Lake-effect snow has hit the area again and I would guess it’s going to be sticking around for awhile. In Munising, we received 7″ in the last 24 hours and have a snow depth of 8″. Other areas to the southwest received almost 20″ by 3pm yesterday! The lake-effect snow is suppose to diminish today but there is snow in the forecast for the rest of the week. Time to get your winter sports gear tuned and ready for the outdoors!

Make your reservations now for an early-winter trip to Munising! 

Looking east down Superior St., Munising.

Looking north at the corner of Superior St. and Elm Ave., Munising.

As I mentioned a few postings ago, tomorrow is the opener for the firearm deer season in Michigan. This is a beloved holiday for the U.P. that has been cherished for many generations. The Yooper tradition of families heading out to deer camp for hunting, socializing and a sauna are still much alive. Deer camps range in level of luxury from old campers and shacks to more modern facilities. Many of the camps are still primitive-style cabins that rely on wood (or propane) heat and generators for electricity. Some still have outhouses for bathrooms and a separate wood-heated sauna for sweating away the impurities.

Opening day (Nov. 15th) is the Super Bowl of the two-week season. The deer haven’t been disturbed by people wandering in the woods, so there’s a good chance of taking the big buck. To give you an idea how big of event the opener is, most schools are closed! With many of the students gone to their hunting camps, it isn’t worth for the schools to be open. (The schools lucked out with it being on a Saturday this year!) Also, some businesses are shut down during the two weeks of deer season because so many of their employees are on vacation during that period. Now you can see why we call it the U.P. holiday.

All deer hunters, though, have one thing in common. The desire for a trophy-size buck to come trotting in to their hunting spot. No matter if the hunter is successful, it’s commonly followed by exaggerated stories of this “massive buck.” Many hunters do get lucky but not all. It’s common for some people to go to deer camp and not hunt. For everyone, it’s really about spent time with your family and friends in the woods.

So good luck to all hunters and be safe in the woods. If your hunting in the Munising area, make sure to stop in town for our restaurants and other fine businesses. After four days of Uncle Tim’s chili and grandpa’s snoring, a hot meal and a hotel room might be a good solution!

We would like to welcome the Hiawatha Interpretive Association to the Explore Munising website. They are a brand new listing in the Services section. They offer a variety of educational programs, exhibits and merchandise for the Hiawatha National Forest. They are located in the Interagency Visitor Center near the H58 & M28 intersection. Learn more about them by visiting the Hiawatha Interpretive Association listing!

It was only a matter of time before we received our first significant snow and it happened over the weekend. Most of the U.P. saw snowflakes while the northern portions saw much more. In Munising, we received nearly 6″ of snow through yesterday while east of Munising, near Shingleton, had almost 18″ fall! Here last week the temperatures were in the 60s and now it looks like winter! The temperatures are suppose to rise a little during the week but snow again over the weekend. Time to dust off those skis and snowshoes.

This Saturday is also the opener for the firearm deer season, a U.P. holiday. Check back later in the week for a posting on this Yooper tradition.

Time to put away the patio furniture, Munising, MI

Munising's first significant snowfall. Nov. 2008.

I would like to share with you the pride I feel when I look out and see the new streets and curbing that are now nearing completion. It was well worth the dust and detours! It definitely highlights the charm and uniqueness of our community, bringing together a nice tidy package for you to see when you visit Munising. The newly paved streets are a smooth ride through the local businesses and residential areas. The upgraded city water lines and sewer lines were also much needed and open the door for new things to come. This has really enhanced an already beautiful community to reside in and operate a business. Completion is scheduled for spring or early summer of 2009.

As for the weather, we’ve been experiencing warmer temperatures the last few days. It’s been in the 60 degree range and sunny. What’s funny is you feel like you have to go outside and absorb the warmth for the months ahead. Sadly (or happily), this will be coming to an end by the weekend.

Onota Street looking east from the corner at Elm Avenue.

Onota Street looking west at the corner Spruce Street.

Still under construction near the post office.

Yesterday, it definitely looked like the beginning of winter. Ice pellets, snowflakes and a lot of wind pretty much sums up what we received here in Munising. The warm Lake Superior water helped warm the air so it wasn’t quite cool enough for the snow to collect on the ground. To the west and in the higher terrain, they did receive a couple inches of measurable snow. Yesterday’s weather was really a teaser of what’s to come with the temperature being in the 50s tomorrow and the rest of the week. This time of year you never really know what’s around the corner. Once day it will be warm and sunny and then *bang* winter has set in!

