The Errie Stillness at Big Bass Lake

As each oar sank deep into Big Bass Lake our boat lurched forward on this slightly foggy morning. Our goal was an early morning trip to the Haunted Island but not to land. I wanted the kids of Salesian Boys Club to experience an entire trip around the Haunted Island. There were many comments that morning as to how dense the forest was completely surrounding the island. Tim Flannery expressed the thought that perhaps daytime would be a better time for our visit to Haunted Island. He was hushed down by the other boys whose bravado was showing in the broad daylight. Would it be the same later that night?

As we passed the rickety pier where we would be landing that very night at midnight, the boys saw the small hill that led to the path to the Haunted House.  But all they could see was the dense forest that awaited them that evening.  One of the kids offered, “I’ll bet it really gets dark in there“, cautiously.  I could see the boys eyes just riveted to that pier as we passed it.  I then showed them the place where the first Haunted House stood in the 1950′s on the southern tip of the island.  One of the boys thought that might have been the better venue seeing as how close it was to the water. 

But I then told them the pathway was just a quarter mile from the haunted house.  Somehow that didn’t seem to make much difference to their scared little bodies.  To them a quarter mile seemed like five.  Yet as we completed the full cycle of the Haunted Island, I could sense some relief to that morning excursion.  At the same time, I could also make out the apprehension of making that same trip out there at midnight.  And, the errie stillness of Big Bass Lake that morning added even more suspense to what was to come that night.

Is Big Bass Lake Campground Still In Operation?

This campground located about where the Peacock Resort once stood might also now be out of business.  Two days ago I tried contacting them by their Irons listing in the phone book only to receive a disconnected number message.  I then contacted a long time resident of Big Bass Lake who felt the RV Park still had a few people using the facility. 

However, my biggest misconception was that this facility you see here was also part of the campground when instead it is the owners home.  But what a boarding house it could have been for a resort.  Can you imagine lunch being served on that massive second floor deck overlooking Big Bass Lake? 

Now, Grant’s Resort still exists on the north side of the lake, ut doesn’t this grand old lake deserve a great resort?  Maybe some of the mansions that are up for sale on the lake could be converted into som fort of inn?  Seaman and Harper Lake have fine resorts so why not Big Bass Lake?  Food for thought!

Aerial View of Big Bass Lake

Our property is on the right where the lake narrows just before the Haunted Island. As you can tell it is largely forest although at the top of the picture you can observe the farm portion of our property extending off toward the right. The lighter green portion in the middle of the picture was a swamp just behind our forested beach area.

The whisps of light you are observing came from the propeller of this plane. At the bottom of the picture is the former Camp Martin Johnson area.

The “Enchanted” Forest

On any given trip to our property within the Manistee National Forest one must get into the “psyche” of a boys mind.  From just north of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to our property, the last seventy miles are ALL through that forest.  So in each boys mind comes into play the enormity of that area of forest land.  Even so, all that distance is covered ihe daytime.

Yet on this particular trip with the Hoffman Estates Boys Club, we did not camp on our property being it late summer as I chose to rent a cabin overlooking the Little Manistee River about seven miles from our property.  Thus their accomodations were almst like home.  So venturing out that evening, those boys did not have the advantage of tent camping in that they had not experienced our forest at all.  Their first experience was to be at night!

As the climbed out of the car at the area I normally parked just above our wooded beachfront, we proceeded down Noreika Road to the old logging trail.  The boys stayed very close to me as we entered our forest.  Each tree must have seemed like some “spectre” of the night as their eyes bulged with every step they took.  Alan and Mark stayed especially close.  Two of the boys thought they saw a bear but it turned out to be only a cluster of bushes.  You know how imagination can affect the eyes? 

And each unfamiliar sound added to that “imagination” making that first entry into the night even more scary for them.  That is why cabin camping is far different than tent camping.  Even their visit to the Haunted Island was made even more special as they had not the advanage of first seeing it in the daytime.  More on that in another post. 

