• Monday-What'sUP August 29 - 02:30 pm

Lake Superior, in all her magnificence, displays great fury in rolling and crashing waves, yet still manages to enthrall you. I have to admit, if given the choice, I'd much rather be on the shore with Joyce Tormala snapping this picture, than out braving the waves alongside those three folks. You know, except for the backdrop of the forested land, it reminds me of the first time I saw the Atlantic Ocean, all churned up and splashing. It was because of Lake Superior and her vastness, along with the many moods she displays, that my first viewing of an ocean wasn't all that impressive. When you've grown up surrounded by this Great Lake, spreading out before you as far as the eye can see, then the ocean is just another big lake and nothing out of the ordinary.

Oh my goodness, this is the best time to swim in Lake Superior, Mary. It's when it's at its warmest. We went swimming a couple of years ago in waves like this and could body surf all the way in. We were in the lake that day for over two hours. I am SO jealous of these people in that water. However, we did see a guy drown in waves like this also. So you have to be very careful.

I was disappointed when I first saw the ocean. It certainly did not smell as fresh as Lady Superior!

I just love waves like this. After swimming in them for a couple of hours, one tends to sleep very good that night. It is a workout!

subjugate:to bring under complete control ( and amen to the ocean's effect)

I can hear those waves! Where was this picture taken?

I miss swimming in the big lake. We used to go to Calumet Waterworks a few times a week. My first time there, Capt. Paul warned me it might be a bit chilly. What he didn't know was that as a kid I swam in the North Sea-- I like refreshing dip!

I know what you mean about the ocean not being that impressive. While I've spent a lot of time near Lake Superior and Lake Huron, I grew up and still live by Lake Michigan. What was funny for me the first time I saw the ocean was that I decided to "brave" the cold waters of the Carribbean. It turns out that just because it looks like a great lake, it's a lot warmer! But I'll take Lake Superior or Lake Michigan any day!

We went swimming this summer in Lake Michigan for the first time in over 5yrs since we moved to Houston. It was so cold and refreshing. When we got back to Houston we went to Galveston and we were so disappointed! The water was like a warm bath and it was brown. YUCK! Enjoy your lakes!

I, on the other hand, saw the ocean first, then Lake Superior, and was surprised at the immensity of the Lake. It was just like an ocean but cold and no salt. I was just amazed!

Great picture again...in 1957 as a 20 year old, aboard the SS CRISPIN OGLEBAY, we visited some 40 ports from Toronto to Duluth and I was able to swim in all 5 great lakes...I have also ventured out into the Atlantic and Pacific with my children and there is no comparison to the "Big Lake".

One thought comes to mind with this pic...body surfing! :) Nothing in the world like grabbing a big wave and riding it into the beach...over and over again :)

I hear ya Shelly. Galveston is like a warm, salty, brown swimming pool!!! I have never been in the water at Galveston and have no plans to break that tradition anytime soon!!

And now for the rest of the story...... The first time Dr. Nat went in at Waterworks, she shreaked like a little schoolgirl!! After the initial shock wore off, I couldn't get her out of the water for hours...

Site looks like Great Sand Bay. A couple of weeks ago at Bete Gris I counted over 20 cars parked along the public beach area & over 50 people in the water, including a party of 4 sitting in their beach chairs. Yes! The water is warmest in late August and early September.

I wouldn't exactly call it a shriek. I've never shrieked like a schoolgirl... even when I was a schoolgirl. It was more like a colourful exclamation.

I've been to Galveston several times. Far too warm and brown to be much fun.

Lake Superior vs ocean no need to worry about sharks in big lake.

Frank:
Unless you read the Weekly World News. A couple of years ago they ran an article about a giant freshwater shark in Lake Superior that was swallowing deer whole and attacking fishing boats. I had a good laugh about that headline.

When life is getting me down, I have dreams like this picture and wake up refreshed. Lucky me for knowing Lake Superior!

Took the grandkids to Huron, Michigan and Superior this summer. They swam in all. The biggest has been to the Gulf and she said that was fun, but liked the big lake better because of no salt. I was really surprised though; at Lake Superior it was unusually warm--even for July. I let out schoolgirl shrieks when I was a schoolgirl because Superior is where I learned to swim--it was COLD!

Wish we were there.

