Hope everyone is staying warm now that the snows are here. Does anyone know if the Norway Spring has closed for the season?

Found in the backwoods on state land. "Woodland, No. 8-6-F"

https://preview.redd.it/e5r3sfq93cyd1.png?width=1179&format=png&auto=webp&s=d3810c9f76cc81d949be87fe1f8d89c86ccd10cb

Alright guys, I have a very bizarre situation that I need some help with. In two weeks, my GF and I are popping up to the UP from the south side of Chicago. This is my second time and i believe this will be her 3rd time visiting.

It's for our anniversary, and she really wants to visit Pictured Rocks, since we didn't go last time. However, she said that there is some sort of entrance road going into the park that is apparently very rugged.

This presents a problem, since the only vehicles I have access to are my 2000 Mazda Miata and my 2017 Mazda 3, the latter of which has been lowered by 2 inches. Now, I've driven both through the Appalachians multiple times, have camped out of the Miata, and have taken the Mazda 3 (which also gets me through Chicago winters) to multiple state parks, so i'm used to getting both of my vehicles up rugged, unpaved paths.

My GF has mentioned a few times that this entrance road is extremely difficult to drive on, implying that it is essentially impassable without an SUV. Is this something I should be worried about? Should I try borrowing a friend's 4x4? Is there another way into the park?

Thank you in advance, any insight is appreciated. Have you done it in your ill-suited vehicle?

I wonder if my brother will see this, he took this great picture last week

Since the most recent pics of the NL, have been purple, I thought I would attempt at recreating them. I’m new to painting with a paintbrush, I usually use a spray paint can! 📷

Heya! Did anyone that lives around ironwood go trick or treating last year? We had an infant and It snowed so we just went to the Halloween shindig at the lahti building, I'm just wondering where would be a good area to go trick or treating?

So this photo(although partialy blown out) Shows what happens when these critters sense danger they get stiff to match the reeds.. It works pretty well.. In this photo the AI couldn't identify the subject without including large portions of the reeds too.. its pretty neat.

Ok, I’ll start…. Lord Huron especially the album Lonesome Dreams

Is it still gonna be worth it next weekend to visit for the leaves? Idk how fast the leaves take to change/fall (I’ve seen those maps showing peak by the regions and it seems like it’ll be past the peak by then but I don’t mind if it’s still worth seeing even if it’s not the peak)

Hey yoopers! Looking to move to the UP here, getting ready to have kids, and I want them to have a childhood like the one that I had... any suggestions for small towns where there's a culture of kids playing out unsupervised? Thanks!

Just wanted to share information on a fantastic event happening at the Bonifas Arts Center in Escanaba. https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/the-bonifas-arts-center~highline-and-the-community-foundation-present-night-of-magic-and-wizardry-2024?tab_5261=id%3A19833

Apparently a rare catch. My wife spotted this one and i then spent 30+ minutes photographing it. They do get stiff and try to blend into the reeds i have a few shots i will post of that later. After about 15 minutes this one got comfy with me being there and resumed hunting.. Eventually getting a few small fish. This was at the Seney Wildlife Refuge. Most of my photos of the UP are from there as its literally my absolute happy place.

Hello! My girlfriend and I are visiting the UP next weekend, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a Photographer I could hire to take some photos of us, as I plan to purpose to her? Preferably someone with an online portfolio I can look at beforehand. I know it's kinda late notice and a long shot, however I thought I'd post and see! Feel free to DM me if you or someone you know might be available.

Edit: Ideally near Mackinaw, or Pictured Rocks.

My happy place in the UP

Miners Park is a beautiful piece of land with a rich and cherished history.  Located at the heart of Ironwood MI, this park is named in remembrance of those who worked in the iron ore industry which brought life to the region.  This park is an impressive165 acres of non-motorized hiking, running, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing trails.  Many of which are named after the mining companies that worked the area, such as the Aurora, Norrie, and Pabst.  The city of Ironwood passed a resolution creating the park in July of 2010, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Miner Memorial Heritage Park.  This group not only helped to get the park created, but they also raised funds to work, maintain, and improve the park.  Besides keeping the trails clear of debris they have added a butterfly sighting/reporting station within the park. They also keep and maintain examples of mining equipment, such as a model of a mining headframe, and interpretive signs explaining the mines, how they functioned, and the lives of those who worked them, making the park something akin to an outdoor museum. As an added plus, at least for those who live in the areas around the park, the park works as a junction point for many neighborhoods to connect to other parts of the city.  The park is also host to community events, for example “Art in the Park.” which showcases art from many local artists and set them up along the main trail with information plaques on the artist and their inspirations. The park has also hosted dance groups from local Native American tribes. I would say this is an amazing city park. Sure, it is not a traditional city park with equipment, playgrounds, and grills with tables. However, it provides something I feel we need more of in our modern society, a short break from all the distractions of technology.  Getting us back in touch with the natural world and honoring those that came before us. 

I’m hunting for small walleye lakes in the UP and come across these. Are they just flooding areas? Swampy areas? Do people fish these things or are they no mans land?

My partner and I are staying in Ishpeming this weekend. Right around 8:45 what sounded like a tornado siren went off for a few minutes and then stopped. There isn’t any sign of severe weather and it seems like an unusual time to be testing one of these. Any idea what’s going on?