Gitchi-Gami

Notes from the north shore:

So hard to capture the overall uproar of the lake with my camera; an older iPhone.

Gitchi-gami, the Ojibwe word for big lake, was tumultuous when we arrived at the cabin a couple of days ago. I told my husband that if we don’t have sunshine this is second best: to see, and hear, the huge (5-6 foot) waves crash to shore…it truly is a sight to see. We were safe in the cabin…protected from the wind and rain, but I opened a window to let the sounds in. The waves were so big and wild that they erased our shoreline and covered the fire pit on the rocks where we build a campfire…but I still saw a seagull flying by and a hummingbird feeding at the feeder outside the window. The waves continued to crash to shore…all day and all night…

After dark our son and his wife and five month old baby arrived.

…In the morning it was still cloudy and rainy but the lake had calmed down. It is always majestic, a wonder, and beautiful. We stayed indoors most of the morning. When the rain let up we took a walk to Temperance River on the Gitchi-Gami bike trail which has access near the cabin. But most of the day we were paying attention to our beautiful five-month old granddaughter, another wonder and joy to watch!

The sun higher on the horizon, over the clouds. The lake is calm.

…The next morning a thick cloud covered the horizon where the sun rises over Lake Superior…I’ve seen the sun rise multiple times over the years so I know the spot where it comes up. I set my alarm to get up in time, pour a cup of coffee and then wait with my camera (iPhone) ready. I have managed to take several beautiful pictures of the sun rising over the big lake through the years. This morning my camera is close at hand, ready to take photos knowing clouds can sometimes add a beautiful dimension to pictures if the sun peaks through (and sometimes not so great – sigh). Overhead I see blue skies…it’s going to be another great day on the north shore. I wonder what the day will bring…

Sunrise Sunset

Sunrise over Lake Superior with seagulls

“What would you pay to see you the sun rise or the sun set if it were not free entertainment?”

I don’t remember where I heard this quote years ago but I have never forgotten it. (I have not found a source to credit.)

I have quoted this quote or thought it many times over the years…whenever I see a sunset or sunrise, or see photos of them, or when someone talks or writes about them, but also when I am out enjoying nature…for free!

I love to be in nature…I love to be outside…and I find a lot of free entertainment in outdoor spaces.

I remember a time when the boys were young and we were vacation waiting for a train and the wait was going to be long. I noticed a pond nearby so we went and sat near it and watched some ducks floating around, playing together. The ducks were fun to watch and I remember telling the boys one can always find great entertainment watching birds or animals, and observing nature.​

Audrey Helbling’s Minnesota Prairie Roots blog on sunrises and sunsets prompted me to think of the quote recently. Read her beautiful  poem entitled “Writing poetry as the sun rises” here.

 

 

 

Everyday Miracle

Over the horizon
Over the horizon

Just captured another beautiful sunrise this morning…it’s going to be another beautiful day on the north shore!

It’s so amazing…there is just a pinprick of light and then POP…the sun is almost above the horizon line before getting a snapshot…it’s a miracle everyday…so blessed to see it rise, so blessed to see it rise over (and over and over) Lake Superior…so amazed at the beauty and the miracle…Thank you Lord.

Sunsets

 

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“What would you pay to see the sunrise or the sunset if it were not free entertainment?” I heard this saying many years ago but it comes to mind often when I see a sunrise or sunset. I praise the Lord for these free gifts of beauty and “entertainment”.

This sunset photo was taken in the Fjord-du-Saguenay area, northeast of Quebec City where we stayed for three nights on our Quebec vacation.