It always amazes me how wildflowers and plants can find enough nourishment to flourish on the rocky shorelines of the U.P. Today's study of this phenomenon, has been made possible by Patrick McKenney, Steve Haagen, and Joseph Hurley, over in our ever expanding Guest Gallery. The vegetation in question in these three specimens, are not really growing out of the rock itself, but actually growing out of a crack in the stone. After doing a bit of Internet research, I've come up with a key ingredient needed for this plant evolution. All three photos contain that fundamental element....what is it?

Editor's note: No prizes will be awarded for arriving at the correct answer, unless you consider the satisfaction of knowing (or finding) the solution rewarding! :->

Good Morning from rainy Motown.

water?

Good Morning!

I envy those flowers their view!

Good Morning
I leave at about 10:00 this morning for Marquette! Just my son and I! He is starting his 2nd year at NMU! I am only staying for the weekend, but it will help my soul just by being on the shores of Superoir!!!!

Seeds, Sun and Water! What gorgeous photos...just like true Yoopers...tough out the elements and turn out just beautiful!

In the second photo I was wondering why the small rock was placed at the roots of the plant? For better photo op? No doubt they were growing out of the rocks so may that is it. Anyone know?

Good morning everyone

ywb, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip to the U.P. Enjoy yourself very much while you are here!!

Good Morning from Ann Arbor

And hello Mary Drew Good Question!!

solid rock is the starting point for soil and all those garden veggies we grow. Over time, wind, rain and other weathering factors break up rock into little pieces. Lichens help this process. Usually the first plant to appear on bare rock surfaces, lichens secrete acids which dissolve the rock. Lichens also loosen rock as the plant swells and contracts during wet and dry periods. These particles are blown or washed into crevices or onto lower ground. Like plants growing between cracks in a sidewalk,or rocks ,mosses, weeds, and tiny organisms move in as the soil collects.


soil!

Helen,
Thank you. I will enjoy my mini vacation!!!

Mornin' from hot for ever in West Texas.

Mary,
I'd say the presence of water nearby to provide spray, fog and dew to the plants make their life possible. The moisture collects in the cracks along with dust and rock eroding from winter frosts to provide some nutrients - lightening gives a little nitrogen with rainfall and the little things hang on with the perserverance of all healthy life. Your selection of pictures make my morning brighter after a night at work. I sleep the better for it. Thanks to you all.

SISU

Sunlight!

To ph,

That rock probably was put there by a wave as it hit the rocks.

I'm counting the days for my visit to Eagle Harbor.

A month or so ago, we were kindly taken to visit the site of the first mining lease in the Keweenaw,the Lake Superior Mine, southwest of Copper Harbor along the lake's edge. Here too were delicate wildflowers growing right out of seeming solid basalt.

How austere this landscape must have been right after the last glacier. The two foot wide seam of snow white calcite that comes from onshore, and continues to run into Lake Superior, must have attracted the ancients' attention, like a neon sign.Chunks of native copper are still visible protruding from it's surface along with the tell-tale green color of copper carbonates.

The surroundng,extremely solid basalt, ledge was a true "rock garden" of wild flowers demonstrating their will to survive!

Have we heard from Wheatman lately? I miss his Delphic pronounements.

My answer is a combination of others' answers: erosion. Both wind and water break down rocks, and, when combined with organic material, produces soil.

I'm with John/New Hampshire. Plenty of Sunshine.
Looks like the sun it trying to shine here in South Range this morning. The fog is lifting.

Gotta be the water. It breaks down the rocks, opens cracks for the plants to take hold in and also provides nourishment to the plants.

Water is Life

I see a lot of beautiful pictures out there over the past few weeks, but the WOW has not been updated in close to 2 months.

Any word on when that may happen?

I think the fundamental element is location. What better place to grow and florish other then God's country !

All your answers are correct, but the BEST answer (sorry for talking like an educator) is

SISU

What is SISU?

