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Some other links of recent interest to Pasty Cam watchers:
• Ancestors 2007   • New Arrivals 2007
• Visit The Hut Inn Eight years ago on the Pasty Cam: 06/05/99 ^{Printed on Recycled Internet}

This is Cat Harbor as it appeared on the Pasty Cam (when it had a little more water) eight years ago.

Mornin'

Good Morning, All! Congratulations, Trollperson on your Early Bird this morning!

Good Morning, its about that hazy here outside Ann Arbor.

Good Morning everyone.

Good morning! Cool picture of Cat Harbor. I prefer Great Sand Bay as there aren't any rocks and it's always cleaner!

Wow! So much has happened in the last few days. I was away
looking after the relatives in Lower Michigan and have returned
to launch into writing report cards.

Mary: I am glad your mom and Kevin are doing better. I will
keep them in my prayers.

Mikie and Precious: Good grief. You two have been through a
lot. Get better.

Maija: I want to follow up on the Finnish newspaper info. that FR
Nash provided.

Deb: Lunch hour trumps even field trips for noise level. from my
point of view.

Kosk,

I know what you mean. When I worked in the library at the elementary school, I also had to do lunch patrol every day. Oh my for the noise level. No thank you!!!

There was an article in the Esky Daily Press yesterday that some
of you Pasty.comers should know about. Which ones? The ones
like Kosk of Toronto who probably return to the Copper Country
by driving along M-28 on their way thru the eastern U.P. That
highway includes the "Seney stretch" which is so long and so
boring that it tends to make a person a little sleepy (at least it
does to me). Here is part of that article: "A three car collision
killed two people and seriously injured one in Alger County
Sunday... Among the dead is an Episcopalian bishop. Bishop
James Kelsey of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan was
returning from a parish visit while travelling westbound on M-28
at 2 p.m. two miles east of Shingleton when he crossed the
center line... His vehicle, a 2004 Suzuki SUV, collided head-on
with a 1990 Ford pickup driven by Michael Charles Wiita, 58,
Lake Linden. Both Kelsey, 54, Marquette, and Wiita were killed
on impact. Jessica Amber Slavik, 27, Hubbell, was a passenger
in the Wiita vehicle and was seriously injured in the crash." The
article goes on to say that there was a thunderstorm in the area
which might have contributed to the accident, and last night an
Episcopalian I know here in Esky said a bee might have
contributed to the accident too. However, seeing where that
accident occurred and at 2 p.m., I suspect drowsiness could
have contributed as well. So for all you old Yoopers coming
back to the Copper Country along M-28 this summer, be very
alert on that miserable straight stretch of road this summer,
O.K.?

Thanks Kosk. Anything you can add would be most welcome.

Charles in Esky,
I don't think bees would be active at 2 in the morning, but I've had a horrible experience with them on the Seney stretch. Do not stop along this road if humanly possible in the warm months! There's a nice rest stop near Seney.

I have taken to wandering down US 2 through Manistique to Rapid River and then north on 41 to Marquette to avoid the Seney Stretch. It's farther, but nicer, so seems quicker. The down side is you don't go through Munising, AuTrain, etc. which is a very nice part of the drive on 28.

I also like going to Gwinn and then up 35 to 41 just out of Marquette. Way out of the way, but a beautiful drive up 35.

OOps, accident was at 2 in the afternoon. It very well could have been a bee! They are nasty, aggressive buggers.

Mary so glad your mother and Kevin getting better and also Mikie and Precious, you don't realize how wonderful it is to have good health until something happens.

I just try to remember the Seney Stretch is about 35-45 minutes. I don't usually get sleepy on it. The rest area on the highway is nice, as is the one at the Seney Refuge. My bad experience was getting a whopping speeding ticket there. It wasn't my fault, of course. I had just passed someone (which I'm very leery of doing on that stretch, I'm not one of those wild Seney passers) and accidentally kept going fast. I had the world's nicest cop give me my first ticket since I was 18 (that one wasn't my fault either. Are you detecting a pattern?) I only pass if it's very necessary. US-2 and the Stretch are the worst, and I always end up behind someone going 35.

