Heading north from Minneapolis, the foliage gradually changes from typical Midwestern deciduous forest to North Country woodlands of birch, larch and conifers. After a pit stop in Duluth, we drove eastward on Route 2, crossing northern Wisconsin before entering the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Snow appeared near the State border and coated the landscape for most of our journey to Houghton, halfway up the Keweenaw Peninsula. Intermittent snow showers enhanced the North Country feel and the temperature held in the lower 30s (F).
Though we watched for moose along the way, none were spotted in the wooded marshlands, stream valleys or pond-dappled meadows. As is often the case, American crows dominated the bird population but we did see a dozen bald eagles and several flocks of swans (likely trumpeters). We'll check out Houghton this evening and wait for the cloud cover to dissipate before beginning our Aurora borealis vigils.