Trail Pak Foods for Camping

Here are some of the Trail Pak Foods we used on our camping trips to our farm in Michigan and what goes into them.

INGREDIENTS:

EGGS WITH BACON Egg powder, imitation bacon chips, and salt (enriched with tricalcium phosphate). Net Wt. 6 oz Serving Size 4 -1/3 cup

HASH BROWNS Potato Shreds`. Net Wt. 6 oz Serving Size 1/2 cup

ORANGE DRINK (Contains No Actual Fruit Juice) Sugar, citric acid, beatreme, ascorbic acid, natural flavor, artificial color, and xanthan gum. Net Wt. (4 oz) Serving Size 1 cup `Dehydrated

Richmoor is best known for its old-fashioned style and family-oriented products such as spaghetti and apple brown betty. Most recipes originated years ago and have improved over time with new ingredients and better seasonings. Products range from breakfast, lunch, and dinner items in two and four person sizes to vegetables, desserts, trail snacks and complete meals for four.

I often used Trail Pack Food on our camping trips to Michigan. The kids really enjoyed the macaroni and cheese as well as the beef stroganof. They supplimented our regular food and made cooking all the easier. Cooking on camping trips takes a great deal of time and preparation so Trail Pack Foods were a delight to use for various meals. Breakfast was quicker except for the days we prepared pancakes.

I would highly recommend Trail Pack Foods for any camping trip because, for the most part, they are somewhat like Kool Aid. Just merely add water, cook, and serve! The Trail Pak snacks included a dried fruit and nuts pak that was great to take on outrips for quick energy.

The Dog Days at ULBC Camp

This is another way to the ULBC Camp pool and League Lake as you might be able to make out the pool in the distance.  During this current heat wave,  cannot fathom how campers have endnred this extended stretch of 90 degree plus days!

Nights must be difficult o cope with as temperatures have hovered around 80 degrees and the cottages at camp did not have the best of ventilation.  Many were not even shaded.  That was not a problem during my year at camp at Tent City as our tents were shaded and well ventilated.

The mosquito situation must be horrendous as well making both the pool and League Lake the best places to be at camp.  I would gather that the camp infirmary is also doing a brisk business as they attempt to keep the boys and girls well hydrated. 

I recall that the dining hall was also a good place to escape the heat and get all the beverages that you could have.  Any thoughts from present campers or counselors on the extent of this years heat wave and how they are handling it?

With less than a month to go for this summer, the situation can only improve!  So take this pathway down to the lake and pool and cool off!  Okay?

The ULBC Pool and League Lake

I like this picture of the Union League Boys Club Camp Pool and just how close League Lake is to the pool. The pool was highly preferable to counselors and campers alike due to the high algae content of League Lake. In fact in close proximity to the swimming area in the lake was a stretch of algae just beyond the pool.

The pool was about four feet deep and an excellent place to teach swimming. Games were also played there such as water volleyball and tag. I myself enjoyed lounging in the pool whenever possible especially on my off days as a counselor.

The lake was great for boating and fishing and then there was always the lagoon, not far from the swimming area, that led to where the legendary Swamp Man was said to live. ULBC had a great waterfront that was always filled with activity.

The Na-Tah-Ka Corner Store

I know that many of us miss the original Big Bass Lake Store but at least Larry Bender made sure that the area was not deserted by opening his version of the Bass Lake Store. For locale residents this had to be a Godsend not only for groceries but also for gasoline. The store itself is more modern and up to date even though I liked the narrow isles of the original.

I knew another owner by the name of Jack Knysz. How’s that for a name? I heard he later went into real estate. Anyone know his present where-a-bouts? By the way, the new store sits halfway between Big Bass Lake and Loon Lake and offers Sunaco gasoline.

At any rate Larry Bender kept the Big Bass Lake area with a local store where they can stock their shelves without going all the way to Dublin or Scottville to stock up.

