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Category: Houghton County

Autumn Colors

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The Autumn colors are really kicking in. Some areas are just about at peak, while others are mostly green still.
Friday I drove up Huron Bay-Peshekee Rd knowing the colors would be popping there. I made my first stop for a couple photos and Shit! I forgot a SD card for my camera, that really sucked, and I wasn’t about to drive all the way back home to get one. I did have my drone and my cellphone, but I hate using a cellphone for proper photos, so I mostly just used the drone. I stopped at Haypress Falls to fly down into the area to see the falls, as it is, it’s quite difficult to see these falls without some major bushwhacking. I was pretty nervous  while flying. Lots of trees, rocks and I had to fly downward, so it was a little scary.
After Haypress, I continued north, flew the drone a couple more times for photos and then home. It was a full day.
Sunday I headed down Sidnaw and drove up to the Sturgeon River. I could fly the drone how I wanted due to heavy winds, but I still got some good stuff.
After Sturgeon River, I drove back south and over to Kenton and north on Forest Service Road 16, and then up to Pike Lake Road. Took some photos at Pike Lake, few the drone and headed toward home via Houghton. I was going to stop and get something to eat in Houghton, but every place I went by was packed, even the fast food joints had very long lines, so I just drove home.

Peshekee River

Peshekee River from the top of Haypress Falls

Autumn Painted Forest

Pequaming Point

Sturgeon River

Sturgeon River Area

Autumn Colored Road

Pike Lake

Pike Lake

Pike Lake

Painted Forest

Work and Photos

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Well, once again I’ve missed posting things… Damnit.

Let’s go in order of the title.
Work – Today I posted an RFQ for our website at work (Website Design & Development Request for Qualification). This has always been my job. I’m quite upset about this and have asked my boss why, but the only answer I ever get is, “I don’t know the reason”. I have been kept completely out of the loop, told or asked nothing. At this point, I don’t know what the fuck to do. Should I make an appointment with our chairperson? Last time I tried talking with my bosses boss, I just got pushed up. I have, and have had, a website started since the first of the year and have asked my boss to see what people think, but once again, nothing. No input what so ever. I understand I will be keeping my job to maintain the site, but I know the damn thing inside and out, so who better to make another one. Anyway, I’m quite distraught about this.
Photos – I have a few to being uploaded for this post, photos and videos, from the past week or so.

Kunze Lake

Kunze Lake

Ghost Town of Frost

Ghost Town of Frost

Autumn Colors

Sixmile Creek

Sixmile Creek

Sixmile Creek

Smoky Skies Sunset

Smoky Skies Sunset

Hunt For Autumn Colors

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Went out yesterday looking to Autumn colors, starting on Covered Road. Covered Road runs from a little outside of Houghton on to Redridge, it’s a pretty drive, but I don’t see how the colors would show due to it being too covered with very tall trees. I then drove into Freda, turned around and took Freda Crosscut Road which heads south east toward Toivola. I took quite a few two-tracks off of the Crosscut Rd., got lost a little, then made it back to M-26. From there I went a little more south and turned on Emily Lake Rd which turns into Pike Lake Rd. Along Pike Lake Rd. I took quite a few stops at the numerous lakes to get some photos. Then on home the back way via Baraga Plains Rd to Menge Creek Rd.
During the day’s drive, I came upon an interesting farm building. A local I know on Facebook to me this about the build…
“This is in the Toivola area near the former Heikkinen School. Barn is typical of southeastern Finland near the Russian border and Karelia which I believe now is a part of Russia but once was a part of Finland.”
At the end of this post is a video of the drive from Baraga Plains Rd down Mange Creek Rd to home.

Farm Building

Farm Building and Barn

Clear Lake Autumn Colors

Clear Lake Autumn Colors

Clear Lake Autumn Colors

Headwaters of Pike Lake

Forest Road Truckin’

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Headed out this morning with Eli to hit some more of the Forest Service Roads in Southern Baraga and Southern Houghton counties. The roads south of me seem to be never ending, there many many roads to explore, and most of them are in really good shape. Many of the woods through this area have some nice large old growth trees, making the drive real enjoyable, just driving through the woods. Along with coming across river, lakes and such, this time I found a couple tidbits of history. One such bit of history is that there were 5 WWII POW camps in the UP, this I did not know. I came across one of the POW camps today, Camp Pori.

“POW Camp Pori – 215 POWs; 2 Officers; 39 Enlisted Men
An unusual activity here was the establishment of a Zoo. The POWs captured mice, squirrels, snakes and other small animals. It was not their only activity. The 16 piece orchestra was often heard. The education at this camp was strong. Classes in English, German, French, math, shorthand and music history were offered allowing the men to increase their work skills. To this end, workshops were offered for machine construction, technical drawing, electrical skills, and agriculture development.”

The rivers and swamps I came across all have a very low water level, some of the swamps are dried up.

Anyway, was good to get out again, as I’ve been staying at home too much lately.

Sturgeon River – Very Low Water

Bob Lake

Pori CCC Camp/POW Camps and Wild Blue Phlox

Old Railroad

Big Ol’ Cordwood Barn

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On my way into Houghton for shopping this morning, I decided to take a little detour. I drove down Sturgeon River Road just be for Chassell. Interesting road and area, it runs along the river and at times very very close, but what’s really interesting is the farms and old settlements. There’s some history back on this road that I need to find more about. At the very end of the road is an old settlement with a very large cordwood barn. Very cool!

Campground – Day 37 (Last)

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This will be the last full day here at the Baraga State Park. Finally! Tomorrow morning I leave and start moving into the new house.
Today starts out on the cool side again, around 35° with mostly cloudy skies. The forecast says it should be a pretty nice day with highs in the 50s and some sun.
If I get my packing and cleaning done, though there really isn’t much at all, I may go for that drive for some fall colors. I did end up going to Walmart in Houghton yesterday to pick up a couple cheap floor runners so Grizwald has something to walk on without slipping. I know I’ll need more floor coverings, but it will have to wait until I’m in there and know just what sizes I need.
With these cooler night temps we’ve been having, the colors around here should be just about at peak this coming weekend.

Well I did end up going out for a few. I took Pike Lake Road again knowing that the colors should be coming alive.

Pike Lake Rd
Pike Lake Pond
Edge of Pike Lake
Pike Lake
Pike Lake Pond
Pike Lake Rd
Clear Lake Access Rd