• Friday-What'sUP December 31 - 09:15 am

Melanie Hakala Rossi took a drive to Bucky's (a.k.a. Calumet Waterworks Park) on Monday and look what she found... bare Lake Superior shoreline, so she wrote the date in the sand and snapped a photo for proof. There may have been no snow or ice there, but that doesn't mean the water isn't cold and ready to freeze, just look at Melanie's other two shots to see what I'm talking about. There's a good ice build-up on the pier that sticks out in the water there and the spray of water coming up and over that pier was quite the display. By the looks of the water out and beyond, the Big Lake doesn't seem that worked up to be making such an impressive spray of Superior water!

Of course in the last few days here in the Keweenaw, we've gotten some snow, so I'm betting Melanie's date in the sand is covered in white by now.

Awesome photos this morning!! Thanks!!

Ohhh....I bet that was a "fresh" walk on that shoreline! But nothing beats that clean air....Great pics Mel!

Nice, with a capital Ice!

Writing a date in the sand is not proof of anything. That date could have been written in July but we do believe it was December 26th and isn't that a wonder. Not good for snow vehicles though. Here in Illinois we also have no snow but that may change next week. Unbelievable.

Beautiful photos. A bit alarming that there is so little snow - it doesn't seem to bode well for the lake level next summer.

Bucky's spray!!!!! I wonder how many people know what that actually means. I DO. Back in the 50's and 60's there was a little candy/ice cream store at the park and was run by 'Bucky' O'Connor (sp?). I believe he worked at a bank in Calumet and would open his shop at the park in the Summer evenings. It was Americana at it's best; long, peaceful summer evenings at the lakeshore with patrons driving up to the stand for a cone or other treat. Bucky would be leaning on the counter making small talk with the loyal locals as the sun set over the big lake. I believe he passed away in the 80's and the store is long gone now, but the memories.....

David S, that's a heartwarming insight, thanks for sharing that memory.

Great pictures...I just love the snow and ice of Lake Superior. I is strange to see bare beaches though. Here in La Crosse, WI it is sleeting, snowing, raining and very treacherous out(sp?) Hope to be in the UP in February!

Great pics!

Melanie, thank you for the beautiful pictures of the awesome lake! David, thank you for the wonderful memories! Hope everyone has a very special and exciting 2012!

Why is Calumet waterworks park called also called Bucky's?? Does anyone know the history of that?

They must be sleeping in so they'll be up 2 ring in 2012, tonight.

That's kind of what I figured too, Thomas. This seems to happen each time I get on here early. Oh well, somebody will show up as soon as I 'leave'.;)