In preparing for our winter escapade to Mackinac Island, I researched the fascinating history of the area. This is the first in a series of articles about the island and the people who have called it home. The Anishnaabek (also known as the Odawa, Ojibway and Potawatomi) tribes inhabited the […]
Interests
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In October 2020 I took a scenic drive from Cheboygan to Lowell and came upon this exhibit on M-33 between Fairview and Comins, Michigan. I was curious about this display. I safely pulled over and strode up the hill for a closer look-see. I navigated the slope carefully as I […]
Who better to understand mental illness than one who had been seized by authorities and hospitalized five times over a twenty-two year span? Dr. Ferguson led a troubled life of addiction and psychotic breaks. In 1954 he arrived at Traverse City State Hospital, but not as a patient, but rather […]
Noah and I explore the inland waterway in northern Michigan. It has a 3,000 year history and starts in Conway, Michigan to Cheboygan Michigan. We lock through two sets of locks in Alanson and Cheboygan. We pass the world's smallest swinging bridge and complete the 38 mile route just before [...]
I turned onto 8th street and before me was a HUGE Catholic shrine with marble statues. This stunning display is in the small village of Mio, Michigan. (east of Grayling) There are only 1,884 residents, yet there’s this impressive European structure. I slid my car to the side of the […]
Did you know small aircraft pilots pull their planes manually using a bar hooked to the front of the plane just below the propeller? I hadn’t realized this was part of the process until Da Viking, Chuck, had started taking flying lessons in 2019. After Chuck experienced two helicopter crashes […]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Not only did Chase S. Osborn serve as Michigan’s 27th governor (1911-1913) but he had a variety of skills and occupations: newspaper publisher, world traveler, naturalist, prospector, postmaster, railroad commissioner, fish and game warden, a member of the board of Regents for University of Michigan, and an author of many […]