Swimming at Seaman Lake Has Options

The Leisure Resort on Seaman Lake in Lake County, Michigan, offers you the choice of using the swimming pool or lake for swimming. I found the lake somewhat murky for swimming but that was back in the 1970′s when the resort had no swimming pool. I would think that today the swimming pool is doing more business than the lake in regard to swimming.

Still the younsters seen in this photograph don’t seem to be begrudging the lake any. In fact they look quite content in swimming in Seaman Lake. The lake, better known for its fishing, can be used for swimming too. But its good to know that one currently has options as to where they choose to swim. The best scenerio is to swim BOTH in the pool and in the lake and from that determine which is best for you.

By the way, the lake is also great for row boats in the event that you wanted to know.

I do wonder, though, if the pool was constructed due to any algae problems in the lake.  I know of several small lakes where this is an ongoing problem so maybe the pool was added for this reason?  Is swimming still allowed in Seaman Lake?

Adam John (AJ) Noreika/Norris

The following is the record of my father, Adam John Noreika / Norris.

Birth:	Dec. 24, 1909 Calumet Houghton County Michigan,USA
Death:	Mar. 6, 1973 Palatine Cook County Illinois,USA
AJ Norris was the son of Joseph Noreika (1873-1956) and Barbara Letukas (1884-1976). He was born on Christmas Eve, 1909 in Calumet, Michigan. He grew up with three siblings, Barbara Agnes (1916-1992), Elizabeth Eve (1917-2004), and Joseph Martin (1920-2006); two other siblings, John Noreika (1911-1911) and Eva Noreika (1913-1916) proceeded them in death. The last name Noreika was “Americanized” around the time of WW2 to “Norris.” Adam grew up on the 280-acre family farm right on Big Bass Lake in Irons, Michigan. He entered the armed forces as an enlisted man and then as an officer in the Army Air Corps. He was stationed In Hawaii at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack, though he held a “desk job.” After his honorary discharge on February 21, 1946 he returned to Chicago and worked in the printing industry. He was president of the Runkle-Thompson-Kovats design firm. He married Treva Margaret McCarthy on August 29, 1941 and they had four children: Susie, David, Kathy, and Treva (the third generation for the unique first name). The family lived in Illinois then Wabash, Indiana. AJ died in 1973 in Palatine, Illinois. Burial: Cremated, Ashes scattered. Specifically: Irons,Michigan; Noreika Family Farm.  His ashes were scattered along with my mother’s in 1992 on the north end of my grandparents property quite near the phone lines.  It was near a little creek that he liked to think by as a young boy.

Our Shoreline in The 1970′s

The Noreika property shoreline on the southwest portion of Big Bass Lake extended just eest of the public landing and up the shoreline about a half mile. Our wooded beachfront was almost exactly across from the public landing.  In those days the hillside running along that shoreline was filled with trees which have since been removed for new housing once our land was sold.

he 1970′s were most memorable for me as that is the decade which saw the majority of camping trips with three Boys Clubs of America.  Most of those camping trips were conducted in the summer time with the exception of two trips.  The Marion Boys Club took a trip during Mid-Sprin when ice was still on the lake whereas the Hoffman Estates Boys Club took a Mid-Autumn trip and stayed at a cabin on the Little Manistee River.

Yet this shoreline is the way I best remember our property.  It was filled with trees and bushes.  Our cottage was almost invisible from the lake yet that same building nowcan easily be seen with all the trees gone. 

I used to hike a trail just south of our pier to get the mail in an all shaded route along the shores of Big Bass Lake.  It rose only at the end to get me to Big Bass Lake Road just as it merged with our driveway.  Yes, the 1970′s was most definately my favorite era at the lake.

The Narrows of Big Bass Lake

What a vista to behold as the camera takes in the view of the narrows of Big Bass Lake from the northeast tip of the Big Island. This area is difficult to row as one hits the winds from the north head on. I’ve been there and done that rowing toward the channel to Little Bass Lake which is quite a chore with the north winds blowing. I have also added a southward vista of Big Bass Lake from the old Camp Martin Johnson through those same narrows.

Coming back home to our wooded beach was much faster and simpler as then I was going with the wind. Enroute I skimmed past the twin islands and headed for the channel. This is the time I went through the channel and briefly into Little Bass Lake. The stay was ever so brief as it took some time just to get to that point.  Another factor to contend with us is the number of speed boats coming down the narrows and back again to the north side of the lake which is almost a continual problem so in rowing one has to be close to shore. 

