A World Apart
I am drawn to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which seems like a world apart. Being there engenders the tranquility and serenity I felt while living and working on US Forest Service fire lookout towers for 5 summers.How Much Snow?
I had the opportunity to make a quick trip to the UP with Kristie's cousin, Clair Maughan, this past week; which is the first time I have been there in the spring. I am starting to believe all the tales about 25' feet of snow falling during the winter because there were still piles of snow on May 10th which had not completely melted - as the picture shows from the outdoor dining area by the restaurant/service area at Upper Tahquamenon Falls.Tahquamenon Falls in May
I remember being told that Tahquamenon Falls was the second largest amount of water flowing over a water fall east of the Mississippi (Niagara Falls being first), but was skeptical after seeing the falls in September and October. Viewing them in May, however, was much more convincing - with 4 or 5 times the volume of water cascading over. The falls do not appear as high because the river must be at least 5 feet higher, if not more in May.The falls are beautiful with the golden color from the tannic acid which occurs naturally from the cedar, hemlock, and spruce tree roots. While extremely colorful, the water is safe for fish and wildlife. Realizing there would be more water with the spring runoff, I somehow thought the tannic acid would be diluted and therefore not as dramatic or deeply colored. Boy was I ever wrong! The color is much more evident and darker, almost brown in May, as the video shows.
The Soo Locks
Supposedly the Soo Locks get their name from the Indian word "Soo" meaning rapids or falling water that the Locks bypass. But I believe they were named the Soo Locks because some of the ships which pass through are Soooooooo long as indicated in the photo - which didn't even capture the entire length of pictured freighter.
