Compared to last winter, it’s taking a little bit longer for Old Man Winter to make his arrival. This week, though, the temperature is more seasonal and we’re looking (and hoping) at getting some lake-effect snow for the next few days. Many folks are anxious to get out their snowmobiles or cross-country skis and enjoy the Upper Peninsula snow!
Elm Avenue during Rekindle the Spirit 2008
Click for PDF.
With Christmas just around the corner, this Saturday evening is the perfect time to visit downtown Munising for it’s 2nd annual Rekindle the Spirit. The event features many family-fun activities including a lighted parade, Santa’s arrival & tree lighting and many other ongoing activities during the evening. Local stores will also be open so you can get some of your holiday shopping completed. So bundle up the kids and head to Munising for a night of holiday spirit!
For more information, please call (906) 387-2138 or (906) 387-1110.
Rekindle the Spirit ’09
Saturday, December 5, 2009 • 5:00-8:00pm
Downtown Munising, MI
Just a quick post this week. We want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. I’m hoping my clothes still fit on Monday as I plan to do some serious eating!
On another note, make plans now to attend Rekindle the Spirit, in downtown Munising, on December 5th. Many events are planned, including the a tree lighting and photos with Santa. It should be a good time and I’ll give more details next week.
It’s almost the second week of deer camp and the hunting has been pretty sub-par around the area (and probably the Midwest). The weather is still running a good 10 degrees above average and it’s not helping the hunters. The National Weather Service of Marquette just report that this November is currently the 4th least snowiest on record. The good news is the 7-day forecast is showing some signs of colder weather by the end of next week. Many are enjoying this warming trend and believe we’re just on borrowed time. As for myself, I’m not really liking it! I’m really getting anxious for all the winter sports that the Upper Peninsula and Munising has to offer. From ice fishing and snowshoeing to some of the best snowmobile trails in the country. Munising is a great winter destination and we need to get more people doing the snow dance. Are you with me?
Until the snow arrives, here’s another classic song, by Bananas at Large (NOTDa Yoopers as mentioned in the video), to go along with our continuing hunting season. There’s nothing like a “turdy point buck.”
We’re two days away from the biggest non-federal, unofficial holiday in the Upper Peninsula, the firearm deer season. During this two week hunting season you’ll find towns a little less populated as everyone heads to the woods and their deer camps to take down the big ol’ buck. Because this year’s opener is during the weekend, it’s not affecting the area schools. When Nov. 15th falls on a weekday, many of the schools are closed because too many kids are gone hunting with their families. Also, many folks take the two weeks off from work so you’ll find businesses closed or operating a little shorthanded. Towards the end of the season, it’s always interesting seeing the creative ways people from down below (live in the Lower Peninsula) tie their harvested deer to their vehicles. Seeing a small Ford Escort with a monster buck on the roof is quite the sight!
Unlike last year, it looks like we’re going to be snow-free for the opener. (A little snow on the ground usually makes it a little more fun and it’s good for tracking.) The forecast for next week looks about the same, too.
Below is a classic song by the Da Yoopers, Second Week of Deer Camp. A good parody of what deer camp is like the U.P. Enjoy!
Please e-mail us your deer photos and we’ll post them!
Yesterday, the weather was quite interesting in the Munising area. We had our first day of actual measurable snowfall! Although it wasn’t much, it was still enough to get you in the mood and starting thinking about all the winter fun (or misery) we have around here. In town, it was mostly little ice pellets that piled up to a half-inch or so. A half mile to the south and few miles to the west, it was a different story. There was a good 2-3 inches of a snowy mix that collected on the ground and stayed overnight. Closer to Chatham, the trees and ground were really pretty with the snow sticking to everything. There were also a few car accidents in the area but everyone seems to be okay. The first snowfall is always interesting and a good reminder to slow down and brake early.
The colder weather is supposed to continue for the next few days before a warm-up over the weekend. They’re currently predicting temperatures reaching the 50-degree range. It sounds like it’s going to be a good weekend to rake those leaves and get set for Old Man Winter.
We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. Munising’s trick-or-treat time is from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, October 31st. Please drive carefully and the streets are pretty active with kids and parents.
Katrina, Barbie and Erin, of Stylistics, all dressed up for Halloween.
Tonight, head out to Foggy’s Steakhouse, in Christmas, for “Foggy’s B-Day Bash!” The fun begins at 10p.m. and will feature the band “Lost Cause.” It should be a good time!
With so many talented artists in the Munising area, we’ve added a new category, called Local Artists, to the ExploreMunising.com website. From painters to sculptures and furniture makers, the Munising area offers a variety of arts & crafts and we want to help get them some exposure. This section is brand new and we’re looking to add artists from the Munising and Alger County area. (Please contact us to get your info listed.) Within the local artists section we’re also having a Featured Artist page. This will give a more in-depth look at an artist’s work and where they draw inspiration from to create their masterpieces. The current featured artist is landscape painter, Gregg Bruff. Visit his featured artist page to see some of his oil paintings of Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks and other Upper Peninsula of Michigan scenery.
