• Monday-What'sUP November 8 - 05:17 pm

Today, I'm fulfilling a promise made last week, when I said that we'd revisit the eastern end of the U.P., over near Sault Ste. Marie. Cindy Freeman takes us to Mission Hills cemetery overlook, near the community of Bay Mills, for a view of Spectacle Lake and Lake Superior out beyond that. You can see a freighter on the Big Lake, which Cindy says was actually the same freighter she had photographed earlier at the locks, the American Integrity. Quite the vantage point from that spot.

Cindy had a reason beyond the view, to visit this cemetery and it goes back about 25 years, when her mother-in-law's best friend died. These two ladies had visited the Mission Hills cemetery and had loved the peacefulness they found there, so even though her best friend wasn't buried in this cemetery, Cindy's mother-in-law (Mary Lou) wanted to leave something there in her memory, so she placed the plaque you see in the fourth photo. In photo three and four you can see how weathered that plaque became over the past 25 years, but yet you can still make out the writing if you look closely. Cindy said she actually took a "rubbing" of it, to be sure it was the one she was looking for. What a nice find, bringing back many memories for Cindy of visits to the U.P. from those days.

The fifth photo shows the Mission Hills final resting place for eight of the sailors that lost their lives when the S.S. Myron steamer sunk off Whitefish Point in 1919, during a November gale. Finally the last shot is an example of the artwork you see decorating some of the gravesites in this quiet place of rest... one that also boasts a beautiful view of Lake Superior for those that visit.

Very beautiful, if somber, scenes this morning. Thanks, Cindy and Mary.

I love this spot -- have gone there many times through the years. It's a place of beauty, peace and serenity.

Mary, you did an excellent job explaining these pictures. You always seem to say things just right. I agree with Shirley and Margy that this place is all of those words - beautiful, somber, peaceful, and serene. If you've never stopped there before, you really should do it. It is a whole lot easier to get to than it used to be. Thanks for sharing my pictures, Mary.

We have also been to this cemetery many times ~ getting there from the East is an interesting climb up the hill side!

But the history of the place, the struggles of these good people who are buried there ~ like those of the Myron ~ and the beautiful view make it well worth the effort

All old cemeteries are so interesting. When you are walking in there, it makes you wonder who's footprints you've walked on/in! Who's tears have fallen on the ground there...so many things to ponder....

Great pictures. We love to visit old cemeteries, could someone please post directions to this one.

Mark,

Here is a link with info about the cemetery, a map, and some of the graves there: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=1086&CScn=mission+hill&CScntry=4&CSst=24&

Thanks. We'll be sure to check it out next June when we're in the Soo.