At play in the ice fields of Lake Michigan
January 31, 2009
ice field 04, photo by northern_latitudes.
Last Saturday, we checked out the Great Lakes ice from far above, so I figured we could zoom in for a shot of the scene on the beach. It was really hard to pick one from the 16 that Tim has, but guess that’s what slideshows are for. You can also see them in his Harbor Springs set (slideshow).
The scene reminds me a lot of the ice jam that happens on the shore of Lake St. Clair every spring – available on Michigan in Pictures here, here and here.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
H in the D
January 30, 2009
H, photo by JoeJoeSmoe.
Looking up in downtown Detroit with the Guardian Building on the left, One Detroit Center in the middle One Woodward Ave on the right and the People Mover cutting through. In case you’re wondering, this is not an HDR.
Check it out larger right here.
Powerline Trails
January 29, 2009
DSC_9909-1, photo by Skywalker_ranch [Dennis].
Powerline trails, running south out of Gaylord
Two tracks, and the sky looks fine
Heavy snow so deep that you better not fall,
and we can ski to the cabin on the Crawford County line.
~Mustard’s Retreat, Powerline Trails
This photo is part of a neat set of black & white pics (slideshow) that Dennis took yesterday.
The photo reminded me of the song Powerline Trails by Michigan folk duo Mustard’s Retreat. I’m guessing that if you enjoy this web site, you’ll also enjoy their music.
Through the miracles of the internet, you can listen to Powerline Trails, what one reviewer calls possibly the only sexy song about cross-country skiing in existence.
More winter backgrounds on the Michigan Winter Wallpaper page
Detroit’s Belle Isle Ice Blob
January 28, 2009
The Ice Blob, photo by Cherie S..
Cherie says this has been shot to death but how can anyone not want to shoot this thing?
You can get this bigger right here and in her Michigan can be a Winter Wonderland set (slideshow). There’s a whole lot more pictures in this thread discussing the ice formation @ Belle Isle in Exposure.Detroit and also the Belle Isle ice show on Flickr.
I wasn’t able to come up with a definitive answer as to the hows and whys and wherefors of this amazing creation, but Chris Rabior at DetroitCity.com says that he’s done some digging and it it appears that this has been an annual attraction since at least the 60s and that our unusually cold winter has allowed for a much more impressive ice buildup than recent years.
More winter backgrounds on the Michigan Winter Wallpaper page
Blizzard on Lake Michigan
January 27, 2009
BLIZZARD ON LAKE MICHIGAN, photo by Lara Salonen.
Yesterday when I was looking for photos from the Great Blizzard of 1978, I came across Lara’s photo. You can see it larger here and in her Michigan’s UP set (slideshow).
It’s a picture of the Menominee North Pier Lighthouse, and – as you can see at that link – it’s the second photo of that light of Lara’s I’ve blogged.
It never ceases to amaze me how changeable the Great Lakes are!
Happy Birthday, Michigan!
January 26, 2009
The Capitol of Michigan, photo by Ravi Vora.
Today (January 26, 2009) is Michigan’s 172nd birthday. I have to say she doesn’t look a day over 150 – must be all that fresh water!
The Michigan Historical Museum explains the somewhat lengthy process that Michigan took to becoming the 26th State of the Union:
Following the Compromise of 1820 it was the practice to admit a free state and a slave state at the same time. However, when both Arkansas and Michigan were ready for statehood, Michigan was involved in a dispute with Ohio over the Toledo Strip. President Jackson signed a bill on June 15, 1836, that admitted Arkansas but required the people of Michigan to settle the dispute before Michigan would be granted statehood. Michigan would need to consent to a compromise measure drawn up by Congress. The compromise gave the Toledo Strip to Ohio and the western two-third (2/3) of the present Upper Peninsula to Michigan.
A convention to consider the compromise took place in Ann Arbor on September 26, 1836, after delegates were elected. They deliberated for four days; then they rejected the compromise. On December 14 a second “Convention of Assent” was assembled, which—two days later—passed a resolution that accepted the compromise. After this news reached Washington, a bill was introduced to admit Michigan to the Union. Congress passed the bill, and President Jackson signed it on January 26, 1837.
Toledo for the Western U.P.? No offense to Toledo, but I think we made out all right in that one. More about Michigan’s path to statehood from Wikipedia.
Ravi says to check this out larger and cooler.
Michigan’s Icy Great Lakes
January 24, 2009
Icy Great Lake by {D} and As Far As The Eye Can See by siskokid
I’ve been talking a lot about the amazingness of this winter, but it’s even better to show it to you. I think these two photos, taken just half a day apart, can be entered into the record as Exhibit A.
Dominique took a flight from Charlevoix to Beaver Island the other day and brought back some great pictures of the huge amount of ice that our uber-winter has spawned on Lake Michigan. Be sure and check this out bigger and also have a look at her ice slideshow.
Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away at Little Girl’s Point on the far western end of the Upper Peninsula, Jim saw ice fields as far as the eye can see. Bigger is better.
Mother Nature seems to agree this winter, and I hope you get a chance to get out and have a little Michigan frozen fun this weekend!
Redecoration
January 23, 2009
and another view of my new favorite wall…, photo by artsy_T.
Tina says that she has found her new place to take portraits. You can see it bigger in her Ann Arbor slideshow.
Here’s the fence’s story, via the Ann Arbor News:
For years, Erica Fink passed by the ho-hum brown fence near her northeast Ann Arbor home that stretches for 1000 feet along Huron Parkway between Nixon and Plymouth road.
Then she had a bright idea.
“One day, I decided it should become beautiful,” said Fink, who just completed her first year at the University of Michigan, where she is majoring in art. “This area is full of life and children, and I wanted the fence to reflect what’s going on in the neighborhood.”
In this time where we’re seeking huge changes as a state and nation, it’s nice to have a reminder that small changes can make a difference too!
Intergalactic Human Sled Race at Grand Haven Winterfest
January 22, 2009
Actually, this is from last year’s Cardboard Sled Race at Mulligan’s Hollow, but I really needed to say “Intergalactic Human Sled Race” for my own fulfillment … and hopefully to SEE a picture of it in the Absolute Michigan pool (hint, hint).
The race takes place Friday night at 8 PM on Washington Ave. in Grand Haven and will feature teams with 4 Pullers, 1 Musher and 1 Rider. It’s all part of Grand Haven Winterfest 2009 that takes place January 22-25 and features all kinds of winter fun: sled & snowboard competitions, ice sculpting, a snow angel contest and (of course) the sport of kings, hamster and gerbil racing. There’s also art, music and event a luau. Sounds like great fun if you’re in the area this weekend (and please remember the part about the photos of the Intergalactic Human Sled Race).
This photo is one of several in Craig’s Winterfest slideshow and there’s even more in the Grand Haven Winterfest slideshow.
Return to the Eben Ice Caves
January 21, 2009
icecave, photo by johndecember.
A lot of folks have been coming by this month looking for pictures of the Eben Ice Caves in the UP’s Alger County (also known as the Rock River Canyon Ice Caves). Check out John’s Eben Ice Caves slideshow for a whole bunch of cool photos!
You can learn a lot more about this cool wintertime phenomenon at The Eben Ice Caves on Michigan in Pictures.
