The Invasion of the Black Flies

On Saturday, we spent the day along the western side of the Keweenaw peninsula with our end destination being Copper Harbor. We know that June can be a bad month for black flies (or biting flies as they are also called). Every year we forget exactly how bad they can be.

Our stops along the lake shore were short and we had to keep moving or the flies swarmed our legs. My husband tried taking a pic but it came out blurry. I couldn’t stay still enough. The flies were relentless.

We did, however, manage to get a shot of them outside of our car at Hunter’s Point Parking area (not the marina – the other spot more in the woods). It was a bit freaky how they swarmed the car after we got back in it.

I was the only one bitten. My socks were a little too thin and they exploited that weak spot. My son didn’t really enjoy them, though. Thank goodness they will die in a few weeks.

Fishing at Thayer’s Lake

A few weekends ago, the fishing bug went through our house.  The first nice day we had, we loaded up the car and headed out to Thayer’s Lake.  It was a beautiful day for fishing.

If you have never been to Thayer’s Lake, you are missing out on some great family fishing.  We like fishing off of the bridge. The sunfish and small perch like to hang out there and they provide plenty of bobber-fishing action for the kids.

Case in point – my son.  He caught his first fish (a sunfish) and he screamed out with joy.  A little bit later, he caught another one.  Then another.  He kept count, and he still was overjoyed when he caught his 25th fish.  In his own words, “The fishes like me!”

Every time we mention fishing now, he wants to go back to “that place where I caught lots of fish.” :)

 

A Pic of $3.999 Gas and…Spring??

In a follow-up to gas hitting $3.999/gallon, here’s a pic taken yesterday in Calumet.

This is the BP Station and Pamida in the background. Of course, the gas price is the focus of the picture but there are a few other things going on as well.

Pamida is ready for summer and their greenhouse is in full swing. As soon as we see those makeshift greenhouse spring up, it’s pure excitement because summer is a-comin’! But wait…it’s hard to tell in this picture unless it is blown up, but the Superior National Bank sign is displaying 30 degrees! Yikes!

Things were warmer today, but still below normal. I heard today that those on the West coast are in a bit of a heatwave. That sure isn’t the case in the Copper Country LOL.

Gas Has Hit $3.999/gallon in the Keweenaw

I’ve been hearing for some time now the prediction that gas would hit $4.00/gallon this summer. Well, it’s hit that mark a little earlier than predicted in the Copper Country. I can only wonder how much higher it can go.

We rarely go on long car trips during the summer. We usually stay close to home and enjoy everything the area has to offer. I’m not sure the rising gas prices will affect our travels much. But I have already heard from someone that coming up the the area this year to visit is not possible. It’s just too expensive with gas prices as high as they are.

I wonder how much this will affect overall tourism this year. According to a story on TV6, they are hopeful for a good tourist season despite the gas prices. I guess we will see.

A Short Spring Shower

We woke up this morning to a layer of frost on our roof. I’m not sure how low the temperature dipped, but it’s a reminder that we still have time to wait before we can plant our garden this year.

The entire day remained chilly with the temps in the 40s. The sun came out for a very short time this afternoon and the evening brought in the cloud cover. For about five minutes, we were treated to a spring rain.

It’s amazing how green everything looks after a rain shower. Our tulips are not blooming yet, but the leaves made a perfect gathering place for water droplets. I couldn’t help it. I had to take a picture.