A Creek Runs Through It

Although three Boys Clubs of America organizations sed our property in Michigan, only one explored the creek that cut through our land and that was the Marion Boys Club.  It was funny that the same thing never happened before or again as those boys asked to follow the course of that creek from the time it entered our property to where it left it.

The strange thing about that creek is that it began somewhere in the swamps making access near impossible.  Then for a time the stream took an underground course past the phone lines before emerging just past them.  At one point near the phone lines it was at its widest and then later on toward Big Bass Lake Road it was a mere trickle.

Several of the boys waded in the section that you find photographed here and, as most boys do, they searched under rocks and other such things in full exploration mode.  Inquiring minds just want to know so much.  Because it was so shallow at this point some kids went into the creek with their shoes on while others opted for bare feet.  One boy, Kenny Huffman, wondered why the other kids had such an interest in just a creek but then he was the oldest boy in the group and other things were on his mind. 

I often wonder why that creek was never again fully explored by other boys clubs?  Yet there were some aspects to our property that some clubs explored and others did not.  I suppose some things just don’t have an answer to them.

The Twin Waterfall’s- Part Five

I don’t think any other part of the Salamonie State Forest held the attention of the Marion YMCA boys more than the twin waterfalls. One was a mere trickle while the other more forceful yet the thing that the boys liked was the “island” between them that gave them great views of each.

Both emptied out into a pond below where the boys looked for frogs or tried to spear fish with a sharp pole.  During most months of the year the island was very accessible except for the Spring when rains swelled each side so that the boys could not cross over to the island.  Thus Spring time trips were very limited.  That also being the muddy time of the year I would suppose that the boys mother welcomed that fine insight of mine.

The twin waterfalls were readily available on the trail around Salamonie Lake with just a slight diversion.  They were less than a quarter-mile off that main trail.  While at these two waterfalls the kids never hiked much as they observed and sought marine life in the pond below.  Maybe some day I’ll get there again?

Extreme Cherry Pie

My husband, Mike, dearly loves my cherry pie yet even with his ravenous appetite he would be hard pressed to finish off the pie I am about to describe to you. Even Dave Norris’ friends Myrna and Dianna couldn’t even tag team this pie. You see my picture above once held that pie.

In 1987, the town of Traverse City had its own cherry festival. The Chef Pierre Bakeries went to work, and on July 25 it baked a cherry pie that was 28,350 pounds; 17 feet, 6 inches in diameter. And, the town had Guinness Book of World’s Records certify its pie as the largest ever.

The Traverse City pan stands unadorned, propped among bushes, in front of the former Chef Pierre Bakeries plant. Next to it, in a brick memorial, is an oversized certificate from the Guinness Book of World’s Records, fraying at the bottom, that gives the pie’s particulars.

I wonder if Ms Delcambre will make her way to Traverse City to get those particulars?  After all, Louisiana needs to be known for something!

Is The Pier Larger Than The Lake?

Maybe Ed Hawks can enlighten us as to this particular photograph when he gets the time. And maybe he can let us know a little about Alice Lake as well. For one thing, how did this lake gets its name? Its founder wasn’t known by the last name of Kramden, was it?

This is one large pier? I wonder if Ed knows the property owner? How many cottages are found on this lake? Do speedboats use the lake at all? Is it big enough for water skiing? How about the fishing here?

The Up’s and Down’s of Preparatory Camping- Part Four

The Salamonie State Forest offered the Marion Boys Club kids ample room to flex their leg muscles seven times going down and up various valleys each highlighted by a waterfall.  Due to the loose earth in these valleys I urged the boys to wear work gloves because when they would be going down some steep inclines they would have to grab trees with their hands as they went by.  Naked hands could well be scratched up by those trees as they grabbed them and proceeded further down the incline.

One, in fact, even came out of the ground when I grabbed it causing me to lose my balance but fortunately I was almost at the bottom of that incline when it happened.  I guess I don’t know my own strength.  At least that is what I told the boys.

By the time this hike was over, the boys legs were more than just a litte wobbly and they were near exhausted.  Going down and up seven hillsides is no easy chore.  They bristled about going back the same way but I told them we were going back on another more level pathway much to their delight. 

