• Notes about moderating the discussion March 5 - 03:45 am

Back on February 27th, we featured a picture by the today's photographer, Paul Trautman. It raised a few questions as to where the old dock pilings were located. Paul was gracious enough to give us an answer later in the day: These pilings were once part of the Isle Royale Mills coal dock site. The mill was located where the Citgo Station is on 41 south Of Houghton. Although still in the water this dock is now surrounded by land. That is Dollar Bay in the background. Today's shot, shows us a better view of the location. If I'm not mistaken, that's the Coast Guard Station in the background.

A couple more days and we'll be making tracks back to the U.P. We've been on the road for almost three weeks, but have never been too far from home, thanks to the speed and reliablility of the Pasty.net Nationwide Dial-in. It's made our vacation that much better!

Very interesting.

second of the day

Interesting shadows.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MARQUETTE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH. LOOK FOR SNOW TO DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT AND THEN BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES FRIDAY MORNING. STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 INCHES OR MORE ARE POSSIBLE BEFORE THE SNOW DIMINISHES LATE FRIDAY EVENING.

Looks like it has been just a taste of spring recently. Here comes the snow again. Hope that first robin that was spotted in Hancock still has her winter feathers on !

Dont' rub it in UP_gal. I am in California where it is expected to be 70 today. Geeze do I miss the snow and cold.

My comment in the text was in reference to the old black and white photo I posted in my gallery. The buildings you see belong to the Portage Lake Water and Sewer Authority.The bridge is part of Houghton's Peepsock trail and allows access to Portage lake and a great place to walk a dog and enjoy wildlife.

My mistake in assuming you meant the photo above Paul, thanks for the clarification!

Eight inches of snow is welcomed in Chassell.

We, too, have learned not to say winter's over till... it's over!! Besides, fresh snow is great for snowshoeing, right? Nothing like that here right now, darn! It's been in the 50's and 60's the last few days, 41 today and raining. So the snow is pretty much gone. We've had some of our biggest snowstorms in March, tho. It's that Nor'easter effect! Moisture sent up from the southeast off the ocean and hitting what you guys send us from the west. The so-called perfect storm thing. So, I could be shoveling again, too.

Could the biting black flies in Spring/Summer be one of the reasons the Yoopers have for enjoying the snow for so long?

Only in late spring....they are not a nuisance to most of us....

I have to make a trip to Dollar Bay. I do not recognize those buildings..... Where are they located????

They are not in Dollar Bay. They are the sewage plant in Houghton, across from Dollar Bay. You can see the roof of one of three white domes. At night it looks like the circus is in town.

As far as the snow is concerned--- well, the calander tells any Yooper there is no spring yet! So we may as well have a few more dustings of snow to cover up the ugly black stuff that we have to look at. A good 6" of wet stuff will help take out the old snow anyway, so have at it, Mother Nature. And as long as there is fresh snow we can count on the flat landers to come on up and do some snowmobiling, and boost the local economy. Come eat in our local restaurants (especially the Suomi) since I have a personal interest in that one!! :)

Say Mary, since you are down in Florida, have you thought about taking the enitre U.S. 41 route? It would be kind of like what Toivo did in his 'round the country.....and then some trip. That trip was what totally hooked me on this website. FYI, we will be coming home to Ft. Carson, CO sometime this month. Have a great day all.

Okay,let me see if i understand Dollar Bay in the backround? Joe Finn wrote,"you can see the roofs of three white domes." I belive it was a type o and he meant homes instead of domes. Then those homes would be along the road going towards Point Mills, not to far past Sandy Bottom,and where the home is where old Green-Spot used to be? (My guess) Or are they homes where it would be between the old Coal Dock, and Dollar Bay on M-26? I've been gone too long! It's to hot here in E.Tn.for this time of year.I'am melting.

My first posting was poorly written, sorry. You can not see Dollar Bay. You are standing on US 41, south of Houghton, not too far from the Pilgram River steak house. You are trying to look across the Portage canal/lake. But,you can't see Dollar Bay because the Houghton sewage treatment plant is in the way. The three white domes are on top of three circular tanks, of which you can only see a partial view of one. The tanks are probably treatment/clarifiers. This posting is probably as confusing as the first. But, it will be the last.

