• Monday-What'sUP June 20 - 07:48 pm

All puffed up and looking like fluffy soft cotton, these storm clouds are the warning of what's to come as they roll in over Lake Superior. It's always a good thing to head for shelter when you spot a bank of cumulus moving toward where you happen to be. Usually though, there's enough time to snap a shot, like Greta Jones did, so you can enjoy the scene again and again. Amazing how a view this fascinating, can also be the harbinger of some not so pleasant weather on its way!

There's a very pleasant slide show in the Guest Gallery this morning from Daryl Laitila. It's a collage of the action over the weekend at Bridgefest.

Over the weekend, Jim and I headed out of town, taking a few days off. We ended up just below the bridge, the Mackinac Bridge that is. Hope the skies over Lake Huron won't be looking like this when we hop on the ferry for the ride over to Mackinac Island. We'll be taking our bikes along for touring around town and of course at least one circle (8.3 miles) of highway M-185, the nation's only state highway where motor vehicles are prohibited. I'm going to pose a question for all you Michigan buffs….Is Mackinac Island part of Upper Michigan or part of Lower Michigan? No prizes for this quiz though, it's just something I've always wondered about, but forgot to ask until now! :->

Looking for a way to roll in the 4th of July this year in the Keweenaw? Let me suggest you start the weekend off in Calumet on July 2nd , with the Pasty Fest 2005 festivities! If you're one of the first 400 people to get in line at Aggasiz Park after the parade, you'll be treated to a free pasty, by the Pasty Central crew. With games for the kids, music playing at various times throughout the day, Pasty Bake-Off judging and visiting with friends and family to be had, it's definitely THE place to be! Only 12 days remain in the Pasty Fest countdown!

What a picture! Also, looks like everyone had fun at the Bridgefest!

Holy socks !!!! That's awesome !!!

Morning All. Oh to be there and view these kinds of photos fro myself. Sept. can't get here fast enough this year. Enjoy the day everyone. Hey Rex in Boston Loc. where are you?

Mary,
Wish I could join you on your bike ride on Mackinac Island...that sounds like such fun...and a great way to take in all the sites that the island has to offer. And....since June is lilac season on the island don't forget to inhale deeply.

I have always considered Mackinac Island part of the UP. Anything in the straights is fair game, eh.

Awesome slideshow for the Bridge fest! And another gorgeous photo at the top.

What a great album. Check it out!

Good morning from Mishawaka IN. Gorgeous picture this morning. At first I thought it was a mound of snow. Have fun Mr. and Mrs. Drew.

Mary, Enjoy your ride around Mackinac Island. July 15th I'll be on the island and take the same bike ride. Then it will be on to a stay in the UP. Not the western part but still the UP.
Great picture this morning.

THANKS GJ

What more to say than WOW! Found my new desktop for the time being. Thanks!

Mary, Mackinac Island is part of Mackinac County which makes it in the UP. Actually, so are Bois Blanc and Round Islands.

Politically, Mackinac Island is in Mackinac County; that puts it in the UP. Along with Bois Blanc Island, it looks geologically like an extension of the UP's curving southern shoreline on Lake Michigan. Geographically, it is entirely north of the southern tip of the peninsula that anchors the northern end of Da Bridge. Case closed for the UP?

Looks like another WOW to me!

Anyone looking for a virtual tour of the island, I have some shots in my Mackiac Island Gallery from our trip there last summer. https://pasty.com/pcam/smitty

Friends have just returned from Mackinaw Island and they had a ball. Definately Texans, but they loved everything they saw and tasted.

Sharon, you're down again. Is everything ok.

Love the clouds.

What an awesome picture!!! Sure does play tricks with the eyes though! Bridgefest looked like lots of fun!

This is just fantastic! I saw it and said "OH WOW!" Great shot!

This is another thing I really miss about Michigan. Those great blue skies. We live in Houston and I rarely bother to look up at the sky because its "color" is HAZE. Thank you for your choice this morning. It is my wallpaper for the week!!!!!!

Now that we've learned which county Mackinac Island is part of,
can someone answer this: in which county is Isle Royale? I've
seen maps putting it in both Houghton or Keweenaw Counties.

God's area code is 906. So is Mackinac Island's.

What great fun at Bridgefest, and looks like you had perfect weather. Love the homemade boats. Was it a race? Contest for best creation?

Great Gallery, Greta. Today's picture is absolutely beautiful.

Love your storm pictures.......they are great!!!

Hey you in Westland.......don't say Sept can't get here fast enough!!!!!!! EEEKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!! We are all hoping September is at least 6 months away!!!!(dreamin) We have had such a beautiful spring and summer so far.......It has rained allot but oh things are soooooo green.....so beautiful..........September's on hold. %^)

I believe Isle Royale is part of Keweenaw County.

But then I am impartial to Keweenaw myself....

I grew up in Ahmeek...

Hi
I have a map of the Straits area showing elevations on land and water depths. As you may or may not be aware, water levels rose and fell depending on what was going on with the glaciers. At one time, the only water was in a river that went under the bridge then looped north around Mackinac Island (at least that's the deepest water on the map). So, in that era, you would have been able to travel by land to the lower pennisula but would've had to ford a river to get to the UP.

But in 2005, what county the islands are in can be called definitive.

Helen in Hubbell. I would love to be in the UP all the time but it will be a few more years yet. Sept. is very special in that we were married on Mackinac island and Honeymooned in Copper Harbor at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Thought that was the best way two Finns on there 2nd marriage could start off in the right direction. I was just kidding about Sept. getting here too soon. Have been watching the Bridge Cam every day and followed the advent of spring right before me eyes. Enjoy your day!

isle Royale is considered Keweenaw Country. My husband worked there for 13 summers before we moved to Grand Canyon, AZ.

Isle Royale is in Keweenaw Co., thanks to Teddy Roosevelt.

I love cloud pictures, and this one is breathtaking.

Here is a link to a few more pics taken at Bridgefest if anybody would like to peruse them.
https://pasty.com/pcam/Bridgefest-2005

Mary, make sure you ride clockwise around the island, its flatter!

Gliderrider; Thanks for sharing your Bridgefest
2005 pictures with us. Looks like you had a nice
day for the festival and looks like the streets
were packed.

Doug Smith - thanks for your link to your Mackinac pictures -- absolutely beautiful.

Great shot

Mr O. How romantic ...... You are a brave one trying marriage for a second time!!! September will be here soon, and I sure hope you get to come up and enjoy the beautiful fall. I am thinking with all the rain we have had Fall (my favorite season) should be an Extra beautiful sight this year. Were you raised up here??? Have you ever spent a winter up here??? This has been a wonderful summer so far. I will be down by you guys this weekend.....I was raised on the west side of Detroit.....been here 10 years now.. .....still miss that Westland mall and Sams !!!!!
This websight is awesome eh !?? God Bless...

Wow what a great shot,thats awsome.