Those that live in this area of the Big Island have a panoramic view of Big Bass Lake both to the north and again to the southeast.

Treva McCarthy Norris

The following is the birth and death record of my mother, Treva McCarthy Norris who died on my birthday, November 18, 1990.

Birth:	Nov. 8, 1921 Chicago Cook County Illinois,USA
Death:	Nov. 18, 1990 Indianapolis Marion County Indiana,USA
Treva Margaret McCarthy was born to John Joseph McCarthy (1897-1944) and Treva Marie Hendricks (1898-1941). She married Adam John (AJ) Norris (1909-1973) on August 29, 1941. Treva and AJ had four children: Susie, Kathy, David, and Treva. Family links: Parents: John Joseph McCarthy (1897 – 1944) Treva Marie Hendricks McCarthy (1898 – 1941) Burial: Cremated, Ashes scattered. Specifically: Irons, Michigan; Noreika Family Farm.  My parents ashes were scattered together near the large marsh on my grandparents property by myself, and my sisters Treva and Kathy in 1992.

Our Former Driveway

My first photograph shows our driveway from Big Bass Lake Road and in the distance you can observe our garage which is exactly right next to North island View Lan as that driveway is known today,  When walking out to get the mail for my grandmother when I was a youngster, I always enjoyed this brief period of shade under that tree.  As you can tell, the rest of the road is in the open and prone to being covered over in the winter by heavy snow,

The second picture shows you the same road but from the opposite view.  The trees in question over the driveway are better seen here.  Where the driveway ends, Big Bass Lake Road begins and just to the west (right) of that road, another dirt road appears not fifty yards from the exit which leads to the Bloody Antler Trail.

The last picture is taken on Big Bass Lake Road just to the west of our driveway.  If you look hard enough you might be able to make out Big Bass Lake to the east.  Now a paved road, our driveway was once just a rocky trail leading to the farmhouse where the garage now stands.  Of course, then, Big Bass Lake Road itself was not paved.

Tent Locations on Camping Trips

On camping trips to our property with the Marion Boys Club, we usually picked up four tents which I stored in the granary on our farm each year.  The locations of those tents included two in our main camping area near he main fire pit, one at the Pointe for older boys, and the one you see here near the swamp.  This tent was perhaps the spookiest of the four being the farthest from Big Bass Lake.  It was in close proximity to our swamp cooking fire pit.

With the Salesian Boys Club I used three tents with all three being in the main area.  Two were used for housing and the third was a large screened tent that was used for in climate weather.  On that trip, it was used a lot for it rained nearly every day. 

The swamp tent, however, was used for two boys and also used for some storage.  It was used on a rotating basis each night so that the kids could have a measure of privacy from the main tent area even though it was only about forty yards away.  The Pointe tent was about seventy yards away and used by older boys on any given trip.  The Swamp tent was just a few yards away from the quagmire marsh located just north of the wooded beachfront that we used.  The boys often spoke about the “weird” noises that could hear in that marshy area at night. 

Needless to say, no one used that tent on the evening we went out to Haunted Island for that was enough of being scared for one night.  I believe that I used the Swamp tent on only two camping trips with the Marion Boys Club as it was the hardest to set-up.

Matter Park Zoo, Train, and Pool

Yes, I remember the Matter Park Zoo and especially the bear cage with that old bear inhabiting it. Once, after a trip to Michigan with the Marion YMCA kids, one of them brought back a giant turtle thinking their mother would let them keep it. Wrong! It wound up being donated to the zoo instead. But what of the zoo today?

Matter Park at one time housed the Marion Zoo, which was home to twenty-four deer, fifteen monkeys, banty chickens, twelve sheep, two raccoons, four peacocks, two foxes, one bear, seven or eight domestic rabbits, one rhea, one angora goat, a llama, and a lion. Today, however, the zoo has been closed due to lack of funding.

I also remember the Matter Park Train Ride alongside River Road and right next to the Mississenewa River. When the water was high in the spring, it often covered the tracks to this train. Sadly, it too is gone from the park now.

I also remember the Matter Park Pool where we took many trips to in the summer with the Marion Boys Club. Our kids really enjoyed their Friday’s there. But what of the pool today?

