Build ambulance garage in Copper Harbor, MI | Pepsi Refresh Everything

You read about Copper Harbor and the Queen there. Just got a request from Princess Karly the Queen's loyal golden retriever... the folks and dogs there are vying for a Pepsi grant to build an ambulance barn. They certainly would appreciate your vote. Takes a few minutes but, hey, if you are ever in the Keewena and you fall off your bike or break a leg you'll be glad you voted so you won't have to wait 45 minutes for the squad to arrive.


Build ambulance garage in Copper Harbor, MI | Pepsi Refresh Everything

Rain, Fog and Other Stuff

Tomto and I always say we hope the folks along our riding route need the rain because precipitation seems to ride with us on our motorcycling tours. A few years ago on a trip to Everett, WA across US Rt. 2 the rain found us just after we crossed the Mackinac Bridge to the UP and didn't let up until we hit eastern Montana. The rain and mist caused the cancellation of fireworks in Duluth on the 4th of July that year.

This year we seem to have broken the string of wet days. After we left Door County, WI we were dry all the way to Marquette, MI. From Marquette to Copper Harbor we had a few showers but not enough to challenge our GoreTex Aerostitch riding suits. Our stay in Copper Harbor was dry and sunny except for the fog bank and mist that rolled in on our last night there. By morning light the sun had returned and we rode away from the Land of Make Believe with the sun smiling down on us.

However, somewhere between Houghton, MI and Ashland, WI the rain gods found us again. We started looking for a motel in Ashland and finally found one that fit our criteria (cheap, close to food and drink) in Eagle River, WI. The Lumberman Inn also welcomed pets... the owners' standard poodle roamed the halls and the cheerful barks of other canine guests could occasionally be heard. Unfortunately, the "close to food and drink" bar and grill next door was permanently closed and for sale. We had to settle for A&W hot dogs and root beer from down the street. We spent a rainy night at the Lumberman but rode off to Duluth in the dry.

This time our stop at the Rider's Wearhouse in Duluth was dry and undramatic. Last time we had to lay over a day to wait for the Mecca of distance riders to open its doors after a stormy Independence Day weekend. The GPS I'd snitched from Loretta's car when we left Door County led us directly to the store-that-looks-like-a-warehouse in the industrial section of old Duluth. The Wearhouse is not much of a shopping experience, the display area is about the size of a normal family room. The glass cases are haphazardly filled with items from the catalog and the walls are hung with sample tee shirts and other gear riders might want or 'need'. I bought a light weight dry bag and a tee shirt I'd long admired in the catalog... it has a picture of nun smoking a cigarette sitting astride a vintage Montessa motorcycle. The words: "Where there is sin, there I must go". I know, I know, not so funny when I see it here but it struck my funny bone and I had to have it, now I don't know where I can safely wear it.

While we were shopping Tomto struck up a conversation with another customer. As it turns out he is a participant in the famous/infamous Iron Butt Rally held every two years. A kind of uber-scavenger hunt/competitive long distance motorcyle ride thing. This middle-aged ordinary looking guy was telling Tom about hitting a cow during the rally a couple of years ago. He was riding through open range in New Mexico at night and a cow wandered out in front of him and he hit it square in the side. His Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit and his helmet saved him from serious injury but the encounter ended his Iron Butt prize chances for that rally. He says he's still trying to get the cow shit out of his suit.

No more rain until we reach Nipigon, ON. Threatening clouds and showers send us eventually to the Beaver Motel (not cheap, not close to food and drink and the worse possible motel name to phone your wife about).

The town of Nipagon is slightly off Canada route 17 which is the major east-west route through southern Ontario. It has definately seen better times. Lots of closed store fronts. Gritty, weather and time-worn streets. Small groups of teenagers with little to do hanging around the convenience store/Subway near the center of the business district. But, near the center of what was once the main street is Paddle-to-the-Sea Park and Library. The park is dedicated to the 1941 Children's book of the same name. The book tells about a toy canoe called Paddle-to-the Sea built by a First Nation boy near Nipigon. The canoe follows the waters of the Nipigon River to Lake Superior and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. Follow this link for the full story of the park, the book, and the movie: Paddle-to-the Sea

