Habitat for Humanity Build #8: Marquette, Michigan

We recently completed another Habitat for Humanity Care-a-Vanner build in Marquette, located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was our first opportunity to be team leaders, and ... Yah, Ya Betcha ... we were honored to work with a group of talented and enthusiastic volunteers who quickly became friends. 

While driving to the worksite one morning, I noticed groups of Canadian geese flying to the south in perfect formation. Were they trying to tell us that we better join in as the frosty days of winter will soon be upon us?

Possibly, but their magnificent flight pattern and potential was also a reminder of the power of teamwork ... teamwork that was evident as I looked around our Habitat for Humanity job site. 

Their overhead "honks" reminded me of a story that I shared during the next morning's devotion. "Lessons from Geese" are also lessons that we learn each time we are privileged to work with and get to know other Care-a-Vanners. 

Lesson 1 - The Importance of Achieving Goals

As each goose flaps its wings it creates an UPLIFT for the birds that follow. By flying in a 'V' formation the whole flock adds 71 percent extra potential to the flying range.

When we have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and can help each other to achieve our goals.

Elizabeth and Kenny and their four
children will call this house
their home this coming Thanksgiving
as a result of the UPLIFT of
all the talented Habitat volunteers!

Lesson 2 - The Importance of Teamwork

When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.

If we had as much sense as geese we would stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

Using my LIFTING POWER
to help hold up the ceiling
drywall panels as those taller
than me secured them with screws. 

Lesson 3 - The Importance of Sharing

When a goose tires of flying up front it drops back into formation and another goose flies to the point position.

It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect and protect each other's unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents and resources.

Doug and Richard shared their SKILLS
as they worked together to
measure and cut eight unique openings
in this piece of ceiling drywall.

Would it fit? Of course!
Perfectly ... the first time!

Lesson 4 - The Importance of Empathy and Understanding

When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to the ground to help and protect it.

If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.

When some Habitat families faced
 DIFFICULT times,
we helped rehab two Habitat homes.

From painting ...

To tiling ...

To cleaning ...

To more cleaning ...

Our team STOOD BY EACH  OTHER
to help prepare the houses for new owners.

Lesson 5 - The Importance of Encouragement

Geese flying in formation 'HONK' to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed.

We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and teams where there is encouragement, production is much greater. Individual empowerment results from quality honking!

HONK, HONK
to Richard and Sharon for sharing
their incredible drywalling skills!

HONK, HONK
to Jon B. and Carolyn W. for
diligently working to get to ensure
that the house siding was on straight!

HONK, HONK
to Karen and Alan who
celebrated their 36th wedding
anniversary working with us!

HONK, HONK
to Captain Pete who took our group
out on a tour of Marquette Harbor aboard
his elegant yacht, The Pelican.

HONK, HONK
to Vicki, Marquette's Habitat Support
Manager, who treated us to a
delicious pasty dinner on the lake
and encouraged us on every day!

HONK, HONK
to Barbara and her husband Phil
who cheerfully and skillfully took on
any task that needed to be done!

HONK, HONK
to this group of aspiring artists who got
"down and dirty" in order to apply a layer
of stucco to protect the house's foundation

HONK, HONK
to Maria who as a safety trainer,
made sure that we all did it "the safe way"!

HONK, HONK
to Marci who brightened up
our days with her smile
and stylish painting attire!

HONK, HONK
to our site supervisor, Doug, whose
knowledge and patience was top notch!

HONK, HONK
to Rick and Paula for assisting
with the team building by organizing
"extracurricular" activities ...
they like craft breweries almost as much as us!

HONK, HONK
to my wonderfully nerdy husband
who devised a way to indirectly
observe the solar eclipse ...
using scraps of drywall!

HONK, HONK
to all the talented people who
will make this house a home
for Elizabeth, Kenny and family!

Until next time ... Honk words of encouragement to all around you ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!