Another Parade Float With Our Old Cottage in Background

This photograph is from the 2008 Big Bass Lake Boat Parade over the fourth of July weekend.  What makes this particular float interesting to me is that it was taken directly in front of our old cottage.  When my grandmother owned it, the cottage was white but is has since been repainted yellow.  It also now is the dwarf cottage on the southwest shore of Big Bass Lake. 

All around it are large mansions yet our old cottage still retains the simplicity of what most cottages in its day looked like.  Now cottages like that are the virtual dinosaurs of the lake.  Just examine the cottage to its right to determine what I mean.  That home replaced many of our out buildings on our former property and while the change might be welcome to some, purists of the lake long for the more simple days of yore. 

Yet many cottages on the northwest side of the lake are similar in nature to our old place.

The Tree Farm on The Bloody Antler Trail

For the longest time I thought that our boys club outings at night on the Bloody Antler Trail were heading due north to the tree farm but now I find out it was due west. I looked at an aerial map only just recently to the north and could just not find that tree farm.

I remember that it was near to a dirt road so as I scanned that aerial map I found it due west and I have it here by way of an aerial photo. The red line in one picture shows you the line our boys club outings took. Where we parked our car on those trips was just off the Bloody Antler Trail on a grassy path.

For a time on each side of the road there was a swamp. After a time the trail literally emptied into an open tree farm. I hope these pictures helps clarify where our journies took us. From our wooded beachfront to the tree farm was about four miles. It made for a good evening hike.

These trips always started out at 9pm just as darkness was settling down in mid summer.

Gusty Ludington Winds

Late today Ludington was experiencing high winds with gusts up to 60 miles and hour that are supposed to continue through late tomorrow. The breakwater leading to the lighthouse was awash with waves pounding against it. As you can tell, some of that spray equaled the height of the lighthouse itself. I strolled out about halfway to the lighthouse until a giant wave drenched me good. I returned to shore and the car to dry out and get in getting the heater going.

I’m usually not that foolish as I value my life and some of those waves could have pushed me right into the harbor.  I do so value my time during storms such as these to observe how mightily the waves crash against that breakwater.  It amazes me how high the spray goes and tonight should be something special to see.  However, discretion being the better part of valor, I shall wait to view all this again tomorrow when the winds will be just as fierce.

Perhaps I’ll garner up another picture or two?  But it will from an even safer distance next time around.

The Big Bass Lake Public Landing

This area is the public landing and the property you see across the lake was once our family property. What you are observing there is a tree lined hill that, in mid picture, would have led to our cottage.

It would have been nice to put a gasoline pump at the landing. Since the Big Bass Lake store closed, there is no ready access to fuel for the boats. Plus the state could have made some extra money.

I used this old landing only once and that was to take our old wooden and water logged rowboat over there to dispose of. It was tugged over by my friend John’s pontoon boat which was no easy task given the amount of water that old rowboat had absorbed over the years. It now serves as someone’s boat garden.

By the way, it does have a public restroom on location. Next week, this landing will be the hub of much activity as the official time of summer on Big Bass Lake comes to a close when residents remove their speedboats from the lake and begin pulling in their piers.

This area once belonged to the late Frank Benish and at the time that Benish owned this land there was no public landing at all, only his pier.

Is This The New Sheriff Patrol on Big Bass Lake?

Now many of us know that Big Bass Lake is patrolled by the Lake County Sheriff’s office, so why not have an even more effective presence by using this tank over that of a regular speedboat?  It doesn’t have to use real ammo as it could instead utilize a water cannon to knock speeders out of the water.  As they do, a loudspeaker could blurt out, “Tanks for the Memories”.  It could hide just south of Haunted Island just ready for any speeders hurtling down the southward track along Haunted Island. 

Then again, maybe an even more effective vessel could be used over that of a tank?  Maybe this one-

Our shark patrol could actually gobble up offenders much the way the Ludington ferry boats take in cars.  A side service could be an oil change and maybe even clean the offenders windshield? 

Maybe some of you have even better ideas to police the waters of Big Bass Lake?  Let us know by way of a comment. 

