I'm still laughing from the notes on yesterday's Cam about my wife and I being out all morning enjoying the fall colors. You guys must be spying on us. We took the long circle up US-41 to Copper Harbor, and the return trip along Brockway. Except for some chilly temps, it's a perfect day to cruise the Keweenaw. Along the way we had a nice visit with Ken and Marilyn Schasse and son Chris from Wisconsin, here in the U.P. for the weekend.

There's lots of color... most of it green.. and the leaves are just beginning to turn loose. We stopped in briefly at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and spotted the old Toro, then swung up to the scenic overlook. The water sure was choppy from Eagle Harbor to Great Sand Bay on the way home. Back in Eagle River Rodger and Mary Kerschner were out walking the dogs. Below, by the monument you can see some of the new blacktop which the whole village received this summer.

Sorry the Cam is late today, but these shots bring an up-to-the-minute view of Michigan's upper-Upper Peninsula.

So Chuckie, I was beginning to wonder if you slept in or what. The path of your return trip this morning reminded me of a shot back in the archives by Don Hermanson from Keweenaw Video, where you see all the way from Eagle Harbor to Agate Harbor, with Brockway's hump in the distance:

Ohhhh, how I wish I were there.

I was right when I guessed that you and Edie were going for a drive to enjoy the fall colors. What a nice day in the Keweenaw compared to yesterdays rain. Get out and enjoy it while you can, the white stuff may be here this Sunday!!!

Rainbow over Copper Harbor

Photo by Steve Brimm

I certainly did enjoy todays view of life in the Copper Country. Along with Lisa in Lake Orion I must say, OOOOO, I wish I were there. And I'm from Marquette! I was just wondering about that Toro picture. Wonder if that is from the same company that makes the Toro lawn mowers? Is that an early lawn mower or garden or farm equipment? Well, we are drying out here is south Mississippi. We had heavy rains the week before Isidore and Lili. October is usually quite dry, so, as long as we don't get anymore hurricanes, we should be set for any dry spell October can bring. Supposed to turn cool here. That means that the high will only be in the mid 70s. Ya'll have a good weekend.

I'd like to second Beverly's question on "El Toro" for anyone out there with the informed skinny on this vehicle's local history. Are those extra-wide aqua-treads on the rear axle or what, eh?

Looking back to 09/11/02, I wish to respond to Jason regarding Big Traverse Bay. I too enjoy property just a few doors down the beach from gramps. What is happening on our once beautiful beach saddens me. Gramps has "his" portion full of logs to keep 4wheelers away. Two doors from gramps, the property owner there has chosen to litter the beach with a satellite dish, pine trees, shrubs, willow trees, boards, and other junk, all to try to keep 4wheelers away. What a mess. This all keeps everyone else along the beach from enjoying the view. C'mon, let's be honest here. There are very few 4wheelers around and they certainly do not cause the problems mentioned by Jason. I just see this all as one big selfish act. We are blessed to have Lake Superior right at our fingertips, to be so selfish with the beach is childish. Let's keep our beach clean and clear so all can enjoy.

Charlie you certainly know how to revive old memories and fortunately there is a statute-of-limitations in effect.

That Toro tractor was used to mow the grass on the fairways as well as other odd jobs. I caddied there when in high school. Many Keweenaw boys had that job. We stayed in caddie cabins for a week at a time.

We always wanted to drive that tractor as all boys would. The day-workers must have realized that and would hide the ignition keys when they went home. We watched them returning in the morning and soon discovered the hiding place. From then on it was fun driving up and down the fairways in the dark. Our only concern was the fear of hitting a bear in the dark.

Well, one night we decided to take the tractor to Copper Harbor. It was fun but we had to hide in the bush every time a car came by.

Now that tractor had sharp spikes on those wide rear wheels so the wheels wouldn't slip on the fairway hills. Everything came to an end when one night we ran over a coiled water hose near one of the greens. In the morning when they tried to water the green water shot out of that hose about every two feet and by tracking they discovered our trail. We did not plead guilty but were given a stern warning.

Thanks for your wonderful Keweenaw Lodge memory, Mr. Penprase.
Wish I coulda been there with you.

Greetings from the Schasse's

We had quite a laugh looking at the photos posted Oct.5th. Thank you Charlie and Edie for the time you took out of your busy schedule to show us Keweenaw's beautiful copper harbor and surrounding area. Thanks to Jonathan and Katrina for the card and charming note. Hope to return before too much time expires.

Keep in touch,
Ken, Marilyn and Chris Schasse