There has to be some dirt. Water will come from the rain. A seed had to be blown there. That's my guess.

In Georgia, we have Stone Mountain, which is the biggest hunk of granite in the world. There are TREES on it in a few areas and we have always found that to be amusing.

God has a bunch of amazing ways about Him, doesn't He?

SISU = Finnish word for inner strength, intestinal fortitute (i.e. guts). These beautiful photos cause one to think that even in the most difficult places in life, it is still possible to "bloom" where we are planted! What a great way to start the day. Happy Thursday to one and all!

Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It stands for the philosophy that what must be done will be done, regardless of what it takes. Sisu is a special strength and persistent determination and resolve to continue and overcome in the moment of adversity…an almost magical quality, a combination of stamina, perserverance, courage, and determination held in reserve for hard times.

In the past Finns were obliged to struggle against nature and against foreign intruders. Despite all of the drawbacks along the way, the struggle gave a lot of strength. The early settlers found inspiration in the Finnish landscape, sky and in mythological heroes who taught them that it was possible to overcome obstacles. In more recent times the same sources have been the basic source of inspiration for athletes, artists, designers and architects who have made Finland known to the world.

SISU Idrottsutbildarna jobbar vidare med Distansutbildning

SISU Idrottsutbildarna har sedan några år lagt sig vinn om att försöka hänga med i utvecklingen av metoder kring distansutbildning och distanspedagogik. Flera av våra medarbetare såväl centralt som på vår Folkhögskola Bosön och i våra distriktsorganisationer har utbildat sig för att kunna möta upp förfrågningar och önskemål från föreningar och förbund inom idrotten. Här är ett exempel på detta.

Has anyone else ever been on one of those pink granite hills (I'd say 350 ft.+) over by Big Eriks bridge? They are pretty much a solid rock. Lots of vegitation on them too.

"SISU" is a Finnish word, and it describes an almost spritual trait of absolute, heroically stubborn, utterly unyielding, unflinchingly stoic, total determination. 'Sisu' has been described as "washing a car in the rain, finishing a story read to a child even though the child has long ago hopped off the lap and gone to play, raking leaves in a windstorm". Sisu is what drives a person to keep a promise no matter what the cost, to do what is honorable or true or right no matter the personal suffering, to push on even when there is no hope in all the world. To have 'Sisu' is to complete something regardless of whether the act of completion has any meaning any longer...because the determination itself, the act of accomplishment alone, is what truly matters. It is the Finnish version of Japansese 'Bushido', the Samurai spirit, and it is considered the highest, most valuable, and most valued trait of any person. Sisu is the power to accomplish anything, and the power to be truly great.

The answer is water, I think. you go to places where they grow veggies Hydroponicly (sp) all they use is water and nutrients. No soil is used.

GOOD Morning from the Harbor...looks like today will be one of those days where we will get a bit of everything ...weather wise that is...Don't forget all of those pictured plants need good fresh air and temps above freezing.. ;)

Stunning picture. And the key to plants living in the rock is wanting to see the beautiful keeweenaw from the shore.

Pete Wis: We used to call one of them "Bald Mountain" and its a steep climb through the woods from the west. Pretty much a cliff on the east and south. Its been years since I've been out there, but its on my list of things to do with my next vacation. I'm sure one of the locals can give directions.

the element is GOD!

I don't know the answer, but the pics are truly beautiful and awe inspiring.
To don in dc, Mr. Wheatman came alive yesterday, short but sooo him.
To ontonagonyooper, how do you get your keyboard to do those Finish symbols! Is this where it would have been good if I had taken that computer class cheap at the library?? Also, who is going to continue the Finish lessons we all started?
AND, hows it coming for the lighthouse....I don't think that these particular owners will go for anything less than $499,000!

I'd like to know how do we find the "WOW" picture? I have come to this site for months and never knew there was a WOW pic. Is there a special spot? Please clue me in.

