• Wednesday-What'sUP July 21 - 10:52 pm

Just in case you're stumped for things to do at the beach this summer, Melanie Hakala Rossi and Robert Halonen teamed up to give us a few ideas that might jump start your fun on the U.P. beaches. We begin with Melanie's photo of a rousing game of beach volleyball. I think I'd have trouble concentrating on the game with Lake Superior splashing up alongside of me, but what a beautiful spot they chose to spend the day. All sweaty after the game? Just jump in the Big Lake. That's sure to cool you off quickly!

If you're not into working up a sweat at the beach, then Melanie's second shot might be for you. A comfy chair and a good book... oh yes, and the furry friends to keep you company, too. Here again, I think the waters of Superior might be a distraction for me. It's hard to concentrate on the words with all that beauty right on the other side of those pages. Tired of reading? Well, then grab one of these colorful kayaks and head out to sea. What a great shot Melanie captured with all that color from something so plain as overturned watercraft, just waiting for their chance to get out on Gitche Gumee.

And if you're lucky enough to spend the entire day on Superior's shores, you can build a bonfire like the multicolored flames caught by Robert's shutter. I can't think of a better ending to a great day, than to sit on the shoreline with a fire crackling and the water lapping at the sand. Lake Superior, take me away!

Those are great pictures!!!

Great shots!!

copper pipe in fire? those valence electrons absorbing and releasing energy give off a beautiful color combination of wavelengths!! ahhhh the chemistry of the yoop's copper.

Sigh...Lake Superior take me away!

Now this would be the perfect spot for Alex to do "Wipe-Out" on the drums!

Mary and Kay, I agree with you..."Lake Superior take me away".....from the Ohio Valley. All we've got in the way of water lately are rain and terrible HUMIDITY! I sure could use a Great Lakes 'fix'!:<

Super pictures! Thanks again for this beautiful "look see".

That's what I'm talking about JT, kind of like "Beach Blanket Bingo". Gnarly, man!
Me thinks that volleyball net has been featured in the past, buried in snow.

Mary says: You "thinks" correctly, Alex. It's been featured without snow or people before, too...you can check out the full size copies of these two photos, snapped by Joe Kirkish, here: May 18,2009

I am counting the days!!

I love the fire pic with all the colors... Great shot!!

When I was little, we used to have this can of, what I believe was copper and sulfur powder. It was made to throw into fires for a few moments of colored flames. I think the can we had was one of those things that was bought long before we used it because it was found buried in the garage one summer. I don't even know if something like that is made anymore because I've never seen it in stores. It was pretty awesome though!

Hi
Dang, I wish i ws retired so I could spend all summer at the beach, not just steal a weekend here and there. I'd be at our place on Lake Huron. The sequence would be: kayak til you work up a sweat; swim; read...and repeat swimming and reading til hunger sends you up the path to the cabin.

A colored fire solution used by my parent's camping club for many years has been a copper pipe in a garden hose. You need older rubber garden hose cut into lengths, the newer nylony stuff doesn't work as well, and a copper pipe that will fit tightly inside the hose. Toss in the fire, and sit back for several hours of flaming color!

I like that colored campfire pic. Good photography!

Ah!!! The Great Sand Bay by what we used to know as 'Clarks Point'. Hope to see it in a few weeks.

For those interested in maritime photography opportunities, the 3 masted schooner Denis Sullivan will be re-visiting the Keweenaw this weekend, arriving in port in Houghton sometime Friday evening, or Saturday morning.

Roland Burgan

Robert, how did you achieve those lovely colored flames?

Beautiful bonfire picture, Robert. And Mary, thank you for
finding such interesting pics to post every day. Down here
in the D (Detroit for those of you who aren't hip to our
slang), I dream of my next trip north to the Keweenaw.

Thanks Mary for the nice story line and thank you to Melanie,Robert, and Alex,for bringing us closer to the U.P. when we are so far from home.
Gitchee can be enjoyed in so many ways. Cannot wait to return to her.

Carole I just checked your profile. And I see you too are a fan of John Dee's site. I found it a few months ago and just love it. Look forward each Sunday night. Such a nice family. And isn't that baby Grace precious?!

Yes, that's rubber hose inside a copper pipe. This was a trick my Dad picked up from somewhere - we built this fire the evening after his memorial service earlier this month. It was a nice way to remember him.