Coming Around The Horn

Whenever I took my motor boat out onto Big Bass Lake, areas like this could prove to be trouble. Once I was coming just past this area and a large speed boat cut right in front of me. I quickly got onto the floor of my rowboat and rode the next two waves taking me airborne for the momet. It was somewhat scary as I had not expected that to happen.

I had shot over the biggest part of that speed boats wake. From that point forward I stuck to going closer to shore for the remainder ofmy journey. One never knows when something like that might happen as the peak hours of the day see quite a lot of activity on the lake. Rowboatng isn’t safe at these times and even motor boats are somewht slow in comparison t6 the large boats on the lake at these times.

As long as one sticks to the shoreline there aren’t many problems.  Even the wakes from those large boats are greatly diminished as they approach the shore line.  But hitting a wake at the wrong time or direction can cause disaster to occur.  Boats have been known to flip over at these tmes.  That is why life jackets should always be worn on Big Bass Lake for all occupants of any boat.  Since this lake has five islands there are a lot of blind spots that one must be very careful while approaching.  Happy boating!

Wintery Big Bass Lake

Here we are in mid-April and, although Big Bass Lake is no longer frozen like this, the snow is sure flying here today!  When will Spring stay put?  It’s time for the flowers and trees to stay green for good till September.  I’m tired of snow and ice.  Soon our lake wlll be full of boats and fun and the ice will be a very distant memory. 

But not today as the snow continues to fall.  Better put another log on that fireplace as the cabin tends to get a bit chilly even at this time of year when the snow doesn’t fall.  I just hope that the lake doesn’t freeze over again.    Winter just won’t seem to pull away from us this year.  Old Man Winter is sure stubborn!  Maybe he’ll take to slumbering soon and it can’t come fast enough for me!  Scenes like this can wait until later this year.  Much later!

The Roads of Camp Martin Johnson

These two roads lead both past Camp Martin Johnson and into the camp. The dirt road leads directly into the camp whereas the other road goes past that dirt road. Both these venues were used by one of my boys clubs when we hiked over from our property to visit the camp and were granted permission to do so. This was my Marion Boys Club.

The hike was a lengthy one just to get there and even longer as we toured the camp. Another of our leaders met us at the camp via rowboat while towing a second one for our watery return back to our campsite.

While at the camp we noticed activities in progress including a well staffed and operated waterfront. My other leader had to ask permission to come aboard and dock with our two rowboats as he awaited us to get there by land.

Camp Martin Johnson wa a YMCA based camp with its main operation in the Chicagoland area.

Evening Pontoon Boat Excursion

A friend of mine by the name of John had a pontoon boat and one evening he and another friend by the name of Jack, not to mention myself, took a midnight spin around Big Bass Lake under the stars. The trip started around dusk and ended just past midnight. The evening was cool enough to be wearing light jackets.

The quiet lake has an altogether different feel at night. Of course, there were no waves from high speed boats sailing about us. In all we passed only a solitary fisherman just past ten o’clock and he was heading in to shore.

We munched on chips and cokes and told stories and just had a great time while taking in the many sites of the lake, even at night. I’d advise that if you own a pontoon boat take that same kind of trip on the dark waters of Big Bass Lake for a great nighttime excursion. If you’re real careful and quiet enough, listen for the loons as you head around the haunted island.

I have a friend on Big Bass Lake that is dearly in love with his pontoon boat. Why is that unusual? Because my friend is going blind yet he is still able to move his boat around Big Bass Lake with nary a thought or objection of any that ride with him. His uncanny skill at taking that boat wherever he wants is fantastic. He once helped me drag a water logged rowboat over to the public landing where we could take it to the dump.

But all that was back in the 1980′s and I often wonder if my friend went totally blind? I lost contact with him about ten years ago. He was one of the nicest guys I ever met. He always had a joke to tell and they were funny. He would have had a difficult time coping if not being able to use his beloved pontoon boat. To be honest, I believe that was my first time ever aboard that type of craft and I enjoyed every minute of it. There is no better way to relax on Big Bass Lake than on a pontoon boat.

