These “seeing double” photos of a Trumpeter Swan were snapped by Judy Byykkonen. I neglected to ask her if they were taken at the Calumet Lions Park – Calumet Lake or if they were captured at the Swedetown Ponds. The surroundings look more like Calumet Lake, so let’s go with that location. We sure are lucky to live here in the Keweenaw where we can virtually go out the back door, head down the road and encounter beauty in nature such as this. When you’re here day to day, you sometimes get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to appreciate what is right there in front of your eyes. I’m glad we have folks like Judy and the other photographers who share their photos with us, to remind us to stop and take it all in.

Andy, from MI Playground and his family are taking us along for some of their family fun in the St. Ignace area. I’m excited to be going to the Mystery Spot and Castle Rock with them, because when I was a kid and we would go downstate to visit family, my Dad would never stop at either place and I always dreamed of doing so. The lead-in to the video says: “Andy and his family are in St. Ignace for an adventure that includes a visit to the world-famous Mystery Spot, a climb up Castle Rock, and time spent downtown along the waterfront. The Mystery Spot offers a fun, guided tour, zip lines, a maze, mini-golf, and ice cream. Castle Rock is a classic "welcome to the Upper Peninsula" type of stop with views of the area. Downtown St. Ignace makes for a good home base for food and fun along the waterfront.”

Swans are just so beautiful. Nice shots, Judy.

That's pretty. Gorgeous birds.

And I went to the Mystery Spot when it was "just" the Mystery Spot....nothing like what it sounds like now. My bro, his g/f and I went there. Bro had a hangover, and when he got done in that Mystery Spot...his hangover REALLY kicked in! LOL That was such a cool lil spot tho!

Beautiful swan pics! I wonder if it’s cousin Schwan still delivers food.
And such a pleasant video! I remember when
I was a kid coming from the LP, crossing the Big Mac and seeing and visiting some of these places.
It’s a thrill that UP’ers don’t experience; Crossing the bridge and coming to a new and exciting land. So many memories of my mom and dad and my sister who have all been called home now.
It’s no wonder that I’ve spent so much time coming back and touring the UP on Wing,the motorcycle in my profile picture.

Hi Alex, my family only went to the Mystery Spot once; Castle Rock only a couple of times. We went to the Soo and to Tahquamenon Falls lots of times, as the Eastern UP is an easy day trip from Cheboygan.

My dad's birthday was on September 1st. When Labor Day fell on September 1st, my family would do the Mackinac Bridge Walk. My dad, my mom, my brother & I did it in 2003. My brother & I did it in 2014; my dad had passed away and my mom was no longer able. And I did it alone this Labor Day, as my mom & brother have passed on. They were all with me in spirit.

UC...I hear you are in da Yoop! YEEHAW!!!