Mackinaw City in the Early Spring

On one of those unusual warm days we had here in the Great Lakes a few weeks ago, Steve and I decided to do a beach day. We crossed the bridge into Troll Land and spent the day in Mackinaw City. Here we are looking north to the UP.

Of course, it wasn't a lounging beach day like this from last summer on Lake Superior.

(Time to flip, Steve!)

It was a walking beach day wearing winter coats and gloves.

There were still chunks of ice! Brrr...

A seagull waiting for a picnic...

These geese must have had a nest somewhere 

because they let us know in so many honks that we weren't welcome.

A quiet marina...

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Just a little get-away...WOW!

Comparing apples to apples...

We circled around back to the fort and the bridge.

Watching a freighter cross the Straits.

In the distance you can make out Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel.

Another view of the island as we crossed the bridge north to the UP - Home!

Another grand day!

Busy Beavers

The beavers are busy this time of the year. Our trapper friend says the moms are kicking the year-old beavers out to make room for new young arrivals. The year-old beavers set out in search of their own place to build a dam, hoping the area is not already inhabited, and is suitable for them. Our trapper friend says "Big trees, small beaver, small trees, big beaver."

One day you'll pass a scene like this and think - wow - they are busy.

But then it quits. This tree still looks like this. Small beaver...

There is no evidence of a dam in the area.

What did they do with the logs?

Big beaver...

The log path to the water.

But no dam that we could see.

This is a different dam about a 1/2 mile from our house.

The above two pictures are of an abandoned beaver house.

Okay, I need to set up the next picture. 

Some of you may find it cruel, but you have to understand that there are so many beaver,

they need to be trapped so as to keep our natural streams and riverways running freely.

Here's the story... 

We have friends that own a camp called the Boyne City Beavers. It was the name of the camp when they bought it and for the most part names carry over, whether you want it to or not. So they wanted a beaver mount for the cabin, a mascot of sorts. Steve contacted our trapper friend and he delivered a beaver to us for our friend. The deceased beaver needed to be frozen until the above party came for it and brought it to a taxidermy. Imagine my shock when I went to the garage freezer in search of venison for that evening's supper and forgot this fellow was in my freezer chilling out. 

Ready?

Yes, I jumped.

Four-Wheeling Again!

We took advantage of those warm weather days and went four-wheeling. 

Steve wanted to be in charge of the camera, so most of these pics include me.

(He probably thought I'd get it wet.)

I prefer a little less mud, but it was still a blast! 

Breaking through ice...

...and riding through the mud puddles on our road.

But, good news, our road doesn't look like that any more!

The county came in with dump truck loads of dirt and gravel.

So now we can walk to the mailbox again!

Everyone can!

 Including these two Sand Hill Cranes taking an afternoon stroll.

I had to slow down for them yesterday when I came home from work.

They weren't real nervous about sharing the road with me.

Eventually, they got out of the way and watched me pass by.

This is Easter weekend, today being Good Friday.

I hope all of you will be enjoying the holiday in the company of friends and family. Steve and I will miss sharing the day with our two sons who are out of state. I imagine some of you will be blessed with the opportunity to attend an Easter sunrise service. I thought I'd share a picture of a sunrise I enjoyed one morning on my way to work. It was beautiful watching the sun break through the clouds.

Happy Easter, Everyone!

He Is Risen!