I was very sorry to hear of the M-28 crash near Seney. From what I had read in the Marquette newspaper & on WLUCTV6, the Bishop lost control of his SUV & crossed the center line, but it was not yet determined why he might have lost control. In any case, it is a tragedy.

Charles, I think a bee might have contributed to the cause of a crash this weekend, but that crash was closer to Houghton? There seem to have been a lot of bad crashes UP there in the last week or so. I mentioned that to my son a couple of days ago.

My family usually tries to avoid M-28 through Seney. We usually take US 2, even though it is about 5 miles further for us than the M-28 route, but what is 5 miles compared with the total length of the trip? US 2 seems to be a nicer, quicker trip, at least for our family, I agree, maija. But, my oldest son and many of his friends who go to MTU do normally take M-28, though.

Marsha, that was too funny! I see that nothing is ever your fault. You're so much like me that way. LOL

I got my ticket on US 2, just after the Bridge. After going 70 and a little bit for half a day 55 is crawling! The road was wide, the sun was high, the surf was up, the Beach Boys were on the radio, and smokey came around the corner out of the trees...... It was't my fault either.

While attending NMU a number of years back, I was on a first name basis with troopers from Marquette all the way to the bridge. They gave me enough paper to do my bathroom walls, nice guys they were, now it's cruise control and 64 mph, a cold diet Dr. Pepper and good ol Waylon on the CD player. Yes, it was my fault!

It is true that US 2 is better patroled that M-28. That's part of why I like it, in case you run into problems on the road, or something, help is closer. But, you are more apt to get caught speeding, if you are speeding. My son got a ticket UP there last summer. I hope he learned his lesson, especially since it is affecting his car insurance cost.

On the other hand, the 55 speed limit across the UP does not always make a lot of sense. Rural highway speed limits in the western states aren't always 55 on the main highways (I'm not talking about their interstates), for the most part (ie Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, et al), at least that I remember. I would think that the speed limits on US 2 & M-28 & much of US 41, et al, could easily be raised to 65 mph, for the good of all concerned!

If you think that's bad, try being a geologist taking photos of things along the highway and having the police stop and ask if everything's ok. I can't count how many times that has happened to us. It gets to be quite annoying but then I think, they are just doing their job.

It is true that most highway speed limits in the west are higher. In Texas, everything rural is 70, no matter if it's freeway, 2 lane or 4 lane. In Nevada and New Mexico, the freeways are 75, 4 lane and divided are 70, and 2 lanes are 65. For a while Montana had NO speed limit on rural freeways, just reasonable and prudent (i.e., both feet comfortably on the floor!!).

I know it is annoying to have a speed limit of 55 across the UP in the rural areas, and I readily admit that I don't think I have ever travelled that speed on 28 or 2. However, I can see the reasons why it stays 55. One of which is if it were ever raised to 65, people would then be tempted to travel 75 or 80 which is entirely too fast for the design of the roads. There is also that pesky little thing called winter. I know I would not want Mr. Tourist with his "invincible" 4x4 towing a huge snowmobile trailer traveling 75 or faster on slick roads barreling down on me (unfortunitely, this already happens far too often).

If Michigan ever does decide to raise the speed limits in the UP they should use a graduated, seasonal speed limit; maybe something to the effect of 55 during the winter and 65 in the summer and then actually enforce it!!

I thought the way to drive the Seney stretch was to put a brick on the gas pedal and tie your steering wheel in the center and take a nap. That area has been voted the most boring stretch of road by the Freep. Boring = drowsy = dangerous. Better to stick to the canopy of the covered road out by Redridge.

Capt'n,you just pointed out the need for an invention! Remember those sign that had numbers that changed from daylight to night? (65 to 55) We need temperature/miosture dependant paint on signs! I'm sure there are electronic ones that already that, but the right PAINT would be the cats meow.

