Q: What's wrong with this picture?

A: 1.Our neighbors are trying to keep snowmobilers off Lake Superior. I'm pretty sure it's perfectly legal.
... 2.It isn't working.

This reminds me of a striking view we received from Susan Hooker, toward the end of last winter.

Yooper sooper highway :o)

Not too bad an idea. I used to own some property near Whitefish Point. A few years ago a snowmobiler paid the ultimate price for his freedom to ride on the shoreline. He broke through and a Coast Guard Chopper out of Traverse City had to pull his body out of Lake Superior.

I look forward to opening the Pasty.cam every morning and reading the messages from everyone. It brings me back in time and it is nice to hear of the memories of others from all over the world. How nice it is to share in knowing the beauty of the UP...something many people will never know in their lifetime.

The crisp bright fall leaves; the sound of snow falling; being able to look into a lake and SEE the bottom...these are truly gifts! We know what it is like to have survived cold winters (and summers!); what it was like growing up in a community knowing of our Heritage (where I live people don't even know where their ancestors came from!); what it was like to live in an area not necessarily rich in materials, but rich in culture; we know the wonderful feeling one gets after taking that first bite of a warm pasty!

When I looked at the pictures this morning (especially the Bridge), I did think "those people are crazy!", but it still brought a smile to my face...to see the brige, to see the canal frozen..something I havn't seen in years. How sad I felt when I started to read the messages.

As I no longer live in the UP and have some sad memories attached to it, I treasure this web-site. It is like a warm blanket that covers me in the happy memories that I do have and want to remember.

I would like to thank Charlie and all of the wonderful photographers who share their eye for the beauty of the Copper Country. I would also like to thank those who share their memories. I hope that after we have looked at the pictures and read the messages, we can log off for the day knowing we experienced some nostalgia, were reminded of some beauty and are grateful for having known it.

Some folks just don't understand (or just don't care) that certain signs are put up for their safety or other's safety. While it seems futile that we put the signs there, if it makes one person think and turn around, it's worth it, we've done our part! It's just like locking your doors when you leave home, it keeps out the honest people, I guess signage reminds the caring people! Keep up the great work! :)

Hello!!!!! I am from Oklahoma City and I love to see these pictures every day as I have friends living in the UP. Also we have no snow and alot warmer temps. down here. Thanks for the great pics. GOD bless.

Charlie,
Thanks for displaying Susan's picture of the frozen canal. My husband's nephew, Bill Hanrahan, is the skipper of the Ranger 111. How nice to see it and I didn't realize the canal froze over completely!!! I have indeed been away too long. Keep up the good work, it is appreciated by so very many and it certainly makes my day. It is the first thing I do every morning even before reading the papaer.
EMH

As did "remembering the beauty", I too felt some sadness this morning that something so unique was, for a short time(thanks charlie), tarnished. We all come here for one thing and lets hope it stays that way for a long time to come. As with the rest of you, I too check here first to be sure alls right with the world......

The same thing happens with 4 wheelers in the summer, they tear up the beaches, last summer I was out on the beach with my family, and some guy on a four wheeler, came thru and told us to get out of his way! No respect at all. Hopefully it isnt that way with the snowmobiles!

Jason, no we don't have too many problems with the snowmobiles bothering people on the beaches up here...... Ha Ha Ha :)

Another excellent "Superhighway" for snowmobiling is along the shore on the "Gay sands" between Gay and Big Traverse Bay. A lot wider than the Portage Canal near the bridge and no fear of going through the ice. A good place to "blow the carbon" out of your "machine"!

Dear Mr. Floriani,

We really don't need or want more snowmobiling super highways here, especially if all you wish to do is blow the carbon out of your machine. I find it very disturbing that snowmobilers are not concerned that they are bothering local people who live here for the quietude and fresh air. (Yes, I know there are those who want to make money off of you but they are not the majority.) Maybe you can explain to us non snowmachiners why the industry has not gone to 4 stroke engines; the technology has been around for a long time; or are you not aware that one snowmachine has the same emissions as 14,000 automobiles yes that is right fourteen thousand.

If you wish to blow out some carbon, how about doing it in front of you house, not mine.

I see we have touched a nerve with Dan's picture this week. We do not intend or desire to see Cam Notes become controversial... We have a very well travelled forum for that here at Pasty Central called Keweenaw Issues, where you can post messages anonymously OR responsibly.

It would be hard to catagorize or label me personally on this issue. On the one hand, some of our most joyful and profound exploration of Keweenaw's beauty have been snowmobile excursions around the peninsula with my children. I could point at a couple dozen Pasty Cam shots during the last three years which were taken from the seat of our snowmobiles.

On the other hand, I have notified the sheriff on more than one occassion when an un-thinking snowmobiler has been a threat to themselves or the peaceful enjoyment of the property owner on whose land they were crossing without permission (and in spite of clearly posted signs.)

I do believe strongly that if one disagrees with activities which are allowed under current law, our energy should be directed to changing the law, not striking out destructively or bitterly against those who take part in the activity. This is not a liberal or conservative proposition - it could be applied to anything - from rain forests to abortion clinics, hang gliding to snowmobiling.

Jim - come visit us sometime in Eagle River, and we'll blow out some carbon together. I know lots of places that are nowhere near anybody's house.

Amen Charlie! One of the best things about this site is that it is free of such controversies and the ill will that always ensues. We are all entitled to our opinions but not everyone cares to hear them. Thank you for directing people to the proper forum for such things!

Well, I guess I owe an apology to the good folks on this site, so… I am sorry. I originally typed in my terse response to post, but thought better of it, so I copied it and sent an email to MR. Floriani instead, but somehow managed to hit enter and post the message anyhow. I had hoped it would go unnoticed.

Once again, please accept my Humble apologies.

Thank you

Steve

Thanks Steve!!

I didn't think my casual remark about "blowing the carbon" out of my snowmobile on an uninhabited sretch of Lake Superior shoreline would incure the wrath of a semi-informed environmentalist. I have responded to Mr. Brimm's diatribe separately in terms not printable here.
I agree with Mr. Hopper about respecting private property.Keweenaw County has the finest scenic and legal snowmobile trails in the country!

This conversation will be continued on our Keweenaw Issues discussion board. For those who wish to avoid controversy, don't go there.

I'll continue my comments about the March 20 picture/postings on that page.

Keweenaw Issues

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