Late Winter Hike at Churning Rapids
Winter continued its struggle with making a significant appearance in the Keweenaw this past week. We actually picked up enough snow that schools were closed on Wednesday, but the temperature quickly rebounded into the 50s by week’s end to wipe out the limited gain. I managed to squeeze in an untracked classic ski on the MTU Trails on Thursday, but sadly that was the extent of my skiing for the week.
The rest of my week was a mix of township business, pulling tax information together for the accountant, and slipping in runs and swims when possible.
With the accessibility assessment of our recreation assets completed, Lynn Gierke updated the township’s MDNR 5-Year Recreation Plan and re-submitted it to the MDNR. In addition, our Prime Professional, Chris Holmes from UPEA, would get us the completed plans and specifications for the boardwalk and ADA accessible walkway from the pavilion to the waterfront which are two of our most significant projects being funded by our $495,000 MDNR SPARK Grant. These documents were filed electronically with the MDNR for their review. Once approved, bids will be sought to perform the work.
On Tuesday, I would include a quick stop at Centennial Park on my run to and from the Fire Hall to vote in the primary election.
The view immediately above is the location where the new waterfront boardwalk will be constructed in Centennial Park along the Pike Bay shore. You can see the smaller fishing dock in the distance where a second boardwalk will be constructed inland across the wetland to connect to the trail running along the north side of the Chassell Bark Park (the township’s fenced off-leash dog park).
I spent a good deal of time on Tuesday reaching out to remote workers in Hancock to introduce them to City Manager Mary Babcock and to determine their availability for a remote worker networking event at Susan Mattila’s Sunflower Books and Coffee at 528 Quincy Street in Hancock. There was a good response and we have set this event to take place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 18th. This will be an excellent opportunity for Hancock remote workers to meet one another and to learn about the city’s current efforts and how they can help shape the community’s future.
Wednesday I packaged up all the tax materials and got them sent off to the accountant before getting over to MTU’s SDC in the snow to put in a 2,600 yard swim.
Thursday I reached out to Bach Mobilities in Escanaba to discuss the possibility of a commercial grade stairlift for the Chassell Heritage Center. They will be in the area in April to do an elevator inspection so we will be talking in greater detail at that time.
Friday was spent seeking rough cost estimates for our planned grant proposal related to further development of the canoe/kayak launch on the Sturgeon River. The size of the budget for the planned project components will ultimately drive whether we seek a Passport Grant or a Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant from the MDNR. That evening, Julie and I went out for an enjoyable dinner with five of our friends at Nutini’s Supper Club in Hancock.
Saturday morning would be focused on nailing down a day for our buckthorn remediation project on the Chassell Historic Trail that we are partnering on with the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area (KISMA), MTU, the Chassell Township Schools, the Chassell Volunteer Fire Department, and the Sigma Rho Fraternity. The day would also be focused on getting a scope developed for the electrical work we need to do at the Chassell Heritage Center in preparation for a Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission grant proposal I am developing as well as meeting with Phil Sladek from Early Bird Construction on a couple of projects he will be doing here at our place this month.
The weather was ridiculously mild for early March. There was bright sunshine with a temperature in the 50s. I just had to get out for a run, so I headed out on the rail-trail. It was sloppy in a number of places so I moved out onto the US 41 shoulder about a mile and a quarter into the 4.3 mile run. I can’t remember when I have ever run in shorts this early in the year and it was actually too warm for the fleece I wore.
I am not much of a television watcher, but Saturday night I finished binge-watching 1883 which I would highly recommend.
Sunday morning I would email old family photographs to Sandi Engel along with some early back-stories about the Meyer family that she is looking to incorporate into the 2024 Friends of Fashion Show. I would also remind our Snowmobile Trail committee about our Monday evening meeting and provide them a link to a very helpful GIS tool on the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) website.
Sunday afternoon we would meet up with the hiking group to take a 2.25 mile hike into Churning Rapids from High Point Road off of M-203 to the north of Hancock. Our friend John Diebel led the hike that ventured out along Spring Creek and then over to and upstream on Finni Creek before circling back to Spring Creek and back out to High Point Road.
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 making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.