Pictured Perfect Day

Near Munising, Michigan is the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. It is located on Lake Superior's southern shore. Because Superior is such a large lake, it looks and feels more like the ocean. The shore is very high here and Superior's continual beating against the rock walls along with the iron ore in the rock makes the pictured rocks seen below.

From the point at which I took the picture above, you can walk a mile down to the lake shore. Everything is very green, coming alive from the winter. Nan and Jeff were ahead of me.

The trail follows a winding creek which empties into Superior. The picture below is near the point at which the creek empties into Superior. It is a beautiful place.

The lake shore here is sandy, unlike much of Superior's shoreline. Trees that fall into the creek are sometimes carried down to the shore.

The tree lined hill below is the starting point of the mile-long trail we hiked. You can see that Superior looks like the ocean here.

 On our way out of the Pictured Rocks LS we stopped by Munising Falls. These falls drop about 30 feet. Since the snowfall was light this year, the falls do not have as much water as usual for this time of year.

We arrived back at the cabin just in time for the sunset. Venus was shining brightly and seemed right for a picture.

 On this day the temperatures really dropped. It was very windy and about 40 degrees when we got back to the cabin. The sky was perfectly clear so we built a bonfire, roasted marsh mellows, and watched the stars. I saw 3 meteors as we watched. We also heard the howling of gray wolves which are in the area as well as a whip-or-will and a great horned owl.

We had a great day. Hope you enjoyed travelling along as well.

Hardwood Hideaway

We're in Hardwood, Michigan at our cabin. Below is a panorama of our backyard. We are loving it here. A bald eagle and an osprey nest on the lake and are continually flying by. Loons sing in the morning and in the evenings. Last night we saw about 6 deer on the road and there is evidence that they come through the yard. The lake is very inactive and we went out on the canoe and paddle boat today. Jeff and I canoed around the island. I'm hoping that the videos I've taken of the eagle will be worth posting. More to come.


You'll want to click on this image and view it full-sized.

Chicago, Chicago

Jeff suggested that we visit the Field Museum in Chicago. He has never been but had heard it was a good stop. Below is the entrance with the banner for the Genghis Kahn exhibit (which we saw) and below that is a shot of the main hall. It is quite a large place.

We then took a cab up to Millennium Park, another place Jeff had heard about. He is quite the tour guide even though he has never visited Chicago before this trip. We found this reflecting pool with two towers on either end. The towers display videos which reflect into the pool. Jeff took a great shot of this reflection and I got him taking the shot.

Also at the park was the Cloud Gate, a round set of highly polished stainless steel plates that reflect the city as well as those around it. Look closely at the center and you can see Nan and me. The Cloud Gate is huge and quite interesting. Seems that Chicago has you do a lot of reflecting when you visit.

Here is a shot of Nan and the some of the buildings along the Magnificent Mile. The Mag Mile is very nice and cleaned up. Other parts of Chicago are run down and dirty. I guess that is like a lot of cities but the size of each area is just larger in Chicago. Still, a very nice visit. Our two cab drivers were extremely nice, drove crazy like all other cab drives, and made the trip enjoyable.

Hope you enjoy these shots. We are in a very different world now that we have arrived at our cabin on the lake. Pictures from here tomorrow.

Lots in the Moose

We stopped in Chicago and went to the Field Museum, Millennium Park and ate Chicago style pizza at Giordano's. This is a picture of a little bit. The rest made its way into our mooses. More later. Really fun day.

MQ 2012 Has Begun

We're headed up to Bowling Green To pickup Jeff. We'll spend the night near Chicago. Tomorrow we end up in Green Bay and will worship with the brethren there on Sunday. We then end up at our cabin in Michigan's Upper Pennisula. The cabin is just a few miles from the largest concentration of moose in Michigan. I found out that there Re also wolves in the UP so perhaps we'll get to see them as well. Thanks for travelling along. Will start posting pictures soon...maybe tomorrow.

Next Moose Quest

In less than a month Nan, Jeff and I will begin another Moose Quest. We'll provide more information closer to the time we depart.

Last Post From Minnesota Trip

It is hard to put a finger on what was the best part of our trip to Minnesota. The time together that Nan and I had was such a blessing. Seeing old friends and catching up on the years in between was fun too. Being able to spend time in God's grand creation is certainly faith building. Having family and friends to come home to is obviously a blessing that we count high on the list.

