When Marcy Bessolo Hermanson isn’t on a bike ride adventure, you can usually find her on a Keweenaw road trip in her vehicle. She recently took a drive along the Gay/Lac La Belle Road and captured these reflective scenes in her travels. She titled them “Summer Reflections”, which is perfect as we wind down from summer this week, entering into September and all the ‘back to school’ hubbub. These scenes are all so calm and serene, it’s a great way to say goodbye to the lazy, hazy days of summer.

Marcy’s bottom photo is knapweed, which is a pretty purple roadside and field flower, but don’t let that beauty fool you...it’s also an invasive species which is poisonous to other plants, choking them out so only knapweed grows. It is a threat to pastures and dry ecosystems including prairies and dunes. It can also be a skin irritant. So, I guess you could say it’s a ‘sheep in wolf’s clothing’...beware.

Speaking of beware, today’s video is a good reminder to always respect the power of Lake Superior. With college classes getting back into full swing, students and tourists that might be unaware of how powerful her waters can be, need to be warned to respect this magnificent body of water, as conditions can change quickly.

Soothing set…each one is a beautiful scene!
Fifty shades of green.

Hi
Part of me says "Good, plenty of water in the pond &
stream. The ecosystem has what it needs for the
plants and animals, and no invasive species in
sight". Another part of me says "Probably mucky
bottom and weedy, no good for either swimming or
rock collecting".

Hi again
I just watched the video. Very impressive and
sobering. Definitely something to think about.

Awesome pics. I think the Nature Conservancy did a
knap weed "pull" a few years back. They had
everyone in long sleeves, pants, gloves...no
touching the stuff. They pulled lots out of the
Keweenaw.

That vid is powerful. Was that the same year that
couple got washed off the rocks? They never found
the woman, and only a part of the man. When that
lake is rocking and bashing you against the
rocks...you turn into fish food. I know it's
gross, but it's also true. And November is the
month you stay OUT of that Lake...she wins. Every
single time!

Great pictures! And that video was sobering.
Donna made some great points! I have a very
healthy respect for that lake.

I knew this was going to be a good set when NMU was displayed prominently! I hope they show that video to all the incoming freshmen who will spend a lot of time on Presque Isle. As Donna said, ignorance of Lady Superior's power can be deadly.

Perfect contrast with the serene inland waters and the calm reflections. Thanks for reminding people about the invasive knapweed in dry areas - just like the purple loosestrife in shorelines. Is it something about the purple shade?!