Nairy a breeze nor a ripple on this little U.P. lake when Paul Gerard was passing by. One of those possible upside down pictures you couldn't spot, if it weren't for the small tuft of grass in the lower right hand corner. Wonder if the folks in those cabins have been greeted by the new black fly recruits yet?

Monday afternoon's arrival in Maine will complete the continental U.S. tour. I hear Taka sold his car for a plane ticket back to Japan. Should I do the same and fly to Alaska, or drive across Canada? I'll have to sleep on it.
G'night from New Hampshire and g'morning from da U.P. trip notes

Looks like the Fortune Chain of lakes. I used to camp there in the summer with my friends when the county owned the park.

You beat me to it Mike. I was just going to say that it looked like Fortune Lake. I grew up in Crystal Falls and road my bike out there many times for a summer swim.

Looks like you have one state you missed...lower MI...haha!
Fly or drive to Alaska, that is a dilema. Isn't that where Tina is to become Tina from Toivola? Then will it be Hawaii for the honeymoon?

after looking at the picture of your bumper, if you sell your car, complete with duct tape and coat hanger, the only flight you could afford to alaska is on the "clampett airlines" as on that fabled "beverly hillbillies" tv show

TOIVO,

Drive across Canada!

While in Maine, if Toivo wanders off to Michigan Settlement or Houghtonville (not to be confused with Houlton}, or or into the deep north woods, he might get think he's lost in the wilderness back in da Keweenaw, and never make it home! Especially if he sells the ol' beater in Bangor!

First Thanks so much for this site! I have been visiting for a while now, trying to catch up on your archives. I have gotten such pleasure from the pictures and posts. I grew up west of Iron River, so this picture of Fortune Lake prompted me to write. I remember having my end of year 8th grade class picnic there in the mid 60's.
My family came from the Trout Creek and Ewen-Bruces area. So, I have especially loved the Pics of Bond Falls. Spent several birthdays there as a child. And the pics of Super Superior bring memories of visiting my Aunt on the Shore of Superior in Ontonogon. Miss her very much.
I have lived on the East Coast since the early 70's. Have NEVER stopped missing the UP. I think the UP is part of the DNA of those who grew up there! (I'm sure researchers could find it if they tried!)
Thanks to all the FAB photographers! You folks rock!
And Pasties, I have made them for my family here for years. Plan to order from you guys. I think they were MY first solid food! :o

I too have fond memories of Fortune Lake. There is a Lutheran Bible Camp on the lake that I attended as a child and later with my children at Moms and Kids Week. Now the children are grown and go by themselves. A quiet beautiful retreat spot.

probably have passed that lake many times going to Iron River to visit the out laws from Chi-town on Route 2. Thinking of a reason to go up there this summer....I travel the western part of Illinois and Iowa weekly, they have their own beauty but you can't beat da UP.

Toivo,
Who are you trying to kid. Your old beater is still a great back woods vehicle, I'm sure you got sauna wood to haul, you'd never get rid of the old girl. And on your drive across Canada, you can slip on home for that sauna you've been wanting. Then just fly from Houghton. Or continue the drive across the provinces and after Alaska, slip on back down to Washington! Just a short swim to Haiwaii from there, ha ha.

I think that Toivo changed horses in mid stream. Unless I'm wrong (and that's a distinct possibility), didn't the message end with ".... actually an ea" many days ago before he resumed the message. Secret messages aren't supposed to be changed after they have been transmitted are they? I wonder what the message was going to be? Or does it make any difference at all?

Jim, Twin Cities, you're right! I thought it was going to be "actually a neat guy" or something like that at the time. I knew we weren't going to get the real name. I think this is because Toivo is actually a former Enron executive. Who else could afford the gas money (he'd probably get a discount), time, and money for all admission fees for all the places Toivo has been to?

Toivo,
Go Canada! Make it the North American tour.

How pretty, wish I was there right now.

I want to buy that house... NOW!

Hei, Paul, this would make a mean puzzle, wouldn't it? Beautimous pic!
Toivo, why not head for Niagra Falls and Port Huron? Then you'd be in the LP. Or are the provinces in the plan? Alaska is a looooonnng way off, 'eh? Not to mention Hawaii. Godspeed, man!

If it is the North American tour, did Toivo jaunt down to TJ when he went through California? That would have been a good plan for the N. American tour! But I agree, across Canada! But I also like the plan to drive to Alaska, back to WA, and then on to Hawaii for a honeymoon. Keep on trucking!

Saw this on the Missouri Whitewater
Association's message board: Anyone have
any more information or know of this guy? If
anyone has any news links to share, I will
pass them on the Missouri boaters. Thanks.
Dave.
Message posted by Paul: Jim Rada of
Minnesota drowned while running the
Presque Isle this last weekend. He was
responsible for discovering many of the creek
runs surrounding Lake Superior. He also
wrote the manuscript that is the must read for
anyone running the UP. I know there were
paddlers from Missouri that knew hm as he
mentioned a few in his manuscript. Jim was
an accomplished boater who had paddled the
Presque Isle for 30 years. This is a sad
reminder of the dangers of the sport.

Niagra falls and Sarnia to Port Huron would be major back tracking. Besides, who'd want to go to the lp if they didn't have to? Go Nova Scotia, NewFoundland, Quebec, Ontario, quick stop home by way of the Soo, then on up through Minnesota to the rest of the Provinces. Then finally Whitehorse to Skagway. Of course if you fly to Alaska, you can always take one of those fancy cruise ships down to Bellingham, Wa or Seattle. Go Toivo!

Sleep well, Toivo. Tomorrow's another fresh start. How many miles on the old beater now?

can any one tell me of any other cabins i could rent this fall by niagra fall , canada