Wandering New Territory

Way back in 2011, when I was bartending at the Harbor Haus, a man came in to have dinner. Since he was alone, and we were not too busy, Christine suggested he have dinner at the bar. I served the man, and we got to talking.

He told me he was up for the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association (MOWA) conference in Copper Harbor. "Oh!" I exclaimed. "I'm a writer too! I just wrote a book!" (If you remember this classic.)

"Show me!" he was equally as eager to check it out.

In that moment, I made a lifelong friend, Professor Jay VanHoten. He convinced me to join MOWA, and I've been a member ever since. What a great group of people!

Each May/June, this organization holds their annual conference in a different spot in Michigan. This year, it was scheduled at the Baraga/L'anse area. I haven't been to a conference in six years or so, but Baraga? I could make that drive!

Canyon Falls was on my bucket list. I've driven by it dozens of times, curious, but in a hurry. So this time, I made it a destination! Oh, I'm glad I did!

Click here for the 30 second video on Youtube. You won't be disappointed! Spring rush!

What I also loved were the mesmerizing boardwalks on the way to the falls. The stream ran along them, and it was so charming!

The stream was filled with marsh marigold! My heart relaxed a little deeper at this bend.

We also did a tour with The Nature Conservancy in some of their new forest land. I learned a lot about sustainbable foresting, carbon offsets, the way trees grow and more! Since they told us so much about the importance of the canopy, I paid more attention. Here are a couple lovely examples of a sustainable forest canopy.

And...

So much life!

And, as you could expect, I did my part scouting wildflowers. Springtime varieties were in full bloom! Here are a few.

A close-up of arbutus. A favorite to sniff!

Partridge berry or two-eye berry. We don't have that up in the harbor, so it always excites me. I love the two-toned leaves!

A proud fiddlehead. I just love these!

And here is my attempted selfie with a trout lily. They were everywhere as well!

I'm grateful I got to wander through some local woods with different species and different people. Hopefully I can attend the next conference!

As for the Harbor, the people came and went over Memorial weekend. It kind of feels like a one (or two) night stand. The visitors love it, and they leave it. Right where they left it. Ha!

But I get to open my gallery/gift shop on the weekends! May/June hours are Friday and Saturday from 2-5pm. Skipping the weekend of June 9th for an important engagement.

If you are around one of these weekends, come see what's new -- or what made a comeback from over a decade ago. I'm so busy!

I hope you are busy with good things.

Here is our latest interview with the Muinicipal Maintenance Supervisor, Truman Jones. Don't miss it, or you'll be missing out! I learned there is an important difference between affluent and effluent. Which one would you rather be?

See you in a couple weeks!