Autumn in the Upper Peninsula

We are now well into the month of October which means cold weather is on the horizon. In fact, our moderate temperatures and sunny skies are definitely numbered; and those of us living in the Upper Peninsula know that it's time to enjoy these days. Because we more than likely won't be seeing temperatures above 50 degrees until at least April. And many folks across the U.P. are getting prepared for the upcoming winter season. I know of people that are getting together enough firewood to last the entire cold weather season. Some individuals have wood stoves in their basements that they keep heated throughout the winter. Others have wood furnaces that are kept outside of the house but in which the heated is piped to the house. And let me tell you, those wood furnaces really do work in keeping a house warm in the middle of a good old fashioned U.P. winter! But they key to that is having enough firewood on hand to make it through. You just never know how long the winter will actually be until it's here.

This is also the time of the year where the farmers are beginning to cut down their corn crops. And I think I'm safe to assume that this year's corn crop was excellent, due to the warm and humid temperatures throughout much of the summer season. If you were to criss-cross the U.P. within the next few days, I am sure it'd be pretty easy to spot a farmer out on his tractor harvesting the corn. As for those that grew pumpkins in the U.P. this season, it sounds as if that particular crop wasn't as spectacular because of the ample amount of rainfall we received within the last few months - particularly September. The pumpkin crop is much less ample and the pumpkins themselves are either small, mishapened, and green. That's not to say that you couldn't find the perfect pumpkin, because there are still some good ones out there. However, it could take a bit of searching to find it.

We are also quickly approaching one of the most hallowed times of the year in the Upper Peninsula - a time of the year rich in tradition for many generations of families. It's the firearm deer season which starts November 15 and lasts for two weeks. I call it the U.P.'s unofficial holiday - even some school districts and places of employment recognize it as such. It's a time when people gather at camp, celebrate being together, and the thrill of the hunt. And not everyone goes home with a buck of their liking, however, just to be able to enjoy the comradery of others in an atmosphere almost similar to a kid in a candy store, well it's a feeling unlike any other. If you're driving through the Upper Peninsula just before and during the firearm deer season, you'll recognize the official color of the U.P. as being bright blaze orange. That's what everyone going hunting will be wearing (other than camouflage).

So with October coming to a close, summer is long past and now we're into the heart of the fall season. And with the trees quickly becoming more and more bare, it appears that there isn't a whole lot left to enjoy of the warm season here in the U.P. However, fall brings with it a whole bunch of new opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as I previously mentioned in this blog. That's the beauty about living in the Upper Peninsula, you learn to adapt to whatever season that you're in the midst of. And if you're not finding any luck enjoying a particular season, wait a few months. Things will surely get better for you.