The state of the atmosphere here in the Upper Peninsula can be very capricious. As the saying goes - 'If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes, it'll change!' :-> Dennis Kemper gives us a first hand report on how the folks on the western end predict what the atmospheric conditions will be. It makes perfect sense to me, if you live in Rockland, MI, your weather bureau should rely on a rock for it's information. As you can see, the guidelines for interpreting the data are very advanced.

Good Morning

good morning :)

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!
if I didn't put in the smiley...I'd have saved some time and come in under the wire....

All 3 are at 7:10..that's pretty wild...like the weather..
its 52 degrees here this morning

Good Morning once again,
I can't believe I'm first. The heat wave has broke down here near Mt. Clemens Michigan. Feels more normal now. I hope everyone has a great weekend! One last thing, anyone hear how Darell is doing after hip surgery? I know we all have been praying for him.
Enjoy the weekend.

Good morning everyone. The horrible heat and mugginess disappeared during the night down here - it's great!
Have a good weekend - wish I was up there!!

aahhhhhh this feels better...not so stinkin hot!! Morning all! :)

Is Brimley State Park a good spot for northern lights viewing? Where is there a sie on the internet to find out when the lights are active.

Still looking for a ride to Eagle Harbour from S.E. Mi. 30-31 July or early Aug. Another option is somebody to drive a car from Eagle Harbour to Northville.

Mornin'!

Great pict & example of U P humor! All the hard work of you pasty folk is so much appreciated by all of us, and I have always loved the creativity shown in picture selection, sometimes with a pattern to which picture is selected when. THANKS!

morning all. it's going to be a great day!

My good friend Jimmy went to meet his dog Smiley at the Rainbow Bridge he will be missed by many.

BCT: What's your e-mail address?

Good morning to all. Here I sit at my desk in downtown Detroit looking at Ford field. Three hours remain before I start the vacation. Three weeks in the Copper Country. The camper is prepped ,lists have been made. Its going to be an awesome vacation. Sunsets at Mclains,driving back country roads. Trying to get lost. Bring it on.

Tim GR MI
Try the Space Enviroment Center.
www.sec.noaa.gov/

Is the Central Mine Reunion Sunday?

14 Days to Chassell!

Brad if you are lucky enough to have 3 weeks of Vacation then that means you will still be ON vacation when I go on Vacation. Thats a sweet deal man!

Love that High tech weather gear that is used up there!

Gotta love this site!

Does anyone know when the Agate Beach Jamboree is?

Portage Canal looks smooth as glass this morning.

neat picture, It really got cool last nite, Hope the rock doesn't turn white for awhile.

55° in Houghton - sounds like a relief I could really need. Just checked Sharon's - kinda green, really. What's matter, the bear ate the camera or what? ;)

John Dee's secret is out!

Doppler schmoppler!

I want to thank FRNash/PHX, AZ for taking the time and interest in answering my questions on Wed. July 21. You sound very knowledgeable in the Finnish language. I understand it is a difficult language to learn.

I love the method of predicting weather in the U.P.

When I was on vacation in July, Houston was like 95 w/a heat index of 105, and Copper Harbor was windy, rainy and a balmy 43. But we had a great time anyway!!

I was out for a couple weeks, so can I ask, where is Dave from Larium?

Sean in Illinois - why do you say John Dee's secret is out? I checked his web site, but no new journals. Is he finally letting us know his wedding date?

Northern lights depend on sun activity, ie. sun spots. In the long days that far north, you have to wait until after midnight, or so, until it gets dark enough - depending on sun activity.
Here in north eastern Ohio, our longest day is only 15 hours 11 minutes. A trip to Menominee (yes it's in the UP) found that the days are 25 minutes longer than here. Up in the CC they must me at least an hour longer than here. (We've already lost 30 minutes of daylight since June 21.)

A new light seems to be interfering w/ nighttime viewing of BridgeCam. Anybody else noticed it?

Editor's note: When the power failed in Hancock Wednesday, the camera flash on the bridge cam turned on, which hinders the nightime view. Should be back to normal by tonight.

Kathy, his weather forecasting tool secret is out.

Good morning from Portland, it is going to be hotter than H E double hockey sticks today supppose to be 102 today.

Tim GR MI:
If you're into Northern Lights, you'll probably find the Aurora Page at Michigan Tech's Geological & Mining Engineering & Sciences Department of interest.

Sorry to everyone who noticed the dreaded green screen in Copper Harbor this morning. It means the computer didn't find the camera when it booted up. Of coure, this never happens when I'm up early - only when I sleep late! It should be OK now.

