Capt. Paul and Dr. Nat (alias Paul and Nathalie Brandes) made it to the Keweenaw once again for Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival and after checking in to their hotel, they proceeded to the All Nighter to check out the progress of the statue building. The theme this year is: As snow accumulates at alarming rates, we show our love for the fifty states. Of interest, having to do with the theme, is that UP until a few weeks ago, folks were worried they were going to have to haul in considerable amounts of snow for the statue building, since we were way behind on snow totals. But a storm or two took care of that and the statue building was a go, without trucking any snow to the sites. Paul added that Thursday night when they were there snapping photos, the snow was still accumulating at a very alarming rate, so I'd say the planners chose the perfect theme this year.

A brief description for Paul's photo array today:

1. Pretty self explanatory on this one: An outline of the UP carved in snow.
2. Working on a Hollywood theme.
3. The MTU Pep Band making a miniature golf course.
4. A beautifully carved tank (Paul was guessing by the ROTC#
5. MTU EMS responders ready to assist the participants. #Paul said he wanted to drive the track vehicle, but they said no).

Needless to say, after traveling all day to get to the Copper Country, Paul and Nathalie needed to get some rest, so they could come back Friday morning and get some photos of the finished products. I guess those college days of staying up for an "All nighter" are over for them now. Stay tuned for Monday's Pasty Cam…we'll have some of their photos showing off the completed statues.

Thank you Capt. Paul & Dr.Nat for the pictures. I am partial to
the first and last pictures. At last a picture of Mich. w/o the
lower peninsula . The last for the first responders who save us
from ourselves. Kudos.

Thanks Paul and Nat. Hoping to get out
there to see them ourselves.

It's a beautiful morning here inn Lake
Linden, with light fluffy snow falling.
Awesomeness!

Love 2005, 2012, and all the little
critter pictures.

Actually.... the All-Nighter was Wednesday night and we went back out Thursday morning to get the final results. And, I wouldn't necessarily say our "days" of All-nighters are over; it's more like being up since 2:30 am to catch the early flight up here, despite being delayed in Chicago over an hour. After that and walking around the statues, we needed sleep! ;-)

Even with all the snow, we saw a LOT of student pickups filled with snow coming onto campus delivering to the building site. My impression: the statues were as intricate as ever, just a little smaller this year. Tune in Monday for more....

FANTABULOUS!

I knew it immediately...Dr. Nat and Capt. Paul.
Nice pix, but what all this about..."days of all-nighters are over"? :-(

...BTW, the first photo looks like a Yooper Bar made with white chocolate...mmmmmm!

Happy Birthday Maija! Hope you enjoy your special day.
Lost your email addy, could you please send it to
"Joanie".

The statues were all great this year, as always.