• Monday-What'sUP March 1 - 10:31 pm

When you're looking at these photos taken by William Pekuri, you might get a feeling of "déjà vu". That's because this spot has been here before, but is not as readily recognizable when covered by the snow, ice and William's son Matt! The imaginary wave that Matt is trying to catch a ride on is alongside Smith's Creek, which is located on M-203 outside of Calumet. The second shot is almost a duplicate of William's shot which was the daily Pasty Cam photo back on Nov. 2, 2005. I say almost, because back then there were fall colors still clinging to the trees, instead of the present blanket of white and ice. You have to admit, both scenes make for wonderful viewing!

Well, all of the pictures are nice, but I'm ready to be seeing some spring pictures. The skunks are lying on the road now so spring must be right around the corner. I, for one, can not wait. Have a nice Monday everybody.

Deb S. My wife and I have always told folks that dead skunks are the first true sign of spring, thanks for letting us know someone else has that belief! We noticed one down in the LP about three weeks ago. Much better sign than a groundhog's shadow. Good morning and good week, all.

Can't tell which is my favorite. Love It.

Good morning from Columbus, chilly here and a few flakes of snow falling.
Counting the days until we get back to the CC and Bootjack----can't wait. No place like home---as Dorothy would say!!!

He looks pretty close to getting wet there.We have had the dead skunks showing up here for the past three weeks or so.Dead skunks seem to do a better job at telling the coming of spring than any groundhog could.

The notes on signs of spring remind me of my second-favorite place name, a road in St. Clair County, Michigan: Skunk's Misery Road. I grew up there, but never heard an adequate explanation for the name. (My favorite is somewhere in North Carolina: Rock A'Walking Road.)

Good Morning-

Here in Houston we have been having spring like weather and its nice! All too soon the hot and muggy weather will be here. I was eager for spring pictures also and found plenty in the Guest Photo site of Pasty.Net. Rebecca Frederick has some really cheery ones. Lots to choose from. Enjoy! I have never heard the skunk theory, boy you learn something new everyday.

Dead skunks and flat possums. Also the smell of riled skunk on the morning wind. Two sure signs of spring. And I noticed the chickadees are singing their two-note song -- pee-wee on a falling note -- meaning they are feeling territorial.

I used to live in Laurium in the 50's and still don't know exactly where Smith's Creek is on the M-203. Near McLains Park possibly? Also, a little off track, does anyone know when and exactly where in Sarasota, Fl., this years Yooper Picnic will be held. It's usually sometime in March.

It's amazing how different the same location looks, with a blanket of snow.
Usedtobeayooper, Yep, one way that I could always tell that spring was coming in Michigan, was by the smell of skunk. It must be a Michigan thing, because we don't have skunks out this way, in Indiana. One sure sign of spring out here, are the steady stream of trailers and motorhomes headed out to the National Shoreline.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To prove to the skunks (and 'possum and 'coons) that it could be done!

Sur5er, We are in MN and skunks are still a sign of spring coming here.

Davis S., I too am wondering where M-203 is. If anybody could tell us, that would be great. Would love to visit that spot.

The skunks are alive and stinkin' (if not laying in the road) here in eastern IA. also! The Canadian geese are flying north too!

Deb,
We've always called M-203 the 'Canal Road'. It is the highway that runs from Hancock to Calumet, following the canal.
David,
Smith's Creek is a mile or two past McLain's, kitty-corner to the old Rendezvous. It runs under Bear Lake/Salo Rd and M-203 before emptying into the Big Lake.

Thanks happyooper, I know the Canal Road well and also where the old Rendezvous is. Should be able to find the spot easily this summer. Thanks again!

I noticed the dead skunks around here a few weeks ago and thought it was quite early for that. Makes me think of the Arlo Guthrie song: Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road (and Stinkin' to High Heaven).

At least I always thought it was Arlo Guthrie. Google shows Loudon Wainright III (who?).

Marsha, it was Louden Wainwright. My high school days ahhhh!

Bone-headed stunts of my youth: walking out on the Lake Huron ice in front of our cabin near Cheboygan (I was around 12 at the time). I got off better than my kid brother, who fell through the ice. Only waist deep and I was right there to help him out, but very cold & a considerable shock.

Kathyl, What a shocking way to learn about not walking on ice, eh. Don't feel bad though. Out here on Lake Michigan...known for its dangerously thin shelf ice...I have seen parents take their children out onto the ice. Signs up and down the beach...and in every parking lot: "Danger Shelf Ice", with an explanation as to why one should not venture out onto the ice...but the adults ignore the signs.
A few winters ago, the local newspaper had a front page picture of a mother and her young children walking out on the shelf ice...not as a warning, but as 'things to do in the national park, in the winter'. Duh.

Dave S. Look at What'sUP re;FL Yooper picnic.

Rob Bier: I live down here in St. Clair county now for 27 years. Where is (or was) "Skunks Misery" Road? Never heard of it, don't see it on a county map.

We also have here a "Smiths Creek" creek, road, and the village made famous by Tom Edison 100 plus years ago where he got thrown off the train when he caught it on fire mixing chemicals with his chemistry set! The train station was later moved to Greenfield Village to memorialize the incident.

Send some of that snow our way--Flagstaff, AZ hasn't had more than 2" all winter. We should be seeing at least 60" by now.