LOO LOO MAE DID YOU HAVE YOUR NEW AIR CONDITIONER ON LAST NIGHT? HA, HA

Another place to check for Northern Lights info is http://www.spaceweather.com

Editor: Thanks for the report on the light.
Sharon: I thought you were just showing us your beautiful green lawn.

Jeff in Portland and to all other Pac NW Copper
Country fans- stay cool today... it's already hot up here
in western WA...mid to upper 90's today... of course, no
a/c...
Hi Kathie and Clyde!

My mother has an old copy of a great cookbook from
the UP- and I'm looking for another (or second
printing?). It is the Current Captivating Copper Country
Cookbook and was published by the Presbyterian
Church (I think) in Houghton. Does anyone in the UP
know if this is still available? Thanks-

We are planning a trip from Houston to Isle Royal for August the 22nd through 29th. (Alternate trip if weather outlook isn't to promising is the Apostle Islands.) Has anybody got a feel for what to expect weatherwise or insect wise?
The last time we were in the UP in the summer was in late June of 1992 (yikes twelve years ago already). We camped near White Fish Bay and SWMBO nearly froze to death.
Share your thoughts please...

Here is a site in Fairbanks, Alaska that has beautiful northern lights. http://www.aurorawebcam.com/

Victor P, pack a fleece jacket and a rain shell with your
shorts and jeans. In late August the leaves will begin to
turn, so you'll have some color. If you're camping, don't
forget the ten essentials!

What caused the blackout in Hancock on Wednesday? We were in the Quincy Mine on the tour when it quit. Gave the kids quite a scare. Uh, not me, though...

Looking at the bridge cam seens to be another great day in the UP, Trying to get back up there for Labor day which is always a nice time to been there, sunny and hot in florida,(too Hot)

You construction workers in Washington and Oregon (my brother is one of them), drink plenty of water today (supposed to be 102) to keep hydrated. Better yet, get off early and head to the water!!

AGATE BEACH JAMBOREE WILL BE AUG.7-8

What's the Agate Beach Jamboree? I've heard of one in Aura, but not on Agate Beach.

trish
I see copper country /u p cookbooks forsale on
E bay from time to time ..

looks like baby bear is back..3:20

I see that Oregonians are posting our heat wave? Seldom
gets hot here but today supposed to be over 100.
Not bad yet at noon....only 87 now. Will be 100+ by 5PM.
We don't do well with heat. Not like Arizonians?

We have some nice lighthouses too. Nice to see the Lake
Lighthouses V/S ocean lights out here.

Thanks, Chef. I will check there and also old and rare
book websites.
I don't think I'll be making pasties today in this heat!

The Agate Beach Jamboree is 2 days of great music! Local entertainment on the shores of our beloved Gitche Gumee :) Thanx Dobro Don for posting the dates! Will be sure to get a campsite for that weekend at Agate Beach park.

It's 100 in the shade here in Hillsboro,Oregon...as I am instant messaging with my mother-in-law in Tapiola...where it's 62 and a chance of frost tonight!? Two weeks from today, we'll be there...with our feet in Otter Lake.

Where is momma bear that poor little Bubba bear has to forage for himself! Or is his name Smokey the Bear...

NOAA is forcasting frost potential inland tonight, with lows in the upper 30's.

That's either going to make the bugs really sleepy, really angry, OR both!

FOOTNOTE FOR WEATHER ROCK SIGN SHOULD READ:

"Weather Rock Data Automatically Refreshes Every Minute."

Over 100 in the Grove today. It'll be a hot day picking thimbleberries tomorrow.

How do you get to the cam with the baby bear? I'm so out of the Loop since I went on vacation!

Anyone out there know anything about Darrell's surgery and recovery? Hope he knows we are all still thinking of him and praying for a speedy recovery.

Shelly.....go to Eaglel Harbor Cam and you can search the archives to find the bear at the feeder.

Shelly.......correction!!! Go to Copper Harbor Cam....

Is it the one by Sharon Smith? By the way Gliderrider, have really enjoyed your gallery of photos! :)

Shelly... go to www.aviewfromthefield.com and click on live web cam. Yes, it's the one by Sharon Smith.

Thank you kindly! :)

I found it, and danced in and out of the frames, but I can't find the baby bear.
:( Oh, well, I'll just have to try again another day.

You guys have a great weekend!

Shelly, there's a good picture at 3:35 pm

This might help...

http://www.aviewfromthefield.com/p040720.html

Charlie do I understand there is a new harbor/harbor haus cam available?