I agree with SISU as the reason the plants grow in rough and rocky places! :)

Pete: Where exactly are the pink granite hills? Are they into the Triple AAA Road? (Yeah, I know Triple AAA is redundant, but it looks good.) We were just out there blueberry picking.

CaladoniaFinn, I believe yours is the best explanation of the word sisu I have ever read, thank you. DH, hey, stranger! Sandstone Princess (cough, choke..), did you check into the lighthouse? That'd make a great B & B for you and Jer to retire to!! And only a cool half million!!!
Mr. Wheatman's post of yesterday convinced me I know his identity. His absence was also another clue.

CaledoniaFinn: Yes, I too believe you have the best explanation of Sisu. I also believe I myself HAVE sisu! I don't realize it at the time, but when I look back at certain times in my life and what I have gone through, I think holy smokes, that took SISU! It is inborn in us Finlanders. Have a great day all. We will survive this strange weather summer, SISU TO ALL.

Seven more days and then its Bessemer bound for 18 days. Staying at Blackjack Resort and visiting friends in Ironwood, plus all the fishing we can handle on Lake Gogebic. The best way to keep friends when you have 2 small kids(3 and 7)is to stay at a Hotel or Lodge etc. God willing we will be moving to the UP within the next 18months. Da wife thinks its a good idea-after 14 years of pleading.We also hope to get over to the Houghton area also after visiting Ontonagon/Victoria. We have 3 or 4 day trips planned.We plan on living around Ironwood but we want to check out all available options.

The real meditation is... the meditation on one's identity. Ah, voilà une chose!! You try it. You try finding out why you're you and not somebody else. And who in the blazes are you anyhow? Ah, voilà une chose!
-Ezra Pound

Wheatman

Welcome back Wheatman... nice to see (or hear from) you again... :)

Only you say who you are. Ah, the power of choice, words and speech.

My wife has a rather enlightened way of describing it...

Listen to peoples words, but believe their actions for it is their actions that show the world who they really are...

Good morning all from sunny/warm San Jose. Nice pictures, Mary.

This is “off topic” but I’ve got a couple of questions that I’m hoping someone can answer for me before we leave for the UP this coming Saturday!!! Just 2 days from now!

1) Where are there internet cafes in the area so we can check email? In the Keweenaw area, east to Paradise, south to Manistique and back north/west to Ontonagon. Any feedback greatly appreciated!

2) I’m confused about the weather and what to bring – looks like I’m bringing everything from summer clothes – shorts, tank tops, to winter clothes – sweats, jacket. Are the winter clothes overkill??

Thanks for any responses!

Audrey -

I am answering your question from a little known HotSpot in Houghton - Hardee's Restaurant, just across the street from the Smart Zone, where Pasty.NET has one of its two dozen HotSpots in the Keweenaw.

Just open up your WiFi enabled laptop anywhere in the Copper Country, and there's a good chance you will see a Pasty.NET HotSpot. Mariner North and Harbor House in Copper Harbor, Eagle River Inn, Laurium Manor Inn, the Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau in Calumet, Houghton County Airport, Ramada Hancock and the Upper Deck Restaurant, just to name a few. We welcome any restaurants in the area to contact us at Pasty.NET (337-0569) to install a HotSpot in your establishment.

Charlie

ps: I'll let someone else respond to the clothing question :o)

Audrey-

I can answer question #2, bring all of the above. When we were visiting Copper Harbor, we started out in skirts and a sweat shirt, and ended up putting pajama bottoms under the skirts, and winter jackets on. I only wished I had hats and mittens, it was that cold. In Manistique, we wore skirts and t-shirts and socks to keep our toes warm. At night we wore sweat shirts!!! I can't see you needing tank tops, but you can give it a try. Take a look at some of the recent photos in peoples galleries to see what they are wearing, and then remember if they are Yoopers, they are used to the cooler temps. :)

Shelly/TX

WOW (wallpaper of the week )you'll find it on Pasty's home page.

