Lake Superior Grand Marais Sunset

Sorry I have not had time to post a blog update these past few days.  Between teaching classes, power outages, and other tasks -- there just has not been time.  This is the last week of summer hours, however, so I'll have more time starting next week to go on hikes, take photos, and post blog updates.  There is still a lot of work to do, but I am going to try to do a better job of getting out to get exercise.

During the summer months Grand Marais, MI has one of the best angles along the shoreline to get terrific sunset pictures.  I've seen several what looked like great sunsets from my house, located three miles from town.  The other night I decided to jump in the car at the last minute to drive over to First Creek and get some sunset photos.

Going down the steps at First Creek, located just west of Woodland Park in Grand Marais.

I arrived at the beach just in time...

A family out for a stroll at sunset...

The driftwood sculpture is still standing...

Sunset reflection on the water...

Looking east from First Creek toward the people in front of the boardwalk enjoying a pleasant evening.

Sunset after glow...

Looking west...

Orange red berries on a tree at the parking lot...

Last night, Jamey and Lois came over for a quick visit.  Our intention was to go on a little hike, but there were storm cells in the area -- with lots of lightning.  The storms continued off and on all night until 4:00 in the morning when all hell seemed to break loose.  I have not seen that much lightning -- maybe never.  Some of the town lost power plus there was some tree damage.  A couple that drove H58 from Munising said that along the shoreline at Sullivan's Landing (the overlook between the Hurricane River and Twelve Mile Beach), they said there were 50 or 60  trees down.  Crews were on site trying to clean up the mess.  What a storm.

Before it really cranked up, I took the following shots of the Cumulonimbus clouds.  a dense towering vertical cloud associated with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability, forming from water vapor carried by powerful upward air currents. Cumulonimbus may form alone, in clusters, or along cold front squall lines. They are capable of producing lightning and other dangerous severe weather, such as gusts, hail, and occasional tornadoes.