The south central portion of the U.P. is frequently referred to as "the Banana Belt", since the temperature climate is milder than the rest of the U.P. Explaining also why they receive much less snow than us Copper Country residents! Just about halfway between Escanaba and Iron Mountain, on U.S. 2, you'll find the town of Hermansville. Donn de Yampert must have been traveling through and snapped this shot for us. I'm betting that this barn has been retired to the storage of winter hay, since there's no fencing to be seen. You can still see the fading ad painted on the end of the barn, giving it a place in the history of roadside art. Donn was also the photographer of the building sign on these pages back in December.

There are all kinds of Heikinpäivä activities taking place this weekend, be sure to check out the schedule. I'm hoping someone will send us photos of the Polar Bear dive, which takes place tomorrow at 3:00, and also a few shots of the Wife Carrying competition!
:->

If it weren't for all the evergreens,I'd say it looks a lot like good old Leroy Twp.What do you think Paul the Webber-troll?

I always liked the "art" painted on barns. I went to collage in northern WI, and the RA redid his dorm room in old barn wood - WAY before (early 1970's)it was cool to do so. Seems to me on M 23 down in trollsville there is a image painted on a barn of a former president, or of a image from rolling papers, depending where one finds history/humor... Isn't there a pair of cabins around Craige lake built by Fred (MILLER) donated to the state, and now available if one is inclined to exercise a bit to hike to them???

Mary that is an awesome pic... I too love the
"art" on the barn... the colors are soo warm and
rich...against the blue blue skies... warmed
my day here in Holland...all we have is cold and
rain... good work Mary ... Julie

As a relocated Yooper now living in lower MI, I certainly enjoy seeing this image especially close to home,(Iron Mountain). Keep the pictures of the U.P. coming.

I remember a childhood friend who's kitchen had a couple of walls done in "reclaimed" barn wood. Her mother had put small pictures of the kids in all of the knot holes. As a kid I thought that was just about the coolest thing, and I had wanted to have a room just like that.

That's right Eagle Harbor Troll! We had a spitting image barn just a quarter mile down Searls Road on our original farm. Stone wall foundation, the whole bit. There was no advertisement on it.It was destroyed last August by the tornado that went though on the night of the 20th. 8 heifers lost their lives in it. Great picture!

Was amazed to see the brief article about you in the recent Newsweek! I thought pasties were our family secret! My Dad graduated from Dollar Bay High School in 1926. The UP - esp Dollar Bay area - is near and dear to our hearts! Happy Winter! I'm now in the Northeast - Rochester area - where cold temperatures are keeping people indoors and keeping schools closed. Greetings!
Beth

to see a sight such as that every morning would do me good.

now for something completely off subject. does anyone know if there is a particular word for the thing that Cupid carries his arrows in? the tube-like thing slung across his back. thanks in advance for any thoughts...

The case holding arrows, or the arrows contained within the case, is called a quiver.

Leslie,
I think it is called a quiver (sp)

Leslie, I believe the word you're looking for is quiver. The dictionary defines it as "a sheath for holding arrows".
And on the subject of barn art - there are several barns in the State with heads of famous people painted on them. There is one in the Leelanau Penisula and there was one on Haggerty Road in Oakland County. I believe they were painted to celebrate the bi-centenial in 1976. I'm not sure if any were painted in the UP. They are really pretty neat - photos of them are probably in a book somewhere. I love this barn photo - it is truly awesome.

quiver. of course. thanks.

I surely liked my kitchen in the old farm house that had a wall of recycled barn wood and cherry lugs. I love to see the signage, left by previous generations, but my concern is that too many of our barns are being retired prematurly. Barns will last a long, long time if cared for. Barns are part of our landscape, here in Michigan, part of our history. I hate to see the old wood frame barns retired in favor of pole barns. Call me a romantic, but we'll all be sorry when they are gone and all we have are beautiful pictures to remember them. Sorry to bring you down. Does anyone know of a "Save the Barns' movement in our state?

The barn on Haggerty no longer has the face painted on it. It has all but faded away. There used to be a really colorful barn up (or down... depending on where you're at) in the Leelenau area painted on all 4 sides. Is it still there?

Mary I have to take issue with you about the temperature in the Banana Belt. Many's the day I'd talk to the guys in the Iron mountain phone office and i n the winter it was as I remember 20 to 30 degrees colder than in Lake Linden. However you're sure right on about the snowfall. By the way do you know is the Campbells moved into the house out in the valley that was built by the guy who was Pres of the First National Bank after Frank Phillips left?

Oh by the way I really like the photo. Old barns are a real weakness of mine.

For everyone interested in old barns, the Smithsonian has an exhibit called "Barn Again" that will soon be shown at various places around the state. You can find information on dates and places at http://mihumanities.h-net.msu.edu/news/pressreleases/121602.pdf

Here is a newer release re the barns.http://mihumanities.h-net.msu.edu/barnagain/index.htm

Newspaper adv. competision ,especialy, has knocked outdoor dfisplays in the name of beautification & caused severe restriction. how would they like restricting there freedom of speech also, as; print only once a week to save paper or some other silly excuse?It's tue some control may be sesible , but outdoor adv. is a form of free speech.

From the Banana Belt of Oregon (southern coast), thanks for the lovely picture and amazing web site. Thanks to Newsweek for "discovering" y'all for us. Enjoyed the achives, too.
Bob, Kalamazoo native.

There's an article about a yooper soldier in todays Chicago Tribune. Here's the link for the story on Sgt. Major Eric F. Cooke, who was killed
on Dec 24, 2003 in Iraq.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0401160218jan16,1,7627410.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

There are some really nice barn photos in the archives on this website www.lelandreport.com

great photo of the auld barn with the grambrel roof i remain

This is a funny article from the Lansing State Journal regarding "Yooperspeak."


http://www.lsj.com/columnists/schneider/040115_john_1b.html

Beth in Rochester, my mother graduated from Dollar Bay in 1926. Email me. My mother was Ingrid Engman. Who was your dad? ruth

If barns could talk! Think of the history
on those old farms in the upper midwest.
You can just feel the history when you drive
by the old homesteads. Who lived there? Where
did they go? The guestions just flow!

My mother and her family lived on a farm in Skanee
that had a beautiful old log barn. I don't think I've ever
seen another quite like it. It was built of whole logs, not
sectioned. What fine craftsmanship went into it. I loved
going into it and looking up at the rafters and then out
the south door to a view of the Huron Mts. It was built in
the 1880's or so by Swedish immigrants. Sadly, it's all
tumbled down now.

Great picture, great plug for miller,but the Bridge cam is not working at night anymore whats up camtaker?

Thanks, Susanne and Ed, for the info on Barn Again. I didn't know this was happening. Last fall I started carrying a camera in the car, so I could take pictures of some of my favorite barns. I plan to do paintings using those snap shots as models, later on this year. It's my own way of saving barns.

The pink in the sky is awesome

What a wonderful composition. The angled line of the clouds and the curve of the road just lead your eye right to those terrific warm colors of the barn. That against the cool blues of the snow and sky make a fabulous photo. Thanks, Donn.

I love everything about this photograph, especially the sense of perspective.....this is a WOW if there ever was one. Great shot, Donn. You get my vote.

Check the advertisment on side of Barn..You will like it...

Kris and Doug, The old barn on Haggerty Road has been torn down, not sure who's face was painted on the barn but it is no more.

Wasn't it Mona Lisa's?