The then owner of the Big Bass Lake Store, Jack Knysz, introduced me to John and the three of us spent many excursions on Big Bass Lake together. I hope John is still alive and well today.

New Bridge over Sauble River

Well, there’s a new foot bridge over Sauble River near the Hamlin Dam. I kind of like this new one as I am a tad sqeamish going over th one actually over that dam. As I said in an earlier post, I “was” at one time fearful of that Hamlin Dam narrow bridge but later conquered that fear. Still, having this bridge, slightly downstream, makes me feel even better crossing over to that other side.

This bridge is between the Hamlin Dam bridge and the M -116 bridge over Sauble River. It provides one with a good look at the Hamlin Dam itself. It makes me not desire to walk over that actual Hamlin Dam bridge of troubled waters just below.

I wonder who came up with that novel idea?

A House Designed for Physical Fitness

After a nice day of speed boating or swimming in Big Bass Lake begins a toil of labor just getting back to your cottage. Check out that long bridge walkway to an unseen house. What an elaborate walkway! It makes one wonder just what kind of a cottage or mansion lies at its end?

That I don’t have for you but I am impressed with that wooden bridge. Just getting to and from your dock is a good exercise in physical fitness. Say, maybe Jack LaLanne lives there?

Salesian Boys Club Gym Activities

As in many boys clubs, it is difficult to sway kids away from basketball to introduce other gymnasium programs. At Salesian, when basketball leagues weren’t in action, practice times for all teams had to be schduled thus free time was a luxury. Nevertheless, for our cadet program (youngest members) there was kickball, relay races, wrestling, and floor hockey.

Kickball was the favorite of our younger members especailly seeing that we had an “upper deck” that being our running track. At certain points in our “upper deck” home runs were automatic. At all times an official was stationed in this area to retrieve the ball so as not to hold up the game.

Relay Races were also popular as a variety of events was always in play. Wrestling and floor hockey rounded out our cadet gymnasium program as well as the ever so popular basketball.

Downtown Scottville

Mike and I live outside of this community about five miles but it is what we call our home town. I do most of my shopping here or in Ludington which is about 15 miles from where I live. Scottville has a community college that offers me some “culture” by way of educational interests and then there’s the lure of the Scottville Park for both picnics and fishing.

About another ten miles from town is an orchard where I go to pick all kinds of fruit for my various pies that I make and bake. Scottville is on the edge of the Manistee National Forest which affords Mike and I some wonderful areas to hike and swim.

Most downtowns in this area of Michigan have older buildings with not much new in sight. Each year Scottville has a harvest festival which Mike and I attend. And, our town also boasts of the Scottville Clown Band which marches in parades throughout the area.

Yes, I do love my home town downtown. Friends and I often meet for coffee there. It’s not Chicago but the traffic is good!

The Tree in the Midst of the Bushes

This was our lone tree in the middle of our family farm field and if you look closely enough you can observe the extent of the entire field all the way to Noreika Road (upper left section of photograph). This is how this tree looks today. What is new about this tree are certain bushes that have been planted about this tree. In effect, the tree is now surrounded by these bushes.

This particular tree is rather interesting in that, for some reason, my grandfather chose to allow this tree to remain in our field. He had taken down so many trees when he first purchased our property and yet this tree remained. I remember it from my youth and to this day it looks as if the tree has not aged one bit. Now, for the first time in remembrance, it has something around it.

Yet, I don’t believe that the field itself has been sold. Even so these bushes are now settled in around that tree. Someone had to plant them there. I wonder for what reason? If anyone knows, leave us a comment.   Isn’t it a beautiful tree?

You can also make out Tom’s home which was constructed to resemble our old barn.  That photograph is the one that allows you a full vista of our family field all the way to Noreika Road.

The Manistee National Forest on Big Bass Lake

Were you surprised to learn that the Manistee National Forest is actually found ON Big Bass Lake? Now, you know that the forest surrounds the lake but ON the lake? How is that possible?