So without identifying a specific, we'll share some final scenes that we enjoyed together. Okay, at least I enjoyed them. I was reminded when seeing some of these shots that Nan was asleep in the van while I took some of them. Don't tell her I said that.

Early one morning we caught the fog rising over one of the small rivers.

On another afternoon we stopped at an overlook to view the little village of Grand Marais (Ma-ray) which sits on Lake Superior.

We saw all these gulls circling and it turns out they were helping a fisherman clean his catch.

One night we were treated to a great sunset over a lake/swampy area where we looked for moose. It started out this way with several clouds.

As it progressed it got better as you can see from these.

But during the middle we saw this special treat. This picture doesn't do justice to what we witnessed but perhaps comes close. The tree looked as if it were on fire from the sun.

On our last day we traveled north into Canada. At the border is Grand Portage State Park on the US side. Separating the US from Canada is the Pigeon River. On the Pigeon River are several falls. These shots are of High Falls, the highest waterfall in Minnesota. The right bank is in Canada.

That the last shot was taken at a slow shutter speed to blur the falls. You photographers will appreciate knowing that this was hand-held using my 70-200 VR II lens. Not easy and I took several shots before I got it right.

Over in Canada the topography changed into more farmland surrounded by mountains rising up steeply out of the ground. The only shot I got that depicts a little of that is this nice farm. The crop all around is wheat.

On Friday morning as we started our drive back to Tennessee, it was a bit rainy. I stopped on the highway and took one final shot. We saw aspen trees everywhere and I thought this one looked pretty good.

We sure enjoyed having you ride along and hope you enjoyed being with us. Who knows where the next moose quest will take us. This we do know. The Lord has created such a wonder place for us to live in and enjoy. And heaven is supposed to be even better. I'm looking forward to that. I don't believe we'll need a camera to remember those images!

Moose! Finally

To see a moose, you generally have to get up early or stay out late. We've done both. We were out until 10 last night and up at 5 this morning. You also have to look in the right places. Small ponds, bogs or rivers with their favorite grasses are the best locations, though a moose might just meet you on the road. Here are some picture perfect places to find a moose.

On the Gunflint Trail there is a moose observation platform. You walk about 1/3 of a mile, take a right, and about 20 yards down the path is the platform. We found no moose at the platform but on the way back to the car, we finally spotted our moose. I even photographed it for all to see.

Admittedly this is a much smaller moose than I hoped to see. So the moose quest goal is being modified to include a "large moose with a full rack." The quest is still on!

No Moose Yet...

Our moose has evaded us so far and this trip may well be like many trips. Probably the best time to see moose is the dead of winter from a snowmobile. During winter the moose will often be in the roadways because it is easier for them to get around using trails packed by humans than to walk in the deep, unpacked snow. If we really want to see a moose on this trip, we should hire a guide and go out by canoe for a couple of days. That would be exciting but I'm not likely to put my camera gear into a canoe and neither of us would enjoy being a constant meal for the mosquitoes. Bug spray helps some but that smell...

So let me bring you up-to-date. Here is the view we have as we eat here in the condo. We are right on Lake Superior.

We had a great sunrise on Sunday morning but I was too busy getting ready for church services to get a picture. Here are a couple of shots of the one we saw this morning. I didn't wait on it to get much better because we were off to Ely, Mn exploring.

The GunFlint Trail is supposed to be "the" place to see moose. You can tell from the trail logo that they want you to believe that. Here is the logo in big print.

We didn't see a moose on the trail Saturday when we went up the trail. In fact, it was cloudy and even rained a bit. The trail is cut right through the forest and there is little open space, and open space is what I've come to believe is what animals like. They have had some forest fires in recent years and everything looks like new growth. That may explain why it is so thick.

We stopped and ate lunch at the Gunflint Lodge. This is a rather remote place so they get whatever food prices they want to charge..$10.95 for a hamburger. But, we were very hungry and the food was great. We sat next to Gunflint Lake watching a couple of folks canoe and a couple of momma ducks keeping watch over their ducklings. Here is the lodge.

I wish I had more to show but this isn't the most scenic place we've been to. For example, they have no "scenic view" pull-overs and with so few open areas, pictures would pretty much show a road with trees on either side. Don't get me wrong, we are having a great time and really enjoying just being away for a little while. Here are a couple of shots I've taken along the way.



