Weekend of the Dogs

The past week has been a roller coaster of weather patterns up here in the U.P. and across all of the Midwest for that matter. This past weekend was one of my personal favorites of the Winter, the annual U.P. 200 sled dog race weekend.

The weather ended the race early because trail conditions were tough on both the dogs as well as equipment. This years race had 19 teams from across the United States attend, mushers/teams that have raced the world famous Alaska Iditarod compete in this race. It is a remarkable event for our small northern Midwest community to promote and host.

For those who have never participated in spectating a sled dog race, it is quite the event!  It seems as if the dogs actually feed off the crowd as you can literally see the excitement in their eyes as they act as a team to pull their musher to victory.  These dogs live for this time spent on the trail, they train all season long for the opportunity to get out racing.  These dogs are not house pets, they are specifically bred to race.  They are high energy thoroughbred animals, although they are very friendly pre-race when the crowd gathers downtown Marquette, but once the race starts they are all business!

Many mushers welcome the spectators to pet and get their pictures taken with the dogs, it a cool chance to get talk to the teams and learn more about sled dog racing.  There are several operations here across the U.P. that allow sled dog enthusiasts to take part in trail riding themselves and experience this cool sport first hand.

Visit here for info on how to take part in your own sled dog adventure here in the Upper Peninsula. Ive had family members, friends, & clients try this and everyone says its a once in a lifetime experience- I look forward to trying it myself next Winter. Come visit Marquette next Winter for the U.P. 200 weekend, a unique & fun time here in God's Country.
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Hustle

Hustle, this is the one word that was profound to me in the President's message today here in the Upper Peninsula.  Working hard to come out on top and be the best that you can be, don't accept coming in second. He quoted JFK in his speech as well as when he was discussing how the U.S. needs to become #1 and that nothing other than that is acceptable in this global economy.  Just sitting back and watching as the world takes center stage is not good enough, America needs to move forward.  He declared that America invented the Internet, so we need to be the leader in providing broadband Internet to every home in the U.S.. The President stated that by having this ability to access faster Internet throughout the country will directly spawn entrepreneurs, invention and economic stimulus.

The overwhelming feeling of pride was very evident in all the people in the community-those that attended the event as well as those who didn't.  When the President opened his speech by saying "Hello Yoopers-the crowd went berserk! Yoopers are extremely proud of the place we call home and the President definitely recognized this.  The President commented on how special of a place the U.P. is and how genuine everyone was here he met with, joking around about the Packers at the start of his speech got the crowd chuckling. Sen. Levin also during his speech commended the Pack and stated he wished his Detroit Lions could follow suit!

Whether you are a supporter of President Obama or not, it was very special to have him come visit our small town here in the Upper Peninsula.  It isn't everyday that the leader of the free world decides to take a trip to the frozen north.

A rewarding day for NMU and alums-a day our president came to visit our school/town because we are leaders, not followers!

Many thanks go out to Senator Debbie Stabenow and her staff for inviting Riversnorth Guide Service to attend the Obama event today in Marquette.  It was a phenomenal experience to participate in and the opportunity to see the President in person was very rewarding.  Senator Stabenow has been at the forefront of the Asian Carp battle and has been steadfast in her stand to keep the Carp out of our Great Lakes.

Keep up the good work Senator Stabenow & Thank You!
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Land Mine

Sure, the Upper Peninsula was founded pretty much upon the mining of the valuable minerals found deep in the soils and bedrock of this land. Many people moved to the Upper Peninsula to work in this industry to provide for their families-it was how the U.P. became what it is today.  Currently the U.P. still has vast deposits of minerals-recently this has been a hot topic as some mining companies have been granted permission by our state and federal governments to mine in extremely sensitive environmental areas.

Even with responsible mining techniques that are present this day in age, it is so absurd to allow the opportunity for a company to possibly destroy our natural resources in search of a product that will put money in their pocket.  Mining now is different from the mining that founded the U.P., we know so much more now about adverse effects of mining from what we did back then.  The future of areas that are remote and beautiful like the Upper Peninsula rest with tourism.  The U.P. has become a global destination because of its vast abundance of natural beauty and wonderful natural resources.  Every season anglers from across the U.S. and world travel here to fish with me to experience what the U.P. has to offer. Managing our natural resources correctly so that many generations are able to enjoy the benefits is key, not opening up our land for possible destruction.  If a species like the wild coaster Brook Trout is lost because of a mining mishap, it can never be brought back to its truly wild status.

Whoever is part of allowing this mine in the Yellow Dog Plains should be ashamed of themselves for letting greed possibly ruin something beautiful and pure.  If there is a line, it needs to be drawn. 

Nice work Marquette City Commission- Way to stand up and give Rio Tinto the bird!
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/558385/City-commission-unhappy-with-Kennecott-haul-move.html?nav=5006