Well, the second smallest island on the lake I know as Turtle Island which some today call Pirate Island and it is found on the North side of Big Bass Lake. It is all forested and is actually owned by the Manistee National Forest. I understand that there are no camping signs on the island even though that many do choose to camp on that island. How habitable is this island? This marvelous photo came our way by Mike Elsner but perhaps there are those in the area that can tell us a little more about this island.

Could a house be placed on the island? The island next to it has about four structures on it so could Turtle Island be capable of housing one structure? How many locals have taken the time to camp on that island overnight? Let us know by way of a comment.

The Ludington Pumping Station- Part Two

Windmill energy production is the newest thing and that is not lost on the Ludington Power Station. 

Consumers Energy discussed plans in 2008 to extend the life of the facility and upgrade the pumps to increase efficiency by up to 9%.  Consumers Energy also planned to tap the wind power resources along the eastern Lake Michigan shore with wind farms because wind is an intermittent power source and may inconveniently deliver large amounts of power during periods of low electric demand, pumped storage facilities are desirable to have on the same grid with large-scale wind farms. The available pumped storage capacity, along with the wind characteristics, partly determine the maximum contribution wind power can make to the overall electricity use in a region.

Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison announced an $800 million upgrade on February 7 2011. The six year project would begin in 2013 and extend the plant’s life by at least forty years and upgrade the generating capacity from 1,872 megawatts to 2,172 megawatts.

Comments on this subject are always wecome.

 

Ludington’s Pumping Station- Part One

On my aerial photograph, at the top of the page is US 31 just south of Ludington and that highway can observe the pumping station only as a large hillside with no view of the water. It would make for an excellent sledding hill. However should that earthen dam ever break, US 31 would be awash in mere seconds. Here is some good information on this location.

The Ludington Pumped Storage Plant is a hydroelectric plant and reservoir in Ludington, Michigan. It was built between 1969 and 1973 at a cost of $315 million and is owned jointly by Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison and operated by Consumers Energy. At the time of its construction, it was the largest pumped storage hydroelectric facility in the world.

It consists of a reservoir 110 ft deep, 2.5 miles long, and one mile wide which holds 27 billion US gallons  of water. The 1.3 mile reservoir is located on the banks of Lake Michigan because impervious bedrock is more than 800 feet below the reservoir, the builders had to line the reservoir with a layer of asphalt and clay to prevent water seeping into the ground.

The power plant consists of six reversible turbines that can each generate 312 megawatts of electricity for a total output of 1872 megawatts. Water is delivered from the upper reservoir to the turbines by six penstocks each 1100 feet long that taper from 28 to 24 feet in diameter.

At night, during low demand for electricity, the turbines run in reverse to pump water 363 feet uphill from Lake Michigan into the reservoir. The plant takes advantage of the natural steep sand dune landform of eastern Lake Michigan. During periods of peak demand water is released to generate power. Electrical generation can begin within 2 minutes with peak electric output of 1872MW achieved in under 30 minutes. Maximum water flow is over 33 million gallons per minute.

This process helps level the load of coal-fired power plants on the grid. It also replaces the need to build natural gas peak power plants used only during high demand.

Part Two tomorrow evening.

My Grandmother’s Pasti Recipe

My grandmother, Barbara Noreika, hailed from Lithuania and she and my grandfather established a farm in North Central Michigan in the early to mid 1900′s. Our family changed the name to Norris in the 1940′s to sound more American but my grandmother maintained the true family name. She was a superb cook in her little farmhouse kitchen that was mostly wood with an old fashioned stove. She had a circular table in that kitchen that we ate from. Her specialty was pasti which is a meat pie with a thick salted crust. It is an unsweetened pastry but full of great things to feast upon. For all you chef’s out there I have an unofficial recipe for this gourmet dish.

