• Monday-What'sUP June 27 - 04:45 pm

Joe Kirkish recently took several Michigan Tech grad students from India, out to Freda to check out the old mining site and get a good look at Lake Superior. He said when the students saw the expanse of water, they were amazed, remarking that they couldn't see the other side of it. That's a common reaction when first viewing this "lake," that really looks more like the ocean. The first time I saw the Atlantic Ocean, I wasn't really all that impressed, because to me, it didn't look any different than looking out at Lake Superior's expanse of water.

Joe said these young men never knew Lake Superior existed until he brought them out to Freda to check it out and they also explored the ruins of the mining operations there with great excitement. You'll notice a bit of graffiti in the last photo... Joe was quick to point out that these students from India, were very respectful of everything, including the ruins, not defacing or destroying anything. They did take a few things back with them as souvenirs - but it was all contained inside their cameras. They took photos and left only footprints.

It's good to look at things here in the Keweenaw through the eyes of people that have never been here before... it makes us stop and appreciate what we take for granted right here surrounding us every day.

Good stuff...and way to go Joe...thank you for introducing these "kids" to our Sacred Superior!

And yes....OUR lake is stellar...there was a link to a you tube, about the relaxing sounds of the ocean..so I listened to it and thought "Uh huh..and what's better than Superior here?" Nothing! :D

Of course...I'm partial..lol...it's a given!!

Where the sky and Lake Superior connect together.

I love these pictures!! My dad grew up out there, and my grandfather worked that mine. Days gone by...........

I felt the same way when I first saw the Atlantic, Mary. Big deal, we had Superior!!!

The mill ruins at Freda are great for photos. What an excellent
idea, Joe!

Last time I was there (a few months ago), it looked like someone
had moved in to the old pump house. He was wandering around
with a backpack, collecting twigs and chopping down small trees.
Anyone know any more about that?

Many years ago, the first time my ex-sister-in-law (who was born in Kentucky)saw Lake Superior, she thought it was the Atlantic Ocean. Being born and raised in the Keweenaw and seeing the big lake from Michigan, Minnesota and Ontario shores, I was not impressed when I saw the Atlantic Ocean at Massachusetts and Florida on more than one occasion.

This is my very favorite quote on Lake Superior.

"...those who have never seen SUPERIOR get an inadequate, even inaccurate idea by hearing of it spoken of as a lake...though its waters are fresh and crystal, SUPERIOR is a SEA..It is wild, masterful and dreaded..."

Reverend George Grant –
Sandford Fleming
Expedition - 1872

Ocean waves are horizontally very long compared to those on our Big Lake. They are wider apart and much higher than our Big Lake's waves. There is constant sound. There is much sea life on the shore, in the tide pools, in the water. Oceans smell of kelp and salt compared to the freshness we smell of Lake Superior. To me it is like comparing apples to oranges. Each has its own flavor.

Hi
I remember one difference between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes that struck me as negative, when I experienced it as a kid: you can't swim with your mouth or eyes open in the ocean. I semi-inadvertantly took a gulp and ACK! Tasted terrible!

I strongly prefer the Great Lakes for swimming on that grounds, cold water or not. And of course, with all of the great vacation memories, I prefer them in general. There's a travel book about the Great Lakes titled "The Long Blue Edge of Summer"; that kind of says it all.

I need to plan a trip.

Interesting looking place and photos...thanks!

"Joe said these young [grad students!] never knew Lake Superior existed until he brought them out to Freda to check it out …"

How does one travel to Michigan Tech and arrive there completely unaware that 'Lake Superior existed'? By what mode of travel is that possible, in a UPS box?

Maybe by air, in "Instrument meteorological conditions"? Or any way at all in the winter when, while driving along the Lake Superior shore (Keweenaw Bay at the very least), it may perhaps appear to be just snow covered plains?

And, pray tell, what "grad students" would travel to pursue their graduate studies virtually half way around the world without so much as looking at a map of their destination? Google® maps or Google® Earth, anyone?

(Did anyone see the 2011 National Geographic Bee? These kids are not dumb! Note how many kids of Indian heritage — although perhaps 2nd or 3d generation US citizens — were among the winners, as seems to be the case year after year!)

I had a great-uncle who as a young man was killed in that mill in an industrial accident. Must have been in the 1920's or 30's. His grave is in Liminga Cemetary. The only settlement the family got was that the company paid for the gravestone.

I must agree that the first time I went into the Atlantic and my body hit the waves I was disgusted! My first thought was, "I've gotta get back to Lake Superior!" Twelve years later I went back to the Atlantic and the first thing I thought was that it looked like Lake Superior. I love and miss the big "lake" immensely!! What amazes me about it is during the winter you can drive along side it and never hear it! I've stood on the ice next to waves larger then me! Crazy amazing!!! I never tire of seeing pictures of it and am looking forward to next summer when I can see it and the straits! (Haven't been there since '08!) 2012: To the bridge and beyond!

Gary...I ran across this Liminga Cemetery Listing by MTU. Do you see your geat-uncle's name?

http://www.stantontownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Liminga-Cemetery-Listings.pdf

Since Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes, it's not unusual some find it hard to think it's a lake.

I had the same feeling about seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.....after having seen Lake Michigan, I wasn't impressed by the ocean's vastness. Sorta like after having flown in planes a lot and then going up to the top of the Empire State Bldg., I thought..."SOOOOO??".;)

I would much rather swim (or wade, for me) in the North Atlantic than say.... the Gulf of Mexico for a number of reasons:

• The visibility is only about 6 in. at best
• Currently, the water temperature is 85°
• Every so often, the flesh eating bacteria shows up

I suppose it all depends where you are in the Gulf, Capt. There are excellent dive locations there. I suppose if I made up a 'bucket list', diving on the Oriskany off of Pensacola or the Vandenburg off of Key West would be on there. Visibility on the "the big O" is regularly in the 40'-80' range. Then there's places like Fort Morgan at the entrance to Mobile Bay. Saw a documentary where they were trying to find a civil war iron clad just off shore. Pea soup would be jealous of that water! And I probably wouldn't need my two piece 7mm wetsuit, gloves and hoodie like I need for Lake Superior dives. Can't argue about the flesh eating bacteria, 'cept to say I probably taste terrible.:)

Alex, I found my grandparents listed there, but their last name is spelled incorrectly. It is listed as Hilma and Raymond Korivu and it should, instead, be Koivu. How do corrections get made on this listing?

I would take
Superior over any
ocean. The gulf
smells of oil and the
Pacific is quite
beautiful, but
Superior is clean,
crisp and blue.

Love Lake Superior & the Copper Country.
Family reunion (Lohela/Munson) coming up in 1 1/2 weeks.
Can't wait to be back up in the CC, and "breathing the
purest, most vitalizing air on earth".