The Wildebeest joined us
on the job site on our last
work day before we started
our southern migration.
We are
Following The Geese!

Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Yooper Beauty

We added a new state to RVentures when we crossed the border from Wisconsin to the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. The inhabitants of the UP, many who descend from the hard-working Finnish ore miners and loggers, fondly refer to themselves as "Yoopers". 

Doug remembers well the tough winters in this area when he studied at Michigan Technological University. It was not uncommon for 200+ inches of snow to blanket the area. Thus the Yoopers have developed a tolerance for the UP weather,

as well as a culture and humor that is very unique.

When the 200+ inches of snow melts (usually by the end of May), the glistening blue hues of the Great Lakes of Michigan, Superior and Huron luer many up to the UP. During our recent visit to Gladstone and Marquette, Michigan, we too were mesmerized not only with the Yooper humor but also with the Yooper beauty that fills the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Lighthouses

Lighthouse lovers will jump with Yooper joy over the vast amount of lighthouses that adorn the rugged lakeshores. Peninsula Point Lighthouse on the tip of Little Bay de Noc reflected the historical value of these beacons of light ... 

... as well as the natural value. Thousands of monarch butterflies gather in this area during late summer to get their fill of the abundant milkweed as they prepare for their southern migration.

The Gladstone Lighthouse adds a beautiful silhouette to the evening sunset ... 

... while the lighthouse at the entrance of Marquette Harbor still guides the incoming sea vessels.

History

One only has to travel down any of the narrow roads of the UP to find hidden gems of Yooper history. Fayette Historic State Park, located on the lower end of Big Bay de Noc, reveals the remnants of a bustling community that manufactured charcoal pig ore between 1867 and 1891.

The limestone cliffs that line Fayette harbor ...

led to the prominent blast furnaces in the center of the once bustling industrial town.

Refurbished structures from the grand home of Fayette's operating supervisor ...

to the community buildings and houses of the common worker

provided insight into the everyday lives of immigrant workers and their families as they faced challenging work conditions as well as harsh weather conditions.

Lakeshore

With the majority of Michigan surrounded by the Great Lakes, its majestic shores creates a beauty that any Yooper can be proud of.

Of course, the Grand Champion of shoreline has to be the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the northern border of the UP. Sandstone cliffs of tan, brown, white, orange and green rise above the pristine blue waters of Lake Superior. There are several ways to admire the Pictured Rocks: boat cruises, kayaking and hiking. 

We resisted the temptation to go the true Yooper route, and decided to see it from above as we hiked two different sections of the park.

Our first hike was a three mile out and back from Miners Beach to Mosquito Beach. The blustery winds off the lake made me glad that I didn't let Doug talk me into kayaking. 

We followed the path through the forest,

stopping quite often to admire unique fungus growths, 

spectacular lookouts,

and sandy beaches better left for a much warmer day!

Our second hike was a much more ambitious ten mile loop that covered the most picturesque portion of the shoreline from Mosquito Beach to Chapel Rock. The calm winds and abundant sunshine brought out the hue of magnificent colors that give these "Pictured Rocks" their name.

From lunch in the shadow of Chapel Rock,

to agate hunting along the beach (and taking only pictures),

to "you better not get too close to the edge" moments,

we were happy that we took the time and effort to explore the Pictured Rocks from the trails above.

Waterfalls

The waterfalls of the UP are a sign of the power of water at work. Mosquito Falls and Miners Falls were two of the many waterfalls that sang to us as their waters plunged towards Lake Superior.

Forests

Yes, the true Yooper beauty is found just about everywhere you look. Miles upon miles of hiking trails through serene forests provide shade,

give you a colorful display of wildflowers,

and allow you to pass by deer who are more interested in the tasty foliage than in you.

It is no mystery ...

... why I love all the Yooper fun and beauty that my hiking partner shows me.

Until next time ... kiss a Yooper or a Yooper wanna-be ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!