OKAY -- THIS IS TOTALLY U.P.  A must-share experience with the world who doesn't know or doesn't give a shit.  The bridge does go up.  It goes down, too, but only in special circumstances...

Terra Schneider On the bridge. It's going up. YESSSS!!!

10 hours ago via Text Message · Comment · 

2 people like this.

Roxanne Dobbs 

Wait, are you on the actual bit where it goes up?! If so, AWESOME! :D

10 hours ago · 

Terra Schneider 

yes. it is so fun. haha that's my second time. ( :

9 hours ago · 

Roxanne Dobbs 

Ah, I've always wanted to! Hopefully one day I'll randomly get to! :D I'll just keep my eyes open for some boats.

9 hours ago · 

Terra Schneider 

just figure out the ranger schedule and go like 15 or 20 minutes before it's supposed to dock in houghton!

8 hours ago · 

Andrew Schneider 

Weeeeeeeee.......

7 hours ago · 

Patricia Helsel 

Let me get this straight. You were actually ON the part that went up?

2 hours ago ·  · 

Terra Schneider 

YEAH! so fun.

2 hours ago · 

Patricia Helsel 

You didn't get arrested for catching the lift?

5 minutes ago ·  · 

Terra Schneider 

haha no but they buzzed the warning thinger at us a few times.

3 minutes ago · 

Black Flies-- Must be June

The U.P. black fly is quite a contender in annihilating the human race.  They're stealthy and so harmless looking.  Don't be fooled.  Their venom is nasty and swells up in no time at all.  This one got me right between the eyes.

There were many references to the Gay Bar, in Gay, Michigan when we first arrived.  Roger, Christopher, and I finally made the trek to this isolated little town on the Eastern side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The Gay Bar is NOT like any alternative bar I've ever visited. 

According to Wikepedia:

Gay, is a tiny unincorporated community in Keweenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 12 miles from Lake Linden on Copper Island at the western end of the Upper Peninsula. Local government is provided by Sherman Township. As of 2000, its population is 60.

 The Mohawk Mining Company built a stamp mill in Gay in 1898. The residual stamp sand dumped into Lake Superior increased the town's area greatly. Today, only the large smokestack and the ruins from the stamp mill still remain. The only remaining business is a bar, which is called The Gay Bar.

Gay is locally celebrated for its annual 4th of July parade. The "Gay Parade" as is it is referred to locally, attracts several times the towns population.

The town was named after its founder, Joseph E. Gay. 

I'm thinkin' the population is probably down by one with this posting . . .

More Eagle River Sunset

Superior Sunset

A beautiful sunset at the Eagle River Inn, on Lake Superior.  Was there for an end-of-year department chair party, but couldn't help but steal away and take in this amazing sight.

It's Not Winter

Okay, so I've lived in a lot of places, most of them extreme.  Four years ago, after enduring Louisiana's humidity and heat for nine years, we've moved  within 36 miles of  Michigan's most northern point.  The Keweenaw Peninsula is located at the joint of the left "thumb" of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.   The snow is nearly gone and road repair and cleaning have begun in earnest.  Even when it isn't winter, we're preparing for winter.  I live in a winter wonderland and a summer playground, with fresh air year 'round.  I've always embraced the local culture wherever I've lived.  This blog is dedicated to reflections, stories, and people of this special world.