Traprock Farmer-

Thank you, thank you!!! I didn't know it was there!!!!! How fun to see a summary of great pictures!

Thanks, Charlie! However I don't have a WiFi enabled laptop. Wish I did, which is why I'm searching for internet cafes. And thank you for taking the time to respond.

Shelly... thanks for your input!

Funny to think about bringing winter clothing in August!

Speaking of Finnish words... Can someone define these two in detail? I am SURE I won't spell them correctly, but here goes...

Gubika (I think it's a bar?)
Rondimucki (Some type of a home on the lake?)

My Uncle Henry, (I won't spell his name right either), Lokkinan lived in what he always called the Rondimucki.

Thanks!

What a lovely way to spend my lunch-time! The pictures are breath-taking and the conversation the most stimulating I've read in eons. Though I'm geographically a troll, part of my heart belongs to da UP. I've always been amazed at the tenacity and strength of plants/trees... blooming flowers 1/2 inch high in the Mojave Desert, Giant Sequoias, Bristlecone Pines thousands of years old, and even the old hemlocks, oaks and maples that cling to the ledges in Grand Ledge. The friend who sent me here thought someone might know of a source for Petoskey Stone beads--I've heard they are sold in the Keweenaw 'at a rock/souvenier store'. Send details to: strassburgk@michigan.gov}. Thanks......for now, back to work!

Couple follow-ups, which i may have missed:

1) Darrell: how is your rehab coming along?

2) White House: how did the loan application process turn out?

Good morning from sunny Nevada.

Ok folks, here is a somewhat scientific explanation of soils!! Mechanical and chemical weathering of sediment and the pre-existing solid rock (bedrock) underlying it produce "regolith", or a rock blanket. Geologists call the upper few meters of regolith which contains mineral and organic materials "soil", which are the most common product of weathering on land. There are 5 important factors in soil development. 1) A soils "parent material" is the bedrock (in our case, basalt or conglomerate) and sediment (sandstone or glacial materials) from which a soil develops. The parent materials mineral content determines the nutrient richness of the resulting soil and the amount of soil produced. 2) An area's "climate" (temperature and precipitation) controls the rate of chemical weathering and consequently the rate of soil formation. Chemical weathering and soil formation is most rapid in warm, moist climates and slowest in cold, dry climates. 3) "Topography" influences the availability of water and other weathering factors as well as soil accumulation. Level, low lying areas contain the deepest soils while steep slopes have little or no soil accumulation. 4) "Vegetation" provides organic matter to soils and produces much of the ingrediants for chemical weathering reactions. 5) The last factor is "time". It may only take a few hundred years for a soil to develop in a warm climate but may require thousands of years in a cold or arid region.
So what does this mean for our little plant? Well, it probably means that it has an ample supply of nutrients from the rock (calcium, iron, etc..), an endless supply of water, and perhaps a little SISU to survive the winter.

I'm in the same situation as Dr. Nat; I went to school for a really really long time to know this stuff!! I think it paid off ;-)

Capt. Paul

Did anyone hear that the tall ship HMS Bounty is arriving in Marquette at 4:00 this afternoon? There is an article in today's Mining Journal that tells about it. I sure wish I could be there to see it!

I *think* the flower shown is the Harebell, Campanula
rotundiflora.

Audrey-

I am kinda chuckling about the thought of internet cafes in the Yoop. I get this funny picture of Pasty cafe's with computers for surfing the net. HA HA HA :)
Big lumberjack looking men saying "Pass the Pasty, and is there a computer available for me to log on?"

Could that be a private jet at Houghton County Airport ? Must be nice !!

Shelly, good one!
but please, no ketchup allowed near the keyboards :)

Shelly... amusing visual!! Thanks for the chuckle!

A logger drives up to the Internet Cafe. He is well-
known in these parts to be a CURSOR. He wears a
MACINTOSH and his pants are worn out, but he's
heard he can get FREEWARE here. "It was a HARD
DRIVE to get here", he says. "Can I get a cuppa JAVA
and a plateful of fried SPAM?" He is served, takes a
MEGABYTE, and gazes out the WINDOWS.