Morning dawns, at least it is time for the sun to come up in Nipigon. It's raining and worse yet visibility is waning... lots of mist and fog. We ride off with only the room-made coffee in our bellies. The next town with a cafe and gas station is Schreiber, ON (Celebrating 125 Years of being a railroad town). We stop for a real breakfast thinking we'll wait out the rain and fog. No such luck, the rain is steady and the fog is getting worse. We finally leave and ride through Terrace Bay which should be the most picturesque part of the Canadian route around Superior. We see nothing in the town. The fog is so thick we only sense the presence of water on one side of the road and perhaps a gas station on the left. It's so foggy we can't stop for fear of being run over by one of the many semis that run this road night and day. We ride for maybe 3 hours with only the painted lines on the road to guide us. Every few minutes headlights of oncoming vehicles pop out of the fog and whiz past, their tail lights disappearing in the rearview mirrors almost immediately. Fortunately we are able to ride at a pace that keeps the trucks at bay, traffic does not stack up behind us at least. At last we arrive on the outskirts of Marathon, ON. On the right is a trifecta oasis: The Airport Travelodge, a gas station/convenience store AND a restaurant with a beer license. It's only 1:30 but they have a clean room and let us register. Cost is no object for this stop but it's no more expensive than last night's minimalist Beaver Motel.

We are out of the rain and fog with wifi and satellite TV.

Dinner at the Harbor Haus

Returning from the source of 41 we stop at the General Store for Bell's Two Hearted Ale and some Keweenaw micro brew to replace the stock in the Doll House fridge. We shower and dress in our cleanest dirty clothes to have a final evening meal in Copper Harbor with Phoebe and Sue. The best restaurant in town is the Harbor Haus, a German themed place with a faux half timbered outside, huge copper clad double entry doors (these doors face the southwest and absorb so much heat from the sun the owners have installed a special cooling device to blow air over the doors) with a sign that warns that the doors may be hot enough to burn fingers. Inside we are warmly greeted by the hostess and bartender and immediately escorted to Phoebe's special table by the large plate glass window on the upper level. As guests of the Queen Tomto and I get the seats facing the harbor. While being seated the bartender has been busy creating the Phoebe-tini for the Queen. This special drink (don't remember all the ingredients but it it is served in a martini glass and the shaker is left on the table). The rest of us order drinks and peruse the extensive menu. In addition to fresh fish entrees there are some German items including beef rouladen with red cabbage and German potato salad. Ican't pass on the
German sides and order a German beer to keep the theme going and to avoid mixing alcohol types since we had a beer on the deck after dressing for dinner.

The food, conversation, and service were great but the show of the evening was the weather. As we ate a fog bank appeared out on Superior and slowly moved from west to east across the harbor vista... quite spectacular in the still brilliant northern evening light.

Monday in Keweenaw

Monday in Keweenaw

Breakfast at the Tamarac... special treatment for the Queen and her court, quick service so P&S can make their meeting. Phoebe and Sue have a 10 o'clock with the Copper Harbor Improvement Association planning for "Thunder in the Harbor" motorcycle rally on the coming weekend. We learn later that Phoebe is charged with soliciting gift certificates from local businesses for the rally raffle. Only the local commercial camp ground fails to donate. Who could deny tribute to the Queen?

Tomto and Dave ride the Brockway Mountain scenic road, We almost turn back after a couple of spectacular turnouts thinking that we must surely have reached the top... but noooo, the summit has a gift shop and great views of Superior with a passing freighter to the west. On a clear day, they say, you can see Isle Royal. To the east and south is a big chunk of Lake Medora. To the north are views of far off Keweenaw Mountain Lodge golf course. The road down the west side of the mountain takes us back again to Eagle Harbor (too fancy for the Queen, but has good dump facilities). South on the coast road (Rt. 26) and eventually to Rt. 41.

