Copper Country Scrapbook » Houghton http://coppercountryscrapbook.com Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:21:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Where Did the Stamp Sand Go at the Breakers? http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/07/01/where-did-the-stamp-sand-go-at-the-breakers/ http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/07/01/where-did-the-stamp-sand-go-at-the-breakers/#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:03:23 +0000 Tricia http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/?p=159 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Where Did the Stamp Sand Go at the Breakers?", url: "http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/07/01/where-did-the-stamp-sand-go-at-the-breakers/" });]]> One of the first adventures I had in the Keweenaw was during orientation week as a freshman. Tons of us loaded into cars and headed out to the breakers. I had no idea what was there, but it sounded fun so I went.

We arrived after dark and fires were blazing all over. We got out of the car and started walking towards the lake. Wait a minute…the sand felt funny. It was very coarse. Lit by bonfire light, I could see that the sand wasn’t quite sand. I later found out it was stamp sand – a remnant of the copper mining activity in the area.

I went out to the breakers numerous times after that first trip. I even remember someone daring me to take my car out on the stamp sand but I wouldn’t do it. Trucks were venturing out there, but I wouldn’t dare take my car. I was fine with walking the distance.

I can’t remember the last time I have been out there. I want to say that I haven’t been out there in over six years. I knew the Environmental Protection Agency completed some rehab work to the breakers but I was not prepared to see what I saw last weekend.

The Breakers

I stopped…and stared. I was speechless. What was black was now green.

Heading to the water, we discovered that there is still stamp sand next to the lake. I ran my hand through the familiar texture. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the EPA shouldn’t have done what they did. I’m also not saying they should have. It just really took me by surprise and I wish I took some pictures of it pre-EPA. I didn’t even think about it back then.

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]]> http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/07/01/where-did-the-stamp-sand-go-at-the-breakers/feed/ 1 Discovering the Little Inhabitants of the Keweenaw http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/30/discovering-the-little-inhabitants-of-the-keweenaw/ http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/30/discovering-the-little-inhabitants-of-the-keweenaw/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:29:26 +0000 Tricia http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/?p=157 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Discovering the Little Inhabitants of the Keweenaw", url: "http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/30/discovering-the-little-inhabitants-of-the-keweenaw/" });]]> This weekend was a pretty boring weekend. I am currently nursing an injury that made going out and about exploring almost impossible. Thankfully, I am feeling better today.

For the next few days, I’m pulling from a trip we had last weekend to the breakers. I walked over to a dry grassy spot to take some pictures and all I could hear was some crackling noises coming from the ground. I looked down, and saw TONS of baby grasshoppers jumping every which way.

I called my husband and son over and told them to walk where I just was. Of course, they were wondering why (I tend to practical joke sometimes) but I kept quiet. Our son saw them right away, which led to some chasing of the grasshoppers. He finally caught one, but it got away. Then he caught another and begged me to take a pic:

Baby Grasshopper

He also begged to take it home with us, but that’s where mom drew the line :)

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]]> http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/30/discovering-the-little-inhabitants-of-the-keweenaw/feed/ 0 The Houghton School Forest Trail http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/26/the-houghton-school-forest-trail/ http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/26/the-houghton-school-forest-trail/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:24:52 +0000 Tricia http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/?p=152 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The Houghton School Forest Trail", url: "http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/26/the-houghton-school-forest-trail/" });]]> We have lived in the area since 1995 and we continue to find neat things to do. We came across one last weekend, the Houghton School Forest hiking trail. We have heard about it, but we decided to finally check it out.

Wow. I’m not sure how else to put it. It’s not an elaborate trail, but the minute you start it you are greeted by a friendly bridge.

Houghton School Forest Trail

Continuing on, there is a complete loop of the trail that is barrier free. The trail alternates between wood and concrete surfaces. Scattered along the trail are interpretive signs and wooden seats.

Houghton School Forest Trail

There is another loop that is a foot trail. We didn’t go on that portion as it was threatening to rain. A few joggers and their friendly (and oh so happy to be on the trail) dog did venture out that way. Perhaps that will be an adventure for another day.

If interested in checking it out, make a turn from Sharon Avenue onto Gundlach Road (towards the fire station). Keep an eye out on your left for a little parking area and a sign. You don’t have to go too far at all.

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]]> http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/26/the-houghton-school-forest-trail/feed/ 0 The Portage Canal Lift Bridge – A Different Angle http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/21/the-portage-canal-lift-bridge-a-different-angle/ http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/21/the-portage-canal-lift-bridge-a-different-angle/#comments Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:03:49 +0000 Tricia http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/?p=142 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The Portage Canal Lift Bridge – A Different Angle", url: "http://coppercountryscrapbook.com/2008/06/21/the-portage-canal-lift-bridge-a-different-angle/" });]]> I think it’s probably safe to say that the good ‘ole lift bridge connecting Houghton to the Northern Keweenaw is one of the most photographed landmarks in the area. Doing a search on Flickr yields many beautiful pics of the bridge (check out this panoramic – wow!).

My husband found a different angle to snap a shot. When you drive across the bridge, it doesn’t seem very long. But his pic makes it seem so long.

The Portage Canal Lift Bridge

I just remembered – I have some older pics of freighters and the lift bridge. I’ll have to find them and post them. It still amazes me that they can navigate under the bridge.

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