Whooo hooo! There's a lot of intelligence (sometimes represented by great humor) represented here!!

Dave Colorado
Yes the tall ship HMS Bounty arrived in Marquette today. A complete account can be found at
miningjournal.net.

UP weather

Check out the seven day forcast at www.crh.noaa.gov. Type in a zip code, like 49950 for Mohawk, where ever. Should help.

Here is the Offical HMS Bounty'S web site


http://www.tallshipbounty.org/main.html

To Frank in St. Charles, & Lyn Rayrat: Thanks for the restaurant recommendations posted the other day. We will try them when we get up there!

pastyfan
LOL!

Thanks for the info on the Bounty. I saw it go through the Soo Locks the other day on their webcam.

Audrey -- The Peter White Public Library in Marquette has free internet access via a computer on the 2nd floor, 15-minute time limit. The library is right downtown on Front Street, across from the Landmark Inn. At the library be sure to look at the bell collection and you might also want to check out the Marquette Arts & Culture Gallery and Gift Ship on the library's lower level. They have a nice selection of jigsaw puzzles.

Another greeting from sunny Nevada! I just got out of a rather boring (but mandatory) faculty meeting and it is a great treat to be able to sit in my office now and look at the pretty pictures on the PastyCam and read all the comments.
Capt. Paul provided an excellent explanation about how soils form. I am amazed that a mining geologist who flirted with the ladies during most of his soils class remembers so much ;-)
Just as an addition to his explanation: There are thousands of different kinds of soils that can form. The single most important factor affecting soil formation is climate. As Capt. Paul mentioned, the rate of chemical weathering is controlled primarily by temperature and precipitation. However, in a place like the U.P. of Michigan, physical weathering is also affected to a large part by climate. On those nice Spring and Autumn days when the weather is warm during the daytime but freezes at night, lots of physical weathering of the rocks is taking place. It starts when water flows into tiny, tiny microcracks in the rocks. At night, the water freezes. Water expands as it freezes, enlarging the crack, eventually making the crack large enough for a little bit of soil to form, a seed to fall, and pretty flowers to grow.

Last summer there was a coffee shop in downtown Houghton that had internet access, can't remember what the name was but the caramel latte was excellent!

Audrey, San Jose, CA - As DebDiver from Canton said there is a place right downtown Houghton, it's on the North Side of the road that you can get internet access with a purchase. I don't drink any sort of coffe, but my wife liked whatever she got and I got to surf the web. This was just a few weeks ago.

Even on vacation a Network Engineer can only go SO LONG with out the internet... I start to feel claustrophobic!

Thanks Mary for Posting my Picture! Wouldn't it figure the one day Work is NUTS and I can't check it until way in the afternoon my picture is up there.

Somebody thought the flower was a Harebell, and I belive taht to be correct. There is a picture in my gallery from last year of one also.

Hope you all enjoyed the pic. It was taking at Presque Isle in Marquette. Have a great rest of the day!

Pete from Lansing - hey, couch monkey - see you over the Labor Day weekend. I'll be up nort for a wedding reception and checking out the final embellishments of the newly refurbished schmitt house at the cottage - new paint job and new floor tiles. Hoo, hoo - can hardly wait.

Nice photos of some tenacious harebells. In Colorado once I saw a pine tree growing out of a crack in a rock in the middle of a 30 foot wide waterfall. The rock split the falls in two and the water poured on each side, keeping the tree constantly wet. It was a perfectly formed bonsai, with truck diameter of about 3 inches. How it managed to hang on during spring thaw I don't know. Yes I do! Sisu!

We are having a few days of genuine summer weather: 82 and very humid, no wind, threatening sky, mosquitoes prowling. Makes me appreciate our cool dry summer.