4 Cups of Flour
One-eighth Teaspoon of Salt
1.5 Cups of Lard in one-fourth inch cut cubes
8-10 Teaspoons of ice water
1 egg (beaten)

The Filling-
1 Cup coarsely chopped White Rutabaga
2 Cups finely diced boneless beef or steak
1 Cup coarsely chopped onions
2 Cups finely diced potatoes
1.5 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of pepper

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Rub together the flour and fat to make a coarse meal and then add in the 8-10 teaspoons of ice water all at once. If the dough crumbles add more ice water. Then refrigerate the dough for about one hour.

Then roll the dough into a circle about one-fourth inch thick and cut into six inch rounds. Re-roll.

As for the filling cut the ingredients into small pieces making sure to cook the meat and the potatoes together. Combine in a bowl and combine one fourth of the mixture into the center of the rolled out pasti. Moisten the pasti edges then fold in half making sure to crimp the edges to seal. Place the pasti on a buttered baking sheet and brush lightly with the egg wash. Make two slits in the pasti to allow steam to escape. Place in the oven for 15 minutes at 400 degrees then reduce heat to 350 degrees until the pasti is golden brown.

For best results serve the pasti with Cole slaw and you are in for one tasty meal. If the pasti dough is made just right you will never forget this recipe of my grandmother’s. To be honest, I haven’t tasted pasti the way she made it since her death in the 1970′s. The Upper Penisula of Michigan has many pasti restaurants but none with her recipe. Bon apetite!

I should also let you know that when I was taking camping trips into the area with kids I would always be treated to this marvelous pasti at least once per trip. It was the best meal ever!

The First Lady of Big Bass Lake- Ann Louise Chase

Many people may not realize this but Big Bass Lake does have a celebrity author living on its shores and quite close to the channel between Big and Little Bass Lakes. Her name is Ann Louise Chase and she is composed several books about the greater Big Bass Lake area and its rich history. Tiny’s Bait Shop is said to have her works for sale.

Her published material includes Elk Township: A Picture History: Stories, Maps, and Pictures from the Early Nineteen Hundreds and Women on the Edge of Change: An Oral History: Women of the Early Nineteen Hundreds Tell Their Stories. Ann Louise Chase is still active and is a founding member of the Elk Township Historical Society. Within the pages of her works include a picture of my grandfather, Joseph Noreika.

For those who desire to learn more of the history of this area, you can also find her works at the Lake County Public Library in Baldwin, Michigan.  I understand that each page will hold your attention and they are books that you just can’t put down.

The Little Island of Big Bass Lake

The tiny island on the southeast side of Big Bass Lake has gone through many names including Tiny Tim, Grandma’s Hat, and now Loon Isle? My grandmother, Barbara Noreika, told me that the island’s name was Grandma’s Hat probably because of the tree acting like a plume. The island itself is less than a few feet long in any direction. It does have a pretty good sand beach to it.

In the 1950′s there used to be a ski jump ramp just to the east of the island but that is long gone. I wonder at times why it was removed? Probably for liability reasons.

The tiny island stands in sharp contrast to the Big Island directly to its west. The little island was a great view from the Big Bass Lake store deck. If you look far enough north you can observe the narrows in the distance and that is where the lake narrows somewhat enroute to the north side of the lake.

Any other observations about the little island?

The Dangerous Picnic Basket

Some picnicers sure left the area in a hurry as they must not have been too hungry. Just imagine all those tasty sandwiches being left to Yogi with nary an objection? Well, it would seem that those folks just learned the bear facts of life. Life is a choice word here as they did have a choice- Their sandwiches or their life!

Lake County Michigan and the Manistee National Forest has an ever growing black bear population so folks out in the middle of nowhere need to be careful. It would seem that there was no Mister Ranger to protect them from this Yogi devouring the contents of their picnic basket.

It reminded me of a time that my friend Ben and I came across two fresly slashed fish as we were hiking along the Pere Marquette River. Needless to say we had interrupted a bear and his lunch so we left the area pronto. If you’re out in Lake County, Michigan, just take all due notice when picnicing and be on the alert for bears. After all, you don’t want to become “their” picnic lunch for that would be one major “Boo-Boo”!

