G.A.S.P.

(Great Adventures to Scenic Places)

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May 29, 1999

I got my first look at the "Big One," Lake Superior, today. In case you don’t know, it’s the largest freshwater lake in surface area in the world. It also has a reputation for monster waves. My first encounter was just west of Munising at a Scenic pull-over. I walked the beach in my bare feet, felt the 40 degree water (feels good for about 4 seconds) and measured the wave height at just about 1½ inches.
Click on thumbnail to see full photograph	Later, at Marquette, I notice a large number of people swimming near the municipal power plant. Having felt the water myself, I didn’t see how anyone could actually go all the way in, but someone explained later that the power plant discharges warm water from its steam cycle at that point along the beach.
Crossing the UP of Michigan, I have observed four interesting things about the berm along the highways: It and the surrounding roadsides are extremely clean. Michigan has a very effective "adopt a highway" program for picking up litter. Nearly every mile "belongs" to some group or another; many are dedicated to the memory of someone. I’m sure it also helps that there aren’t many fast food places in the UP to generate the trash that so often gets thrown out. I’ve noticed an inordinate number of bumblebees crawling, actually dragging, themselves across the berm. No wasps, hornets, honey bees, just bumblebees. I don’t know why. Despite the first of these items, I’ve noticed lots of banana peels along the berm. Dozens of them. So where are the apple cores and pear cores? Maybe the little woodland creatures grab them as soon as they are dropped. Maybe people in Michigan just like bananas better. I really think I’m following a band of monkeys around the state. I’ve noticed a lot of mailboxes marked with high stakes and little flags on top. I think this says something about the amount of snow they get in the UP.
Click on thumbnail to see full photograph
Health report - most body parts working better. Knees have not been as sore and hips have not been sore at all. My butt still hurts, though. I think one of my "lessons" learned" will be not to start out on a trip like this with a new leather saddle. I bought some leather softener in Negaunee that I hope will help in short order. Maybe I need some butt skin toughener as well!