SDC, Oh how I wish I was going with you:) If you get a chance take some pictures around town for all of us $Bay people.

Dave,I do not like this hot weather so soon either. Actually I don't like the heat and humidity PERIOD!

Mary,it looks like we are in for bad weather the next couple of days in the Chatt-N,Ga area. If you come up 75 I wouldn't stay in any motels in downtown Chatt. Be alert,it may look safe in and around these little towns(and rest areas)but be careful. If you should run into any problems e-mail me.Fran

Okie-Dokie Joe Finn,i know where the Pilgram River is off U.S. 41 so that was a good clue for me,but the steak house,is that the Ongagoming?(sp)Or more south? I know there is or was a Vet's (animal Dr.'s)by the river.I also know where the Summer Place is.So i'am in the ballpark,Thanx.Hey Fran in Ga.not far from Chat-ta-new-ga your right about the bad weather on it's way.Just got the report from WVLT tv in Knoxville,by this time tomorrow we should have rain,& thunder storms.Mid 70's here now,i'am in shorts,with my short sleve Packers green T-shirt,bare-footin,just got done Bar-B-Que-N out on the deck.You Betcha,i'am chilling, but not in the same way them hearty folks are in the Copper Country.I see it's 27* there now.Hang in der,your swatin season isn't far away.Take care of that hip Fran.Maybe one of these days we can meet up der in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park?

From one Dave H. to another ...

The steak house is the old Mike's Bar (19th hole) building next to the gas company which is next to Dr. Nara former animal clinic. This is all just on the Houghton side of the bridge where the Pilgrim crosses US 41.

Dave

Would anyone have a photo of white pine mine they would share with me. My Great Uncle worked there and I would like to see what it looked like

Michele-What's your interest in the Suomi Restaurant? I agree it should be on everyone's itinerary, as well as Eagle Harbor Inn, Toni's Pasties, The Ambassador, Fitzgerald's, The Library,... and lots more. There's definitely good eatin' in the Copper Country.

to Paul Trautman,
I got caught up in the snowmobile/alcohol debate and forgot to say what a beautiful picture your original "pilings" shot was. One of my favorites of all the many incredible pastycam pictures. THANKS!

Are you related to Don Trautman, a retired teacher from troll land?

stefan, did you guys beat Wells Fargo? what was the score?
i think that picture is cool!!!!

Hope you guys enjoy the snow up there. All I can do is watch from Macomb County by Lake St Clair. Hopefully we can come up to Calumet at easter.

The old Mikes Bar. Used to gas up and beer up at the same place. Probably one of the gas station bars that ever happened in the state. Probably forgot to pay for the gas a couple of times too, but I don't think Mike much cared. Always had some Sig Rho and H & T types stopping at Mikes on the way home. He wasn't too tough on checking ID either. Miss that guy and his 25 cent shells.

Looks like we are in for 15+ of the heavy white stuff. We had a trip on sleds (sober of course) planned on Tuesday of next week for a round trip to copper harbor, and canceled because of the heat wave we had. So I guess you can blame us for this little reminder that it still is early March.
p.s. I work in health care and wish I could take any one of the people that think it is ok to ride in a unsafe manner(drinking or sober) by the hand into the emergency room when one of them comes crashing through our doors. It might change there minds for the rest of there lifes especially after we zip the bag closed.

Yep,got it now.I know where Mikes Bar is,& thanx for the Dr. Nara name i couldn't remember.The Gas Company used to be ALA gas.How many remember those silver propane tanks along side the homes that when it was covered with snow looked like the Philsbury doughboy? As a youngster growing up in $Bay it was my chore to shovel the snow away from the tank so the ALA gasman could drag the hose from the truck & fill it up.How about them fire hydrants? They still put flags on a pole so you can find them in the snow? An now a days to keep snowmobilers from running into them.We had one near our house,that was another chore to keep the hydrant clear of snow.