Here we decide to look for the birdseye maple outlet we saw featured on the Tamarac place mat. I think I remember it's in Laurium but when we ask in the Laurium lumber store we find it's really a few miles back 41 in Mohawk. In Mohawk we follow signs to a (actually 'the') side street where we find a warehouse building with a small showroom tacked on the front. Inside are an amazing array of birdseye maple object... some art some utilitarian. This business finds and makes things from maple trees that have a genetic defect which creates the characteristic swirls that are the 'birdseyes'. Identifying trees that have the birdseye gene is an art in itself. We learned that sometimes clues in bark pattern are fairly obvious, mimicking patterns in the wood. However, most of the time the bark pattern gives no obvious clue to the untrained eye. The ability to find a birdseye in the wild is a significantly valuable skill. As we learned from Phoebe who is contemplating selling some timber off her 22 acres at Oleanna a birdseye tree can bring as much as $40,000. The wood is used, of course, in making furniture, music boxes and other decorative objects. It is also found in the steering wheels and interior decor of luxuary autos such as Lexus and Jaguar. In the shop were examples of the veneer pealed from birdseye logs... many linear yards of eighth inch thick veneer can be shaved from a single log.

Having spent a non-productive but interesting day touring the Keweenaw south of Copper Harbor we motor back north on 41, through the great tunnel of trees, past the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and Golf Club, right at the only flashing yellow light in Keweenaw county, east to find the source of Route 41. Past the Fort Wilkins campground, past the recreated Fort itself, and in a mile or so we reach a the end of the paved road and a sign that proclaims "The Beginning of US Route 41".

(see post with link to US Route 41 info)

U.S. Route 41 - Wikipedia

Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry that explains the route and termini of US 41. Tomto and Dave visited the beginning terminus east of Copper Harbor, MI. Most of us are familiar with 41 in Florida where snow birds drive too slow.

U.S. Route 41 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Queen of The Keweenaw

In a previous post I may have referred to Phoebe as the  unofficial mayor of Copper Harbor... in retrospect I may have understated her status in the North Country.  Phoebe's influence extends as far south on the peninsula as Calumet where she ruled over the elementary school of 800 students.  As a long time school administrator she has a good handle on what constitutes "best  practices" in teaching and learning and is not shy about encouraging incorporating these practices in classrooms. As in most places and positions many folks believe that the current practices are just fine and that what worked for mom and dad will do OK for the kids.  She has a scrapbook of articles clipped from the local paper attesting to the controversies strirred up by this southerner who dared to challenge the status quo.  She had many supporters in teachers and parents who could see beyond the past and had high hopes for kids of the 21st century but in the end the Queen abdicated that portion of her realm to the citizens who view the future in their rear view mirrors.

Currently she not so much rules but presides over the social and promotional aspects of the upper Keweenaw Peninsula.   In the day and a half Tomto and I spent with Phoebe and her friend Sue we were on a whirlwind tour of area  happenings, restaurants, and bars.  We were regaled with tales of political intrigue, local characters, history and gossip.  One of our first stops was at the Eagle Harbor "Junk Day" where even the mundane discarding of accumulated castoffs is an opportunity to meet and greet the subjects  (or in the case of a township official who has offended the Queen) to ignore the subject.  That tripped to the Queens outpost of Oleanna, her little cabin in the wood on Lake Medora where she is currently doing battle with newcomers who are attempting to bring inside plumbing, electricity, and street lights to  what is, and always should be an area of rustic retreats.

After a  beer and a climb down to the lake to start the gasoline powered pump to refill the elevated water tank we were off the the Delaware Copper Mine that is operated by a subject who runs the closed mine as a tourist attraction.   Back on US 41 we stop by the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, a miniature Yellowstone Lodge look-alike ,  for another beer and a chat with a couple of OSU faculty members who spend their summers golfing and goofing around Copper Harbor.

Dinner a the Mariner where Phoebe is 5 minutes getting to the best table in the house while she chats with several loyal subjects.  More beer.  After dinner we visit Zik's Bar where the Queen once presided as  the bartender.  At Zik's we meet more locals including Brian one of only 5 people in the world who is qualified to repair Fresnel lenses used in light houses.  He just got back from working on the Bald Head light in NC where, on an island of only golf cart transportation, his cart was towed because it was too shabby.

  Ross told of how his grandparents played host to the crew of a grounded freighter while they waited for the lake to freeze so the cargo of hundreds of 1927 Chryslers could be offloaded and driven across the ice.  They were paid $18 for their trouble.

There are only 72 full time residents of Copper Harbor but apparently thousands of stories. After a frothy nightcap we retire to the Land of Make Believe, the Doll House and a good nights rest.