In 1990 it was proposed that the Matter Park pool be demolished due to deterioration and the expenses of upkeep. The pool had been built in 1924, and was beginning to show the wear of its age. Several renovations which would have had to have been completed to open the pool were repairing a leak in the roof of the bathhouse, fixing the water heater, the showers, and the toilets in the bathhouse which had not worked in years. The pool’s edges were cracked and chipped, and there were numerous cracks in the pool which were large enough to pose a threat to the health of swimmers.

 In the spring of 1988, the city filled the diving well of the pool with cement due to problems keeping the water in the pool, thus limiting the uses of the pool in the community. The City Council voted unanimously to demolish the pool in May of 1990, and began the demolition in June of that year.

Thus, the zoo, train, and pool are all gone from Matter Park today however the memories of all three continue to thrive at this website.

Neon Sign Advertising by Little Buck

Whoa there, Bambi, you’re sticking out like a sore thumb. Human talk, you know, cause if you stay around them long enough you’re gonna pick up their lingo.  We might as well be carrying a neon sign tonight.  At least we ought to give those hunters some sort of challenge.

Say, maybe it’ll snow tonight and then we’d fit right in?  But tonight a hunter would have to be blind to miss us.  And, don’t be tail gating me Bambi.  I don’t like to be crowded especially during hunting season.  A fella needs some space to move around in especially if we hear a rifle shot. 

And no salt blocks tonight either.  I know you’re hooked on that stuff but they don’t need no salt block to see us.  Hey, maybe we could roll around in some mud down by the creek?  Or we could paint each other saying, Protected Species List.  Maybe even write out, “Eat at Na-Tah-Ka”.  Nah, cause they might take that literally and then they’ d be having supper with us as their main course!

You know the only logical thing we can do is to pray for snow.  Or that their guns might misfire?  I just hope that Big Buck ain’t out hunting Little Buck tonight.  You know I think that mud idea is the best so let’s set out for that creek and forget that salt block,Bambi, as that would be hazardous to your health tonight believe you me!

Big Bass Lake Store and Grandma’s Hat

This photograph provides you with an excellent look at the tiny island known as Grandma’s Hat behind the former Big Bass Lake store. Even with Larry Bender’s new store right across the street, I am surprised that no one has come forward to renovate the old Big Bass Lake store with some commerical element to it. How about a novelty store complete with an ice cream parlor? There are many ice cream venues that are only open during the late spring to early fall times of the year.

With the view from the back of the Big Bass Lake store it would be a natural for an ice cream shop.  Or what about a combined barber and beauty shop?   The vuew is probably one of the best on the lake as you can observe the Big Island along with the small one and even take in the narrows in the distance of the lake.  I know that the old store would need a lot of remodeling or even perhaps starting over from scratch.  But that store deserves better than to just sit there empty.  For decades it has well served the greater Big Bass lake area. 

Maybe a roller skating rink could be erected on that location?  Then the old Loon Lake Roller Rink would give place to the Big Bass Lake Pavillion.  Or put a new “Fun Spot” in that location with bowling lanes and an arcade.  It’s in a prime location on the lake and needs to be reopened whatever the venue.  Other ideas?

Watch Out For That Hill!

An ever-growing hazard on the many miles of snowmobile trails in the Manistee National Forest is evident by what you see here.  Yes, it is only a hillside on the trail but one must be continually vigilant as to what might be coming over the top of that hill especially if you yourself are racing up it.  Collisions are ever-increasing due to not being very vigilant as to what you are doing on those trails.

And, it is not only other snowmobiles that you have to be aware of but also cross-country skiers that use these pathways not to mention hikers.  Due to the snowpack being reduced by constant travel by snowmobiles, it is a draw to both cross-country skiers and hikers. 

I always reduce my speed when I am approaching a hillside going either way.  It’s much better to be safe than sorry.  Yet many snowmobilers love speed and they love to fly over these hillsides as many take briefly to the air when they do.  But that is trouble in the making. 

So my advise to snowmobiles everywhere is “Watch out for that hill!”

A Monster Wave

With water breaking against the Ludington pier like this, I sure hope there aren’t any people out there on it. Both Darlene and I have featured people straying out on the breakwater even in waves like this to their own peril.

On one photograph, a lone fisherman is out on this breakwater in similar waves.  I’m not sure why people risk their lives to do so.  I have even seen people take this risk in the winter when waves still strike this breakwater with fury.  Then the breakwater itself is frozen over so any water that is sprayed upon it would turn it into an ice rink. 