Thanks for telling us how to get the WOW
picture. I didn't know how to do that either. I
wanted to know about Darrell's rehab too,
loved the picture of the Bounty in the Mining
Journal, enjoyed the definitions of SISU (why
was the foreign language other than
Finnish?), and was happy to receive
confirmation that that harebell was on
Presque Isle-- in my hometown.

Pretty soon I'll be back to teaching and won't
have as many opportunities to check my
favourite site.

Oops, I've been in Toronto so long I forgot to
edit favourite to favorite. Something that I have
to do in reverse every day in my classroom.

ROFL Pasty Fan!

Leslie, Sand River… thanks for the Marquette lead, and it just so happens we’ll be staying at the Landmark Inn! How convenient.

Mckenneyp GR MI… thanks for the Houghton lead. My husband can get his coffee while I check my email. :-)

Audrey...the cafe is called the Cyberia Cafe. It does have free internet with purchase. On the corner at 524 Shelden Ave. downtown Houghton.
Nice cozy place to enjoy.

Hey OntonagonYooper--

Is the definition of SISU in Swedish?

I'm so glad I found this site over the summer! In the past few months I've enjoyed great debates, casual conversation, fantastic pictures, found a distant relative right here in fond du lac and learned about SISU. Today was no different, I laughed out loud with the visual on the cyber cafe : )
Nice job Mary and Charlie, keep up the good work.

Answer: air

;)

Alex, did your uncle have a kapakka in his rantamökki? You spell it like you hear it, eh! Luv it :)kapakka is bar/ ranta is beach and mökki is cabin or cottage.

sisu is the same as cahonnes in mexican

Hey Charlie,
Where's that camera hidden in Hancock/Houghton?
The one at "the" bridge.

Jo Ann, Hancock... thank you so much for the name. I'm sure I would've found it, but having a name to look for is good. Since you're in Hancock, what's YOUR opinion on clothing for the weather these days?

Susan, funny, I was wondering the SAME THING!

Sounds like Dr. Nat and Capt. Paul know each other quite well... (wink and nod) OR maybe they both just like dirt.

I wish I knew fin. I'm a 100 percent, full blooded finlander and can't speak a darn word. Okay, maybe one or two words and maybe a potty mouth phrase, LOL!

Audrey,

Do you think it is on the big house or the garage up the hill? What happened to Sharon's bear? Tried to get to her house to see where her feeder/cam was. The folks in town told me her drive was private and we couldn't go there.

Susan,

Haven't the slightest idea as I've only driven through Hancock, once, 4 years ago, and was just passing through on my way to Copper Harbor, and so I'm not familiar w/the area. Yet. Plan on spending more time than that this time! Yeah, it'd be neat to see Sharon Smith's view in person instead of the computer!

Don't know what happened to the bear.

Okay Charlie, we're waiting to hear from you!! Where's that camera?

Could someone tell me where Quincy Hill is? And what it is? Is it like Brockway Mountain? Just curious. I've done all my trip planning from the conversations on this chat! It's been most helpful and the comments from everyone have been so insightful!

I am not Charlie but the bridge cam in Hancock is in Daryl Laitala's home up on a hill, behind a gas station. About a block from US 41 going thru Hancock and a block from the bridge. Great view any time of the year.

Sorry, one more question... Traprock Valley... where/what's that?

Thanks, Carole for the camera location. But of course don't know where Daryl Laitala's home is, nor would I expect an address!

HAHAHA! There wasn't one in the rantamokki, but I remember going to the Gay Kapakka and playing with a dog named ACE, when it was owned by a lady, maybe 35 years ago, or so. Thanks for the correction!!! Now tell me how to spell my uncle's last name! LOL.

WHILE DIGGING A FOUNDATION, I FOUND A BLADE OF GRASS GROWING THREE FEET BELOW THE SIDEWALK, PLUS GROWING THRU CRACKS IN THE CONCRETE. BUT A SCIENTIST CAN'T CREATE ANYTHING FROM SCRATCH.