So that is about all I have to "show and tell." Remember that you can click on the photos to see a larger version. Hope you are enjoying the ride with us.

From Duluth to the North Shore

Iron ore is a major export from the Lake Superior area. You can see its evidence in the industry you find here as well as the way the harbor is built around that industry. You can also see its influence in the buildings. Take a look at the brick in these two old churches and another older building in downtown Duluth.

We travelled up the North Shore of Lake Superior on Friday heading to our home for the next week. The Lake has a huge influence on the area. It produces significant weather changes even in the same day. We started out with a beautiful sunny day with blue skies but that all turned to thunder storms later in the day.

Toward evening fog began to come in across the lake. Every change has its own beauty and unique look. We're enjoying our time here.

 By the way, you can click on any of the pictures to see larger images. Still no moose. Perhaps one day this week.

Day 3 - Finally In Minnesota

As the Mississippi River flows between Arkansas and Tennessee, it look about the size you see below. Up here in Minnesota there are locks and dams that form the lake you see below. We have seen the Mississippi just before a dam and it is probably not as wide as the Tennessee River in Chattanooga. This is the lake at Rend Landing.

We drove through parts of Wisconsin today. The farmland is gorgeous. It is hard to believe how much corn is grown here. Every possible place they can plant corn they do. My first thought was corn for food but probably a lot of this corn goes into our gas tanks.

We saw about 10 bald eagles today. Several were immature so the population is growing. I didn't get to photograph an eagle today. Maybe tomorrow. I did manage to catch two other fliers that appear below.

Tonight we worshipped with the group where Rick Lanning preaches.  The study was on Daniel 4 and Rick did a wonderful job teaching the class. I wish we were going to be here for the entire study. The group is very friendly and folks had lots of suggestions about what we should see and do while here.

A funny thing happened after church. We went to Perkins for a bite to eat. Coming out we went to our van. When Nan opened her door a woman screamed which prompted an equally loud scream from Nan. Then they both broke into laughter when they realized Nan had opened the door of a similar looking van and not ours. The woman said, "I think I scared you more than you scared me." We laughed all the way back to the hotel.

Tomorrow we head toward Duluth and then on up the North Shore. We are a  bit tired of riding and are looking foward to being out of the van some tomorrow and for the next few days. Hopefully I'll have some better pictures to show later on.

Day 2 - In Iowa

After driving past the mostly flat cornfields of Illinois we came to Davenport, Iowa having crossed over the mighty Mississippi. We detoured from the GPS directions to drive up the banks of the river. The GPS protested for nearly 10 miles insisting on a U-turn while we looked at some really beautiful scenery of rolling hills of corn fields, cattle and horse ranches. We ate at the Hillside Stables restaurant and cafe. This place is on a farm that is 46 acres, has a 3 bedroom house, 2 apartments, stable, hanger, and restaurant for sale at only $595,000.

By days end we finally made our Dubuque in Iowa.

Cross-eyed Crickets

Nan and I are eating dinner at the Cross-eyed Cricket in Evansville Indiana. Homemade chicken and dumplings, homemade rolls. Yum-yum!

MooseQuest 2011

So Nan and I are off again on another Moose Quest. This time we are headed to the Border Waters area of Minnesota, specifically to the Gun Flint trail. Sure hope the rain that is in the forecast dissipates. Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures along the way. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Collection of Tornado Videos

Those in Chattanooga are aware of the tornado activity that occurred here on Tuesday, October 26. For others who might not have seen some of the video, I put together this collection. Tornadoes just don't happen often in Chattanooga due to the topography around the city.

This video shows the wall cloud moving across the city.



The tornado moved up the Tennessee River toward the Chickmagua Dam. Here is a shot looking down river from below the dam.




This is another video from under the dam looking at some construction buildings next to the Chickamagua Creek that join the Tennessee River on the South side of the dam. Watch the buildings.



This camera looks up the river and catches the tornado moving beyond the dam on the lake side. Watch at the end of the video for the funnel coming down over the hill. That is where the Lake Shore apartments are located. About 50 units were declared uninhabitable due to the tornado.




Flying debris on the dam caused a car pileup and injured several people. Fortunately there was no loss of life.

Moose Quest Begins Anew

Well, the moose quest I've been on for years has taken a slight change of course. My quest has been to find a moose with a full rack and be able to photograph it. Tonight there was a strange knock at the door while we were gone. Blanche called to tell us about it. We weren't too worried, thinking that she had perhaps heard the washing machine in the spin cycle.