Moisture, moisture

"I'm sorry, Officer, but the music made me do it!" Sometimes you just have to drive faster and it's the fault of the music! Think "Going UP the Country" by Canned Heat and it's about the UP! And for driving the shores of Superior, it's Cool Change by the Little River Band:
If there's one thing in my life that's missing
It's the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover
Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's time for a cool change

Well I was born in the sign of water
And it's there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
There's lots of those friendly people
And they're showing me ways to go
And I never want to lose their inspiration

Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's time for a cool change

I've never been romantic
And sometimes I don't care
I know it may sound selfish
But let me breathe the air
Let me breathe the air...

Well I was born in the sign of water
And it's there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's time for a cool change

Here's one of my favorite driving songs:
http://www.kbapps.com/lyrics/songlyrics/PettyTom_RunningDownADream.html

Correct Rowdy, before the 1974 oil embargo & the
federal double-nickel speed limit, the rural highways in Michigan had those signs that changed from 65 day to 55 night when the headlights were on.

Interesting reading here today. I love the Seney Stretch.Great music Marsha,I was born in the sign of water.I have been pulled over a few times along there.The first question they ask is,"Do you know how fast you were going?" "Yes officer 85 mph.He says close 83 and asks why so fast? 38 more miles traveling time for the hour.Be nice show your hands on the wheel when they aproach.I have been stopped many times and came away without a ticket.Another hot spot is near McMillen before you get to M-117 going south.Please be carefull, know what your car can do,check your tires.I was in the bussiness of the electronic signs,Lg.DOT you see along the road that warns you of construction, amber alerts, ect.
I remember that paint on the speed limit sign,good idea.

Opp's my math is wrong.Did you catch it? And by the way hope you had a good morning, now go an have a good afternoon,and enjoy the rest of the day.We did get some rain Sunday & monday,it's 90 here in K-Town.

Sammy Hagar, "I CAN'T DRIVE 55"

As you are heading out of St Agnes heading north on US 2 there is a big sign that says "This is not a freeway, speed limit is 55 M.P.H." I saw it the last time I was headed home from lower Michigan. I agree that the Seney stretch is too long & straight. I think we checked it one time & think it was about 20 miles long. There are too many accidents on there because I think people speed too much & then sometimes get into daydreaming while driving on that boring stretch. Has anyone else noticed that sign?

Holy Smokes! My note about driving the Seney Stretch hit some
memory chords, I guess. Some mentioned looking for alternate
routes north from U.S. 2 rather than driving past the Seney
Refuge on M-77 to hit M-28 at the village of Seney, but no one
mentioned maybe my favorite. It is Forest Highway 13 which
startsat the corner of U.S 2 and Nahma Junction. This road goes
straight up to Munising so you not only get the beautiful
almost-canopied FH l3 highway up to Munising, but you can also
drive that beautiful stretch of M-28 between Munising and
Marquette. (FH 13 is a well-maintained paved highway in case
you are wondering.) If you are also wondering where in the
world Nahma Junction is on U.S> 2, it is about 20 miles west of
Manistique (or about 6 miles west of Big Bay de Noc).

My dog is named 'Seney' after the town/wildlife refuge/stretch. She is now 12 and sickly but the name fits her well.

I like Cherokeeyooper's Seney ideas. Those are funny! There aren't even any radio stations on that stretch. I hope your iPod is charged!

"Avoiding the 'Seney stretch':"

I've often contemplated but never tried M-94 from Manistique to Shingleton, or perhaps more adventurously M-94 and CR-437 through Steuben, then CR-445 & H-09 to pick up M-94 southwest of Munising, continuing on M-94 through Eben Junction & Rumley to US-41, then to avoid Marquette, perhaps CR-480 to connect back to US-41 at Negaunee.

That route never looked like a way to make time, but I perhaps should give it a shot when I'm not in a big hurry, if only to see a few parts of da Yoop that I've actually not been through before!

