Mister Taka Aoki gets our feet wet in the melting snows of Keweenaw. One email yesterday from back home mentioned load limits are in force, which means thawing causes pavement to heave and soften, so big trucks have to postpone their travel on any side roads.

Meanwhile traveling out here in the sunny southwest, took a side-trip to Sandia (not to be confused with 'Skandia', which is near Marquette). You can take a little virtual tour yourself at www.sandiapeak.com. You may have to download the QuickTime plug-in.

Good night from New Mexico and good morning from da U.P. trip notes

Hi Toivo.....Albuquerque was my home for a year... If I remember correctly the nights could really be cold this time of year.....Loved the Sandia mountains...are you heading out on Route 66??? I was there a while back for the Hot-Air Balloon Festival...absolutly Beautifu!!!! It is so interesting and I think it is about this time of year....sure worth waiting for if it is coming pretty soon. It is so exiting....and super people involved in this sport!!

Toivo: We had some friends that attended the Hot-Air Balloon Festival and showed pictures. Awesome!

Does anyone know when the smelt will be running? I have an 8 and a 9 year old that would love to attempt it this year. I brought my son last year and he decided it was better to "catch" the smelt with his hands, rather than the net. But the weather has been so crazy, that I dont know when it would be a good time to bring them out smelting this year..any help would be great. Thanks!

Back in 1974, I participated in the Sandia Crest Hill Climb. Those switchbacks to get to the top on a 10 speed bicycle were quite memorable as was the view of the west from the promontory point. Old Albuquerque can cook some mean enchiladas with a couple of fried eggs on top you will not forget either. Toivo have a safe and fun trip. My home town is El Paso, Texas.
Regards,
Donn

Hey Toivo,

I don't know of any pasty shops in New Mexico or Texas, but you might want to try a chimichanga. My dad, who generally does not like mexican food, calls chimichangas "Mexican Pasties;" he would pick them up regularly from a little chimichanga shop in Tucson. Some folks like them "smothered" in all sorts of sauces-- primarily chili-- but they're just fine plain. Maybe some "Secret Pasty Sauce" would do them good too!

Hey, welcome to the land of enchantment! I've been out here for 9 years and have loved it. Im about 100 miles west of Albuquerque. I really don't miss those UP winters. The reason the New Mexico plates have USA written on them is so people know New Mexico is part of the United States. Enjoy the sunshine!

Hej Toivo,

Not to be confused with "Scandia" either, which is a few miles north of the Twin Cities and and was home to many Swedish settlers.

I envy you your trip. Over the years, I have traveled in a lot of places in the U.S. & Canada but have never taken such an extensive trip as you are taking now. I'm sure that it is very educational and enlightning as well as entertaining which can be seen by your reports. It'll literally change your life. Maybe I'll use your log and follow in your footsteps someday.

BTW, my order of three kinds of Trenary Toast is on its way to my home from the THB as we speak (type).

Enjoy and stay safe.

Beautiful photos of the Gratiot River!!
It's great to see that the 'big thaw' is right around the corner, bringing the streams and rivers alive.
Spring is always a welcome sight to yoopers.

Sure, if you like your pasties deep fried in
grease and filled with meat, beans, rice, and
cheese, then, ya sure you betcha, you got a
southwest pastie. Personally, I would never defile
the name pasty by comparing it to a
chimichanga....whatsamattafoyou? Chimichangas
don't have rutabagas!! (They can be really
delicious tho'!!)

Actually, Kate, I think there are as many recipies for chimichangas as there are for pasties. The first chimis I had were shredded beef and potato, no rice, beans or cheese. In fact, I don't think I've ever had a chimi with beans or cheese INSIDE. Greasiness depends on the quality of the meat, and the cook, IMHO.

Pasty shops in NM? Well, actually, there used to be one here in Las Cruces - J. W. Flowers restaurant and bakery. It was run by the former owners of the Hilltop in L'anse. On certain days they would serve pasties (frozen and heated, not fresh). I don't think they sold many though - they weren't on the menu. But they were a taste of home. The restaurant has since changed it's name and possibly owners, and I haven't been in there since, so I don't know if pasties are still available.

Pasties are sold in Texas. A couple formerly from Lake Linden or Calumet I heard sells pasties. I know their name but not the city. Aw!

Does anybody know of any place to buy pasties in the Denver area? Another tasty treat I miss is saffron bread!

BUSH PASTIES--Same thing and no crust to get heartburn from diced potatoes,onions,carrots,rutabaga,pasty meat= course ground pork and beef-wrap in greased tin foil--bake in oven or over grill outside an let your neighbors droul at the wonderful aroma

Changed my wallpaper to Taka's top photo, but sure am waiting for something more springlike; robins in snow and snow-covered riverbanks just don't do it. And since we still have about three inches on the ground here, looking out the window doesn't do it either. But at least I have power!

Bush pasties were always the second to last day treat at the Copper Country Camp Fire Girl day camp back in the 1960s. We girls and our leaders met down at Buckie's, now Calumet Township Waterworks Park. Bucky still had his little concession stand then. We had nature hikes and made crafts for a week and learned about the great Gitchee Gumee. On the Thursday, we got to make our own bush pasties, which cooked on the hot grills. I'm sure the moms who helped out had their hands full with the pre- and post-cooking mess, but we sure had fun -- and a great lunch!

