Porcupine Mountains - Day 2

The morning haze on Day 2 hid the horizon, making our tent look like it was on top of a mountain.

Along the trail, there were a few rudimentary bridges over creeks. Look Mom, no handrails!

We stopped for a snack along the rocky shoreline.

This photo doesn't do justice to the beauty of the forest along the trail.

Along the Big Carp Trail on our way to Shining Cloud Falls, we spotted a particularly green patch of, um, fern-like plants of some sort. It was so green, we wondered if we were in Ireland for a moment. Since it wasn't raining, we dismissed that thought.

We had scenic views of Landlooker's Creek along the trail.

We didn't see any shining clouds, but made it to Shining Cloud Falls nonetheless. The falls were difficult to see with all the foliage, but still pretty.

I had time to snap this photo of Pat at the cliff above the falls right before the swarm of mosquitos that had been following us down the trail caught up.

The shadows over these rapids we saw on the trip back allowed us to get an exposure long enough to get the whispy effect.

Being the black thumb that I am, I have no idea what these wildflowers are. They look pretty though!

Back near camp, we took a shot of the Memengwa Creek prior to heading to the beach for the sunset.

This photo is probably number 9 or 10 of this pose. We really need a remote - Pat kept having to run back & forth from the camera, and sometimes didn't quite make it to the log before the timer ran out!

'Wildlife' on the log.

The sunset itself ended up being relatively uneventful, but the clouds and colors were still beautiful.

More color & clouds.

We enjoyed a campfire before turning in for the night. We both decided three day weekends should be mandatory every weekend!

Bike Ride

With the snow gone Sara took an afternoon bike ride along the Munger Trail. She stopped at one of the overlook shelters and at the Minnesota Power Reservoir.

Walk in the Park

With some warmer weather finally arriving in late March we took a walk through Jay Cook State Park.

This image was captured with the Lens Baby. It took a dozen or more shots to finally get one that worked. The wind just wouldn't cooperate.


Pat spotted this porcupine up in tree about 30 yards off the trail. The telephoto came in handy once again.



Mr. Porkey enjoying the spring like weather.

Lovin' the new gear.

No pictures please!

Moon

We finally purchased a decent tripod in March as a joint Birthday Gift for one another. We were both excited to finally get a shot of a full moon. Unfortunatly some cloudy days in March only allowed one evening of viewing.

This is one of the only pictures of the March full moon taken quite awhile after it'd risen.

This photo and the next were taken in April. Again we missed the large moon just after it'd risen but did get a few nice shots.

Frozen Brighton Beach

Typical of most years, Lake Superior did not freeze over completly. However, much of the Duluth Harbor and surrounding shoreline does. One of our favorite spots is Brighton Beach were the ice is often thick yet interesting to observe. The following set of photos were taken in early March.

This last shot was taken through a lens of ice. No Photoshop required.

Northern Michigan

Some shots from out trip to Northern Michigan.

Bench on Rogers City's Public Beach.

The Calcite Screen House as seen through our (new to us) Telephoto Lens.

Mackinac Lighthouse.

Mackinac Bridge.

Grandpa's 80th Birthday

In mid-February we traveled back to Northern Michigan for Pat's Grandpa's 80th Birthday. We celebrated over dinner at a local restaurant.

Pat's sister Wendy and husband Frank.


Everyone busy with conversation.



Cheers Grandpa!


Surprise Gram!



Sara and our cousin Jena trade pictures.

Cousin Dan and his fiance'

Uncle Jim.

The Aunts!

The Family Together.

Pine Valley

Sara and I took an afternoon to cross country ski at Pine Valley.


Wait Up!


Who's first? The Pine Valley ski jump. This is the larger of the two in the area.