Robert Wetton has a wealth of old photos he has collected over the years, and has frequently shared with us over the years. The old Dreamland motel out on Bootjack Road apparently has always had that stately wrap-around porch.

I seem to recall a shot somewhere back in the archives from inside. Hmmm...

Always great photos, thanks Robert.

Charlie: What are the black flies like? We are just down the road a piece from you and thinking about coming up next week. When we were last up, the black flies were just coming out. Thanks

The month of May was the best I have ever seen with the black flies, because it was so cool. But unfortunately that may mean there is a pent-up supply, just ready to attack. They certainly did a number on us yesterday up on Brockway Mountain, where we are completing the relay point for the high-speed wireless Internet feed to Copper Harbor. I had to wear my trusty bug jacket.

Dreamland still looks pretty much the same. I have had some good meals there!

Just loked at the tech motion screen of the old mining buildings.There are people there and some sort of vehicle.Can anyone tell what it is?

It looks like constuction equipment-possibly a grader?

Sorry Charlie don't you mean Dreamland {H}otel

Seems my mother told of traveling to Dreamland for a 50th wedding anniversary, possibly her grandparents. Mom graduated LLHS in '29 so it would have been sometime before then.

Is that the Sarazins on the front porch?

I have a question about the "black flies". Does the term refer to what we in Oscoda County used to call "sand flies", those tiny demons that flew into your ears and eyes, and chewed bloody holes in your forehead? Or does it refer to the big house flies which drive us crazy in August when we try to walk along the shore of Lake Superior? Whatever . . . either one is preferable to the monster deer flies we've encountered around Sable Falls near Grand Marais. May June be as fly-free as May for all of you.

The black flies, from this time of year, are very tiny black flying insects that do take a chunk out of you. It is painful and bleeds and leaves a sore lump the size of a jelly bean. Also know as no-see-ums. I gardened today for a few hours and have the lumps to prove it.
The huge flesh eating flies come later. LOL

Great picture! Brings back great memories of staying at Dreamland at various times over the years and of great meals eaten there. Caught a lot of fish standing on that big ol' dock across the road from the "hotel".

This is how I define the two flies:

black flies - small insects about the size of fruit fly that take a bite out of your flesh about the size of a needle eye. The bite itches almost immediately. Then, the skin welts about the size of a silver dollar for days.

horse flies - LARGE flies about the size of a child's thumb that love to land on you at the beach. They are esp. attracted to wet skin and rip out a hunk of flesh too with a stinging sensation.

And this is only the north woods. Can you imagine what insects in the jungle do?

I have had many good dinners at the Dreamland Hotel. Do they still have their Friday night fish fry?
It is a beautiful day here in San Jose today. The temperature is comfortable, the soft breezes are wafting, murmuring, whispering, sighing through the trees carrying the scent of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and roses. Ahhhh, I think the fairies are truly casting a spell as I sit here on my patio and daydream, and watch people play golf, and someone is out there yelling "Fffooouuurrr". :)

camwatcher- black flies are black flies. Noseeums are smaller and can move thru house screens. They plague you at night when you have a light on near an open window. The bite stings/burns. Black flies normally don't move indoors to bite unless they had already started.

One of the things I love most about Keweenaw is how it is untouched and still has those old buildings with charm and character!

Took LP'ers to Dreamland and they still talk about it. We just had a couple of beers on the way to Jacobsville, but they thought it was part of some Hollywood set. I quit taking LP'ers anywhere north of Marquette.........

Speaking of remembrance: Ronald Wilson Reagan, 1911 - 2004. The "Great Communicator" has left us. God bless the family and this country.

Does anyone know more about the Sarazin's that are associated with the Dreamland? My husband's family is related to them and I would love to know more.

Love those old pix, RCW. By the way, how fast was that moose going when he hit the wall? :>)

How about those Pistons?? Have had a couple of bad experiences with "black flies" on fly in fishing trips in Canada.

yuck. i hate those black flies. remember those army worms we had a while back? those were sick. i was in copper harbor yesterday and was attacked by the flies. only i was being attacked and we all had equal amounts of bud dope on.

To oh..michigan: Where did you go to school?

Ken: Ya got me on that one????

I think the black flys we are talking about are the mutant large house fly like flys the DNR introduced a few years back? They dont bite but swarm by the thousands but are only around for a few weeks. If I remember they were going to help take care of the caterpillers or was it the lady bugs?

Dad, love those pictures of Bootjack, keep them coming!!