This type of hike, though, would get their legs in shape for the hikes that would be coming when we camped at our property in Michigan later that same month.  Hikes there are more level but much longer in duration.  After all, as State Forest can hardly match up to a National Forest (Manistee).

Salamonie Lake Hikes- Part Three

The Marion Boys Club kids got their feet wet at times, literally, walking around Salamonie Lake which was just over a mile hike.  The terrain was largely flat but with marshes to cross that got the soles of tennis shoes or hiking boots wet.  It was even somewhat muddy in those areas of the hike. 

Most of the way the lake was in view but in a few points it was not.  In one area it appeared like we were in the Florida Everglades.  The boys hiked this same trail in all seasons.  Some knew it like the back of their hand.  This hike was taken on all our camping trips to the Salamonie State Forest and was probably the boys second favorite.  Their favorite hike comes in Part Four.

The lake was good for fishing but the boys never expressed a desire to do that.  At times, the hike was split into the more advanced boys with the remainder hiking with me until they learned the area fully.  This was excellent hiking preparation for our forthcoming trips to our Michigan property. 

At the end of the hike we usually cooked hot dogs in an area designated for that near the reservoir.  We had an excellent view of the dam and river from where we ate. Tomorrow I will focus on te up’s nd down’s of one particular hike.

Jackie’s in Irons

I remember the Irons Cafe and The Oak Grove Bar and Grill in Irons, Michigan, but this must be some fairly new place.  From the look of its sign, it seems to have some pretty fun things to do there besides eat.  I’ve heard that is has both music and dancing on the weekends and some great atmosphere.

You can get everything from steak to snack foods at Jackie’s.  Does anyone know who owns this restaurant?  Is it still open?  As for the Irons Cafe, they used to serve the best potato soup around.  And, are there any other eating establishments in Irons?

The Natually Camouflaged Four Winds Island

From late Spring to early Autumn, Four Winds Island is so naturally camouflaged that you can’t make out the buildings on it from a few hundred yards out into Big Bass Lake. What buildings are there were largely present during the days of Camp Martin Johnson when the island was an extension of their camp.

Of late, I have paid a lot of attention to its twin, Turtle Island, but Four Winds Island has its own mystique to it as well.  I am sure its name was derived from the winds circulating through its trees and coming from all four directions.  It’s at the far side of the narrows and that passageway often gets fairly good wind speeds especially out of the north.

Though I’ve never set foot on our Winds Island myself, because it is privately owned, the camp had taken many photographs of it.  Also having lived on the southwestern side of the lake, the island I was more interested in during the 1970′s and 80′s was the Haunted Island. 

The people who now own Four Winds Island have an interesting heritage to that isle as it holds so much of the history of the former camp.  Perhaps its just as well that the island is so well camouflaged the majority of the year to offer some measure of privacy to those that now own it?  The rest of us can just appreciate it as we pass it by. 

Waterfalls and the Marion YMCA- Part 2

On camping trip with the Marion YMCA to the Salamonie State Forest, we stayed in a camping area using tents. However, we were in the minority there as many people that were camping had modern convenances and our boys wondered why these folks ever went camping in the first place.  Next to our location was a mobile home complete with television and popcorn poppers.  They were so noisy we felt refreshed whenever we were away from our campsite.

Some of those trips were spent at the many waterfalls within that state forest.  The boys would shed shoes and socks and go wading underneath the falls.  A few went so far as to actually take a shower under them.  On a hot summer day that can be most refreshing.

On this trip the kids wanted to spend the majority of their time hiking to the various waterfalls.  On one of my future posts I will even highlight the twin waterfalls that we found.  There was only a small tract of land separating the two falls. 

Since this was a preparatory time for our Michigan trips the strange thing was that at our land there were no waterfalls.  Still the boys had such a good time on this venture checking them all out it was still beneficial to them. 

Bare Feet and the Pere Marquette River

On a long hike in a forest on a very hot day, the boys of the Marion Boys Club were very tied. Add to that their feet were literally steaming in their tennis shoes.  So, “Oh, what a relief it is” is not confined t Alka Seltzer as the boys shed their tennis shoes and socks and began wading in the Pere Marquette River with a collective, “Ooh”!

