• Saturday-What'sUP July 19 - 06:59 pm

This week we had pictures of the colorful flowers and insects that summer brings to the Copper Country, but there's something else that is quite bright that seems to "bloom" when the warmer weather appears and today's photo has a number of them. Yes, that's right, I'm talking about the orange and white barrels along the highway, warning you that road construction is going on in the area and you need to slow down. They also are a sign that there might be a delay, as you stop and wait for your turn to proceed on your journey. This picture was taken between Lake Linden and Dollar Bay, where they're preparing to resurface the highway. It might be a pain while the job is underway, but just think how nice the drive will be once it's completed and the highway is smooth and pothole free. Remember to obey the speed signs in these work areas, those men and women there on the job could be your son or daughter, sibling, spouse or parent, so ease up on the gas and give them a brake!

I also hear that the construction will be adding a nice big bike lane to the highway. I can't wait!

M-26 between Hancock and Lake Linden is one of the worst roads for bikes around here. With any luck, this will make (at least part of) it a lot better.

Good morning, It's that time of the year for all the orange & white barrels to come out of their Winter sleep.

The nice thing about stopping for road construction in the UP is that it doesn’t last long and is usually in a pleasant spot that lets you look around and see the wildlife. Not like the southern LP where if you are stuck in a construction backup, you had better have provisions and a sleeping bag.

So happy to hear about the bike lane...wish they would do the same between Dollar Bay and the bridge. Until then I'll ride the suberbs of $Bay.

Everyone knows there are five seasons in Michigan: Winter, Spring, Summer, Road Construction and Fall....

It seems like we'd be smart to buy stock in those orange barrels.

So what's the construction going on in the parking lot on BridgeCam? Are they building a sea wall or repairing one that's already there?

Running new water lines under the canal to supply Hancock.

It is a good idea to take stoke in them orange & white barrels. Back in the 1980's they were $70.00 each. Michigan has the worst roads, I think it is a (donor state) where MI. has to wait for the tax money the Fed's take to give back to MI.

The new water line is quite the project. We could see part of the project being done by walking back into the woods behind our house. What a steep hill those heavy machines have to go down near the snowmobile trail.

Me sings: "Orange barrels, orange barrels every where I see....."

Have a good day everyone!!
Best wishes,
Renee in AL

Snowman sings;

"Roll out the barrels...."

Someone once commented to me that the orange construction barrel should be named the state tree of MI. Sure see enough of them along the road.

I agree with Alex. You may be halted for up to 15 minutes while they do what they need to do. Its a nice time to turn the car off, get out, and stretch your legs. Take the dog for a short walk. Eat some wild thimbleberries. Smell the air that you can only get in the U.P. It is clean, and most vitalizing :)

Hey Snowman, how about "The Beer Barrel Polka" to go along with "Roll Out the Barrels"?

When we were UP there a couple of weeks ago we were warned about this. So went up to Copper Harbor etc. via downtown Hancock and US 41. Came back the same way except went down Airport Road pass the airport etc. back to Woodside. Only thing was I missed several things I wanted to see and get pics of Lake Linden way! Missed meeting Mary too!

I think the most noteworthy fact about the road work pictured today is that it goes right down main street in Lake Linden. They have already installed brick cross walks in town so until the new pavement is laid there is a "speed bump" at every corner. In my opinion, this project is one of a very few uplifting things going on in the area. I see a lot of signs of decay in the towns.

Hi, everyone, The barrel syndrom is not exclusive to the Copper Country; I could send a couple pix along from Craig CO. But this is a site for Upper's and Upper Wanna Be's (that would be me at the moment, still waiting to sell the house), so northwestern Colorado shots - albeit scenic with the mountains and all - wouldn't be the same. Just don't hit one...they leave those nasty orange marks on your bumpers and fenders that are SO hard to wax out! Have a great day, eh!

When a teacher asked a student in a UP school what the 4 seasons were, he replied, fishing season, partridge season, deer season and rabbit season.

oh yeah and around champion has construction going on also!! we discovered this the hard way last sunday when we went to marquette hehe. good thing it was a weekend! there is also construction outside of bruce crossing too. hit that the week before going there. what a mess that is!