I spent 3 years in Puerto Rico...the water was really warm...almost too warm, in the 80s...and the salt taste is terrible...plus they have funny stuff swimming in there, like jellyfish, sea snakes eels, sharks, and barracudas..plus a thousand other things.
However, when the temperature is in the 90s everyday, even that water feels pretty good.

I'm back, and I'm still jealous watching these people in that wonderful lake. It definitely can't be Great Sand Bay though because there's not a peninsula looking thing there on the left. It could be Bete Gris because there is a peninsula there. Who knows, so much of it looks the same...wonderful!!!!!!

I remember the first time I saw the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. The first thing I said was it's like being on the shore of Lake Michigan and looking towards Chicago. You just see water. A lady standing next to my husband said that just couldn't be. That there wasn't a lake big enough that you couldn't see across. I said she must never been to the Great Lakes. She took off in a huff still saying I must be nuts. I'll take the Great Lakes any time over the ocean. Don't like the salt as all.

Wow, what I wouldnt give to be there right now! I heard something on the radio -- Car Talk? -- about a man out on a jet ski near Chicago whose engine died, and an offshore breeze blew him out into Lk Michigan. A coastie rescued him 24 hours later, and brought him to the hospital suffering from sunburn and dehydration. They asked him why he didnt just drink from the lake, and he said, "Are you kidding? The salt woulda killed me!" Musta been a Texan.

My guess is Rockhouse Point Bay. How close am I Joyce?

Is Joyce going to let us in on the secret of where this picture was taken? We're all waiting!

Joyce is probably out there taking pictures of the gorgeous sunset for tomorrow's pasty cam picture: )

This picture was taken at Agate Beach in Toivola,facing the Lots and Misery Bay. These guys appeared out of nowhere,came charging down the ramp and dove in. Thanks to these brave souls,I took a vicarious whoopin' and whompin' on this particular day. Thanks,also,to you folks in Pastyland for verifying the ocean facts I've heard for 40 plus years;it's not as refreshing as it looks on the calendar. I've never been to the oceans and I won't mope,because I am fortunate enough to live a few leaps from Superior. I wasn't fortunate enough to roam the beach today,but I did notice the beautiful sunset this evening.
Believe it or not,I actually KNOW a few people who don't give a boo or bää about the lake! I just raise my eyebrows and say,"too bad."

Thank you for the info Joyce. I've been to the ocean. Ain't all it's cracked up to be. I love Lakes Superior and Michigan much more. They are the best. People who don't care are probably not lake people. Their loss.

What's the difference? All big bodies of water, too big to look across. Mayhap they smell differently, but who'd stoop to seriously, without the tiniest bit of jest, say one smells better?
Going to the ocean don't cut it, though. One's got to go to a place where there's as little population and pollution as UP there, then compare. If one absolutely has to.
I've seen some of the Great Lakes (not Superior, though) and the ocean, and I wouldn't want to miss either, except it's easier for me to see part of an ocean (German Bight) than one of the Great Lakes.

...yea, yea, I know you all love the "Great Lakes" but they're not all that great. Yes the are very nice but you have to admit...there's nothing like watching the sunrise on the East coast and sunset on the West coast.

I think it has to do with fresh or salt water....I use to swim almost daily when at Camp-Bootjack... and felt refreshed. Swimming in salt water made me feel "sticky" and I couldn't wait for a shower. Got bitten by a jelly fish and had to go to the hospital because I didn't know what happened when foot and ankle swelled......not use to those ocean-critters....and you can drink Lake Superior water if you're stranded on a raft....:o)

I've swum in the ocean (San Diego, LA, and even San Francisco on a crazy day) and I've swum in the lake (Marquette's Picnic Rocks and McCarty's cove).

The lake is better. No salt, no pollution. I also wish my little girls had the lake to learn to swim in. Despite what others may say, the ocean's waves are on average far more powerful and intimidating, at leaset here in Southern California.

When I was a kid we'd go to the beach and us kids would play and swim while Mum read or studied. When I take *my* kids to the beach I stand there with them, watching the 9-year old like a hawk as she wades and splashes and holding on to my 5-year old with an iron grip. I can't relax when my kids are in an ocean like this.

They're doing good in their swim lessons, but if they had a Lake Superior to swim in during the summer (especially the kiddie pool at McCarty's cove) they wouldn't need lessons, they'd get experience.

We visited in 2004 - the kids LOVED it. See https://pasty.com/pcam/Marquette-Vacation,-Summer-2004