In other news, the weather has actually been pretty good the last few days with temperatures reaching the 50′s during the day. Today looks to be the last of the decent weather as the big storm in the Rockies reaches us. Unlike them, we won’t be seeing any of the big snowfall amounts. It looks like it’s going to be mostly rain, wind and few snowflakes in the air.
It’s also hard to believe that Sunday is November 1st. That also means it’s only a couple weeks from the traditional Yooper holiday, firearms deer hunting season!
The fall colors are definitely here and have transitioned to the more bronze colors. The hills that surround the city of Munising are also very pretty and peaking themselves. These are usually the last to change because of the close proximity to Lake Superior. The weather has been pretty seasonable with temperatures in the 40s during the day. Early last week we received our first taste of winter. It snowed for a couple of days but nothing really collected in town. In other parts of the Upper Peninsula, some spots had over 4 inches of snow on the ground! Our days of seeing grass and bare pavement are numbered.
This Saturday, there are quite a few events happening in the Munising area. Here’s a brief rundown of what’s going on:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th
A Christmas in October Dinner
Moose Lodge, Munising
5pm-7pm
Everyone is welcome to stop by the Moose Lodge on Superior St. for a traditional Christmas Dinner! It will feature turkey, ham and all the trimmings.
4th Annual “Celebration of Life” Luncheon & Silent Aucution
for the Eric R. Beverly Foundation
11am-2pm
American Legion, Munising
Stop by for this great cause and help those dealing with cancer. Visit their website for more info.
Annual Haunted Hayride
Wandering Wheels Campground, Wetmore
Dusk-????
FREE (accepting donations)
Bring the family to this annual haunted hayride that will get you in the Halloween mood. There is no cost but they are taking donations. This event is run by all volunteers and has become a Munising tradition.
Have some fall color photos of Munising? E-mail them to us and we’ll post them on the blog!
Make sure to add downtown Munising to your schedule for this Saturday. The first ever Pictured Rocks “Cruisin on the Bay” Corvette Show will be taking place down at Bayshore Park. The event will feature car parade through downtown Munising to kickoff the event. In conjunction with the Corvette show, Fall Fest will be happening at the Bayshore Park pavilion. This family event will include music, food and activities for the kids. Below is a breakdown of the events.
PICTURED ROCKS “CRUISIN’ ON THE BAY” CORVETTE SHOW Friday, Oct. 9th
Registration & Reception – 5pm-8pm at the Holiday Inn Express
Saturday, Oct. 10th
Corvette Parade – Noon-2pm. Begins at the Munising Community Credit Union and travels west on Superior Street to Elm Avenue. Then the parade will go north on Elm (across M-28) to Bayshore Park.
Corvette Show – 2pm-6pm. The Corvettes will then be on display at the Pictured Rocks Cruises parking lot. Come out and see some beautiful cars!
FALL FEST
Saturday, Oct. 10 – 1pm-6pm
Bayshore Park Pavilion, Munising
The festival will include food from a variety of vendors, live music by Key Players and activities for the whole family.
After our extremely warm weather in September, October is feeling more like a typical U.P. fall. The temperature has been in the 50′s and we’ve had quite a bit of rain in the recent days. (We’ve needed it.) As for the fall colors, it is looking really beautiful! The fall colors are predicted to peak this coming weekend, in the inland areas, and the following week for the areas along the lakeshore. There’s nothing like driving around the Munising area and seeing some beautiful scenery! Check out the Munising waterfalls section for some destination ideas.
Au Sable Light Station on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The weekend forecast is calling for some great, warm weather and it will be a perfect day for “Au Sable Day.” This family-friendly event will be held Saturday, September 19th from 11am-5pm. Hosted by the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – National Park Service, come enjoy some music and learn the history of this beautiful lighthouse. The special activities include:
Guided tours of the keepers quarters and light tower
Lee Murdock maritime musician
Tours of the Au Sable photovoltaic power system
Since the lighthouse is in a secluded area, van transportation will be provided by ALTRAN. Just head to the Hurricane River Campground and they will drive you to the lighthouse. Make sure to bring a camera and enjoy the great weather at this beautiful Lake Superior lighthouse! For more information, call (906) 387-3700.
As for around here, the month of September has been our summer. Because June and July were really cool, we’ve had incredible weather this month and we’re still waiting for it to rain. This is actually the driest start of September on record! With the lack of rain, I think it’s given the trees a bit of a jump-start in turning color. Although the fall color peak is probably a few weeks away, it seems like a lot of the trees have a touch of color at the ends of their leaves. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of the fall colors; it’s always a good one!
Also, mark your calendars to visit Munising October 9th and 10th. A big Corvette car show, in Munising, is in the works and we’ll have more info soon!