Looks like it will take another post to finish Copper Harbor.

Catching up... Copper Harbor & Keweenaw

Still catching up.  Dateline Iron River, WI Wednesday July 21.

Tomto & I left Ann & Fred's around 10 on Sunday.  Stopped as mentioned before at Kavela's for a pasty and rode on to Copper Harbor.  US 41 which begins life at the  tip of the Keweenaw and eventually mkes its way to Florida where it is most famous for its slow-driving snow birds leads us directly to  the only flashing yessow traffic light in Keweenw county.  Left turn at the light, a hundred yards on the left: The Land of Make Believe.

But the road to get there, young US 41!  Pretty uneventful for the first 30 or so miles.  Tiny villages that appear to be "rode hard and put away wet", lots of old cars and abandoned buildings, here and there evidence of the once flourishing copper mining that loaned its temporary glitter to the peninsula.  The largest town, Calumet, has a nice old 19th century  high school right on 41, it's  now renovated and integrated with more modern mile and elementary schools.  The whole connected complex is joined to a wood burning, smoke stacked plant that provides heat for all the buildings.  Down town Calumet has recent been redone with the help of federal grants... restored store fronts, new/old brick streets, standardized 'olde' signage.   some charm but with a sense of resignation to the inevitable: Almost a Ghost Town.

Ah but the last ten or 15 miles!  My most vivid memories of my last visit to Copper Harbor are of that road.  It's a tunnel of trees and when the sun is shining (and it was each time we traversed that section) the road is dappled with lacy shadow and light that is mesmerizing.  It's the highway itself that is the view, not vistas or grand buildings (there virtually none), only a brief glimpse of Lake Medora's shore and a short run along the stone fences of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge golf course.  Tomto and I have ridden the infamous "Tail of the Dragon" in North Carolina...300+ turn in 11 miles or something like that.  Sports car drivers and go-fast bikers come from all over to ride that road which is littered with car and bike parts of over-enthusiastic drivers.  The approach to Copper Harbor, while not quite as twisty is more beautiful and certainly more serene than the Dragon.  Still, the thrill of negotiating the gentle curves and dips gives one a sense of being one with the machine.  All-in-all a more zen-like and satisfying experience for old guys.

More to follow about our visit in the Land of Make Believe and our hosts Phoebe and Sue.

Door County to Copper Harbor and Beyond

Coming to you from beautiful Iron River, WI this post will be brief because we've been on the road today and suffered through rain and heat.  Plus I'm typing on the tiny XO keyboard that makes me crazy.  Tomto and Chemo had a great stay in Marquette with Ann and Fred... got to see all their toys and collections, even sailed on the 40+ year old Dutch sail boat in Marquette Harbor.  In addition to their vehicle collection (power, sail boats; Cesnna 172, Buel and Ural Motorcycles fred is restoring a classic Triumph MC and a rare Honda trials bike.  Ann's  collection of Native American artifacts would send our friend Jack's had spinning... everything from porkupine quill baskets to some really nice kachina dolls.

Our overnight stay included grilled fresh Lake Superior whitfish, homemade blueberry pie, a tour of the city and Northern Michigan campus as well as great conversation and accomodations.  It was great to see Ann and Fred again, especially in their home environment.
Sunday it was on to Copper Harbor with aa brief stop in Hancock for a past at Kevala's Cafe.

More to follow.

Tom & Dave's Excellent Adventures - No Country for Old Men Tour

Here's a link to the website that chronicles old guys doing mildly adventurous things. I'll be adding docs and pics from previous trips as time goes by.

Tom & Dave's Excellent Adventures

Some educators question if whiteboards, other high-tech tools raise achievement

Food for thought. I know many of you have Smart Boards, here's a piece that asks some probing questions. For one, "Do whiteboards just allow teachers to teach in the old way with a new device (is the Smart Board just a glorified chalkboard)?" Good question, I think. One measure of change might be to determine if kids are finding ways to use the whiteboards to teach the teacher or other students. What do you think, Smart Board users?

