A recent shot from Taka Aoki out on the Covered Road. This is the way we would like to remember Winter: clean and white, still and bright. But this morning the banks are ugly and dirty, with freezing drizzle to make driving treacherous. The scene may look like this again tonight, as the precip turns to snow.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday, and thanks for the many generous gifts toward the purchase of the new resident van for Still Waters. As you may know, this non-profit Home for the Aged, which brings you the Pasty Cam, is facing some formidable challenges. While there are many long-term needs, one immediate need is the medical care transportation of the residents. Since Christmas, Still Waters has received over $16,000 toward a new vehicle, and now one has been made available to us at a price of $20,000. We will keep an update of the contributions at the top of the Pasty Cam, as we hope to reach this goal by the end of March. Thanks again to all who have joined this effort.

One of my favorite places is the National Cathedral in D.C. This picture reminds me of the center aisle of such a great cathdral. There are times and places--like today, the National Cathedral, and this beautiful Covered Road--that help us to fall at the feet of God.

I was wondering when we would see a shot of the Covered Road. It is beautiful in the Fall. For those who don't know ....people actually live on this road. This picture looks like it is a ski trail or snowmobile trail.
A belated Happy Birthday Charlie. Looks like all great people were born on the 19th. It was also my sister's birthday.

Great picture, what a good way to start the day!

On a lighter note. Got my pasties yesterday along with a bottle of "Toivo and Eino's Really Secret Pasty Sauce". You know that sauce is not just for pasties but would be great on tacos also. Try a bottle and you will find out why. This sauce takes pasties to a new level of enjoyment.

Proud Yooper - -
The Pasty Cam has featured the road to Redridge on several occasions. A guy could spend hours in the Pasty Cam archives exploring places like this, in all the different seasons. Here's a couple of previous links.

December 10, 2001 . . .July 14, 2001 . . .

I saw the Povatica recipe. Wonderful. In HomeEc at Calumet H.S. my teacher Mrs. Jacka showed us how to make this and I have never forgotten how wonderful it tasted. Thanks for sharing. I'll gladly send my donation for the van.

P.K., Nashville,

What is Povatica? At least I don't remember it, and I know Mrs. J. fed me many a meal over the years!

Hi gang.......How about a Stillwater cookbook as a fund raiser for the Van...just old Copper Country recipes......like the ones recently here at Past.com???? Sure to be a winner....and I bet some of our best cooks live right there at Stillwater.

Hi Alicia, Marvin, Charlie et al,
Thanks for the census data and the Paul Bunyan chair photo. My mom (Katherine) and her sister Viola will be surprised when they see this Saturday night. They missed Aunt Wilma in the census. She was the oldest daughter. Uncle Wesley is living in Laurium. The others have passed but are fondly remembered. We have a big scattered extended family

Thanks Toivo for including the other two pics of the Covered Road. I didn't know how far back to go in the archives to find one. I need to look back for an Autumn one. Bet it is beautiful!
So Toivo admits that it may be love?! Just remember where your roots are...nothing like the good ole' Copper Country.
Mary Lou had a great idea about having a cookbook.
As for Marvin from Bumbletown - He is a great spokesman for the Toivo and Eino's sauce. He could do a commercial.

Thanks for the Covered Road pictures. Wish I was back there right now!

As a Yooper to be, I would like to know where this beautiful road is. I thought that the covered road was in downtown Houghton. I see that I have a lot to learn but am looking forward to it.

WHEN were the railroad tracks pulled out and the grade converted into the motor vehicle "Covered Road" (aka Scenic Arboreal Tunnel) as we know it.
I assume the railroad ran between mines in Atlantic Mine and stamp mills along Lake Superior near Redridge. Could someone shed more information on the HISTORY of the Covered Road? Thanks!

Great idea about the cookbook, just make sure to leave out the pasty recipes!

When ARE you folks going to see the last of the snow? Having said that I'm enjoying the snow scenes - this row of trees is really special. God bless our lads in the Middle East.

Thanks for the interesting angle on beauty, Taka. And the talk of love, Toivo. I have no idea where that road is, but I'm glad it exists.

P.K.-Nashville,

My grandmother, Virginia Jacka was quite the "cook", I just wanted to thank you for remembering her. Her son Bill and family live not to far from you..Birmingham, Ala.

P.K.-Nashville, Oops, hder youngest son Paul and family also reside in Birmingham and middle son Jim and family in Indiana.