Rode the tug Shannon from Houghton to Bay City once and avoided all the traffic. Plus; got to see the Soo locks to boot. Then proceeded to almost hang the tug on the side of the lock. Was tied off to the wall of the lock watching the gates ahead of us, waiting for them to open and let us in. Mean while the gate behind us which I hadn't noticed closed and the water level was going down! We developed a decided list to port before the error of my ways were pointed out to me. Luckily I hadn't knotted the rope. Avoided a lot of traffic that trip. I see the Shannon pulled up on the shore in West Hancock now.

1) St. Agnes??

2) Nobody would talk about driving faster than 55 if
they have ever hit, or almost hit, a deer. There are way
too many of those nasty animals in the UP to drive any
faster than the speed limit.

3) At the price of gas today, who can afford the lower
gas mileage from their car?

Now, this may not be a popular sentiment, but I'm rather fond of
the Seney Stretch. I don't find I feel sleepy there except on those
rare occasions when we boot it from Toronto to Ishpeming through
the night. I swear I saw a couple of hundred deer standing by the
sides of the road on the Victoria Day weekend (2 weekends ago).
There were three of us in the car and we switched off as drivers
through the night.

I was sorry to read about the accident.

Now I better be good and get back to writing those report cards...

I think she meant St Ignace.

I agree, there are way too many deer UP there, just as there are here in mid-Michigan, as well. But, it depends on what kind of vehicle you are driving, as to how well you do when you hit a deer or other animal. We hit a deer in Wyoming a couple of years ago on the Interstate, where the speed limit was 75. My husband had the cruise set on 80 & he may have gotten our Suburban slowed down to 75 by the time we hit the critter that had been down in the median below us before running onto the highway. The impact threw the deer up & over the passenger side (where I was sitting). It was really gory & scary. But, amazingly, no one in the vehicle was injured, including my two younger sons & two dogs, and not all that much damage was done to the vehicle. When I called State Farm to report it, they kept asking, over & over about injuries because they truly could not believe you could hit a deer on the highway at those speeds & not have any injuries at all. Not only did we have no injuries, but the vehicle was completely driveable. We drove it on to western Montana & Yellowstone National Park, over & around the Continental Divide 7 times, and home to mid-Michigan after the deer incident. We were lucky that not even the windeshield or headlights were broken. It ending up costing about $2000 to repair, which I later found out is the average cost for car-deer encounters, because the front grill work & panels had to be replaced & the front end had to be repainted.

Recently, I have started seeing pickups around here that have deer guards on their front grills. That would be a great thing to have. Had we had that, we would have had no damage at all.

Been on every road that FRNash and Charles in Esky talked about, Seney Stretch too. They are all enjoyable when you're riding on a Honda Goldwing. Half the wheels of a car and twice the enjoyment!!

The tug Shannon was owned by Thornton Construction Co many years ago, had a ride on it once myself when just a kid with my dad and Pat Thornton Sr at the controls just in the bay of Dollar Bay. What an excitement as a kid riding in a tug.

Unfortunately, the song that should be playing for most drivers due to the price of fuel is the checkbook song by Jackson Browne, "Running on Empty"!

For the past three years US-2 in the eastern UP has received special police attention from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A special program called Operation SABRE has been in effect to stop speeders and reduce accidents and fatalities. This program was started by a petition of Eastern UP residents concerned about safety on the highway.

My dear brother, Mike, was killed in the accident on the Seney Stretch. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. A special thank you to the Harsants who arrived on the scene, Terry, a volunteer fire fighter from the towing service, all the EMS and police, and Sgt. Gretchen Voltz. Please keep Jessica in your prayers, also. It was a miracle she survived. Try to avoid this stretch if possible or at least stay very alert, so your friends and loved ones have to suffer through such a tragic, horrific loss. My brother, after 58 years, had finally met his soulmate and was to be married. I thank God for that and all the memories I will cherish forever.

Elizabeth--Thank you for giving us another side of the story. I am
glad that your brother found a soulmate, even if it wasn't for as
long as would have been desired. Jessica will remain in our
thoughts and prayers.