• Wednesday-What'sUP February 9 - 10:54 am

The hills are alive, with the sound of Superior. Lake Superior that is! Joyce Tormala, managed to capture Gitche Gumee in one of her quieter moods, that she herself described as whispering, cackling and snickering. While pausing on an embankment, overlooking the contrast of the cold, blue water and the gray to white of the frozen shoreline you can just make out the sounds the ice makes as it nudges forward on a race to nowhere. Then on another of Superior's shorelines, Skylar Baxter caught her howling along with the winds, which we've had plenty of this past week. Sets your teeth to chattering, looking at those splashing waves and the ice coated rocks... brrrrr!

Great shot , The big lady is always at her best no matter what season

Thanks for the great pictures! Brrrrr

Super shots, wish I had the sounds to go with.

Mary--

I was just thinking how amazing it is that you
come up with these wonderful captions to go
with these splendid pictures. It must be
satisfying (and probably hard too!).

Mary says: Thanks for the compliment, Kosk! You hit the nail on the head there, because yes, it is satisfying and yes, sometimes it is hard. Shh, don't tell anyone, but sometimes I "borrow" a caption from the photographer's gallery too! :->

There is nothing like a great picture of Lake Superior. I could look at that thing in awe all day every day. To me it should be the 8th wonder of the world because it is truly the most beautiful piece of work I have seen in my life. When we travel to the Copper Country and we first spot it in Duluth I get excited. But Ashland, WI is where it really hits. I just love that lake. Thanks for the great pics, and Happy Wednesday!

I have to agree with usedtobeayooper, it really is a great feeling when you see the lake for the first time after a long drive to get there.I can remember coming up over a hill and there it was,a friend who was with us thought it was the sky laid out before us,took a moment for him to see it was the lake.

usedtobeayooper, I know that feeling too. Seeing Lake Superior from Agate Beach road when you look to the left as you are driving toward the "T" in the road, gives me a feeling of excitement. Even tho I live here, the lake still does that to me every time.

While I'm coming UP north each year, I stop at the harbor in
Munising and walk down through the park to put a hand in the
water just to let the lake know I'm back. Plus it's a great spot to
have a liittle picnic lunch. A few years ago as I turned around to go
back to the truck, there was a pop bottle neck sticking out of the
bank. It was a 7 oz. crown cap Arola's Sparkling Beverages from
Republic-Marquette, and in real good shape. Wonder how long it
had been there waiting for me?
Then on the way home, I stop again to sadly say goodby to the
lake.

Deb S...I too share your thoughts upon seeing L.Superior! As you are coming into Duluth from the south side on I-35, you're up on top of Thompson Hill and as you drive over the top there it is!!! Lake Superior!!!! I'll get my "fix" Memorial Day weekend!

Marqaret,

when we did the trip aroound the big lake a few years back, I set up my video camera on the shore and let it run for an hour catching the sunset and sounds of the waves from Lake Superior Provincial park on the east end. It's great to replay it about now

Lorelei, Do you live in Toivola or anywhere near Agate Beach? We used to go searching for agates there all the time. My cousin used to own the Mosquito Inn so we'd go to the lake and stop in for beer for the folks and pop for the kids. What memories!

John and Anne, I remember coming to the top of the hill going to McLean Park and seeing the lake and the feeling that you were going to drive right into it. It was scary as a kid but so darn exciting too.

James, I have to do the same thing. I have to stop and just put my hand in the water and close my eyes I'm so happy to be at the lake. How can you not just love that lake?

Janie T, What a coincidence! I'll be getting my fix on Memorial Day weekend too. I absolutely can't wait.

It's great to hear of all the people who feel the same way that I do. My husband wasn't as lucky as I was to have grown up all around that lake. But he still shares the same sentiment. When we're up there we just sit on the beach and stare. What an awesome sight! I have goosebumps just thinking about it. It's my dream to build a house somewhere between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor some day. Around Lac La Belle would be fine too. That side is actually warmer, but the Copper Harbor side has the best waves in the world. My ex-in-laws have a cabin between Gay and Lac La Belle and the sand there is wonderful. We still visit them every summer when we're there. They live there all summer.

Okay, off to work now. Those pictures today really made me homesick. Have a good one.

Technoido,
I know what you mean about finding things on the beaches of Superior. A couple years back I found a Black Label can on the beach at McLain State Park that had the two puncture marks in the top from a can opener. How old must that have been?!

Usedtobeayooper, Ditto ;) My heart starts pounding, and I get so excited as soon as I see the Mighty Mac...and then once again when I finally get a look at Lake Superior, around Munising. I can't help it, but each time I see Lake Superior for the first time, I have to pull my truck off on the shoulder of the road, and climb down the embankment to put my hand in Lake Superior. An old 'welcome home' tradition that I have been doing for years ;) And then it's onward to the Keweenaw :)

Ditto on Eagle Harbor too ;)

sur5er, what is your hometown in the U.P.? were you born and raised up there? it's beautiful country!

Speaking of Lake Superior, my mother always said it had magical powers. Each time we took a trip near the Lake, my mother had to get out and wade in the waters of Superior. This tradition continued into her 70's. She was born in Gaastra and grew up in Houghton / Hancock + 100% Sisu.

The pictures are beautiful. All your comments/ feelings about viewing the lake border on magical. If I ever get up there one day, I know it will be absolutely wonderful!! And I know I will be awestruck.

Bobbysgirl, I lived in south eastern Michigan...but I have always considered the UP my home ;)

Usedtobeayooper, I am from Painesdale. I go to Agate beach as much as I can during the spring & summer. I have frequented the Mosquito Inn on several occasions too! ;)

Bobg, what a clever action. And how wonderful it must be to bring out that tape and play it whenever you are in the mood! Wish I had something like that. I always wished to have an audio of waves on a shore but this would be even better! Enjoy.