On a clear day...

You can see forever. This is the view from Sugarloaf Mountain on 550 near Marquette a couple days ago. You can see the Huron Mountains I believe, in the top of the pic and the beach of Wetmore Landing in the bottom. This has to be what I have concluded one of the most beautiful vistas in the U.P and Upper Midwest. Thanks to conservation efforts, the view in many directions is still of rolling hills and forests, although more and more development is creeping in on the southeast view, not to mention what seems to be more and more towers every year. I can't remember the facts on the Little Presque Isle area which is the coastline you see in the pic, but I believe this large tract of shoreline is protected from development and is really a gem of solitude along the Lake Superior shoreline.

The Day Autumn changed to Winter

Wetmore Landing, Marquette County Michigan, with winter approaching on the horizon of Lake Superior

It all happened in one day this year, from my recollection. We had some beautiful weather at the end of the autumn season, with temps occasionally in the 60s-70s as random stands of trees in Marquette County held on to the last of their leaves. I took that opportunity to check out some really beautiful areas in Marquette County, including subject pictured above, a stretch of public land along Lake Superior known as Wetmore Landing.

What a surreal day it was, with forecast calling for snow blowing sideways, yet it was 70 degrees and calm. I had dressed for the forecast, with layers under a waterproof windbreaker.

As I hiked, peeled off the layers, happened upon beautiful stands of the last of the color season to be found anywhere, the added beauty of Lake Superior was always present. It was just plain fun for me to experience the changing conditions brought on the by the approaching pumped up cold front, to which the lake effect snow cloud tops looked like thunderheads. With the wind being still, autumn foliage landscape photography was possible, an added bonus. Believe me, once the front hit a few hours later, autumn was over with snow flying sideways, and a drop in temperature of over 40 degrees. It's one of those winters where I haven't seen the ground since.

It's been a long time

Aurora Borealis over Little Presque Isle, Marquette MI, Lake Superior, USA

One of the things I keep tabs on regularly is space weather. Living on the south shore of Lake Superior provides in my mind, one of the best places in the lower 48 to have the opportunity to see the aurora borealis. Looking north over Lake Superior provides the dark skies necessary for seeing the lights in all of their magnificence, with the ability to see to the horizon, which is very helpful in determining if there's any activity. Spaceweather.com is a great starting point to learn about what's happening in space, run by Dr. Tony Phillips, production editor at science@NASA. It's updated daily and will let you know when there's a good chance to see northern lights. Currently, the lake effect machine is kicking up again, one of the only major obstacles preventing people in this area from seeing the northern lights, and dontcha know, we get snow! Spaceweather mentioned people in the Arctic Circle could see them tonight, but that doesn't mean Michgan is out of the picture. If the auroral oval swings south enough, I've seen many a display when the forecast is only calling for higher latitudes to see them. It's been a good two years since I've seen an active display that had any kick to it. But keep your eyes to the sky. There's still a lot to learn about the aurora.
Go here to view more Aurora Borealis pictures from northern Michigan.