On a different note, check out our mini-video we posted on YouTube! It has a nice summer feel and nice contrast from the weather outside.

It’s hard to believe that we are already almost through October. Where has the time gone? I would guess this year’s fall colors were probably one of the best in recent years. The colors were vibrant and the peak slowly transitioned over the U.P. which made it seem to last longer. We are now into the wait of the first snowfall and the chance of that looks pretty good for the beginning of next week. They are saying “significant lake-effect snow.” I’m not really sure how much we’ll receive in Munising but I do find it kind of exciting. Although, by the time April rolls around and we’re still getting snow it’s not exciting.

FAMILY EVENT:

A great family event is happening this Saturday and everyone is invited! The best part… it’s free! A Halloween haunted hayride will take place in Wetmore (just east of Munising) at the Wandering Wheels Campground. There will be free hot chocolate and apple cider as well as free bus transportation with pickups in Christmas, People’s State Bank - Munising and People’s State Bank - Wetmore. The fun begins at dark and it should be a great time!

Have an enjoyable weekend and maybe brush the dust off the ‘ol Yooper-Scooper!

Bayshore Park with the beautiful fall colors on Fri., Oct. 10th.

The temperatures have dropped this week and it definitely feels like fall is here for good. The temperature has only been reaching in the 50s during the day and its been pretty chilly at night. This morning was probably one of our coldest mornings with temperatures near freezing. The forecast isn’t changing much for the next few days and they are even calling for snow showers in the higher terrain on Monday. As for the fall colors, the leaves changed rather quickly here in the city of Munising. Last Friday was probably the peak for bright vibrant colors and now they are a pretty bronze. This past weekend I was out at Miners Castle hiking the Lakeshore Trail and the trees were still green. I would guess they are starting to change out there and definitely worth the visit.

Nothing says fall like a big turkey dinner and the “Christmas in October Dinner” is taking place this Saturday, October 18th! The Women of the Moose Lodge group have put together an annual fundraising dinner to donate scholarships for the Munising High School graduates in the following spring. This all-you-can-eat turkey dinner with every fixing you can imagine cost $9/person and it’s well worth the cause.  The feast will take place at the local Moose Lodge, in downtown Munising, from 5pm-7pm. Come enjoy yourself and the community!

Event details:
Christmas in October Dinner - Munising Moose Lodge
Saturday, October 18th
5pm-7pm
$9/person

A lonely boat at the Munising City Dock on Fri., Oct. 10th.

Beautiful autumn morning in Munising.

The fall colors around Munising are definitely at peak! The hillsides that surround the city of Munising still have some changing to do but a half-mile out of town they are magnificent. If your driving on highways M28 or M94 to town it is like a different world. The colors are very vibrant with lots of reds, oranges and yellows. 

The weather has been very fall-like around here with temperatures in the high 50’s during the day. The weather for the weekend is looking great as well. This should be a great weekend to see our area waterfalls and lighthouses, or hike and bike the endless miles of trails. If you need help planning your trip visit the rest of ExploreMunising.com! We have everything from lodging to local gift shops.

Come explore Munising!

A view of Lake Superior from Grand Island

This weekend Munising will be the spot for runners as the La Demi Grand Half Marathon and 5K races take place this Saturday. These unique races are run on Grand Island, a secluded island located in Munising Bay. The island features spectacular views of Lake Superior, two inland lakes and beautiful hardwoods. The runners will be racing on single track, two track and narrow dirt roads that wind their way around the island. Awards are given to overall female and male winners as well as a variety of age groups.

With the beautiful fall colors and a sunny forecast in the 50s, it should be a great weekend! If your interested in competing there’s still time. Visit www.greatlakesendurance.com to sign-up. Spectators are welcome!

La Demi Grand Half Marathon & 5K details:

• Half Marathon starts @ 10:00am, Williams Landing
• 5K starts @ 10:30am, Williams Landing
• Packet pick-up @ 8:00-9:30am, Grand Island Ferry Boat Dock
• Ferry ticket included with packet, depart 8:30-9:30am; return noon-1:00pm
• Parking at Munising High School, free courtesy bus
• No race day registration
• Race fees include roundtrip bus transportation, roundtrip ferry boat tickets and custom race shirt