Rowing Under The Big Bass Lake Bridge

Rowing under the bridge leading to The Big Island on Big Bass Lake can be taxing to young boys as the opening is large enough for only one boat at a time. The challenge, of course, is not to hit the sides of the bridge as one makes their way under it. On each way to the Big Bass Lake store and back, both Keith Hansel and Andrew Freshwater tried their skills at getting through this gap.

Each youngster managed to hit one of the sides of the bridge instead of getting through the area smoothly. Andrew was distracted by a birds nest lodged under the bridge while Keith tried to turn to the right before he was clear of the bridge in the direction of the store.

Our view in this picture is looking westward which would be on the way back from the store. In the distance is the Haunted Island and our usual course was to go straight west from the bridge almost to my families home pier and then proceed north to our camping location.

On each trip to the store a different set of boys tried their best to row under that bridge. On one occasion the kids got a minor thrill when a car went across that bridge as they were rowing under it. This is the only island, of the five, on the lake that has a direct road access to it. As with the channel between Big and Little Bass Lakes, the bridge adds just another feature to this marvelous lake with five islands on it.

Sun Kissed Big Bass Lake

Don’t let the sun get in your eyes here but if you look to the other side of Big Bass Lake, that large forested area from left to right is where the majority of our boys club camping trips took place and is also the site of our beach. Just to the left of where the picture was taken was our family property which extended along the lake down to that camping area even though some sites were sold to friends of my grandmother.

Albert Matson was one of those people and he was always friendly toward the kids I took up to Michigan from various boys clubs. I think he was glad our trips were only about a week though as we were camped not too far from his cottage. He passed away several years ago but he was a most friendly man who had a great garden.

The other people I didn’t get to know too well as they stayed to themselves. A white cottage right next to our beachfront was largely vacant on our trips there in the summer and I don’t think I ever met the folks who lived there. Their fenceline trailed almost down to the beach itself stopping just short of the quagmire swamp.

Isn’t this just a spectacular photograph of Big Bass Lake?

This Would Not Be A Good Swimming Day

I wouldn’t recommend swimming on this kind of day. Even if you might consider it there is an ample warning sign here to steer you away. The size of the waves should detour just about everyone. In this kind of weather, otherwise known as a gale warning, even boats are urged to stay inland.

Even the ferry boats would be wise to stay in port but oftentimes don’t. Their skippers are taught to brave this kind of weather. Those aboard though may need sea sick pills to get through the trip without doing their own heave hoeing.

Can you imagine the look on a surfer’s face if he saw these kinds of waves?

Geese, Not Kids, Enjoying Seaman Lake

Just look at that ideal float sitting all by itself out there in Seaman Lake! Yet at this moment, instead of kids frolicking in the lake, there are just a few geese enjoying that pursuit. I can almost imagine this same scene in the winter with sleds cascading down that hill onto the ice covered lake. I wonder how far across the lake a sled could go down from that hill?

What a scene to behold! It makes me want to run down there, onto that pier, and dive headfirst into the lake making for that raft. Or perhaps just sitting on that pier and dangling my feet into the lake while fishing. Yes, this scene conjures up a lot of imagination activity for the just about any summer. And even a few revolving around a sled or saucer.

Historical High Bridge North of Baldwin

Ed Hawks, a regular reader here at Big Bass Lake and Beyond, first introduced me to this “High Bridge” with a picture postcard of a train running over it. It was constructed in 1889 and demolished in 1955. The total length of the bridge was 1,710 feet. When built, it was the highest rail bridge in Michigan hence it’s name. Wooden bridge replaced in 1947 with Steel structure. Piers are still visible. At one time only bridge nearby so it was used by locals to walk across.

The Manistee River is the historical home of the largest bridge project in Michigan (at least until the Big Bridge across the Straits of Mackinaw). Called High Bridge, the railroad bridge stood 78 feet above the water line outside of Brethren. Unfortunately, very little publicity was given to its construction, because of a disagreement with the news media. The railroad was originally supposed to cross the river much closer to town. And the newspapers thought it was going to be wonderful. But when the plans came through that the bridge was going to built 20 miles out of town, the paper largely ignored it.

