It was one of those serene mornings in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—the kind where the fog hangs low, the air smells like pine needles and possibility, and you start to believe nature might just be your best friend. I was at Oswald Bear Ranch, camera in hand, hoping to capture something special for my puzzle line. I didn’t expect to stumble into a scene that looked like it was straight out of a Disney movie… or a bear survival guide.

A couple of years ago, I found myself standing before the majestic Mt. Washington Hotel, camera in hand, as nature staged one of its most breathtaking performances. Fog hung delicately below the peak of Mount Washington, creating a soft veil that added mystery to the mountain’s rugged silhouette. The trees were just beginning to shift into their autumn attire—splashes of gold, amber, and crimson hinting at the season’s arrival.

There’s something magical about waking up early, packing your gear, and heading into the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. On a quiet summer morning, I drove my red Jeep Wrangler up winding roads through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, chasing a moment I hoped to capture — one that would later become a centerpiece of my MI Puzzles collection.