April 1, 2020. This is the view from my camper window as the ice starts to crack open near the shoreline. An otter just scooted by! It must have come up through the crack in the ice. It made me giggle. So smooth in the water, it looks rather clumsy on land. It reminded me … Continue reading When Ice Cracks, Life Emerges
Author: marjasisu
A lifelong adventure-seeker, nature-lover, and learner. Retired Navy Captain (public affairs) and retired federal manager (National Science Foundation, Department of Homeland Security). Since ending both careers at 57, I've returned part-time to my roots in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, to find an anchor in the nature I've always loved and to rediscover the "core of me" -- that which exists beyond rank and title -- chiefly by creating a rustic camp from scratch. This site is primarily a blog about that journey and what it has taught me about observation and inner growth through hands-on immersion.
Social Distancing? No Problem Here!
March 11, 2020. At Camp Many Moons, social distancing isn't much of a problem, since there's nobody around! But Jeff went to extremes today to get far away from me. 😉 Actually, we have to walk 30 feet out on the ice to get a signal. That will change when we hook the WiFi back … Continue reading Social Distancing? No Problem Here!
Storms of Nature, and Democracy
Nov 30, 2019. Some storms announce themselves loudly and some sneak up on you--kind of like elections (fanfare) and mass protests (sneak-up). Both are caused by atmospheric instability and both change the landscape. The Thanksgiving 2019 storm was a bit of both -- expected, but more fierce than was forecast. It was the storm of … Continue reading Storms of Nature, and Democracy
The Mainship Arrives at Camp
August 26, 2019. We docked Mainship Many Moons at Camp Many Moons today for the first time. It was nerve-wracking to bring it alongside, as we knew it would be a tight fit. We have just three feet of water at mid-dock and the keel requires at least that much. As we approached, I stood … Continue reading The Mainship Arrives at Camp
The Mainship Visits Caribou Island
August 6, 2019. Caribou Island is a gorgeous and convenient place to dock (or camp) at Isle Royal, on the main channel and close to the main entrance/exit for boats traveling to or from the Keweenaw. This is why we chose it for our last night here. This is also why we have plenty of … Continue reading The Mainship Visits Caribou Island
The Mainship Visits Belle Isle
August 5, 2019. Belle Isle is a former resort on Isle Royal, in Lake Superior. Isle Royal is 56 miles from the Michigan mainland, 18 miles from Minnesota, and 15 miles from Canada. Yet a resort opened here in 1912. Imagine! We got here by comfortable trawler. I wonder how "tourists" got here in those … Continue reading The Mainship Visits Belle Isle
Night Crossing on Lake Superior
August 2-3, 2019. The Mainship Many Moons is crossing Lake Superior tonight, bound for Isle Royal on its maiden voyage. When we leave North Portage Entry on the Keweenaw Peninsula, about 50 miles of open water awaits us before we arrive at Chippewa Harbor. Our hope is to arrive there around sunrise, with enough visibility … Continue reading Night Crossing on Lake Superior
Bound for Isle Royal! Mainship Many Moons’ Maiden Voyage
Mainship Many Moons dockside on Portage Canal in Houghton, MI, awaiting crossing August 2, 2019. Jeff is the captain of the Mainship Many Moons. For her maiden voyage, he chose a night-crossing of Lake Superior, to the remote national park called Isle Royal. I'm uneasy about this but trust his judgment and his knowledge of … Continue reading Bound for Isle Royal! Mainship Many Moons’ Maiden Voyage
The Well – Deep into Earth & Wallet
July 2019. Urban dwellers don't see the infrastructure that sustains their daily function. You turn on the faucet and water comes in. You flush the toilet and waste goes out. We gripe sometimes about our utility bills or condo fees, as if these conveniences should be a fee-free, God-given right. When you develop raw land … Continue reading The Well – Deep into Earth & Wallet
Christening Mainship Many Moons
July 19, 2019. The Mainship Many Moons was christened and commissioned today. Quite a fuss for a recreational vessel? Yep. But it was fun, and all tongue-in-cheek. During my Navy career, I attended a few such events and even helped plan one (the recommissioning of the battleship USS Missouri in 1986), so I couldn't resist … Continue reading Christening Mainship Many Moons
For Many Moons 