• Father's Day-What'sUP June 19 - 04:48 pm

If you're a seasoned traveler to the Keweenaw Peninsula, no doubt your shoebox of memories includes the sign at Allouez which greeted visitors for many years. Looking back, I always thought it was a magnificent sign. But I realized this morning that the view was always the striking aspect of this location... the rising hump of the Cliffs in the distance... the vast expanse toward Mohawk and beyond - places like Mt. Horace Greeley, Bare Bluff, Mount Bohemia, and Brockway. Such an awesome backdrop, I hardly ever thought about the sign.

But this week this new masterpiece emerged, welcoming all to the most beautiful county in the state of Michigan. I an eager to hear the story behind the sign. (I suspect it's a creation of Mark McEvers, but perhaps someone can verify this.)

Hope to see you at PastyFest 2006 in Calumet, less than 2 weeks away. I'm actually logged on from Waterford, MI. this morning, on our Father's Day weekend visit. Happy day to all the Dad's!

Have a good week :o)

Happy Father's Day to my Dad and everyone else's. It would be a nice sight to be driving up to that sign this morning instead of all the orange barrels here in the lower half.

Happy Father's Day...treasure them while you have them...so many are gone far too soon. Wish I could have one more trip to the UP with my Dad, he loved it nearly as much as I!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! Hope today's the
day you get on Pasty Cam.

I hear you Susan. I know how fortunate I am to
have my wonderful father. He'll be in his
favorite place in the world by the end of the
week and my husband and I will be there at
the end of next week. Our daughter, the lucky
duck, gets to live there year round.

How many more days til you're there Sur5er?

For some reason I just don't remember this sign. I guess I'm too busy looking at the scenery and the heck with signs.

Here's a link to a Daily Mining Gazette article regarding the sign. You're right Charlie, it's Mark's handiwork!

http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=2387

The sign matters, especially if the viewer has never been to the Keeweenaw

...I love the Houghton sign...can't remember exactly what it says..but I believe it says:.."Welcome to Houghton, Gateway to the Keweenaw"........always makes me feel like I am "There"..even though Lake Linden is about 12 more mile....my favorite picture of all time is Taka's winter scene of the sign in Houghton.

I'm a bit cynical usually ... sorry..
but did the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge pay for the advertising?
With that big a banner, perhaps they should have paid for the sign instead of the taxpayers.

Otherwise, the top half looks pretty nice, although the old sign holds the memories, doesn't it?

Suppose the lodge brings in a lot of tourist dollars to support the area, so that's probably why it's there.

Coming into Houghton from Chassell, there used to be a big billboard declaring the great air in the copper country...is that one still there?
I can't remember the exact words...something like "you are now breathing the purist most vitalizing air on earth, or something like that

Hey Dave, That sign I remember. And you're right. I'm pretty sure that's what it said too. "Welcome to the Copper Country. You are now breathing the purist, most vitalizing air on earth!" Something along that line. I'll always remember that sign. It was right before you got to Michigan Tech.

Keweenaw County owns the Mountain Lodge which is why it is highlighted.Mark McEvers made the sign. I took the top photo of Keweenaw point which represents the remoteness and uniqueness of county without actually highlighting any one particular area. Neil

Thanks for clarifying things Neil...if folks would have read the article, oh well...

Have a wonderful Father's Day everyone!

The new sign is nice but,as my mother in law used to say(and I think she was referring to me)"a new broom is nice but an old broom knows all the corners."
Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!

Thanks Neil...I'm always looking out for the taxpaying public :)
I didn't realize the lodge was owned by the county. I did read the article, but it only said the sign was paid for by the county and road commision.

Great aerial, by the way. The sign is awesome, really sets the atmosphere a lot better than the old one.

Do you sell aerial photos? If you click on Neil's name up above you can get his email address and ask him directly, you may get a response sooner! :->

great sign, looking forward to seeing it live. great photo, Neil! I'm very happy to have the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge highlighted. It's a beautiful place, very good restaurant, and because of its history I hope all newcomers to the area will visit there.

You have my vote as yes on that too.

thanks for whomever put the sign image up...YES..that is the one.
I'll never forget it until the day I die...and the sportsmans one just before it.

And an old friend of mine sent the pics to me as well...thanks Dennis

Yes Dave, I do sell aerials. I work full time as a pilot but I also own my own plane and aerial photography has been my hobby for many years. I do custom work but do sell in a couple of local shops. If I make any money, I buy better equipment so It is just my hobby business.I mainly like sharing, what other people don't get to see and positive promotion of our area. I will do promo photos for non-profit for free or a little expense money. And if I ever get together with Charlie, I will set up a web page. Neil

I can't believe I had the whole thing right. Thanks to whoever put it there. I'm now adding it to my pictures so I'll have it forever. I used to love that sign. Gave me goosebumps every time I drove by it.

Happy Father's Day Dad!!! Like the new "puppy"!!!!

During a cyber-chat this morning with my son in Baghdad,he mentioned a having a casual conversation with one of the NCO's,who mentioned spending their vacation in upper Michigan. She said,"I think the people call themselves Yopers or Yoopers..." Jason said,"YOOPERS,and I AM one!"
She even had a "You Betcha!" license plate.
It doesn't take much to make the day.

Today was a great Fathers Day for my husband Nate! It was his first Father's Day. And what better place to spend your first Father's Day, than Pictured Rocks? We had a great time at Miner's beach kayaking and boldly dipping our toes in the water! Happy Father's Day Nate and all the other Dad's out there!

I like the "Super Scenic Views" slogan much better, but oh well, time marches on. My uncle works at the gas station right past that sign.

wWhere is Mikie and Sur5fer? Am I missing something?