Beating the Heat at Lake Superior

The past week continued with above average temperatures in the 80s. We found a great break from the heat the previous week by taking two bushwhack hikes in the Silver River Canyon. This reminds me that I forgot to share my GoPro video from that second hike which you can find on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:

With more westerly breezes in the forecast to go along with the hot weather, we set our sights on another great place to spend time on hot days…..Lake Superior! Wind direction can be an important consideration when heading out to the Big Lake as calm conditions or breezes from the shore can create a great environment for the flies. Zeroing in on the most ideal conditions, we would make it out to Agate Beach on Wednesday and the mouth of the Huron River on Friday. More about those heat relieving visits in just a bit.

We also got back to the pool last week, putting in swims on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There wasn’t anything special about the distances for me as the earlier open swim hours hours and later wake-ups cut my workout times. I would put in workouts of 1,800, 1,500 and 2,200 yards, respectively. After cutting grass on Monday, I also got back to scraping the rails and spindles on the deck immediately behind the house with the goal to seal them by the coming week.

Tuesday evening would be the rehearsal for the Friends of Fashion show which would be taking place on Sunday. I would have seven parts to play in the two-hour “Riding the Rails” show. Sandi Engel does an amazing job of putting the scripts together which tell local history through the FOF’s extensive collection of actual period fashions.

On Wednesday, Julie and I would head out to Agate Beach which is almost precisely due west of where we live, but involves a slightly more circuitous thirty minute route by way of Painesdale and Toivola. The conditions were amazing! There was just a slight breeze off the lake, there were no flies, and the water unbelievably warm!

Not being inclined to stay in one place, we headed out toward the mouth of the Elm River.

The Elm River and the South Branch of the Elm River join just before entering Lake Superior. The river water entering the lake was surprisingly more refreshingly cool than the lake.

We would continue for quite a distance up the lakeshore until reaching a rather large pile of trees that had been the victims of erosion.

We turned and headed back from this point, but stopped for a swim along the way. You can see my GoPro video from this hike along the Lake Superior shore on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:

Thursday’s highlight would be covering for the Thursday evening program at the Chassell Heritage Center. Keweenaw Brewgrass needed to cancel at the last minute, so I presented on the Chassell Historic Trail and James Juip joined me to present on the Keweenaw Time Traveler. Before the presentation I had the opportunity to talk with Brian McGinty who was volunteering at the Heritage Center. Brian is an attorney who works remotely from Chassell. I am hoping we will have the opportunity to feature him on RWK at some point in the future!

Friday, Mark Roberts and I worked together on providing additional information requested on the EGLE applications for two bridges and boardwalk proposed for Maasto Hiihto. With that addressed, Julie and I headed up to the mouth of the Huron River. We would find a favorable wind coming off the lake, so again there were no flies and warm lake water. We would hike for a mile to the east and quickly find ourselves on our own.

As you get closer to the distant point, sandstone outcroppings appear along the shore and, instead of sand, the lake’s bottom is sandstone as well.

Located at the point is a really cool rock formation that provides a window frame in the rock providing these views from each side.

After enjoying a couple of swims in a remarkably warm Lake Superior, we would make our back to where we started.

You can see my GoPro video from this two-mile hike along the Lake Superior shore on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:

Saturday would be back to scraping the deck stairs and railings in preparation for sealing. With cooler weather moving in that evening, I would get out for a four-mile rail-trail run to wrap up the day!

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 making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.