As we hiked around the Keweenaw peninsula in upper Michigan we came across copper mining ruins. How did they mine copper? When did this industry cease production? How rustic were the mining towns? It was fascinating discovering the secrets of copper mining! 40,000 years ago two mile thick ice sheets […]
Dispatches
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We explore a timber crib dam that is over 120 years old and a unique steel dam. Only three steel dams were ever constructed in the United States. One of those dams failed soon after it was built. This dam is one of many engineering marvels left over from industrial [...]
The Chuck Box has a history that is closing in on 200 years. Charles Goodnight invented the concept that supposedly "revolutionized" the cattle industry. The concept gave birth to the "Chuck Wagon" which became a sort of "rolling HQ" for long cattle drives that lasted weeks. In this video, we [...]
Spectators, I learned, are discouraged from looking straight into the face of a masked rider. This can bring bad luck. Here’s an example of the direct “look” frozen in this photograph. Don’t stare too long! The three horses stepped out of formation, so I clicked a pic. So far I […]
The mystery of the Nuraghe continues today. Sardinia has more than 7,000 Nuraghe (Nu ra gee) ruins. The indigenous Nuragic people lived here from 1800-1500 B.C.E (Before Common Era or Before Christ’s Era) Their skills have amazed scientists. (and me) In 1958 archaeologists discovered ruins. In 1970 scientists started to […]
I take a trip on Lake Michigan, 7 miles off shore to a remote island called Ile Aux Galets. The original name was given by French Explorers. It means "Island of Pebbles". Over the years, mispronunciation by English speakers evolved the name to Skillagalee Island. Although both names are used, [...]
We explore the ruins of an abandoned factory - formerly the Rowe Manufacturing Company - in rural Newaygo, Michigan. The internal power plant's structure still exists over a century later. The ruins have two, still flowing, water races. They used to provide power to a large manufacturing plant which produced [...]
In our zodiac rubber boat, which I affectionately call a “dinghy,” we wobbled over the waves of the St. Mary’s River to Lime Island for our annual family camping trip. Charlotte (8 -10) and Noah (3 -5) endured this ride differently. Charlotte embraced the splashing waves while Noah hunkered down […]
We head down to southeast Ohio to explore some abandoned industry and the ghost town of Moonville, Ohio. Industry left this area about a century ago. The railroad stayed until the 1980's. Today, Moonville still gets a lot of visitors. Ghost Hunters come here to explore the possibilities of spirits [...]
The "Zodiac Thor" is a unique vessel. We utilize this Zodiac Futura Mark III to travel to many remote places. It is a bit of a "Jeep" of the open water. It is full of capability and versatility. It is stable in all sea states and provides a great [...]