The Old Barn Once Stood As Hanger 13

Our old barn was once used to store bales of hay clean up to the rafters. As a kid I climbed those bales over and over again right up to that ceiling. I also remember cows being there for a couple of summer visits. A neighbor also used to store his speedboat there. But as time moved forward the most amazing thing of all was stored there. Our barn became an airport hanger for an ultra light aircraft complete with a warning FBI sign posted outside.

Our field then became a landing strip for that aircraft complete with stocking on a pole to determine wind direction.

As old barns go they always seem to have that musty odor that barns have. It was a mixture of hay and wood. Old barns also have that vented feeling as slits of light permeated the interior of the building. This barn is no more as it yielded its way to progress and new homes being built on our property yet it will linger forever with this picture as a monument to time long past. My grandfather must have did a lot of work to put that barn there. It was by far the largest structure on our property. It will never be forgotten by me.

After our neighbor, who housed his utlralight aircraft in our barn, made several successful takeoffs and landings on our field he was ready for his biggest test of all and that was to be a landing on Big Bass Lake. He could hardly contain his enthusiasm for the coming flight. I chose to watch his landing from Big Bass Lake so I took our rowboat to a safe location that would be out of his flight path.

He came in low over the public landing and was set to make a perfect landing. As he hit the water, though, he cut speed instead of increasing speed and flipped over several times until the plane went underwater. I must have set an Olympic speed record getting to that location and arrived as he was hanging onto that overturned plane. He was underwater for longer than I thought he could hold his breath.

After helping him into the rowboat we headed for land as the September air was not fit for a swim. I got him back to his house where he quickly ran inside to shed his clothes and get into a hot shower. The next day I helped him drag that boat back to land with our motor boat. I believe that was the last flight he took but he later told me that any crash that you can walk away from is a good one. In his case, however, he should have said to swim away from.

By the way, that was the end of our barn being host to an aircraft.

The Salesian Boys Club Pool

>

The Salesian Boys Club is the only boys club that I was involved in that had a pool. This pool was on the third floor of our facility and once when we were providing canoe lessons we had to bring the canoe up the elevator shaft. Some members of our health club saw that canoe going up the elevator shaft through the glass door and thought they were seeing visions.

Our pool had both a swimming team that traveled to other boys clubs along with a water soccer team that played both boys clubs and YMCA’s. It was fun being able to program a pool and aside from free swims and practice sessions for our two competitive teams, there were two aquatic nights per month.

Aquatic nights had competitve games such as the towel and bucket relay where a towel had to be carried across the pool and squeezed into a bucket. It was a relay race and the first team that filled the bucket won. Then the kids had to splash a ping pong ball across the pool and this was also a relay race. Relay events were also held in paddle board, straight swimming, and the PJ Drill where kids had to go out to waist deep water, put on and take off a pair of pajamas, and again this was a relay event.

The winning relay race team got to dive for 500 pennies in the shallow end and the one that came up with the most received a $10 bill. Relay teams were always picked by random draw.

A pool can be a great benefit to a boys club if programmed rightly. Instead of a diving board, our pool had a mini trampoline that was angled toward the pool. I had never seen this before. But the kids seemed to enjoy it greatly.

Blue Skies over Big Bass Lake

A matter was recently brought to my attention here at BBL and Beyond relating to the photographs of Big Bass Lake.  An email came my way asking why the majority of the pictures of this lake were largely under gray skies?  I had not realized that until I sampled a few and that person was right.  Maybe a few bars of “Blue Skies” might help those that have sent us pictures and even those that we have of the lake ourself.

I must confess that the richness of a blue sky overhead makes the lakes waters appear even more blue than when they are not.  The boys of our various camping trips didn’t really seem to notice all that much about the sky unless rain was falling from it.  They enjoyed the lake because they liked to swim or boat in it.  And, as long as the fish were biting who cared what color the sky was anyhow?