I have often said that window washers aren’t needed out at this lighthouse because nature takes care of that on a periodic basis.  Still, waves like this impress me nevertheless.  Lake Michigan has its own show nearly every storm but the best place to watch that fury is from shore.

The Longest 30 Miles Ever!

On two separate trips to Lake County, Michigan, the Marion YMCA had undertaken both a canoe trip on the Pere Marquette River plus a camping trip to our property. And, on this particular day, the two were about to meet up when originally that was not supposed to be the case.

The canoe YMCA leader has greatly underestimated the complexity of the river system of the Pere Marquette.  Having put in at Baldwin, Michigan, they had set off for what they thought was to be a 30 mile jaunt to Lake Michigan.  They were soon to find out that the Pere Marquette had some obstacles and curves they were not expecting.  Sometimes to go just one straight mile on that river covers four actual miles with all the twists and turns such as the one you see in my photograph.  That is called getting nowhere NONE TO  FAST!

My group of kids were on an off property trip to the Branch area of the Pere Marquette River both wading, fishing, and even catching a gigantic turtle.  This was on the fourth, and final day, of the other YMCA canoe trip.  Their leader had thought they would be at Lake Michigan by that time.  So to both our mutual surprise, they wound up getting to the Branch area the same time we were there which is not even the halfway point to Lake Michigan.

They were amazed as to how little they had progressed over their four days as they were almost out of food.  They docked there and I went to a phone to call their livery service to come and pick them up at the Branch location.  The 30 miles they were counting on and misjudged was the cost of the cancellation of the remainder of their trip.  They had needed to return to Marion, Indiana, at the conclusion of their four-day journey.

Two hours later they were picked up by the livery service for a return trip o Baldwin and their vehicle.  However, my boys were only at the midpoint of their trip so as they waved good-bye to their friends, their trip continued on with even more fun for the rest of that day at the Pere Marquette River.

Swimming Trips With The Marion Boys Club

Every Friday, like clockwork, the Marion Boys Club would head to Matter Park, on the north side of Marion, in the summer or to the Marion YMCA in the winter for swimming.  The sign-up sheet was always full of names for either of these locations.

Matter Park Pool offered the boys some refreshment only air conditioning could provide back at the club on hot summer days.  Our three-hour swimming trips gave the boys all the time they needed to exhaust themselves, not to mention the staff that took them there.  It was a great city pool.

The Marion YMCA Pool offered the boys a heated pool during the winter months.  Once, however, one of our older boys, James Freshwater mistook the deep for the shallow end and jumped right in.  Fortunately the life guard on duty was exceptional in his duties as from that point forward, James learned which end was the shallow end for he could not swim.

The YMCA swimming program did teach James how to swim before the winter was over making any jump into the pool quite safe for him from then on.  Many thanks went out from our boys to the Marion YMCA staff for affording them the opportunity for winter swims.

During the time I worked for the Marion Boys Club our facility consisted of a library, television room, snack bar, and two game rooms plus a lighted outdoor playground complete with two basketball goals.  That facility is now closed and the kids of that area have a new club near Indiana Wesleyan University.

The Way to Downtown Ludington

Ludington Avenue leads to downtown Ludington or to Lake Michigan, whichever might be your pleasure that day. For a woman, it is always my first option although the Sauble River Outlet into Lake Michigan takes a close second.

I have always treasured this middle section of the avenue which is neatly groomed each and every year for the tourists and residents.  It picks up just west of the downtown district and if you’re looking for just about anything under the sun, you’ll find it in downtown Ludington. 

From nice restaurants to curious shops your shopping skills will be honed to a T.  Summer tourists flock to this area and while the children enjoy the swimming at Ludington State Park or the beach, mothers can have their fill of fun with just about any credit card.  Ludington nearly triples in size during the summer months so patience is a virtue that is put to the test in waiting lines.

So have fun and let the shopping begin!

Some Tubing Kids Flip for Joy

This should be just the ticket to brighten this cold November day at Big Bass Lake with the full knowledge that these times are not all that far away.  I wonder what happened to the riders of this inner tube? 

Now you’ll just have to be content with ice fishing, skating, and snowmobiling upon the frozen surface of the lake.  Or you might even take a walk out to your favorite island?  I’m sure that there are even some hills around the lake that offer sledding possibilities on the lake?  Just make sure that the ice is firm enough to warrant these kinds of activities.

