Fort Wilkins, already one hundred years old in1939, had been crumbling at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. This fort was brought back to life with Donald W. Dow leading the team. The captivating story of Donald W. Dow and the restoration of Fort Wilkins gave me a better insight […]
History and Culture
111 posts
DaViking, my husband, Chuck, and I found this spot two years ago. This brass ring embedded on 8th Avenue in Manitowoc, Wisconsin caused us curiosity. What happened here? Join me as I attend Sputnikfest! (September 10, 2022) This annual festival celebrates the first space craft to reenter Earth’s atmosphere, well […]
I have always been fascinated by the story of the Titanic! Last month my husband, Chuck, and I found the grave of William Edward Minahan located in Green Bay, Wisconsin at Woodlawn Cemetery. His captivating story deserves recognition, as does all who have lived. Our fluid lives often take turns […]
The loneliest lighthouse, Waugoshance, located 15 miles west of Mackinaw City, crumbles under feathered friends. After standing guard for over 170 years, Waugoshance Crib Light is now slowly collapsing into Lake Michigan. Join us on our exploration in Thor as we take an up close look-see at this magnificent piece […]
Gay Sands Beach along Lake Superior on the Keweenaw peninsula is beautiful, but looks can be deceiving. This “sand” is actually a superfund site containing copper mixed with arsenic, silver and nickel from decades of dumping mining waste. For more than a century 50 billion pounds of crushed ore had […]
The Keweenaw peninsula’s mining era spanned over 100 years starting in the mid 1800’s through the 1960’s. Join my husband, Chuck (A.K.A. DaViking), and I as we investigate this abandoned copper dredge. From the roadway, M-26, a fence had blocked access to this site. DaViking had other plans. He always […]
Did you know that plank roads had once been created to make travel easier? As civil unrest between the northern states and the south slowly simmered (1845-1855) over 100 plank road companies organized, constructing miles of timber laid paths throughout our nation. Many had toll houses to sustain revenue for […]
After watching a short film about the history of the Delaware Copper Mine, Dennis, the manager and travel author, invited us to put on hard hats and head to the mine shaft. I was excited to be on a self guided tour of an abandoned copper mine. It had been […]
The Alto Active Achievers Community Club brought Lowell’s history to life last weekend along the banks of the Grand River. This professionally executed production, sponsored by the Lowell Area Historical Society, and had a cast of 42 youngsters and several dedicated adults. The authentic story held strength, perseverance, loyalty and […]
My heart beat quickened as I walked along the wooden dock at South Haven’s Michigan Maritime Museum. There before me was a replica of the 1810 ship – Friends Good Will. Standing along the starboard side was Chuck, my strikingly handsome husband, dressed in era appropriate attire. After completing coursework, […]