When we arrived home we found the following sitting on the front porch.



Though it doesn't exactly complete my quest, it certainly adds a fun twist to the adventure. He has found a special place in our living room but meanwhile, the quest continues. We'll call in Stan for finger printing and his investigative services.

Thanks to the folks who surprised us with this new addition to the moose quest library of photos. Reveal yourself or you will be found!

Yellowstone Buffalo Fight

Here is the video I promised that documents some of the events that occurred just as we were leaving Yellowstone. Quite interesting to say the least. Go full screen and turn up the volume.

Sorry for the duplication for the Facebook folks. Several people interested are not on FaceBook.

Yellowstone Geyser Basin

As you probably know, a good portion of Yellowstone is in the cauldron of an old volcano. Just about every part of Yellowstone has something either steaming or spewing. The geyser basin is probably the most well know part of Yellowstone, primarily because of the geyser Old Faithful.

We hit the basin on a very good day. We saw 5 geyser eruptions in just 4 hours. I heard one of the faithful geyser watchers comment to his friend, "If folks here today knew that seeing more than 2 geysers in a day is unusual, they would appreciate what they're seeing even more." I didn't realize that but they were all a sight to behold.

Here are photos of the geysers. Each is unique.


Beehive geyser is named after the beehive shape of its spout. On a day with calm winds Beehive can spout to over 200 feet. A knowledgeable geyser watcher told us that beehive reached about 170 during the eruption we witnessed.



Grand Geyser doesn't shoot quite as high but its fountain is very wide. Occasionally it will spout more than once during an eruption. On our day we witnessed two back to back eruptions. That is really a treat. Kind of like an encore.





This is Old Faithful at sunset. We saw Old Faithful go off 3 times. Once just after we arrived, again after watching Beehive and Grand, and then another time at sunset (above) just after eating dinner.

It is interesting to met other visitors and hear their stories about Yellowstone. One lady, somewhat disabled, told us that she and her husband had been coming to Yellowstone for years. She has never visited in Winter and wants to do that some day. She likes watching Old Faithful (she would have some trouble getting to other geysers due to the walk) and says each time is a thrill. I agree.

Nan commented that it is so nice that much of Yellowstone can be enjoyed by people whose physical condition doesn't allow them to hike long distances. Much of the wildlife, hot springs, geysers, and just landscape beauty can be seen from the car or just a short distance down a level path.

If you have never been to Yellowstone, you ought to visit. Since the Tetons are close, be certain to see them as well.

Leaving Yellowstone - Grand Tetons

No moose on this trip. However, other wildlife was aboundant. We saw 5 grizzly bears, 1 black bear, 1 fox, 1 wolf, several deer and antelope. Other critters include squirrels, chipmonks, raccons, and various birds.

We left Yellowstone on Saturday morning. We had quite an adventure getting out of Yellowstone. We have video and I'll try to post it. Story at 11.

Leaving through the South Entrance you move into the area of the Grand Tetons. This is the second time I have passed through the Tetons in a day. I'm thinking that this area deserves more attention since the moose population seems to be greater here.

Here are some photos from the Teton region. There was a rain storm moving through the area as we arrived. It made for some interesting photography.

Here is a fence row at a stop we made next to the Tetons. The shot is black and white.



Here are the Teton Valley and the Tetons during the storm.





Finally, there is often a rainbow after the storm. We were treated to a double rainbow. The last one of these I recall seeing was years ago on a trip with mom and dad in the Smokies.


We are in Denver tonight. Our path home is a bit slow. We're somewhat car weary and trying not to make the days too long.

God has created a wonderful world for us to live in. The beauty we've seen makes it easy to get attached to our home here. We need to remember that a far more beautiful home awaits us in heaven. The wonders there have to be far greater. This world serves as a testament to how great the God is that we serve.

Psalm 19: 1-6 says:

"1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.

2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat."

Though we see God's great power in His creation, we cannot know His will or desire for us without spending time with His word. The Psalm goes on to say:

"7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.

13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer."

Take time to view His creation and be reminded of just how great He is. Then take up your Bible and learn how loving He is. As we are moved by his greatness and goodness, we want to respond. His word teaches us how to respond to Him in the way that please him.

Sorry for the sermon...I have been deeply moved on this trip and wanted to share some thoughts.