Is Dobro Don W8MZB???

Troll, lower MI -- I fear Mama Bear is MIA. He's too little to be alone, and Sharon says he doesn't really know how to be a bear. He just eats out of the feeders rather than demolishing them. I wish DNR would capture him; then I guess they'd have to give him to a zoo or something, because I don't think he could get ready for the winter in the wild by himself. It's a dilemma.

black bear cubs remain with their mothers for about a
year and a half. I don't know how old this little bear is,
but if he or she is a yearling, then Mama Bear may have
said goodbye. I hate to be a curmudgeon here, but as
long as bird feeders are filled with seed, this little guy
will be dependent on people for food. There's so much
available in the woods this time of year- ants and bees'
nests both have grubs, not to mention berries and mice.
All things yummy to a bear!

RangerRick: I agree with you. As long as you provide a meal for a bear he will come back. Remembering where the food is located is an important part of their survival. He will be fine over the winter and is old enough to be on his own. But he needs to learn about foraging for his food.

Maybe Mama Bear departed before she taught him about fast food dumpsters and camp grounds. Or were you talking about nuts and berries?

I learned the hard way about feeding a stray and having it never leave. I bought her dinner 27 years ago, and am still picking up the tab.

Dobro Don/W8MZB - I wondered the same thing. There can't be more than one, can there? Still have an ammeter I bought from him about 25 years ago at a swapmeet.

I haven't been able to check in to this site since Thursday early. So catching up this past hour has been a blast. I'm begining to feel these people are personal friends. Dave,Laurium, Dave Madison Wi, Connie, Shelly,Mairj(sorry sp.) Mimi and ?, Charlie, H from Ok., etc. Thanks everyone for being part of the neatest site!!! All of you. Darrell, how ya' doing guy? See it wasn't so bad, hey? Oh, can't forget Fran, Ga.

How come I didn't know about all you Yoopers in Oregon
when I hosted the public Juhannus gathering in Corvallis on
June 26th? This U.P. Site isn't best place for Oregonians to
chat about heat or other things. Is there a Yoopers in
Oregon site? I look at Pasty.com a couple times a week.

It is 5:20 PM (8:20 in U.P.) and 105 in the shade. We don't
use A/C in Oregon. usually don't need it. Wah, man is it hot!

(I used to be Toivola native in my past)

I've been talking to the DNR, and I know (especially after chasing Baby down the deck four times today) that the feeders will have to go for the time being. They said 10 days, at least, but with my schedule, it will be August 15 or so before they're back up.

Baby is NOT a yearling: he is definitely this year's crop, and there is no mama. Nobody has seen a bigger bear in this area for a couple of months. This has me really worried, because he just doesn't know enough about the world to make it on his own. To me, he looks skinnier than he was when he first turned up a couple of weeks ago, too, and he is getting harder to chase, which tells me he's hungry. He's around all day long, too, whereas the other bears we've had around in past years only come in the early morning or late afternoon, when the feeders are in.

So the feeders won't be hung out (sorry to those of you who enjoy the birds), and we'll see what happens next.

sharon s copper harbor

I did see a big bear at the park a couple of weeks ago ,when we were there , she was going thru the trash cans, she could have been the mother

Keep the bear for the winter and take him as a tax deduction.He won't eat much.

Just went to "bridge cam". Houghton county airport cam says 9:21 and sun still shining across runways, granted long shadows but still very light. Just looked out my window here in SE MI and sun below horizon over Richmond way and its almost black out here at this posting!!

Hey Russ E.
Check out webcams in Florida, their light went out long ago!

Hey Flyin Troll: I must of done the same thing about 24 years ago, good one!

8 more hours until we leave for 10 days in Copper Harbor! I must finish the laundry, packing, and get a little rest! I'm too excited to sleep anyway.

Hey Michigan Finn and Flyin Troll--- same thing 44 years ago and we honeymooned across the UP eh!!

I might just repost this tommarow, since it's so late nobody may even see it... but anyway since I am coming up to chasell in 13 days (yes 13 it's aftermidnight for thoes of you who are counting down with me :-) I was looking for some stuff to do, and I though about going to Freda, where I have not been for years. Anyway I found a website:

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/mi/freda.html

I thought you would all get a kick out of this, it says Freda is on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. But they got the county and being close to Houghton correct. Thought it was funny.

So who has some info on Freda, I seem to remember (and it's been probabley 10 - 12 years since I have been up there) a light house and a resurant? Let me know what you have to share.

And if you read this twice cause I copied and pasted... well forgive me!