecting off the canal water.

Dave Dalquist was at McLain State Park back in 2010, when he captured this adventurous soul windsurfing on the waves in Lake Superior. Looks like it would be quite the rush out there in the wind and waves, but I think I’ll just sit back and enjoy it from afar.

Just a few weeks ago, Mike Rudzki was here visiting in the Keweenaw and made a stop at the Ray Kestner Waterfront Park in Houghton, where he climbed to the top of the Chutes and Ladders playground to give us a look from UP there. How many of you adults here viewing today, have ever jumped in that chute for the ride back down? That’s enough of a rush for me!

In case you’d like a bit more than a picture rush of windsurfing, we have a video to get your blood pumping, too. This video was made two years ago at the “Breakers” near McLain State Park, so in the general area of the photo today, but on the other side of the breakwalls. Get ready to rock and roll with Lake Superior.

Great shot of Mary in 2003 in the review!

Mary says Aw, thanks, JBuck! That was an awesome day and the Bridge Walk was such a great experience!

"Palms Brook [sic] State Park"

Not to be picky, but see
(click →) "Palms Book State Park".

I find it easy to remember that 'cuz it sounds like such an odd, improbable name!

See also, Wikipedia (click →) "Palms Book State Park", where the odd sounding name is explained:

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Quote:

The park was created in 1926 when John I. Bellaire arranged for the sale of a 90-acre (36 ha) parcel from the Palms Book Land Company to the state for $10. The arrangement called for the establishment of a park that would be named after the land company.

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Hey Capt Paul and Dr. Nat could you comment on the
'new' Yooper rock, Yooperlites?

"So what that is, is just a beach granite or basalt
that has a fluorescent mineral in it called Sodalite
that they believe was brought down from Canada by
glaciers," Rintamaki said.

Been to the spring and was wishing I could drop a line as the fish were huge.