Fran, GA,

Thanks for the tips as to where to be careful and about the weather. And the offer to email you if we need help. When is the weather supposed to turn ugly and what type of weather? Snow? We start for home on Saturday morn.

Yooper in Iraq,

That would be neat to do the whole US 41 thing, but we have to head north on 75. Have to go through Flint, MI to pick up my Mom at her sister's. Besides, Toivo is just too hard an act to follow!! :->

Dave TN,

ALA gas was at this site? I remember a company called Norgas (where the upstroke on the N was an arrow) there. They always had a tank car parked on the railroad siding on the lake side of the road.

A TOOT went nuts there in the fall of '79 and was shooting at passing traffic. One of the targets was my future mother-in-law. Luckily he was a bad shot.

The other Dave.

Dave,Corryton, Now I know where they are talking about. I guess we all remember where Mikes Bar and Ala gas were. It was 77 here today and it got hot in this house. There is some question as to whether it is actually a fracture or severe Arthritis in that hip. Either way I am on my blue buggy(walker) for at least a mo and probably 2.Go back to the Doc in a mo. I am going nuts with being so restricted butthey still get after me for doing so much. Would be nice to meet some day? Good night,Fran

Mary, the last I heard about the weather was that Fri night we are supposed to have violent storms. I will fill you in again tomorrow. We are located very near East Ridge, Tn. about a mile off of 75. When we have severe storms here the rain is usually VERY heavy with some flooding and intense lightning.NO SNOW it was 77today!!! Maybe the storms won't happen. Talk to you tomorrow,Fran

Fran, GA:
If the gas price go sky high like they predict, we won't be heading to da UP! A big Silverado
P-Up hauling a big pop-up camper uses a ton of gas. But, if we are fortunate to go, I certainly will be brining the ole digital camera and take pictures. Ah yes, memories of Sandy Bottom, Green Spot, the Wire Mille, Honer (?) Lumber-- Pumpkin Center I'm assuming is long gone by the dump, if thats still there!!....And our former Farm and Grandma/Grandpa Sepp's house will be on my "tour" in $Bay.....

SDC in my old stomping ground in Ferndale. You must not have been back to $Bay in quite sometime eh? Punkin-center, the old dump,all ben gone a long time,a new bridge in place on the way out to the point with a bait store by it. I know the gas price is high around there,& may go up.I pulled a camper up north many a time,even with the Bravada it was costly.Here the gas went up to $1.55 & the natives are restless.Has been $1.38 The reason it went so high cause it's cold in NY.& heating fuel is needed, it will go back down so you can get up there i belive.

Dave H Corryton TN:
Last time I was in the UP was for a cousin's wedding in 1987. Its high time I get back up there. My hubby loves it in the U.P. He's Mr. Outdoorsman. He'd rather be up in the U.P.-- snow and all.

Heard on the local news that gas prices may start going up,and up and up. Gas companies want us to think $1.55 is low. This AM, the lowest price I could find was $1.65. I have a feeling it's gonna get worse.

Ferndale was your old stomping grounds?? The Gen Xers are invading our town. Yes,by them brininging in the money is good for our community, that is, if you can find parking spaces which are few and far between and us Ferndalians have to stay home or walk to get out on the town.

Wish we could find some gas for $1.65...The cheapest we found today was$2.14..Great reading all the notes from all and certainly enjoy all the pictures!!

SDC in Ferndale, yes Ferndale was my home after i left $Bay in 69 had places on Breckinridge near Planvon,Camden,& Channing between Westend & Wanda.Also lived in Plymouth,& New Haven,St.Clair Co.Just moved here this Sept.We exchanged some talk on here befor.I belive i know who you are.Pearl Stoore (sp)told me you lived on a street two over from one i mentioned above,when i told her i was in Ferndale some years back.I'am thinking you are either Pam or Karen? Or a younger sister?

Steve in Naperville also-- I am a cook at the Suomi :) I guess I was just tooting my own horn!! :D

Michele -- A horn well tooted! We always enjoy at least one visit to Suomi whenever we come north.