Beaver Island

Tuesday turned out to be a continuation of bad weather, so we postponed our trip to Beaver Island until Wednesday morning, June 10th. As you can see from the pictures on the ferry, it was crystal clear, not too cold, and the water was like glass. This is certainly a more relaxed way to travel to unknown destinations than plotting courses, watching for weather windows, and holding one's breath until you are safely in harbor and tied up.

Sooz posing for a picture as we arrive at Beaver Island, which is about 25 miles out in Lake Michigan from Charlevoix.

The day turned out to be really very fun. We were met by a long time resident (she's a child hood friend of someone across the dock in Charlevoix -- people who boat take good care of one another) who drove us around for about two hours. A a result, Susan and I had a private tour of the northern end of the island -- including some bumpy back roads through private land that fills much of the center of this island of 600+ permanent residents. In the mid-1800's, one James Jesse Strang declared himself King (and spiritual leader of a Mormon splinter group) -- and took over the island for his Kingdom. He was assassinated in 1856 by some disgruntled followers -- and the island was then inhabited by Irish imigrants -- apparently Gaelic was heard on the Island until the middle of the 1900's.

One of the inland lakes on Beaver Island -- I believe this is Barney Lake where Central Michigan University is studying some of the biodiversity that uniquely appears on this Island.

St. James Harbor -- the main city on the island and the point where the ferry and all other boats come ashore. Really quite a treat -- and a place that deserves more than one day of visiting.

The return to Charlevoix -- note the narrow channel, the drawbridge, and the two kayakers on the middle left of this picture. Some people have no sense, but they were okay after we passed.