Poppins and I travel to Kelleys Island and explore the history, the food, the campgrounds and more. Kelleys Island is the largest US island in Lake Erie and once hosted the largest limestone quarry operation in the world. Islanders have turned grapes to wine and vineyards dot the island. With [...]

I head out on a micro adventure. The median of an interchange of two major freeways, on a river, under the approach of an international airport. I kayak to the median of two merging (and busy) interstates in a suburb. Then, we set up camp, make a meal and spend [...]

The Skeleton Coast or "Graveyard of the Great Lakes" is a stretch of shore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan stretching from Whitefish Point to Grand Marais. It includes Vermilion, Crisp Point Light Station, Mouth of the Two Hearted River Life Saving Station and Deer Park Life Saving Station. Over [...]

Neebish Island is a little known island in Michigan in the St. Mary's River. Less than 100 people live there year around. It is a short ferry ride. Only one store and campground on the island. It has some interesting aspects, some caused by freighters traveling very close to the [...]

Poppins and I explore Michigan's latest state park - Lime Island State Park. It has a long history as a trading place, lacrosse field, farmstead, resort and coal refueling dock. There are lime kilns, remnants of industry, quaint cabins and plenty of trails to hike. Located in the Saint Mary's [...]

Poppins and I travel to the Straits of Mackinac in Northern Michigan to visit a lonely island called St. Helena. The island was home to the St. Helena Fishing Station and St. Helena Lighthouse. The St. Helena Lighthouse has been completely restored over the past few decades by a dedicated [...]

We continue visiting Great Lakes islands and in this episode, we visit the Isle of Icelanders. We venture out to Washington Island, just off the Door Peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin. Washington Island is settled by many nationalities, but Icelanders made it home and the second oldest Icelandic settlement in [...]

We ride the SS Badger from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin 60 miles across Lake Michigan. Join us as we ride the last coal fired steamship in the United States. We tour the ship, watch the loading and unloading, tour our stateroom, play games and more. The SS Badger is [...]