Pretty much everything is rushing in these photos from Nathan Alwine's Guest Gallery... starting with the water, the paddlers hearts, their minds and even their arms! All this adrenaline pumping fun is taking place at Piers Gorge, in Norway, MI. Nate, (who is the kayaker in the second shot), says that a friend took these photos, while he was guiding a group through the rapids and then also while he did a solo run in-between trips. Now, don't get me wrong, I have a kayak and love to paddle along in it, but I don't think you'll catch me braving the rapids like these dauntless folks. So, for those of you, that are 'chicken' like me... check out Nate's slideshow for the thrill of the adventure, without getting wet!

By Maryann, Hoton on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 06:58 am:

Neat fog around the lift bridge this am.

Also a lovely morning at Houghton County Airport

Have a great weekend everybody!

Nice picture. I did that once..many years ago. We are looking forward to our trip to the UP. Hopefully, we will be there Sunday having a great pasty or two. Charley's trying to give us a hard time, but we won't let anything stand in our way.

Have a good day, see you all soon.

Morning all from N FL. We are expecting Charley this evening. All is calm at this time, so a normal business day. Schools and businesses are open, people just getting ready for tonight. Maybe a category 1 when it hits here. Karen, in Tampa wish you luck riding out the landfall.

Sherry in N FL/ Hang on! We have a winter home near Tampa....Hope we have somthing to go back to!

Perhaps we should send some medicinal pasties to the folks in Fla.

Glad to see pictures from Piers Gorge. It's a wonderful stop on the way into the UP from Wisc on US 2. There's some rock scrambling and a short trail from the parking lot past the lower and middle piers (ledges in french). My Grandparents and parents are from the Kinsford/Iron Mountain/Quinnesec/Norway area. This is a favorite retreat of mine.

Mornin' Hope everyone has a great week end, kayaking or not..

Medicinal pasties (with ketchup or Toivo & Eino's) are always welcome in Florida. We don't need a reason to enjoy them ;-)

Gee, I didn't think anyone had the boats out during the flood in Marquette last year!

If you are interested in doing this: http://www.kosirs.com/

I know it's Friday the 13th, but I'm feeling very lucky today since I'll be in the U.P. by tonight.

Good morning from W FL...Cool here 66 degrees.

Great picture!!! Always enjoy this area.

Hey, i see where work has finally started on the Redridge Dam......

Happy Friday the 13th to all - soon I'll be back - camping in the Porkies, to the Cabin on Craig lake, got my coffee pot out and ready...

Morning. Great, just super great side show, the person doing the shooting, and persons shooting the rapids are to be commended. Have a great weekend.

W, Calumet-
Yesterday you asked about properly abandoning an old well. Contact your local well driller-he should be able to give you a quote. For hand dug wells, they should be filled in and any foundation/stone removed to below ground level. Cased/drilled wells should have the pump and casing removed. Then the well should be filled w/ cement grout.
All old wells should be properly abandoned as they are direct contamination conduits to underground aquifers that may be used by another nearby well. Water is Life!

That picture brings back a lot of memories.

In 1977, My Dad, Brother and I spent 9 days rafting the entire lenght of the Grand Canyon on the Colorado river.

Hope every one got to see natures show last night
over the keweenaw.

Nope not the northern lights, but the Perseid Meteor showers!

We sat out on the deck until 1AM watching Fireballs
streak across the night sky.

If its clear out tonight, you should try to get a look.

When I moved to Idaho in 1973, I was out of my element in this high desert until I discovered white water. Plunck me into the seat with a set of oars and the roar coming around the bend and I am in hog heaven. The pictures and the slide show are grand! That white water adrenelin pump will make smiles bust out every time....even when your heart is thumping 110 mph!

Great slideshow from Nate. Only white water I've been down is the East Race waterway in South Bend.It's the only man made whitewater course in the country. Olympic trials are held there. Nate, I believe you said last week that you grew up in Mishawaka. Wonder if you ever were on the waterway? I know it's not like the "real deal" but still lots of fun.

Steve--
Yeah, I did spend a number of days on the East Race. Its a very nice facility. On Sunday's a few friends of mine and I would ride bikes at Rum Village Park, and then when we were soaked with sweat we'd head to the race to cool down. If only every city had something like that!
Everyone--
As for rafting on the gorge, go check out http://www.wildmanranch.com I guide through them and would love to meet you all some Saturday! (though probably not everyone on the same Saturday)

And if anyone wants to try some kayaking, I'm always looking for an excuse to get on the rivers anyway. Just shoot me an email.

