Back to Late Autumn
Our early ground-covering snow did not withstand the 40 degree temperatures that followed, so we found ourselves back into more typical weather as October ended and the calendar turned to November.
The last week started with a discussion with a potential vendor with the capability to install lifts in the Chassell Heritage Center. Over the last few years we have been working toward universal accessibility and toward that end have already constructed an ADA accessible ramp and an ADA accessible parking space. Our focus now is creating accessibility to the collections, the restrooms, and the auditorium with a goal to have these in place by our 2024 season.
Tuesday I attended a Team Peninsula meeting and then helped set up the Chassell Lions Club Halloween Party for kids at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Wednesday I communicated with MDARD regarding my efforts to thin my forest in 2024 and featured remote worker Christine Manninen on Remote Workforce Keweenaw social media.
You can read about Christine’s remote work story on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at this link.
Wednesday evening I attended the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance meeting on its strategic plan at the Finnish-American Heritage Center in Hancock. Afterwards, I knocked out the minutes for the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (now Hancock Trails Club) annual meeting that occurred back in May.
Thursday was primarily a work day. I drafted the minutes for October’s Chassell Planning Commission ahead of the evening’s meeting. I drafted the President’s Message for the upcoming Chassell Historical Organization Newsletter. I had intended on attending an early afternoon meeting in Hancock, but our truck’s battery died while Julie was at the Keweenaw Co-op, so I was without transportation. Fortunately, Julie was able to get a jump from our friend John Diebel and then crawled to the auto parts store on reduced power where I was able to coordinate a battery replacement. Taking advantage of the melted snow, I squeezed in a 4-mile rail-trail run before the Planning Commission meeting. The leaves that had remained on the trees during my last run had been taken down by the recent snow.
Thursday evening we had our first public hearing on the 5-Year Recreation Plan on the front end of our Planning Commission meeting. We will have a final hearing on December 4th. For those who might be interested, you can find the draft plan on the Chassell.net web page at this link.
Friday was spent winterizing the cabin and putting our outdoor equipment away for the season.
Saturday morning started with a beautiful sunrise over the lake!
The rest of the day was spent tying up loose ends. Aire Care came out and replaced a bum thermostat on our hot water heater. I continued to put things up for the winter and worked in a 5-mile rail-trail run. On Saturday evening, our friend Beth hosted a gathering where I reprised my August presentation at the Chassell Heritage Center about my experience doing the Border to Border Ski last March in Finland.
Sunday our hiking group got together here in Chassell to hike the Chassell Trails starting from the trailhead at the Heritage Center. The rain held off and it turned out to be an awesome day to be in the woods!
You can see my GoPro video from the hike at this link to the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel:
Do you embrace winter and have the ability to work remotely? Consider locating in the Keweenaw where you will find ubiquitous natural beauty, no congestion, and lower crime! Not sure? Come UP for a workcation to check it out! Learn how at Visit Keweenaw at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/plan/trip-ideas-itineraries/workcations/ Visit Remote Workforce Keweenaw at https://remoteworkforcekeweenaw.com. Learn about those like Christine who are making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.