2024’s Hurricanes are breaking our limits

Posted on by farlane

Sandy’s Frankenwaves by Cory Genovese

8PM EDT: This is nothing short of astronomical. I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe you the storms small eye and intensity. 897mb pressure with 180 MPH max sustained winds and gusts 200+ MPH. This is now the 4th strongest hurricane ever recorded by pressure on this side of the world. The eye is TINY at nearly 3.8 miles wide. This hurricane is nearing the mathematical limit of what Earth’s atmosphere over this ocean water can produce. -Orlando Meteorologist Noah Bergren

The phrase “nearing the mathematical limit of what Earth’s atmosphere over this ocean water can produce” is one of the most terrifying I have ever read, especially when it directly follows Hurricane Helene that killed over 200 people and wrought devastation even in the mountains. Could this be the hurricane cycle that wakes people up to the reality of a changed climate or will we keep acting like it’s normal for hurricanes to wipe mountain towns off the map? Time will certainly tell.

While it’s too early to forecast the impact of Milton on Michigan, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 produced the second highest wave height ever on Lake Michigan of 21.7 feet – click for all kinds of Lake Michigan Hurricane Sandy weather data from the NWS. Cory took this at Sugar Loaf just outside of Marquette way back in November of 2012 in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. See more in his Portfolio gallery on Flickr.

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The Boys of Summer: Waterfall Edition

Posted on by farlane
Bond Falls by Gowtham

Bond Falls by Gowtham

Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air, the summer’s out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets, the sun goes down alone
I’m driving by your house, though I know you’re not home
-Don Henley

There’s still some summer left to squeeze, but these cool nights tell me it won’t be long before the summer out of reach!

Twelve falls ago, I featured this passage along with a different photo from Gowtham. He took this one at Bond Falls in the UP way back in 2009. While he doesn’t seem to be doing a whole lot these days on Flickr, you can for sure follow along in the journal on his website!

There’s more Michigan waterfalls on Michigan in Pictures!

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You belong somewhere you feel free

Posted on by farlane
Somewhere you feel free by JP

Somewhere you feel free by JP

“You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free”
― Tom Petty

😍 We all belong in people & places where we feel free, and I truly hope you’re finding these places & spaces & faces.

JP took this in the UP back in August. See the latest on their Flickr.

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Waterfall Wednesday: Yellow Dog Falls

Posted on by farlane
Yellow Dog Falls on the Yellow Dog River by Tom Clark

Yellow Dog Falls on the Yellow Dog River by Tom Clark

Travel Marquette shares that Yellow Dog Falls are a bit of a drive from Marquette, but well worth the drive time & not that difficult to reach with a trail along one of the wildest streams east of the Mississippi, with multiple waterfalls in just a two mile section of river.

The Yellow Dog River is one of the cleanest and least contaminated rivers in Michigan with water quality above and beyond drinking water standards that is considered a cold water fishery and a blue ribbon trout stream by the State of Michigan. Read much more from the Yellow Dog Watershed.

Tom took this photo last fall. See more in his UP October 2023 gallery and for sure view & purchase his work on his website.

Many (many) more Michigan waterfalls on Michigan in Pictures!

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The mouth of the Montreal

Posted on by farlane

Mouth of Montreal River at Lake Superior by Kirt E Carter

Mouth of Montreal River at Lake Superior by Kirt E Carter

The Montreal River forms the western border separating Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from Wisconsin.

Kirt took this photo with a Harman Titan 4×5 Pinhole camera. View & purchase his work at Kirt E. Carter Fine Art Photography.

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Wake up it’s time for the U.P. State Fair!!

Posted on by farlane
Pigs Chillaxing by John Gagnon

Pigs Chillaxing by John Gagnon

The Upper Peninsula State Fair started on Monday in Escanaba and runs through Sunday, August 18th with midway rides & games, free entertainment and of course the time honored fair tradition of animal & produce beauty pageants. One especially great attraction is their Miracle of Life exhibit where children of all ages can see the live births of calves, lambs, piglets and watch chicks, ducks, and quail eggs hatch. I heartily applaud the Fair for helping people get a better idea of where their food comes from!!

John caught these snoozing pigs on Monday. See a bunch more from this year & years past in his UP Fair gallery on Flickr.

