The day Barbara Bouwkamp stopped to take these photos of the Great Sand Bay stairway, was a beauty. She said it was just a heavenly day, with Lake Superior so calm. Barbara told me there are 80 steps down and of course 80 steps UP. She said she didn’t count them herself, some anonymous person did and she wasn’t about to prove or disprove their count as she was huffing and puffing too hard to focus on counting them. She said she didn’t even attempt to count them, as she figured she’d forget the number along the way when she thought about something else. Easily distracted by all the beauty surrounding those steps I guess, makes perfect sense to me.

We join In The Keweenaw for an aerial view of the Copper Harbor Lighthouse. They said it was windy yet calm this day, a typical late summer/early fall day In The Keweenaw.

If you’re looking for something to do in the area for the next couple weeks, check out the links below, courtesy of VisitKeweenaw.com:

• Sep 22-23: Calumet-Keweenaw Sportsmens Club 2023 Gun & Knife Show
• Sep 22-24: Yoop! Fest 3
• Sep 23: Copper Country Running Company: 12K Churning Rapids Challenge
• Sep 23: Omega House Presents: The Insiders, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tribute
• Sep 28: Opening Day of The Calumet Players Production: The Addams Family Musical
• Sep 29: Opening Day of Mont Ripley Fall Chairlift Rides
• Sep 30: Cider Making at Central Mine District
• Sep 30: Fall Colors Photo Workshop at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
• Oct 6: Keweenaw Plaidurday Celebration

Thanks for the views of the bay - and the stairway! The composition in the last one makes it my favorite today. Just think how hard the people worked to build that stairway so visitors could enjoy the bay - we appreciate it! Not handicap accessible but what that would take is incredible.

Always like the vids of lighthouses too!

Great choices today!

Beautiful photos. That's quite the stairway.
I also counted the steps at the roadside
stop right before Great Sand Bay. There were
80. Ugh! Calumet Waterworks only had 40
steps. That's better, except when you're
carrying some big rocks up.

Thanks for all the info, Mary.

Today, September 21st is "World Alzheimer's
awareness day." It's intent is to show us what
this disease is capable of.
During my nine years of caregiving for my wife,
suffering with dementia, I once asked, "why am I
here." Then seeing the silent cry for help in her
eyes, I knew why. Watching a once vibrant and
energic women become a mere fraction of her true
self is heartbreaking.
I hope the following poem will help those on
the same journey that I completed in June. All
they ask is for loving care and understanding.
It is all we can give.

Do not ask me to remember,
don't try to make me understand,
let me rest and know you are with me,
kiss my cheek and hold my hand.

I'm confused beyond your concept,
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you
to be with me at all cost.

Do not lose your patience with me,
do not scold or curse or cry.
I can't help the way I'm acting,
can't be different though I try.

Just remember that I need you,
that the best of me is gone,
please don't fail to stand beside me,
love me till my life is done.

-OWEN DARNELL

FJL...you washed my face..how beautiful and God
Bless you for doing what you did. You were a true
blessing for your wife.

Gorgeous pics. Wish I could do it.

I second that, Donna.
Nice pix! There was a time when
I would have run up and down those
stair's three times just for the exercise.
Now…I’ll just wait for the elevator.

Oh…and nice calming video too.
I love the music.

Omgosh, FJL, that made me cry. I hope it's
something we all remember, just in case.
Bless you for being wonderful with your
wife. She was a lucky woman to the end.
Heartfelt thoughts are with you.

FJL, that was wonderful. That poem applies to so many circumstances in addition to Alzheimer's. God bless you.

FJL, that was amazing just like you Sir!! Reality
really hits home, sounds like you and your wife
truly had a very special love story all your own.
Hoping your heart & memories helps you smile very
soon!

Thanks' all for your comforting posts. Starting on
chapter three in my book of life. Been commenting on
Pasty Central since it's beginning. I thank mister
Hopper for this Yooper site and all that contribute
to it's success. FJL

FJL, I didn't read this until Friday. The poem
caught perfectly my situation with my mom, who
passed away this March.