Barbara Bouwkamp went out to their camp at Big Traverse to check out what the recent snow looks like near Lake Superior. She said they’ll be closing up the cabin for the winter soon, but will still be out there to check on things throughout the snowy months. She captured these scenes while out there on Sunday. The first one is my favorite, Barbara called it a soft sky! But I do like the shoreline shot, too, with the very edge of the water still beach sand and then snow from there UP.

Today’s video was made last year, and I thought it was interesting, that the maker, Christopher Greyson, a Central Texan, had only experienced snow a few times. His tour of Little Presque Isle and narrative was fun to hear, knowing this isn’t something he grew up with.

Really nice pic's and a great video today!! Little Presque is one of my favorite spots in Marquette.
I've told this story before... we drove out to that island in the late seventies in my buddies Jeep/CJ5 while sitting on the top of the seats and using a broom handle on the gas! We made it to the island but stalled on the way back and a Toyota Land Cruiser had to tow us back to shore. Luckily the Jeep started again after it dried out for a couple of hours!! True story and •••• for brains as Norman would say!! lol

On another sobering note... I won't be in the U.P. until Spring of next year it looks like and I really bummed out about it!!
Spent all day yesterday at U of M Cardiovascular Center having test... now I'm scheduled for Open Heart Surgery to take place on 1/22/20 if not sooner!! They're going to crack my chest and fix my bicuspid valve and an ascending aortic aneurysm!! I have a whole list of do's and don'ts until then and to be perfectly honest... I'm freaked out!! This will delay my return back to any job prospects/offers and every little discomfort I have in my chest is making me wonder... is this it!!??
Well enough complaining... strict diet, moderate walking for exercise and weight loss is the goal until the procedure takes place. Genetic history is a real factor here! Oh well, we play the hand we're dealt... right??

Hope you're all having a great day!!

Uncle Chuck - Hang in there! All might seem like
doom and gloom now, but I promise: Better days
ahead! Focus on yourself now, and the payoff will
be a more happy and healthy life!

Oh no, Uncle Chuck...you're being added to my prayer list right now. Thanks for letting us know and please keep us posted. Like F.D. said here above, it's time to focus on yourself right now and do what you have to do. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Big HUGS...

I, too, like the first picture. It's gorgeous.

Uncle Chuck, we'll be praying for you. I would
be freaked out also. My son had open heart
surgery at 21. He had a valve replaced with an
artificial one. I was terrified. But that was
12 years ago and he's never been better. He
can lift weights now and he can do many of the
sports that he could never do as a kid. The
valves supposedly last for 60 years. So he
hopefully will be in good health for many years
to come. And I pray for the same outcome for
you. Best of luck, my friend.

UC, you're on my prayer list too, Wildcat Brother!! Better to have found it now and get things scheduled on your timeframe than find out 'the hard way'. Those doctors are good (did i just say UM doctors are good?!!!) and they have done this dozens of times before. You're in good hands. We'll expect only good to come from this challenge.

On another note......... i too count Little Presque Isle as a favorite. It wasn't that long ago you could walk to the island and barely get your feet wet! In a PE class we scheduled a hike around the area in October and had to change it to a snowshoe hike!

Be strong, UC. My brother-in-law had 3 open hearts and survived each one. That was 30 years ago and medical tech has come a long way since then.

Thanks for talking me off the edge everyone! lol Seriously, The
Pasty Family is the best!! Stay tuned for updates if you don’t
mind? I’d still rather be at Little Presque!! :)

Mind? No way!! We expect to get updates with the good news about how you're doing! Plan that Little Presque trip for the Spring!

Those are beautiful photographs, especially the first one. They really made my day.

Uncle Chuck, my father had open-heart surgery fifteen years ago and he is still happily travelling all over the world. In a few weeks he'll be off in the Alps hiking, even though he's just shy of 80. It's amazing what modern medicine can do.

You are in good hands with the doctors at U of M, and I know many prayers, including my own, are with you. Please keep us updated.

Uncle Chuck, I have a friend on Facebook named Curt Benttinen.
Curt went through similar surgery a couple of years ago and he
shared everything with his FB friends. He made a complete recovery
and is once again very active, Please look him up on Facebook. I'm
sure he will tell you everything to expect and will walk you through it.
He is a great guy even if he isn't a Yooper. He's a Finn and that's
kinda the same thing.

https://www.facebook.com/curt.benttinen.5

Best wishes and best of luck UC . . . moderate walking and good diet until your surgery. We're all with you, hang in!

Thanks All!!

I got religion.... down 6 lbs so far (two days)I know it's water, but I am walking and eating like I should (1500 calories/day)!!

Have I mentioned lately that you folks are the BEST!!