Our bedroom overlooks the dunes and the Lake here at Eagle River. This morning before I was fully awake, I sat up to see a most awesome display of northern lights. Like a glowing curtain fluttering across the clear sky, or a giant flag waving in the upper atmosphere, they were brighter and faster than I have ever witnessed. As I type these words, streaks of daylight are overcoming the aurora as dawn arrives.

If you and I were standing on the shore at Big Traverse Bay, the sunrise above would just be under way. Our thanks to Sue Haralson for sharing it with the Pasty Cam.

How far away it seems in time and space from the unspeakable scene we witnessed one year ago today.

I have a grandfather that lives right here at Big Traverse, and we have been out there on that water fishing for lakers in years past.
Very serene picture, as we all reflect on what happened a year ago today. May we all never forget. God Bless America, and the Upper Peninsula too :o)

"A giant flag waving in the upper atmosphere... brighter and faster than I have ever witnessed."

A fitting memorial for 9/11/22001!

Hi Mike. We just boated past your Grandpa's place on Labor Day weekend. Quite a few huge rocks keeping the shoreline away from his house. Fenton Middle and High School students are supposed to all go into the football bleachers and have a moment of silence at 8:46. Think they'll get all those kids to shut up?

Another great picture Sue!! It is definetely WOW worthy and is now my computer wallpaper.
God Bless to everyone today and a Happy Birthday goes out to my mom, Mary Gaulin.

Tears form in my eyes,
as I view this sunrise,
thinking of those who are gone,
proud of our Country carrying on!

God Bless the souls of all who didn't survive
God Bless the survivors
God Bless America

Please take a moment sometime today to remember in your own way!

To Dan and Mike from a high school downstate: At precisely 8:46 our entire staff and student body, more than 1,000, paused to recite our Pledge of Allegiance, gave a moment of silence, then 4 students sang the National Anthem in 4 part harmony. This was all done over our pa system, and witnesses can tell you that the silence that fell over our building spilled out onto the tennis courts, gymnasiums, and athletic fields who also participated. Hard to believe teenagers can be so quiet, and when they are...the silence is "deafening". We remember.

Mary, that is beautiful. Thank you !

Where was God on 09/11/01? He was there, but so many were too afraid to call out to him. You sure have pictured HIS handywork today. Thanks!

Charlie, Thanks for the memories! When I was a young boy, I sat on the beach near your home one evening watching the sunset. There sitting nearby, on a large driftwood, was an old timer with a cane singing the "Old Rugged Cross". Something I'll always cherish

It was such a beautiful day one yr ago today, no one knew
that it was their last day to go to work.
We are singing...What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, I shall look upon his face, the one who saved me by his grace. He shall take me by the hand and lead me to the promised land, what a day glorious day that will be.
They have done those things!!

A beautiful sunrise for this solemn day. For almost thirty years New York City was my home and my heart still is pained at the destruction. The World Trade Center towers were always an exciting place to take out-of-town guests, and standing on the rooftop on a clear day was magnificent. It was the center of the world. The loss will be felt for a long, long time by those who lost loved ones as well as those who love our country. May peace prevail. I now live on a farm far away from my beloved City.

My Grandparents have a cottage in Big Traverse, on the northern end, there beach is all stamp sand, and they have a major problem with four-wheelers riding through there. When I was up there this summer, I helped my Grandpa block the beach off with logs, but the people on the four-wheelers just moved them out of the way, thinking that they own the beach. Theres no reason for that, that is someones front yard! If we came and did donuts and rode around your front yard, you would call the cops in a heartbeat, so what makes you think you should be able to do it to someone else's property!

I see an argument about "beach access" here Jason...Your grandparents property line is the "high water mark", which would not be the shoreline...in other words, the beach is not their property...it is considered public land....Actually, your good ol' gramps is opening himself up to a lot of liability by placing logs across the beach for a person to hit....
Now, I have ridin' my quad on the shoreline before,at a reasonable speed.
Think about it....if it was private property, wouldn't you see a lot of fences on extending into the water on other parcels ???

Rubicon, You have a point about the high water mark, but the high water mark only is applicable on the oceans. The Great Lakes dont have tides and high and low water marks. Now dont get me wrong the lakes do vary in depth from year to year, but what is that, less than 2 foot. We have it posted, with PRIVATE PROPERTY signs for liability, because one of our good friends is the chief prosecuting attorney of a state in the Lower LP, and he recommended that we post it for liability, because it will be hard to sue when the property is posted, and you shouldnt be there to begin with. Alot of cottages along the lake in Big Traverse are starting to block it off farther and farther each year, becuase all we hear is the roar of your machines and it gets annoying. There have been many times my family and I have been on the beach swimming, and we have been told to get off the beach, and have had sand kicked at us. I understand some people do have respect on the 4 wheelers, but alot dont! Over the summer we have seen 4-5 kids on a machine that didnt have helmets, and were under 16. Which is totally illegal! We cant build a PERMANENT structure between the high and low water mark, which is no more than 2 foot, but we can PROSECUTE to the WATERS EDGE!

By Cousin Jack on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 10:52 pm:

"And the light shineth in darkness;
And the darkness comprehended it not."

I find it strange to be disussing such trival things as property lines on a day like today

Jason
Look up the Michigan laws.Your grandpa does not own the beach.It is not California here..yet.

Why do the Northern Lights look so green in photographs? In reality, they look more white.

On those infrequent occasions we see the "Northern lights" here in southern Michigan, they often are pink! Possibly the pollution in the air here?? just stepped outside, and besides the pack of howling coyotes I hear just out back in the woods behind us, (scary!) I can see every star in the sky but no northern lights. I can see my breath tho tonight! (brrr).
4 wheelers and ORV's while fun, adventuresome, and even useful for many chores and purposes, cause unimaginable disruption to wildlife wherever they go, especially beaches! For that reason the DNR has laws and jurisdiction regards all this!

You are so right, today isn't the day to be discussing 'the beach' problem, but I will add what we know. When we lived in MI and on a lake, we did own the beach, and our fence was right down to waters edge. With 'private property' signs near it. But, the water right in front of the property was not ours and anyone could fish or swim there. I agree, the 4 wheelers should not be riding there. There are other places for them to enjoy their fun. Which riding those machines are fun.

Ah, but the "beach" problem is as much a sign of the times, as the 9/11 tragedy. In fact, the have at least one thing in common. A situation born in part, from a lack of respect and understanding for fellow man.
I am 38 yrs old and am appalled that in the span of my lifetime so far, man's gains in technology and quality of life have only been matched by his steady loss of tolerance and thoughtfulness.
We talk a good game, especially at times like the anniversary of 9/11, but later that day we'll jump on our 4 wheelers and rip up and down someone's "front yard" just because it's "legal". What a shame.

Marc has a good way of seeing things, I wish more people thought like him, and I could end up having them for neighbors !

Photo by Ben Larson

Amen, Steve & Mike. Bless you for the memorable pix to put things back on track.

Michigan law is you own to the waters edge, you can legally wade past someone's property. 4-wheelers are limited to bush roads (two tracks) on public property, anything off the trail is considered illegal. The beach would be off limits unless it is designated for off-road use, which the Gay sands are not so designated (I believe they are privately owned, but used as public property). Once again the actions of a few will ruin it for all. There is plenty of space to run around on the sands without getting anwhere near the cottages.

those are some really nice pictures. they'd make great postcards.