Yes, blue skies make the lake appear even more beautiful, I suppose, but isn’t beauty defined by how the eyes take it in?  To me, Big Bass Lake will always be beautiful whether the skies are gray, blue, or white with snow.  All seasons are great on this lake but I mus confess that blue skies do make the lake seem more attractive.  What say you?

Flying Saucer Buzzes Big Bass Lake

Someone had informed me that a UFO float was seen at last summer’s Big Bass Lake Boat Parade but I would take it that this is not it! Why would a flying saucer be buzzing Big Bass Lake? Could it be interested in the old Big Bass Lake store? Or the public landing? Maybe someone had too much to drink at Nah-Ta-Ka?

Perhaps they’re trying to hide themselves in the depths of Big Bass Lake? They would be better served to then try the deeper Little Bass Lake. Or maybe someone just had too much chili the night before and thought they saw a UFO?

Now, to be fair, maybe the inhabitants of the saucer just wanted to have some fun in one of the best lakes ever? Can you imagine water skiing behind that UFO? You know what I think? I think this was just someone’s idea of a good dream. Or maybe someone was shooting the pilot of a network television program? I just hope they weren’t taking potshots at the pilot of this UFO. Or has Big Bass Lake finally joined “The Outer Limits”?

The Harper Lake Large Island

Dave Norris’ favorite lake, Big Bass Lake, happens to have five islands within its boundaries. In the remainder of Lake County, Michigan, only two other lakes have islands those being Elbow and Harper lakes. And here is one of the two islands on Harper Lake.

The island itself is rather large but nothing is built upon it. As I understand it, the island is largely overgrown and somewhat marshy in spots. I don’t believe that any structure is found on that island. In the aerial picture below you can observe Big Bass Lake Road snaking through the Manistee National Forest which surrounds Harper Lake. 

Harper Lake does have an active resort on it at the far side of the lake from the island. From most spots at the resort you can take in this island in the distance, but the second island is hidden. I’ve only been boating on Harper Lake once and that was for a fishing excursion and I hardly even noticed this island at the time. My eyes were more for the fish I was going to catch that day.

Anyone out there know any more about this particular island on Harper Lake? Leave us a comment about it if you do.

Was This The Intended Life Raft for The Titanic?

At this time of year, Big Bass Lake does not have icebergs.  In fact, they NEVER do so this is most likely the scenerio for a life raft to be used for this “Titanic” at Big Bass Lake.  It would be a jumping off point for the occupants of this award winning float in the 2011 Boat Parade held on Big Bass Lake.  And, what a jump off point!  Abandon ship to go swimming in th refreshing waters of this lake.

Since it took two pontoon boats to make this float a reality, I’m sure there were enough kids aboard to make full use of that life raft.  So called because they would be having the time of their life on it!  As for what might sink this particular Titanic, well, maybe it might run into the monster of Big Bass Lake?  I wonder who took second place at this year’s boat parade?

Feeding Frenzy at Lake Michigan

I think I’ve seen something like this before?  Only that person isn’t Rod Taylor and tht scene isn’t from Hitchcock’s, The Birds!  Even so, the number of birds found in this photograph does rival those from that movie!  Just look at all those gulls!

My guess is that a lot of dead fish must have been washed ashore by a recent storm on Lake Michigan.  Either that or a whole lot of worms were getting some sun?  It makes me wonder as to just how safe that person is on that beach?  

I’ve taken some interesting photographs of Lake Michigan before but nothing like this one!  I just hope that on my way home that no on flips me the “bird” cause I’ve seen enough birds today to last me a lifetime!  So, where’s Tippi Hedron when you really need her?

Stormy Day at Lake Michigan

You might think I’m crazy but one of my favorite times to go down to Lake Michigan near Ludington was during storms and it didn’t matter the season. I loved watching the storms slam into the breaker sending foamy spray high into the air or watching the waves crash into the rocks sending water every which way.