Then in six short months you’ll all be out tubing again on Big Bass Lake having the time of your life!  Maybe the people around the lake could even establish the old ski jump to blast those tubing kids skyward to increase the fun potential?  Would that be something or what?

Water Walkers at Big Bass Lake

How about a leisurely stroll on the surface of Big Bass Lake today?  Well, these pontoon like stork feet will allow you to do just that!  I would recommend a day, though, after Labor Day or before Memorial Day when speedboat wakes wouldn’t be able to make you fall.  And what a great form of exercise this is!  I must recommend it to Ed Hawks.  I might even get Sara Jacobs  a set?

This  invention makes it possible for a person to walk on water at a near normal gait without using any additional accessory.  The user gets into the pontoons on dry land, steps into the water and simply keeps going forward after losing contact with solid ground. Bindings are not necessary.  Slow current, small waves, mild wind and underwater obstacles offer little problem and walking through thin ice is quite easy. The user is changing direction by shifting his weight and changing the direction of his feet and legs.

When going back to land the water walker just walks towards shore and gradually steps out of the water with his feet still inside the pontoons.  Using this invention people may navigate on water in a manner substantially similar to the way they do on dry land, but not as easily and swiftly: Snow shoeing is a good analogy.

And, I thought that I had seen everything when I saw an elephant fly.  At least in a Dumbo movie!

Confession at the 11th Hour by Turk Key

Just one more hour until doomsday!  And if I hear that kid say just one more time, “Dibs on the drumstick”, I’ll just scream!  I wish that I was a turnkey instead of a turkey cause then I’d escape my fate and get back to that animal farm I came from.  I don’t care if those other critters say that I’m ducking my responsibility or not!  If I wait just one more month then someone else’s goose will be cooked!

You know, human logic escapes me.  That hunter that bagged me literally beat the stuffings out of me when he caught me.  Then I heard his wife say that she was planning on putting that stuffing back inside me?  Huh! 

Say, maybe I can paint my back feathers so that I look like the old NBC Peacock.  They’d never put my neck on the block if they thought I was famous?  Or maybe I can talk talk that mutton head dumb sheep into this-

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I mean, if I escape I’d be on the lamb anyone! Maybe even ride him piggyback so that those humans’ don’t get the chance to pig out on me!  Okay you can call me a chicken turkey if you want to but I’d just like to see anyone of you stick their neck out for me in less than an hour now! 

You know, in that first Thanksgiving they had fish instead of turkey.  Perhaps I could interest them in some creamed herring?  Hmmm?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM BIG BASS LAKE AND BEYOND TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

Manistee Then and Now

I don’t get to Manistee very often as my shopping preferences take me more to Ludington. Yet every now and then my shopping does take me to Manistee as I love the charm of the area.  Thus, I thought I would present to you what Manistee once looked like compared to how it looks today.  And, outside of the change in automobiles the area looks virtually untouched.

When in Manistee I enjoy the Riverwalk and the beaches although in my opinion they can’t compare to the beaches in Ludington.  Now Manistee is more known for the large gambling casino that is just north of the town.  That part of Manistee they can keep but I understand that the area needed the employment possibilities that the casino brought to the area.

So, what are “your” memories of Manistee both now and then?  Let me know by way of a comment.

Fishing The Little Manistee River

The Salesian Boys Club of Columbus, Ohio, made an off site trip from our property at Big Bass Lake to the Little Manistee River for some fishing and fun.  While there, no one liked to fish next to Mike Myers and the reason why simple.  Mike was a constant talker and everyone knows that you have to be quiet to be a good fisherman.  Yet Mike always maintained that he was talking to the fish as if anyone believed that!

Even more popular than fishing were the splash wars that the boys had on that trip.  Since rain seemed to be our constant companion on that particular time at our property the kids enjoyed every opportunity to get legitimately wet.  The Little Manistee River’s water was as cold as Lake Michigan and very swift moving.  It was also clean enough to get a drink from. 

We took the days catch back to our property and had a good old-fashioned fish fry complete with baked potatoes.  Good eating that day capped off a great day of fun for those boys.

The Foggy Road

Now and then its good to take camping excursions by car, at least to begin with. On this particular day we followed a dirt road into the Manistee National Forest about ten miles away from Big Bass Lake and entered a fog bank for about two miles. I stopped the car and about five boys unloaded from my station wagon and began exploring the forest in that area. It was a rather cool day even though the month was July.