Pine Street Boy, you're making me hungry. Those are great on the grill. Camp Pasties. Is that Pine Street, Negaunee?

I seem to remember a link on the pasty web detailing the requirements(size, format) for a photo submitted to pastycam. Can someone post it or list the requirements, again??

Let the snow melt so the rivers flow!
Time to get out the kayaks.

Indeed, let the snow melt, the rivers run, the steelhead come in, and the fishing rods come out!! Tis the season for spring fishing, a finer time of year does not subsist.

Wheatman

Hey, Proud Yooper - MI, I think I know who you are talking about regarding pasties in Texas. Would it be Acyne & Jim? If so, I think they live in Arlington, TX. I believe the shop is called "Aimie's (sp) Pasties". Awaiting your reply.

Debi - Yeah, Jim and Acyne Yrjana. I don't know where they live in TX or the shop's name, but it would be good if someone can give us the correct info IF yours isn't correct. Nuttin' like drummin' up some business for our fellow yoopers. I know someone had one of their pasties and said they were goooooood! Thanks, Debi.

Is the ice out of Portage Canal bewteen Houghton and Hancock or are we seeing water on top of the ice in the bridge cam?

I would definitely be interested in finding out the specifics of the TX pasty shop. I live in the Dallas area (not far from Arlington) and would sure be willing to drive a few miles for a pasty!

Toivo,
Welcome to the Lone Star State. Be sure to look for our state flower - the bluebonnet. The bluebonnets are blooming now, and this looks to be a good year for wildflowers. I'll post a picture of them, if someone will tell me how to do it.

I looked in the Greater Dallas phone book and found Ammi's Pasty's. I spoke with Acyne who was a very nice lady. I believe she said Ammi is Finnish for grandmother. (I don't remember that year of Finnish that I took at Suomi too well!)

For anyone in the DFW area: they are located at 1511 S. Bowen Rd. in Arlington. They are open until 7pm on week nights and until 6pm on Saturdays. The phone number is 817-299-8177.

Thanks Proud Yooper and Debi for mentioning it.

Note to Charlie: I love this web-site and I have ordered pasties from Still Waters in the past and I am sure that I will again. I apologize if I have crossed the line of good taste (no pun intended) by listing another pasty store.

Robert, I'll liken them to chimichangas as soon as
they start puttin' in the rutabagas! I agree with
you tho', they come in lots of varieties and
sometimes are quite good.

Sorry to tease you Hungry in Co but I happened
to take our last half loaf of saffron bread that Mom brought down from South Range. Think the only
way to get some is to make it as I hav`nt seen it
comercially sold. Anybody know of any? A little
butter and a glass of milk YUM!

I've seen saffron bread at the Jubilee Store in Negaunee. They bake it there. Gooood stuff!

PSmith SCarolina......there is some water under the bridge but most of the canal between Houghton and Hancock is ice...on our last windy day the canal seemed to break up but now seems to be mostly ice....yet it is NOT safe ice and no one should try and go on it....was 67 degrees here in Houghton today according to one bank themometer and sunny...what a glorious day it was...I drove M26 from Dollar Bay to Hancock around 8:30 this evening and the sun was sooo big and yellow and reflecting off the various windows at Michigan Tech....what a site.
Spring is coming to the Keweenaw!

Joy, Dallas - Thanks for providing the actual name and address for the pasty shop in Arlington, TX. Robert from CO in his post said he didn't know of any pasty shop in New Mexico or Texas and I recalled that there was one in TX. We are just helping out Toivo if he is craving a pasty in his travels. Otherwise, Still Waters pasties are the ones to order if you are at home. Thanks again Joy and Debi. Debi put you on the right track.

There are Tiensivu people in Albuquerque, so I assume there has to be a few Pasties lying around! :)

Toni's pasty shop in Laurium bakes saffron bread and buns.

The Gratiot, reminds me of many days fishing for speckled trout along those banks.

The ice in Bootjack area (Portage Lake) would usually pull out the first week in May, but then come back with a fury in big chuncks with winds off the "Big Lake"..We lost two docks in the 55 yrs we had our family camp...every spring we would hold our breath till we checked the dock..the docks were very sturdy cribs filled with huge boulders.....

Hey, Proud Yooper, are you from the Calumet area? It just says MI. Acyne is my cousin. (My mother and her mother--now deceased--were sisters.) Waiting for a reply.

Debi - No, not the Calumet area. You're gettin' close tho. Hehee! I like suspense. Let's just say I am related on Jim's side of the family.

Debi, I thought I posted a reply earlier. Maybe didn't click submit or now I will get two replies showing. No, I am not from the Calumet area, but not far from it. I like a little suspense in life.

I'm always double posting because my reply doesn't show even two hours later! I know I'm slow, but this is ridiculous that my puter is taking on some of my traits.

What a beautiful picture!!! Kudos to the photographer!!!

Yooper--I bet you're from Lake Linden??

Taka, More incredibly beautiful pictures. How can you leave us?