he summer residence of Chase Osborn represents an interesting and complex time. Now, called the Chase Osborn Preserve, it is used by the University of Michigan for natural research. But, the historic value seems to be ignored by the University. Perhaps they had to promise to allow it to fall [...]
Dispatches
76 posts
Da Viking and I wanted to experience the engineering marvel of the Soo Locks. Traveling by our zodiac, Thor, brought many questions and smiles from the Soo Lock’s Tour Boat. Before the locks were built, ships were skidded or portaged on rolling timbers along road to traverse the twenty-one foot […]
Defending the Soo Locks. In the sleepy wilderness and towns of the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan lies the ruins of a retired war machine. . . that had enough destructive power to level 300 major cities. We explore Raco Auxiliary Air Field, 753rd Radar Station and Kincheloe Air Force [...]
In a remote area of the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan lies and abandoned time capsule of limestone mining history. The abandoned Fiborn Quarry. We explore the quarry, its remaining buildings and some of its history.
During prohibition, there were thousands of illegal runs across the Canadian border to Michigan. They brought whiskey into the United States, which was illegal because of the Volstead Act. While organized crime gets much of the credit, there were also average Americans that risked life and limb to bring in [...]
Grand Island is one of the newest assets in the National Forest Service inventory. It was added in the early 1990s. It was formerly a private game preserve and privately owned. Today, one can explore the miles of roads, trails and many beaches. I joined an excursion of the Fortune [...]
In the quaint village of Gergei, Sardina is Mario Cesare’s cottage tucked between stone walls, which was our housing for one night. Mario had been an artist who painted and drew portraits of locals capturing their character. His scenes were of village life. He didn’t reach for fame, but rather […]
Da Viking takes the Zodiac Thor across the lower St. Mary's River to Harbor Island for an evening with our "yachting friends" in a remote anchorage. We will see a forward section of a freighter that is a summer cottage near DeTour and a freighter that has been laid up [...]
We take a couple of days to visit a place removed from the modern world - Bois Blanc Island. We visit John Dillinger's alleged hideout, old industry, a lighthouse, an almost 200 year old survey stone, and more. Bois Blanc is a quiet place. It has always been in the [...]
Deberio, Ivo’s friend, welcomed us into his winery and art gallery. The clay brick walls and dirt floor made it much cooler than the outdoors. There were a variety paintings hung. He brought us to the side room where the table was adored with a hand stitched cloth. There was […]