Audrey,
Quincy Hill is on Hwy 41 on your way up to copper harbor. The "hill" is the actuall highway as it's a steady incline for more than a mile. (Hwy 41 is the main drag north out of hancock.)There's a pull off where you can take in the view of Houghton across the canal.
Brockway is located more north and is off the main highway.

bek, fond du lac,

Thank you! I guess I've BEEN on Quincy Hill on my way to Copper Harbor! Just didn't know that was that! I remember thinking that was the most beautiful drive. And on Monday, I get to do it again, and this time my husband will see what I've been talking about! Been to Brockway too, and will go again.

What about Traprock Valley?

Audrey,
Just a sec, I'm looking. LOL!

Audrey,
You need to get to Lake Linden, which is on hwy m26 out of Hancock. Traprock road goes right out of Lake Linden. Your best bet is to visit Mapquest or the michigan tourist website.
Sorry I'm not very helpfull. Never got out that way myself.: )

Bek,

haha! I'm just one curious person! But what is it about Traprock Valley that's of interest? And where's Fond du lac? And why is the sky blue? :-)

Audrey : )
HaHaHa! Traprock valley road is a nice scenic drive.
Fond du Lac, wisconsin. It's about 2258.92 miles east of san jose...or approx 33 hours and 45 minutes (well, according to mapquest).
Fond du Lac is on the southern most tip of Lake Winnebago.

Can somebody tell Audrey why the sky is blue. It's been awhile since I studied. LOL

What a FUN day of chatting!!

Less than 48 hours and I'm THERE!

Bek, Funny that you did the mapquest search!
Have you ever been to Washington Island?

I'm a bit giddy myself today! Only two more days of work before I'm on vacation, sigh. Won't be getting up north but a vacation is a vacation.

The sky is blue because of the atmosphere - without a thick atmosphere, the sky would look just like the sky of the moon - black. We see color in our sky because, which ever direction in the sky we look, light enters our eyes and excites our retinas. This light is sunlight, but as we know light travels in a straight line, it cannot come directly from the sun. When the light from the sun hits the oxygen and nitrogen (not to mention the water vapor and smog) in our atmosphere it is scattered into our eyes.

I was to Washington Island when I was about 10 years old. All I remember is having to take the emergency exit out of a haunted house and eating pancakes at a restaurant that there were goats on the roof made of sod.

Joe, yup. That sounds familiar now! Thanks for the refresher!

Joe, gee, thanks!

Bek, funny what we remember about our childhood! Where ya going on vacation?

Audrey,
It's our last harrah before school starts so we're sticking close to home. We have the zoo, county fair and chuck e cheese for sure.
Are you visiting family in michigan? how long you staying? What brought you there the first time?

Bek, No family, will be there for 2 weeks. I'm drawn to places that are remote, surrounded by big bodies of water and that are north. Sound like the UP? :-) That's the short version. Maybe I'll just email you later!

Audrey,
Do that. In fact I was just telling my daughter I really need to get moving. It was nice chatting! Nite.

I can't believe I was in the Copper Country, just yesturday. With the help of my sister and my MTU student niece, I completed some of my Pasty Cam Karma. We had breakfast at the Suomi Restaurant(oh, what a treat), drove around the detours to Eagle Harbor, got my Pasty Central pasty,at the Jam Pot, and had my picture taken at the Hancock/Houghton scenic overlook. That was the most fun I've had in months. Thanks to all of the folks who made my day special.
It's true, one day in the copper country is better than a week anywhere else.

hi audrey, coming from the land of sun as you are I would be prepared for all weather..the leaves in my neighbors trees are turning orange already but it is humid and warm tonight.
The weather man says only 60's for the high on saturday and less humid and sunny. A great day for us yoopers who do not like the heat. But the week ahead looks like 70 and pleasant..but probably will be cool at night for you. So bring a jacket...do not expect snow just yet but you never know here.
Welcome to "God Country" and enjoy your stay. You will like it here.

