Our lilacs are all faded and fallen here in the Copper Country, but at the other end of the U.P., Jon Jacobson still found a few. These were pic'd in front of Fort Mackinac, and that's Father Marquette peeking around the bush.

If you haven't visited PictureMichigan.com lately, be sure to see it on your way out of Pasty-land. (But come back tomorrow, of course).

The salmon colored rose is courtesy of Marlin Wenberg. It's at his mom's house in Dollar Bay, where Bethany Baptist's new Pastor Reed currently resides. By the way P.R. is an accomplished U.P. photographer himself... we have several of his nautical pictures around our house. Maybe someday he will honor the Pasty Cam by sharing a shot or two.

Is it a bad thing that I sit at work every morning refreshing the Pasty.com home page over and over waiting for the daily picture to update? :)

Thanks to misters Jacobson and Wenberg for a couple more winners. Looking good this morning.

Another highlight of my morning is watching the rays of the morning sun hitting the Lift Bridge on the bridge cam. I have REALLY got to get out of this city.

I wish I could smell those lilacs, they are my favorite flower. Down here in Ohio, our lilacs were long gone in April.

Charlie, how about an arbutus picture? I'm sure they're all gone now (especially after the heat wave), but maybe some intrepid photog out in Yooper land snapped a shot before the blooms died away. They're my favorite UP flower, and absolutely DO NOT grow in sunny and hot California. Lilacs, tulips and other bulbs, primroses and most of what bloomed in my Laurium garden left the Sacramento area in March or early April -- we have roses by the score, along with other sun loving perennials and annuals. Takes some getting used to here to keep my garden up -- and it's supposed to hit 114 degrees today! (And no, Mike B from Philly, it isn't bad and you aren't alone!)

Oops -- I meant Pittsburgh!

how about a pic of what I use to call Indian Pipes. Use to see them in the summer at Bete Grise in some isolated areas near our cottage.

Nice picture Boo.

Candy in HOT Ca., check out this site for trailing arbutus, Al in cooler coastal Ca.

I read a couple of years ago (I think it was on MarthaStewart.com) that the Lilac is not native to North America. They were orginally brought over by the French to Mackinac Island and most,if not all, of the Lilacs in North America are descendant from the bushes on Mackinac.

Candy in HOT Ca. the traling arbutus is found @
http://www.mikebaker.com/plants/Epigaea_repens.html Sorry I omitted it originally.

this Pittsburgh yooper gets to move back in a couple of weeks....couldn't be happier :)

I couldn't believe it when I stepped off the plane in Flint that it was as hot and humid as in Mississippi. But I am now on Lake Michigan and it is much better. I will be in the UP tomorrow or the next day so look out. Just wish I could be everywhere at once. I want to be in Newberry, Marquette, Munising and the Copper County. So many places, so little time.

Al -- Thank you for the arbutus site. I have a patch about 1 sq. yard in my back yard. It was there when I moved here 24 years ago. I don't give it any special treatment and don't pay attention to it until each spring when the blossoms appear. Then I get down on my knees and take a good whiff. I remember, as a girl about 65 years ago, that folks down in Menominee sold arbutus bouquets about 3 inches across for 25 cents!

Jo from Pittsburgh,
What part of the U.P. are you moving to? I would move back in a heartbeat if I could find some decent work.

Mike B:
I'm originally from Calumet but moving back to Marquette....can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!

I imagine you're pretty excited. I've been looking for work in a few different areas up there. I'm originally from Crystal Falls. There's not much work around there so I've been checking around other parts of the U.P. As soon as I find something worthwhile, I'm gone.

Sure wish I could leave the lower. I do vacation in Northern Marquette county. I leave on july 27th for 2 weeks of much needed r&r. I can't move to the yoop till my youngest, who is going into 6th grade, is out of school.

Hey, we got schools in da U.P., too!

I know, but when you have 4 kids with one already in college, 2 in high school, and one entering middle school it is hard to uproot them.
Then the is the employment factor. I would love to move up right now, but other things come first.