• Friday-What'sUP October 22 - 10:35 am

Over the weekend the Keweenaw had high wind advisories, so a drive out to the shores of Lake Superior was in order to see what the Big Lake was up to. We drove out on the Tamarack Waterworks road, where the first photo was snapped, showing the water churned up and in a frenzy. Then we headed over to the Calumet Waterworks Park, known locally as "Bucky's" and were treated to the spray of the waves as we headed down to the beach. These photos actually don't do it justice, since you can't feel that spray or hear the deafening sound of the wind and waves crashing together, but they do show the fury of the water, churning as far out as you can see. The last three photos were all taken standing in the same spot, looking straight out into Lake Superior, then to the left towards the Keweenaw Waterway Upper Entry Light and finally to the right towards the breakwall, where the waves were crashing and creating quite a display. Standing on the shore of this magnificent Lake, amidst the raging waters and powerful winds, is a very humbling experience. Something everyone should partake of at least once in their lifetime, so make sure to add this one to your personal "bucket list."

Very nice, but where are all the surfers...and the sharks?

Omgosh!! These pictures are awesome!! Thanks for capturing them like that. Talk about whitecaps as far as the eye can see. What a gorgeous lake, no matter the season, but autumn sure brings out the beast in her!!!!

I'll back that "deafening" sound comment, and you got that right Mary....everyone should have that on the Bucket List. It's beyond powerful! Love Superior...it's so sacred!

Wow, nice shots Mary.

Funny Mary; I have almost those same exact photos when we were at Bucky's on Friday and again early Saturday morning. Those waves don't appear to be as high as they were Saturday morning at 5:40 in the morning when the Dr. and I were out there though.

This is a photo from a week ago today:

Awesome (there's that word again) photos, Mary! Have seen Lake Michigan 'roaring' like that many times! Our favorite place to watch the waves crash was at the lighthouse breakwall in Petoskey! And yes, that sight and sound should be experienced by everyone at least once. Something one never forgets!

A good life is like a good watch--open face, busy hands, pure as crystal and full of good works...and the water is no problem!

Pictures are wonderful, Mary, thanks and I do agree...being there is much more powerful than a picture depicts...sound, height of waves, and the howl of the wind. Went out a few times as I cannot resist the energy I get when the wind is churning up that awesome lake!

Thanks for the great shots ~ was hoping someone captured the waves so we could enjoy them!

Marquette or Muskegon, my favorite place to be when the winds were high was down on the lake shore watching the waves crashing in.

Tread carefully Mary, or anyone. 'Cuz my spirit is dwelling there soaking up that magnificant sound and atmosphere. Definitaly number one on my 'bucket list'!

I miss the UP. Thank you for the awesome photos.

These beautiful pictures surely lend credence to the claim made by some that the Big Lake is really an inland sea with fresh water.

Love the Big Lake pics. It's amazing how many people have no idea
Lake Superior can be so ferocious. I'll see it first hand the first week
of Nov. Can't wait

Capt. Paul - it's been my experience that most of our Superior blows peak at night, which makes it really hard to get pictures! So I lie in bed and listen to the roar of the waves hitting the rocks on the north side of Lighthouse Point (Copper Harbor) and the howl and bang of the wind...and I go right to sleep to yhe lullaby of Mother Superior in her rambunctious moods.

Awsome pictures of Gitchee Gumee??, Nothing beat an afternoon nap at "Uncle Johns cottage" along the shore near Eagle Harbor, hearing the mighty waves pounding the dock and shore.

I'm with you Sharon!! Much better to fall asleep to the sweet sounds of the Big Lake than that of wailing sirens and the kids racing their bikes on the freeway that's over a mile away.....

I also agree that the hardest winds are usually at night on Superior which got me to thinking (I know, dangerous thing...). When I lived on the Keweenaw, I always remebered weather fronts and such arriving in the late night/early morning hours. When I lived in the LP, I remember the fronts in the early to mid afternoon with "falling afternoon temperatures". Here in SE Texas, we get them arriving in the mid to late morning before 12 noon. It's not always the case, but for the majority it seems these are about the times weather fronts would come through. I'm wondering if there is anything to this, or am I just bored on a Friday at work??? ;-)

Shirley, We happened to be in Petosky last Sunday and
Monday morning. The waves were fairly large Monday
morning and I took a couple photos. Very impressive sight
and sounds.
Here is a photo of one of the larger waves:

Great action shots. All of them.

OH WOW! Yep, Jdodge, that sure does look familiar! My husband captured several shots like that over the years, and I even got some (with sound) on the video cam! Makes me sooo homesick! Thank you, John, for posting that!

To quote the great Emeril Lagasse concerning John's photo:

BAM!!!

Looks like somebody's been studying the Formatting Your Posts page ... and using it to comment on today's awesome photos ... FRNash and Gormfrog will take note, I'm sure! Happy Weekend, All! ;-)

Capt. Paul...good verbal description! Another thing that was breathtaking there and other places on the Lakes, the way the huge waves would crash and then 'roll' down the wall....resembling a 'sea-serpent'.

Thanks Diana for reminding me of FRNash.
FRNash; hope all is well with you and sure hope that nurse Ratched is treating you well. :)

Get well soon.

FRNash:

Hopefully your Simon Legree hasn't been too tough a taskmaster during physical therapy! Liked the "Hip Hip Hurray" attitude! No doubt today's awesome photos on this Cam Notes page and on the What'sUP page will help. ;-)

We were at Calumet Water Works several weeks ago and it was dead
calm. What a comparison! I don't think our dog would be too
interested in swimming in those waves.

Bob S

WOW!! these pictures are totally awesome!! How I miss the ROAR of Lady Superior!!

About 1976, my grandpa and my uncle and I took a trip up here. We stayed at my grandpas' brothers place in Sedar Bay, RIGHT, SMACK, DAB, on the beach. I fell asleep on the couch listening to the storm out on Lake Sperior. Woke up the next morning and the waves pushed the beach back almost to the front door with a drop of at least 2 feet. I just stood there and looked at all of it.

I have a bunch of pictures from yesterday lol i will upload them if i can remember how ha!

Oh just a heads up for you boat nerds....Algosoo is due at Hancock 1030 am tomorrow!! They will be coming in from the south entry if anyone is interested.

Danielle, I just looked at the new pictures you posted. Very nice, I especially like # 7. It's my desktop right now. Thanks for sharing.

I forgot to mention, I love your pictures too, Mary. My favorite is the 2nd one.

In other Great Lake locations they might lack the respect due the Big Waters and built a little too close. Here is a Youtube link of joggers and bikers along Lake Shore Drive, Chicago taken today.

http://youtu.be/0u38Iy72zVU