From below on the Manistee River it must have been a sight to behold as boats passed underneath it. If anyone has more information about this bridge feel free to leave us a comment.

Plowing Our Farm Field

In the 1950′s I remember a time when neighbor, Frank Benish, spent the day plowing our family farm field, which was no small chore. I also remember going barefoot that day and racing behind his efforts throughout the field with boundless energy. As his tractor pulled out that freshly ground earth my feet took it all in. I don’t think I ever ran so hard or long for any single day of my life.

Since our family field extended from about the public landing to Noreika Road that’s a lot of distance to travel. Plus the field is not pure level so there was the opportunity to do some slight up and down running.

At the end of my day my feet were jet black and I had to wash them off before my grandmother would let me step foot in the house. They got an ice cold reception from our old water pump but boy did that cold water feel refreshing.

My grandmother had pasti for supper and I ate a ton of it complete with her cole slaw and probably had one of the best sleeps of my life. Not a bad day for a nine year old kid.

Remembering Mr. Fox at ULBC Camp

Francis Fox watched over his beloved Union League Camp in Salem, Wisconsin, for many years.  When I was there in 1969 he could be often observed on his tractor cutting the grass which was no small feat.  There were many acres for him to cut.  I do not remember much else about him only that he lived on the premises and you can observe his house in one of our photographs. 

A few years later, fellow tent counselor Gordon Payne and I revisted ULBC Camp in the fall and Mr Fox observed us walking through the camp and came to see who we were.  Fotunately he remembered me by my height (6’10″) and we chatted for a few minutes before he okayed our visit.  Our primary purpose was to check out tent city when only the platforms were up.  It was a strange sight and I’m sure Gordie and I were flooded with great memories from our summer there years before.

I’m glad that the Union League Board of Directors saw fit to honor Mr Fox with not only this plaque but also in naming League Lake after him.  That memory of him will last for the life of ULBC Camp.

Windy Day in Ludington

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a yellow light on top where the red light is supposed to be?  As well, the wind was taking the light for a mild ride, at least on this particular gust of wind.  On this day wind gusts blew everything not nailed to the ground to the tune of nearly 60 miles an hour!

The waves were pounding the beach and breakwater with much fury just about a mile west of here.  Ladies like myself had better have had their bonnets tied tightly upon their head unless they enjoyed losing them.  The skies were darkened that day to match the weather as it was quite gloomy in Ludington.  However if that were meant to dampen my enthusiasm for shopping, well, Mother Nature would have been as disappointed as my husband was when he received all those bills for my purchases! 

Here in Michigan we wear our weather proudly because it changes every day.  While I was shopping, my husband Mike was jogging on the Ludington Beach so I had to pick him up before returning home.  I love these kinds of days because the waves of Lake Michigan are at their peak of fury and it is ever so interesting to watch them crash ashore.

Big Bass Lake Bridge In Distance

If you look closely enough, in the far distance you can make out the opening of the bridge that leads to the Bis Island. It was almost due east of our pier. And this is our old cottage, now painted yellow from white, as well as our garage. Gone behind it was our other guest cottage that was painted gray with red trim. The front of the cottage seems unchanged other than sporting a different color.

The main changes are in the rear of the cottage as extensive ground work was completed displaying a new exit at the basement level facing Big Bass Lake. There are now stairs descending that once tree lined hillside. A great deal of earth had to be moved to accomplish these goals.   To get to our old pier one had to go about ten yards north to a trail that originated quite near our guest cottage leading to the lake gradually.  Now an extensive pier system has replaced our old one.  There are pictures elsewhere on BBL and Beyond showing our cottage from Big Bass Lake where these changes are evident. 

New windows also appear in the back of the cottage from our dining room.  I believe two windows were added as well as our deck being expanded.  As for interior changes, well, I don’t know about those although I speculate that our former basement has been made into some sort of massive family room.  If anyone knows what the interior of this cottage now looks like, please leave us a comment with full details.