View from the Ferris Wheel by John Gagnon

View from the Ferris Wheel by John Gagnon

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Chasing the Perseid meteor shower

Posted on by farlane

Milky Way over Milky Bond Falls with a dash of Perseids by Sathya

The Perseid meteor shower is a summer staple & fast approaching the peak!! Our friends at EarthSky say that the early mornings of August 11-13, 2024 are your best bet for meteor action, but you can usually see them between midnight – 6am. That’s perfect because there’s an excellent chance of Northern Lights for the next couple of days & they are usually strongest between midnight – 3am.

EarthSky writes that the August Perseid meteor shower is rich and steady, from early August through the peak. The meteors are colorful. And they frequently leave persistent trains. All of these factors make the Perseid shower perhaps the most beloved meteor shower for the Northern Hemisphere.

Head over to EarthSky for everything you need to know about the Perseids, our most reliable meteor shower!

This photo of a Perseid meteor over Bond Falls that I shared back in 2013 remains one of my favorite michpics ever! Sathya wrote on their blog:

The deafening sound of 500 gallons of water / second from 50 feet
The tranquil silence of the dark night
Milky way adorning the skies
A (Perseids) meteor fireball streaking across the horizon
Definitely a moment of serenity and one I would cherish!

For sure check out Like the Ocean to view & purchase prints and a whole lot of amazing photos & amazing thoughts about some of the most beautiful places on this planet.

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Give it up for guides in the Great Lakes State!

Posted on by farlane
Pictured Rocks Kayaking Guides by Monika Kross

Pictured Rocks Kayaking Guides by Monika Kross

Michigan in Pictures is all about sharing new places & ways to have fun in Michigan. Whether you are visiting or live here, I think it’s important as you’re enjoying your explorations to recognize the hardworking people helping to make the experience of kayaking a mercurial freshwater sea, hiking a wilderness trail, viewing historical artifacts, or simply finding that hidden waterfall or local favorite taco stand as safe & seamless as possible. It’s not easy, and everyone who enjoys Michigan’s diverse offerings owes them a big thank you!

Monika shares: Picture Rocks Kayaking guide breaks a hard right to turn the nose of five kayaks pointing in towards Miner’s Beach. These guides work SO hard and in all weather conditions on the clear but cold Lake Superior! Last summer I met one in the East Channel while crossing and she was towing 2 kayakers home who simply quit paddling. Let’s give them some much deserved applause! 🙌

You said it Monika 🙌

You can follow Monika on Facebook & @MichiganUnsaltedGirl on Instagram!

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Waterfall Wednesday: Gabbro Falls Thunder

Posted on by farlane
Thundering Gabbro Falls by Neil Weaver Photography

Thundering Gabbro Falls by Neil Weaver Photography

GoWaterfalling’s page on the 40-foot tall Gabbro Falls in the western Upper Peninsula begins:

Gabbro Falls is on the Black River and is as impressive, if not more impressive, than its more celebrated neighbors downstream along the Black River Scenic Byway. This is a largely wild waterfall with no fences or barriers of any kind. It consists of three separate drops. When the water is high there is a fourth drop that is the height of the other three combined. The main drop falls into a narrow crevice between two large rock formations.

Gabbro Falls is relatively easy to find but there is some confusing information out there. The waterfall is also known as Baker’s Falls, and it is often mistakenly called Garbo Falls (gabbro is a type of rock).

Read on for tips on visiting and pages about nearby waterfalls on the Black River and also be sure to check it out on GoWaterfalling’s awesome waterfall map!

Neil shares that the thundering Gabbro Falls never fails to impress. See more on his Facebook and at neilweaverphotography.com.

Many (many) more Michigan waterfalls on Michigan in Pictures!

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The Great Flip Flop Caper of 2024

Posted on by farlane
Recovered Flip Flops by Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Recovered Flip Flops by Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Tahquamenon Falls State Park shared yesterday that there has been a thief taking flip flops and crocs from campers at their Rivermouth Campground:

It was discovered today that there are multiple thieves, and they have four legs and are adorable. All of the shoes shown were found outside a fox den. If you look closely, you can see teeth marks in the flip flops and straps have been chewed off the light pink crocs. Heads up if you are camping this summer at the Rivermouth, you’ll want to keep your shoes inside your camper 🦊

So if you do camp at Tahquamenon Falls State Park (and you very much should) keep an eye out for the Flip Fox Gang! Much more Tahquamenon Falls & more Michigan foxes on Michigan in Pictures.

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