We came across a small lake that had no cabins or cottages anywhere in sight. One of the kids thought it was a previously undiscovered lake but we were too close to the road, less than a mile, so I thought that was not possible.

Sometimes its great just to get into your car and find th first dirt or sand road off the main road and just plain explore. I like to get at least four or five miles down those roads before selecting a place to start. Those kinds of trips the kids really get into. That was done about twice on a week long camping trip just to give the kids something different from our property on Big Bass Lake. Side trips were also fun and different.

By the way the fog never lifted during that side trip and that made for an errie walk for the kids. It was just another thing for them to talk about on the way home after that trip.

Autumn at Sauble Lake

Earlier today I provided you with a rather drab picture of Sauble Lake so this afternoon I wanted to give you a full color picture of how Autumn colors this lake. I love this lake because there is no public landing. The lake is more restrictive than other lakes in the area.

And, like Big Bass Lake to the north, this lake also has channels but four of them!  Each leads to one of the Sauble chain of lakes.  Plus I find this lake less travel heavy than other lakes in the area allowing for more peaceful rides without all those heavy wakes.

Between mid October and mid November one can feast their eyes on scenery such as this all day long to their hearts content.  I enjoy using either a rowboat or canoe to take in this fantastic scenery as I lazily just drift about each lake. 

Perhaps you have a favorite of the Sauble Lake’s and if you do leave me a comment as to which one and why. 

Sauble Lake’s Fun Spot

Have you ever wanted to just kick yourself for not remembering to take a few photographs of your favorite memories when younger?  I used to frequent this “Fun Spot” near Sauble Lake yet never once thought of taking a few pictures here.  I most remember the warped bowling lanes so that you really had to concentrate to get your bowling ball to do what you wanted it to do.

I also liked the pinball machines.  Do you remember those old heaters and the noise they put out?  I also wonder why the Fun Spot was never replaced when it burned down?  At least I heard that is what happened to it.  Does anyone reading this website have old pictures of the Fun Spot.  If so send it to me at benmiller1952@yahoo.com

Also send me your thoughts about the Fun Spot and maybe I’ll donate a page to it at the top of Big Bass Lake and Beyond.  Perhaps the Fun Spot can be “fun” again through all of our memories about it?

Boys and Girls Club Awards Night

Award nights are always great for youth groups as they honor and reward achievements throughout the year. At Hoffman Estates, my Board of Directors informed me that attendance would be light however I still set up 100 chairs for the event and all but two were filled. Virginia Hayter, the mayor of Hoffman Estates was a special guest and she had to get up on a chair to give me a welcome kiss as I am 6’10″.

The evening was capped off by oour guest speaker who was Al Mackin, Director of the Union League Boys Club Camp in Salem, Wisconsin. Previously all the awards were passed out for all the events that were held throughout the year. However one award was left out and that came after Al’s speech. It was the Boy of the Year Award and our version was a trophy nearly four feet high. Danny Heisen won for his achievements as a club ad Torch Club leader. He was als President of our Consumer Research Club. One of our Board of Director members then treated us all to a night at Steak and Shake on the house.

At the Joplin Boys Club, again, my Board of Directors felt that no parents would attend our first awards night. I set up a 100 chairs and all were filled. I even had to pull down two sections of beachers for the overflow crowd yet only one of my board members attended. All the boys received their trophies and one came out with another large Boy of the Year trophy.

I don’t know why boards are skeptical of attenance at awards nights?

The Bridge Within the Channel

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This is the bridge in the channel between Big and Little Bass Lakes and from this direction one would be going toward Little Bass Lake from Big Bass Lake.  To the right would be the land once belonging to Camp Martin Johnson that is now owned by the Heritage Bay Association.  Yet what lies to the west of that land bridge?  And is it safe enough to walk upon after all these years?

Is there an actual trail that exists to the west or does one just encounter brush and trees?  I believe the cottage of Ann Louise Chase is not far from this location.  I also understand that bears are most often observed in this area.

But how about a view from the Little Bass Lake side leading to Big Bass Lake? 

It’s somewhat wider here, the channel, because you are just leaving the southern portion of Little Bass Lake and one can get a good glance at the bridge from this location being much closer than our other photograph.  As for the channel itself, it is largely a one-lane channel although books can be moved over to the side in bushes to allow someone to pass.  It is also rather deep in spots.

Can anyone enlighten us as to how good the fishing might be in the channel?