We called the covered road, "Lovers Lane" when I
grew up in Beacon Hil

"The Covered Road"
From Clarence Monette's "Freda, Michigan, End of the Road" c.1989 (35th of a Local History Series)
"According to the company's (Champion Copper Co.) Col.) annual report for 1900,....Work on the branch began...and the contract called for its completion by July 1, 1901(p.50) ....In August of 1971, rails and other metallic features...were taken up between Mill Mine Junction and Freda. (p.108)"

The Covered Road is just before Redridge. Take M26 and turn right on to the Houghton Canal Road. Approx. 2 miles turn left on the Coles Creek Road. Follow this road several miles and it will lead you through the Covered Road. Once you get off the Covered Road you will be able to turn left to Redridge or right that will lead you back to the Houghton Canal Road off of Liminga Rd. It is beautiful in the Fall.
I remember it being called Lovers Lane back in my days. However; I always found it to be too spooky at night and avoided that road. Hee Hee!!!

The covered road was actually an additional RR line that predated the Copper Range Lake Shore Branch mentioned in an earlier reply, and was removed much earlier than 1971. The line was called the Atlantic and Lake Superior and reached Redridge east of town whereas the Copper Range came through on the west side, west of the Salmon Trout River. The railroad hauled Copper ore from mines in the Atlantic Mine area to the Lake Shore at Redridge, I believe it was abandoned and removed in the 1900's or teens when the traffic shifted to the Copper Range RR and the Freda Mill.

Plenty of historical UP RRing is discussed at the following location:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yooperrails

I love it up there!!I like that picture!! It's like a spooky forest! I love the snow up there. by Johanna Jones

Tech used to have a picture in the Union (about 4ft. x 5ft.) that they called the covered road. It was a picture of a snowy road. Is this the same covered road being discussed here?

OH MAN! My Pasties arrived tonight and we just had them for dinner! I LOVE PASTIES!!!!!!!

Alex,I'll bet your pasties came close enough to my house that I probably could have reached out and grabbed them!! Just kidding, I would never deny anyone their long awaited Pasties! I'll bet your house smells Sooooo good.

What a treat to see the covered road pics. My daughter who is currently living in Boulder, Co sent me an email noting the picture today. Our family is one of the 5 lucky pople that have residence or camp along the Covered Road. We have had our camp for almost 28 years and think the "umbrella" road is the neatest!

Nels Christopherson

Taka is my photo favorite. night shot deluxe. WOW

Erin, if you check the sub file, Commentary on Iraq Crisis, you'll find your posting. If there are a lot of comments on an issue, Charlie sometimes groups them this way.
Having grown up in the U.P., I didn't realize it was largely comprised of conservative Republicans. How come they keep electing Democrats most of the time?

Happy belated Birthday Charlie....and thanks for all you do to keep pasty.com going. It is usually one of the highlights of my day.

By Alex Tiensivu: OH MAN! My Pasties arrived tonight and we just had them for dinner! I LOVE PASTIES!

By Fran,GA: Alex,I'll bet your pasties came close enough to my house that I probably could have reached out and grabbed them!! Just kidding, I would never deny anyone their long awaited Pasties! I'll bet your house smells Sooooo good.

Did you feel that sting on your hands? I saw you trying to take my pasties and smacked your hand! ROFL.

Alex,I wondered why my hands hurt today! Now I know why!!! About 10 days ago I MADE 11 BIG pasties and were they ever good. We ate our fill and I still have some in the freezer.If you hadn't smacked my hand I might have gave you one since you were so close by.So there!

hi donna!
wow! gr8 pic., especially the first one//
luv

Great picture! I love the tunnel effect! Also, happy belated birthday Charlie! It was good to see you when you came through.

Hi Moose. Edie also says hi to you and Sheila and the kids.

This would make a great covershot for a Stephen King book! Kind of spooky.

Is that the Blair witch off to the left in the trees?

Hey, speaking of Heikki Lunta can anyone share with me the words to the "Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song" which used to be played on WMPL back in the 70's?

Wonderful perspective to your photo, Taka.

Drove the covered road last June. Although up there a couple times a year had forgot about-blame Baraga! It was as beautiful,mysterious and
tranquil as we remembered it.Great winter picture
of it!

OH NO! I blew a Fran Pasty opportunity! Uhm... That was my neighbor who smacked your hand! ROFL!

Alex,I'll bet it was!

I love the photo...great job! I was into photograpy for awhile and it's all in the eye and seeing the picture before it is taken. Wonderful job, good eye.