Also for anyone curious what the East Race is:

http://www.sbpark.org/parks/erace.htm

http://www.sbpark.org/parks/eracephotos.htm

For the past 6 years, I have been wanting to watch the meteor showers, but either city lights or cloud cover prevented me from it.

Earlier in the week when they were to be at their peak, storms rolled thru so I missed them again.

Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night. The clouds had cleared up and the sky was clear. Looking south, I star-gazed out of our bedroom window in our central/southeast Wisconsin home. In 15 minutes, I saw 2 shooting stars, i.e., Perseid Meteor showers. I hope my wishes come true....

Then, 2 weeks ago I saw the northern lights dancing under the Milky Way in the Keweenaw.

It has been a beautiful summer this year in Wisconsin and the Keweenaw.

Life is good! Have a great weekend everyone!

Have a good day in the great C.C. We are holding on in Florida waiting for the big storm.

I sure hope Charley causes little or no damage in Florida.
A good omen: It could have perhaps been worse - if the double barreled "Bonnie & Charley" had been named "Bonnie & Clyde".

When I saw today's pictures, all I could think was:

YIPPEE!! WOW!!! YEHAAAAA! KEEP PADDLING...!!

Thanks for the rush!!

Oh and of course I add prayers for those in the path of the storms.

Wow...the last three days looks like an ad for tourist's, I think I might need to get up there for some fun.

Cool pics. But the only white water I like is the Premo's;-)

Hello everybody from Oklahoma. I am walking out the door to load some freight coming to wisconsin and then will be heading for calumet and my sweetheart for a few days. Have a great day and a good weekend all.

Karen; Hope your safe and sound. Guess the storm
has already been through. Take care.

It shouldn't take long to figure who H is dating withg a big red truck out front!

Just came home from Munising area. My family stayed a week on Sixteen Mile Lake and spent it kayaking (not white water)and hiking, watching eagles, sharing old memories and laughter, eating a great deal of good food, and re-sealing the gaps that grow between us when we get together only once a year, if that. All you out there in Pasty-land: dont wait for the funerals to get together. Start planning a family reunion right now.

downstate don, Good news it hit south of us by about 75-100 miles, bad news, those poor folks down there are devastated. It's heading toward Orlando which is where most people from here evacuated to. We in Tampa area are getting some winds and rain, but that's it for now. We're over by the Clearwater area. If that storm had come in here, it would have wiped us out just like it did Miami and Homestead a few years back.

The flight was cancelled and rescheduled by the airlines for late tomorrow. We won't get into Flint until late, but we will be there. I hope to be eating one of those warm, delicious pasties by Sunday.

Thanks for keeping in touch. I'll let you know how the trip goes.

Sandstone princess~~~~ha ha ha!!! i love the Premo's too!

Karen; So glad to hear the storm missed you and
that you will still be able to fly out even if it
is a little bit later. Enjoy the pasty and have
one for me. Umm!! Will look to hear from you on
your return. ENJOY!!!

wow, didnt realize the YOOP had such whitewater. Its an amazing place dat dere UP.

WHUH...keep us posted!

To; M.B.,WI-IL-MI...It's so nice to hear some one express appreciation for the simple but wonderous things in life.I too hope your wishes come true. Aren't we the lucky ones to live in the midwest?

Jeff K, Gaylord, It's time you pack your bags and
your raft and head up to the U.P. In case you
haven't been there before, bring some warm clothing. You'll be breathing some of the cleanest
air on earth so leave your tranquilizers home when
you hit the sack, you'll be out like a light and
have the appetite of a bear.

Who needs video , still captures the moment ,
like the first look in the mirror each morning!

Great Pictures, Looks like fun.

We have some great rivers here in California for river rafting, especially in the spring after the snow melt. I went down the American River out of Sacramento in the spring. It was a great wild ride.

Paul the Webberville Troll....HI Sorry I didn't get back w/you....The red barn...I can picture it in my mind.Lots of memories there.Lots of family come and gone.Thanks for jolting me back.

Ms. Katie: Some of my best memories in life are of time spent in the outdoors. Ex: In the 4th grade, I learned about the solar system, constellations, galaxies, etc. It was always too bright to see these objects in the city. On spring break, Mom and I would visit the grandparents in Eagle River, MI. This is the first time that I applied something I learned in a classroom to real life. As I have grown, those stars have kept me company. While in college, living in big cities, studying/working abroad, I never felt too far from home knowing that they shined in the Midwest too. :-) Have a great weekend! :-) - M.B.