We had some dandy winds yesterday on the Big Traverse side of Lake Superior, which stirred up continuous wave action on the shoreline. Barbara Bouwkamp and her husband went out to their camp at Big Traverse to check on conditions there. She said the wind was so strong, it was hard to stand to take a picture. She did snap these from the porch of her beach house, which is closer to the Big Lake than their actual camp. With no ice build up on the shoreline, it’s in danger of getting wave damage if the storms keep hammering away and eroding the beach in front of the camp. There isn’t even much snow there, since we had warmer temperatures most of last week, along with the rain yesterday, it really reduced the snow on the ground from a couple weeks ago. But never fear, we’re under winter storm warnings for today, into early morning hours Tuesday, for up to another 10” or more in higher elevations. Wet, heavy stuff, besides. Batten down the hatches folks, we may be in for a doozy again.

Sharon Bodenus was on the shores of Lake Superior in Marquette, three years ago at the same time in December and captured wave action then, too. There didn’t seem to be much snow that year, either and the Lake that day was less angry. How different the weather is each year.

D.A. Last day. Congrats and best wishes on your retirement.

D. A. (Midwested),
I want to add my CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! May these days of leisure result in much more time in the UP! Happy New Year!

How lucky to have a camp out at Big Traverse. I
don't think there would ever be a bad day to go
out to check on things. Looks as if she's a
little bit of a force to be reckoned with today.

Nice pix and video...Yoopers must be doozyfied by now, just another day at the office.
D.A., congrats! I may be joining you soon, but I'm trying to work as long as I can. For me, it's become a matter of principle and a challenge.

As always, beautiful pic's & video, love looking at Superior when she's a bit grumpy and acting up!!

D.A.- CONGRATS ON YOUR RETIREMENT AND BEST WISHES ON YOUR NEXT CHAPTER!! LIVE IT U.P.!!

Thank you everyone for all your well wishes. I thought today's last day at work would be boring and dull but I just got home an hour ago. Working way past normal quitting time I've realized the stress of all the planning and sometimes worrying seem to not be going away. It's not a financial worry, maybe a little worry about health insurance, Medicare etc. but I finally realized it's mostly the emotion of grief. The loss of something that I partnered with for 43 years has gone away. It's nowhere near as strong as when my wife of 28 years passed away 6 years ago but it is a similar feeling.

I AM looking forward to the future and I'm tossing around a few different ideas for projects beyond some travel in the new trailer. I WILL be making the U.P. my first Spring stop. Has the snow started melting yet, LOL? Gosh, I hate snow now.

Happy New Year!