• Monday-What'sUP September 30 - 08:02 am

It looks like John Sturos and his family decided to do a color tour by canoe this year. You can see a hint of color in the trees up ahead of them, but with the angle of the sun in the first shot, the colors are subdued. John's second photo shows the colors just fine, nestled amongst the pines, as his canoe takes a rest from paddling around.

The second duo of shots have nothing to do with the colors of the Keweenaw, but it's a colorful story that accompanies them. The photos come from Greg Burk, who looks like he's just enjoying himself in his kayak, when in reality, he's hard at work.

If you look a little closer, you might recognize the body of water he's kayaking as the Copper Harbor Wastewater Treatment sewage lagoons. Now this isn't your typical kayaking local, but Greg's job is to assess the condition of these systems and with the help of Rich Harrer (Supt. of the Copper Harbor WWTP) and Dick Supina, he launched on these "ponds" to do that "dirty" job. From his perch atop the kayak, Greg evaluates the condition of the sewage lagoons and the sludge blanket level that has been settling out since the ponds were originally brought on line about 15 years ago. The results of this "sludge judge testing", were that the treatment lagoons are in good shape thanks to the excellent care that Rich Harrer has provided the community. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it and thank goodness we can just go about our day to day lives without having to think or worry about this part of it, thanks to guys like Rich, Dick and Greg. As an added sidenote, Greg says he's pleased to say that he didn't capsize, like Rich was hoping. I don't know about you, but I think their jobs really stink! :->

TO BAD MIKE FROM 'DIRTY JOBS' COULD NOT CHECK THE LAGOONS. ;O]

Looks very relaxing if you like canoes. I just don't happen to trust canoes. Nice and peaceful for those of you who do though.

We have a canoe, and it's enjoyable, just not as comfy as our 19 ft. I/O.

The first two shots look like fun, I will stay away from the other 2. Happy to hear he stayed dry ptherwise that would be a very bad day at work.

For Greg's job I would need a very, very, very large pontoon boat and it would have to be very large. Did I mention how large it would have to be?

Sisu - right there on the side of the kayak, that is why he can do that dirty job.

Better not let an OSHA inspector see that guy in a kayak without a life jacket!

Jodie Hagan: Right On, Jodie. I got SISU pulsing through ever cell in my body !
You betcha, I do.

David C Cloutier: What, . . . are you trying to start trouble ? Can't you see that I am wearing a small Personal Flotation Device UNDER my shirt (did you think I was that fat ?).

I am sludge judger, . . . BUTT, . . . . that does NOT mean that I am CRAZY enough to go into a sewage lagoon WITHOUT a PFD !

GB

We give up, Alex "UP-Goldwinger", how large? :)

The second shot is perfect, Quiet and Color...The UP is a magical place...I love just sitting by the river or lake in the fall listening to the sounds of nature...To God be the Glory!

Wow, if our man tipped over in his kayak in that sewage lagoon, he'd be in deep.