Carole,
Is Daryl's house that huge cream/yellow house up on the hill? You can see it crossing the bridge going north, right?

Audrey, have a great trip. We wore sweatshirts and long pants while there last week. Thursday night was a bit cool around Baraga. Be sure to stop at Toni's in Larium. The pasties are absolutely wonderful...Yep, Ketsup has to go with it. Let us hear from you when you get back.

Hey Capt. Paul
You must be a tech grad! Thanks for the soils lesson. Time is a mystery to me . Do you work in private industry?

Bek, FonduLac ...Just returned from Washington Island last week. It's off the tip of Door Co. Wisconsin. It's a nice trip. First by ferry , then we took another ferry to Rock Island S.P. ( 2nd one was without auto.) It's a lovey drive around W. Island. Must check out gift shop at Seivers' school where weaving and needlework is taught, beautiful things.I have fond memories of FDL where one of my favorite books was set, "Seventeenth Summer"

Bek, the resturant with the goats on the roof is Al Johnson's in Sister Bay.

Dr. Nat - how do you know if Dr. Paul was checking out the skirts if your nose was in the books? :)
Bet you can't guess my favorite flower!

Just returned from U.P. last week and I took an identical picture as #2 photo at Hunter's Point!It was a great hike and one of contrasts. What great fun this is tonight! Thanks everyone! Hope to get back in the fall-I think it will come early this year-any thoughts on that? Some leaves were turning already. Take care all.

Sweet Pea:
I was Capt. Paul's favorite person to flirt with-- that's why he married me.

Grimace:
Capt. Paul graduated Tech with a geology degree and now is an independent mining consultant. Me, I warp young minds at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

My eyes are blue, is that why I see a blue sky? Do those with brown eyes see blue sky? I've heard that the earth is flat and only looks round because our eyes are round. ??? Who knows?

H2O would be my guess.Just saw on the news here that a old Native American Dwelling was found by U.T. along the Tennessee River going back to 1300 A.D - 1600 A.D.

Good morning to all from Milwaukee. Any word on Jim Berryman's meeting with the bank regarding financing for a new White House? Thanks.

GO COPPER KINGS TONIGHT!!!

Dr. Nat in Nevada. At warp speed - no less.

Dr. Nat and Capn. Paul, was the infamous Emmy Booy at Tech when you were? She made the subject very interesting for those of us "Sunday geologists," the ones who just drove around tossing out terms like "drunken forest" and, "There's a big fault line."

To Ontonagonyooper: Your explanation of SISU is great, but I do not understand why you included the Swedish text which has nothing to do with defining SISU?. The Swedish text discusses how the "SISU sports educators has for a long time tried to keep up with the development of methods concerning distance-learning. Several of our co-workers centrally as well as they in our Highschool "Bosön" and in our district organizations have educated themselves so that they can meet questions and inquries from sports organizations and associations. Here is an example of this... (I never learned Finnish in the schools in Norway, but had to take Swedish, Danish, English, German and French) Greetings from a genuine Norjalainen poika (Norsk gutt)who married a wonderful Suomalainen tyttää (Finnish Girl) from Mohawk 35 years ago

My apologies for not giving the answer I was looking for sooner! All those who answered water, raise your hand! All the rest of you, good job, but no cigar! ;-)

Jo Aanen:
True, Norsk gutt = Norjalainen poika
but (picky, picky!)
Finnish girl = Suomalainen tyttö

A big "Tusen Takk" (Thank you) to saivartelija for correcting my spelling of tyttö. The only Finnish I have learned beside the word sauna is from spending time in the Copper Country.

Jo Aanen;

Ref: why include the Swede Message? A simple cut and paste mistake my friend...still trying to figure out how I "over shot" the text to include the Swedish message. Apologize to all for the superfolous information.

Glad you found the definition of SISU of some interest.

Danke