If there was no lightning involved, I sometimes even would take a dip and do some body surfing but always with a friend at hand. As I said once before I even take a dip in the winter along with my fellow polar bear club. That swim however is a very short one. As much as I enjoy Lake Michigan I don’t like swimming there in the winter. Give me a parka though and I’ll come down to watch the winter winds churn up that old lake.

In winter you can watch the spray shoot up like a whale spout through the various ice crevices that form. There are even some icebergs found in Lake Michigan and this fall and winter I’ll be showing you some of those. Stick around!

Inner Tube Trouble on Big Bass Lake

Ed Hawks sent in this picture of inner tube skiing on Big Bass Lake. As you can tell there ARE perils in this sport. You might say either his son or his pal were about to flip for joy! These pictures were taken on the North side of Big Bass Lake close to Four Winds Island.

Inner tubing behind a ski boat is getting quite popular on the lake even over that of water skiing. I think it would be even more fun myself. I’ve even seen a very high speed boat on that lake one summer and boy did it ever put out a wake. To my knowledge there is still no speed zone on the lake.

Tubing though is here to stay on Big Bass Lake even with the occassional spill. Have fun guys!

Bear Track and The Hoffman Estates Boys Club

From our property, the closest campground to us was Driftwood Valley along the Little Manistee River.  Most of our trips went to this location.  However on one trip with the Hoffman Estates Boys Club, we took a side trip to the next campsite up the river, that being Bear Track.  Our excursion just happened to occur just after dusk.

Now, when the boys saw the sign “Bear Track” their fertile imaginations immediately went to work as I didn’t have to add much for our story of the night there huddled around a picnic table.  I told them of a nearby cave where a bear was known to dwell.  Of course, there were no takers to go to that cave but two of the boys, Alan Cohen and Mark O’Brien got the biggest eyes as my tale progressed.  They were both sitting on the grass and when they heard a sound in the bushes near them they leaped into the air only to spot a very small squirrel seemingly amused at their reactions.

Just the name of the site, Bear Track, was enough to unnerve most of the boys and they were most anxious to return to our rented cabin that evening.  And, that was the very same trip where the kids saw wolf through that cabin window one evening! 

Hell and Paradise

I’m good friends of Mike and Darlene Reynolds and a good pal of theirs that lives in Indiana recently wrote about how Michian is accurate theologically what with our Hell and Paradise, Michigan,  Paradise is in the Upper Peniusla while Hell resides in the lower portion of our state. Yet as unusual the name’s of those two cities, how about the following gems by way of comparison?

Now, I’m not sure whether the photo on the left is a suburb of the one of the right or vice versa?  In fact, they both are vice as far as I am concerned.  Who would name their towns for those things in the first place?  Can you imagine putting down those two towns on your personal resume?  Well how about this one-

I’m just glad that those three towns are outside my state!  But now that I’ve got the foolish ones out of my system, how about this one?

If you ask me, all these towns have peculiar names so this new revelation doesn’t surprise me a bit! 

Now I could understand “Cut and Paste” although I don’t think I would want to do that either.  Where do town founders come up with these names?  Do they do this on purpose or is it just some form of-

Yes, these town names are peculiar and one big accident.  I’m so glad that I did this post today and now I think I’ll lie down with a wet cloth over my forehead.  Does that sound peculiar to you?

Bath Time for Campers at Big Bass Lake

On one camping trip where the kids got extremely dirty on a hike, I came up with the idea of a perfect bathtub once darkness set in and that was to sink our metal rowboat and turn it into a bathtub. Each boy in turn had the privacy of that bathtub to get a good bath with soap and water. This was done on the pointe and not where the kids usually swam. That area still had a sand bottom.

We strung up a tarp in that area for even more privacy but at this time of day there were no speed boaters on the lake. One kid was all for this idea until he stepped out of the sunken boat and noticed crawdads on the sandy beach saying, “This is my last birthday suit bath with those critters around”. All in all the kids enjoyed their bath time and felt a whole lot better going to bed that evening, that is, after we roasted a few marshmellows.