Some educators question if whiteboards, other high-tech tools raise achievement

Wayne's Day | The Forum for Education and Democracy

Many of you have mentioned the pressures of preparing kids to take high stakes exams that are foisted on schools and teachers by No Child Left Behind legislation and other misguided efforts to improve education by testing and punishing schools who can't raise test scores. The author of this article is George Wood who 15 or so years ago was a professor of Education Administration at Ohio University. He was teaching his students how to become public school administrators and decided he did not have the experience to teach others how to run schools in these difficult times. He took a leave from his higher education position and became the principal of Federal Hocking High School. He still has that job as well as being the executive of "The Forum for Education and Democracy". I know George, he is an authentic, "what's-best-for-the-student" educator. Hear what he has to say about high stakes testing and pass it on to everyone who will listen.

Wayne's Day | The Forum for Education and Democracy

Wikispaces - Tours

When instructional time is limited choices have to be made about what to include and what to leave for the next time. Wikis were a casualty of EDUC 675 2010 planning. Several of you have mentioned wikis in your writing and so I've posted a link here to get you started if you are interested. Once you complete the introductory tour you'll find more videos on adding features to your wiki. EDUC 675 2011 will most likely include a wiki project... just have to figure out how to make room for it. Any ideas what to change to make Wikispace? ;-)

Wikispaces - Tours

Education And The Future of Technology

We've all seen similar videos but this one is a bit more professionally done. Would be a great intro to a discussion on why more technology and Web 2.0 tools in school. Perhaps even a discussion on the topic of a total overhaul of how schooling is done. Creativity, collaboration, and problem solving are the skills that will allow our kids to survive in the world we cannot know.

Education And The Future of Technology

The Bear - Film by Jean-Jacques Annaud

If you ever need a story starter... regardless of your grade level, here's a great one. Might be scary for younger kids but I think they would love to re-tell the tale in their own words. What do you think?

The Bear - Film by Jean-Jacques Annaud

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

Most of you have heard Sir Ken Robinson's 2006 TED talk on education and creativity. Here's his latest. I don't know how it will come about but his vision of personalized education is certainly one to which I subscribe. Perhaps technology and a new generation of educators (you all) will bring it about.

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

Internet4Classrooms - Helping Students, Teachers and Parents Use the Internet Effectively

Christine Allen posted a link to this site on her Blog... I took a quick look and found it very useful for a wide variety of teachers. Take a look and let Christine know what you think(callen43@wowway.com).

Internet4Classrooms - Helping Students, Teachers and Parents Use the Internet Effectively

Filters: If not me, then who?

I just re-read a post from one of our classmates complaining about the lack of "flash" software on school computers which essentially blocks the use of ANIMOTO.  The overzealous use of filtering is a fairly common problem for teachers.   Here is what I suggested to our classmate:

I read this post earlier and missed the opportunity to express my opinion that teachers need to be proactive with the people who control school information technology departments. Find out who is in control and build a case for less restrictive filtering. Use Animoto as an example of good things that are being excluded. Do a demo, get an exception for one class if necessary.

May 17, 2010 8:12 AM

To paraphrase Hillel, "If not me, then who?  If not now, then when?"

Simple Techniques Can Make You A Great Teacher : NPR

Not exactly Web 2.0 stuff but it's about teaching and that's what we do. NPR often has good education segments. I think the book featured here is a starting place for a spirited discussion about what makes a great teacher. See if you agree.


Simple Techniques Can Make You A Great Teacher : NPR

Leonard Waks on "The Web 2.0 Educational Revolution: Are We There Yet?"

Jill Yonchak put this link on her blog... I'm re-posting it here hoping to reach more of you. Leonard Waks is posing some provocative ideas about the future of teaching and learning. If you haven't tapped into a live online interview this would be a good time to start. Just follow the links at the appointed time. At the very least, read the description of the interview on the Web 2.0 web site

Steve Hargadon: Leonard Waks on "The Web 2.0 Educational Revolution: Are We There Yet?"

Interview with John Taylor Gatto

Too late to catch the live interview but I believe you can listen to the recorded stream. If nothing else read the quote from John Taylor Gatto in this piece, lots to think about here. Also, note the title of his second book: "Weapons of Mass Instruction". Sounds like a good read.


Steve Hargadon: Live Interview Tonight with John Taylor Gatto, Critic of Compulsory Schooling