• Sunday-What'sUP August 17 - 08:28 am

There are so many memorable moments along the U.P.'s shoreline. In particular, our family's explorations have been mainly of the Keweenaw Peninsula's shores. We discovered an album of 1960's photos by Mike Rudzki that included a few personal favorites. The first shot is of Devil's Washtub, along M-26 on the way up to Copper Harbor, a spot we used to visit while working at summer camp during my teen years. Hard to believe we used to dive from these rocks.

A number of years later in life I had the privilege of meeting Eagle Harbor's last civilian lighthouse keeper, Albert Stridefelt (which he always pronounced "street-felt"). Al was a resident, along with his wife, at Still Waters, where I was administrator, and where the Pasty Cam had its start back in 1998. Al's memory was beginning to fade at the time, but he could still recall life at the Lighthouse and the special day of his retirement. I believe Albert is actually eclipsed in the photo by the officer handing him a commendation.

Thanks to Mike Rudzki for scanning these. Remember how much work it used to be to buy film, load the camera, take the pictures and drop them off for development? Now it's as easy as grabbing your cell phone and pushing a button.

By the way, as August winds down Pasty Central is gearing up to be ready for resuming shipment of pasties in September. Is that a cheer I hear from pasty lovers everywhere? Stay tuned for the return of online ordering in the days ahead.

Have a good week :o)

When I clicked on Cam notes this morning, July 4 cam notes and photos came up! Tried a couple of times and got the same thing. When I clicked on one of the actual photos for today though, they did come up. Have a good day all - stay cool!

We surely do have a wealth of history in these parts. PHENOMENAL stuff too....We are losing the folks that lived those histories...and they are absolutely fascinating people to talk to. I mean LISTEN to...those stories are wonderful!

Blessings to all!

I love the Devil's washtub and, though I've been tempted, have never jumped in. You're a brave man indeed.

The shoreline between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor is probably my favorite spot in the entire world (well, the world as I've seen anyway). If I could find a place to live along that lakeshore, I would move to Michigan in a heartbeat. These people who live there are so very lucky!!!! However, I'd have to spend a few months down south in the winter, lol.

I love to listen to stories from the elderly people, they have a lot to say if you are willing to take the time and listen. ;O)

Deb, you are correct, the Devil's washtub is a very cool place, and I too could live any where on that north shore, perhaps in a log cabin! maybe someday.

Is the Devil's washtub on private land? How can one get to it?

Rachel, I know how to get to it, but couldn't begin to tell you how. It's just something I knew from growing up here. As to whether or not it's "private" couldn't tell you that either, although the last time we rode by I didn't see a sign saying such. You follow a path down to the actual "washtub", and I do know there's a little curved gravel road to the right off the main road on the way to CHarbor, that tells you you're there!

I think I heard that somebody did purchase that land, which is why there's no marker for it anymore, but you can go on it if you choose. We've gone down to it most years. It's the last turn before you get into Copper Harbor. It's pretty much across from the new B & B up there if I remember correctly. You have to do a little walking to get to it, but it's worth it.

I remember stoping at the Devil Wash Tub every yr on vacation on our yearly site seeing trip to the Harbor. Haven't been there in yrs, need to look for it in the fall when I'm up there. Very cool place..

I guess my memory is getting worse. I seem to remember the wash tub having a circle of rock around it and the water came in under the outer rock. When the lake was wavy the water in the tub would shoot way up. Most people got wet just looking. Think I heard years back that the outer rock broke off. Anyone have the same memory?

Richard, that's how I remember it and that's how I saw it not too long ago. When the big lake was rough, the water really shot "up" and swirled like mad below...hence, terminology, washtub!

Too, I think the outer rock facing the big lake did break somewhat...anyhow, the washtub is something I wouldn't care to fall into!

4th of July all over again! That would be awesome have another summer with this one! Only warmer!
We know that cannot happen, only wishful thinking at that!
Hope you had a good vacation Mary!

richard and helen,

i also remember the 'washtub' as you do. so what's this picture? is the lake level up
so much that the washtub is not visible?

a m I thought the same thing! To me, the washtub isn't showing...it would be more to the right!

Doesn't seem like the washtub to us either. I found it best going out of Copper Harbor. When you make the 1st curve to the right, watch for the curve to the left (along the lakeshore). After you come out of that curve, it'll be on the right. But you have to walk back a short distance toward the lake. There was a trail toward the edge and suddenly you're right at the opening. Walk carefully. I remember Techies with wet suits on gathering all the loose change from the bottom. There was lots of it down there. On a day with large waves, the water would really spray out of it. And it was loud, too. There's sort of a tube from the botton of the washtub that goes out into the lake. Seems like there is a guard rail as you get past that left curve. I think we'd park just beyond the guard rail. The last time we were there, it was just like it used to be.

Actually, this looks like where the water goes into the nook behind the big rocks. There used to be a rock portion that went over the inlet (not in this picture) and that has broken. I never saw that part, but people shared that info. Must have been pretty spectacular