UP Vacation and a Revisit to the Porkies

It's been two years since I have made it back up to the Upper Peninsula, or taken a week of vacation for that matter.  this was the trip I've been needing.  It's a bit of a trek to do alone and I feel very fortunate to have been invited up to the UP Beerfest in Marquette with Isaac.

We visted the brewing site of Blackrocks Brewery 

(any beer they put lavender into is my favoite!)

Isaac and his dad.

I agree with this statement, I feel this way about my artwork.

The Cabin, handbuilt, lots of stories here.

I finally understand Saunas....I wonder if the city would notice if I built one...

Ore dock behind us walking into Beerfest.

Lansing represents! Found Lisa amongst the rain and 5,000 people

Rainbow over Marquette

Then more rain.

This is me being sad that my favorite bead store in Marquette has closed (building behind me)

Blackrocks

Isaac cliff-jumping...maybe next year for me.

He's a bit drier by this photo.

It was an extra trek, but I really wanted to get back to the Pocupine Mountains (and Isaac had never been).  I found out that you can't book the rustic camping sites over by Dan's cabin online or over the phone, so I booked it over there to get our camping site.

The waterfall outside Dan's Cabin (the cabin I lived in for the Porkies Residency in 2014) 

Dan's Cabin

I also had to book it over to the Porkies to see my weaving hanging in the Porkies Visitor's Center

This guy is great.

Lake of the Clouds, it's the first I've seen it grey.

Ahhh, the amazing bark up here

Lake Superior Beach 

On the way home we visited Kitch-iti-kipi Spring, the boat allows you to see straight to the bottom and allll the huge fish. 

Cut River Bridge and the hike down is absolutly worth the stop.

And the sunset at Cut River

It was really hard to leave this time, Eventually I'll stay.

Artist Residency in the Porcupine Mountains: Part 3

My second week at the Porkies began quite rainy and overcast.

You couldn't see Lake of the Clouds, because, well, it as in a cloud, so I hiked down to the lake:

Lake Superior was quite tumultuous.

But there was still lots to see, especially close-up.

This scenic outlook...still foggy.

I loved the way the fog was sitting in the forest.

Preque Isle was not foggy, definitely easy to hike and see lots!

Lake Superior Sunrise.

Lake of the Clouds later in the week once it cleared up.

As I was packing up to head home, it was still dark and tripped over this little guy.  I took it as nature making sure to see me off!

Artist Residency at the Porcupine Mountains: Part 2

I'm just posting some photos in chronological order at this point....

Bear den program (that's a black bear skull).

Tapestry Weaving progress.

Black bear eating leftovers at Konteka.

Trappers Falls

It was rainy yesterday so I took the opportunity to go to Calumet. I love the Paige Ward Gallery there. Paige invited me to show my work....we'll see what I can do after we get back from Japan.

Lake Superior sunset last night.

Front side of my weaving (you can start to see the transparencies)

Back side this morning... 3.75 inches done.

My shelf of insect repellent...the middle one has the DEET...and it actually works!