• Thursday-What'sUP May 26 - 12:23 am

When you pass by this pond on U.S. 41, you might not even take notice of it, since across the road the buildings of the Ford Forestry Center usually garner your attention . It caught Lori Houle's eye, along with the sign that's been part of the operation for quite some time. The story goes that the community of Alberta was established in 1936 by Henry Ford, when he decided to dam up Plumbago Creek for a water supply, figuring it's banks were the perfect spot for a sawmill. With it being a smaller mill, it didn't produce the large quantities of wood the bigger mills were, so in 1954, the Ford Motor Company donated the town of Alberta and 1700 acres of the land to what is now the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University. The property and buildings are now used as a museum and also for Michigan Tech students, along with other universities from around the U.S., to study the fields of forestry and ecology. Last August, we featured this same pond, drained and the reason for it, check it out in the Pasty Cam Archives.

I just love the first picture. Another peaceful and serene scene. I just love it. I just feel a certain sense of calm come over me when I look at it. After the scare I had yesterday with my son, I needed something like this. Thanks Lori, it's a great shot. It's now my new background.

Wasn't it just last year that this pond was empty? I think there were even pictures of it on this great site. Anyone remember?

Mary says: I remember Lorelei! That's why I put a link to last year's draining of the pond at the end of my notes above! :-> Here's the link again, in case you missed it: 8/2/05 Archives

Well, Deb S., don't keep us in the dark about your son and the trip to ER.(noooo, not Eagle River). Everything must be okay now? You're the usual chirpy self. It's overcast here today and maybe a sprinkle or two. Daughter #1 coming from Wisconsin with 2 g'kids so must get ready for our Memorial cookout. Two of the kids will be out of state so it's just us and 3 others. Need some ideas for cookout food. Quick and/or easy. Mikie what do you suggest. Also Mikie I still see you as curley blonde hair :> Someday maybe all us yoopers will meet. Maybe you image me as slim with long dark curly hair and Irish green eyes? Close...yea.

When I travel by car UP north, I know I am almost home when I see the "Writing on the Bank".
Thanks for sharing.

Hoping to be able to pass that area soon! Love the picture choices lately. My dad did pass away Tuesday. He went peacefully, looking out the window next to his bed with his eyes focused upwards! It was just April 4 that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, already in the liver. Funeral is tomorrow and visitation starts at 1:00 today. There will be a lot of people there. I'm so thankful I have time to connect with my friends here (on pastycam) this morning. Thanks for all the recent prayers and good wishes; they mean so much to me!

I, too, am wondering about Deb's son and didn't have time to ask last night. And yes, Lorelei, that pond was drained last year.

Mt heartfelt condolences, Marsha.

I will be praying for you and your family today Marsha.

The pastycam people are the best in the world!

Marsha, just remember we're all beside you in spirit. Like me with my dear friend, I know you have many wonderful memories that you will hold so close to your heart forever. He is at peace.

We will go by that pond tomorrow on our way to the Copper Country. It always looks so peaceful. Sometime I'd like to stop & just sit there for a little while. But like most people we're always in a hurry to get to the Copper Country then in a hurry to get home. Rush,rush,rush. Should really take time to smell the roses!!!haha

Were the tree stumps on the bottom of the pond removed before the pond was refilled? This is certainly an attractive area and it looks so peaceful there!

Aww...DebS, thank you! I will tell you that on the day I took this photo, I was with my 87 year old father. We were coming home from Marquette where he had been admitted to have his pacemaker put in. It was a wonderful day because we were heading home and he was feelin fine! (he was mad at me tho, for making him get out to walk around! he said he could make it the rest of the way and I insisted and said' "nope, if you have to go, go behind that tree!" So he did.) The doctors instructed me to make sure he moved around every once in a while since it is a two hour trek from Marquette to Hancock. Marsha, my condolances, may your memories of your father give you strength and make you smile.

P.S. i will be heading north this weekend for my niece Jessicas graduation so i will be able to get some U.P. HOME shots! CONGRATULATIONS JESSICA JOY MICHELE IDA HONEY BUN BEAUTIFUL SMILE GIRL (from your favorite Auntie)! My goal is to capture a sand hill crane picture and a Lake Superior sunset picture too! And a bon fire picture and lilacs and Princess's chickadee or 'kittychippies' or chippiebirds as she calls them and even a fresh baked rhubarb pie picture before I eat it! have a wonderful Memorial day weekend everyone... :)

Love your story Lori! How true it is what they say as the children get older they become the parents of their parents!

Erica -

While I don't know for certain, I doubt that the stumps were pulled before the water level came back up. They offer good shelter & feeding areas for fish, so hopefully they were left behind.

Admittedly, they do make it a bit tough to navigate a canoe through the shallower areas of the pond, but so long as you're thinking fast enough, it doesn't become a problem. (I was across the highway for 2.5 months during the fall of '01 for Fall Camp through MTU/FRES, working towards my degree in forestry.)

I stopped here at this pond with my beloved father on his way to the Veterens Hospital in Iron Mountain..it was our last picnic....it was the first week in June 1975 and he died on July 27th.....he was my first hero, he served in France in WW!, was a retired Police officer and the best Father a girl could ever have..he loved this spot....and had to stop every time we passed....I still stop there on my way to Lake Linden...it was raining last year and sad to see it empty but I stopped anyhow and checked out the stumps...glad to see it filled up again....

Very nice picture, Lori.

Marsha: all sympathy to you.

I wish the sign said "Chevy"

Fred, I wish it said Chrysler

Mel,I should have realized that...down here we sink ships to provide what is referred to as an artificial reef...serves the same purpose for the fish down here that the tree stumps provide for the fish UP there. The ships also provide fun for snorklers and divers. Thanks for your answer.

Condolences to you and your family Marsha

Great shots, sorry I didn't get them earlier. Graduation day today and now, that is over.

Marsha--What a positive attitude your father
had about death. Undoubtedly, his attitude
towards life was just as strong. Blessings on
you and the rest of your family.

Would have written sooner, but my Internet
connection was down.

Good Mornin, it's May 26th. I am the Early Bird.I am really early cuz everyone else is still asleep including Mary. Wake up. It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood & the birds are chirpin! Have an enjoyable & safe Memorial Day weekend.

Marsha....Know that you, your family, and especially your dad, are in our thoughts and prayers.