Then, nature takes over and splash wars begin so much more than their feet get cooled off and before you know it they are fully immersed.  Thus the only dry clothing they can look forward to is their aired out tennis shoes.  Kevin Hansel and Andrew Freshwater began the splash war and before there was time for anyone else to react, all were getting wet.  Jay Davis was next and then Keith Hansel and Eddie Crouch.  The lone young man who didn’t want to get very wet, James Freshwater, had little choice.

Fortunately there were towels to pass along and by the time we left the area, all the boys clothes were air-dried enough to return to our property in my car.  It was just another fun day at the Pere Marquette River!

Preparing for Michigan Trips- Part One

Thia is the Salamonie State Forest main drive and sign. It is near the town I grew up in- Wabash, Indiana. As a young boy, I made many bicycle trips there along with some neighborhood boys. Later, when I became a staff member at both the Marion YMCA and the Marion Boys Club, I took many camping trips there to prepare the boys for eventual trips to my family property on Big Bass Lake.

In this five-part series I will be showcasing much of what this State Forest had to offer.  It had a small lake that we would hike around, a reservoir, and a trail that led up  and down main valleys complete with a waterfall in each leading to the Salamonie River. 

Even before the actual entrance to the State Forest there was a winding road with many small canyons around each curve.  One had a pond with fish in it.  As a young boy there was much to explore here and in the end I taught the Marion boys a lot about camping that would better prepare us for trips to our property in the Manistee National Forest.  The forest itself was about twenty-five miles from Marion and just outside Wabash by about six miles. 

I will begin a more detailed examination of this State Forest tomorrow. 

The Pointe Tent

On this particular trip to our property, the majority of the way there, all we heard from our oldest member were the reasons why he should have been picked the Boy of the Year instead of why he lost that honor to another member.  Kenny Huffman nearly drove us all crazy due to his rantings so when the Pointe Tent was erected on the Pointe, we were all relieved to see him hold tha honor all by himself so that his complaining would come to an end. 

The first night out there by himself, late at night, I heard him still debating the point with someone.  Since he was occupying that tent by himself, naturally I wondered who had joined him.  Out of concern for his safety I made my way down shore to see who he was conversing with.  To my surprise he was complaining to a squirrel.  I often wondered if it was that same squirrel who was gave a humorous oratory about the boys on one of our trips that was done in humor?

It wasn’t until the third day of that trip that Kenny finally got that loss out of his system.  I think the rest of the boys really appreciated the Pointe Tent that trip.  It was always used for the older members to allow them a measure of privacy.  But this time it permitted the rest of us a chance to avoid Kenny’s continual rants as to why he didn’t win the Boy of the Year award.  Perhaps his attitude was one of the reasons he did not win that prize?

Frigid North Side of Big Bass Lake

Here is the frozen tundra of the expansive north side of Big Bass Lake. One has to wonder how many year round residents brave the winter months here? Does anyone know about that? How many on the BBL Network stay at the lake year round? I’ve heard the ice gets as thick as ten to twelve inches. Is that correct?

My dad used to say that they ice skated on Big Bass Lake but do they do that anymore? I know the lake has its share of snowmobilers there not to mention ice fishing. My dad also once said that he fell through the ice and that is recorded in another post. He survived as he was lucky that day.

Any other winter related activities taking place on Big Bass Lake other than the ones we’ve mentioned?

Christmas at Big Bass Lake

Well, there might not be any actual Christmas lights on at this house on Big Bass Lake but it sure is lit up rather nicely on Christmas Eve. Can you imagine walking home as you listen to each foot crunch through the snow? Awaiting you there is a mug of your favorite hot chocolate and as you settle down in your easy chair before the lighted Christmas tree and before a roaring fire in your fireplace your mind eases down allowing you to relax and take it all in.

After a few moments you stroll to your picture window overlooking Big Bass Lake and watch as gentle snowflakes swirl through the air. Though frigid outside you are warm and comforted inside. Now that you’re fully relaxed you have that major task of assembling all your kids toys before Christmas morning. Ah, but was it ever nice for that brief moment.

North Island View Lane Now and Then

This is what North Island View Lane appears like today and this photograph was taken from Big Bass Lake Road. What you can observe to your left are new homes where farm field and an orchard once stood. The roadway is also now paved fully. But what you can see to your left is the same farm field you will observe in my second photograph.

Each new home has a freshly paved driveway and docks on Big Bass Lake.  The closest new home to Big Bass Lake is right next to the Public Landing.  I’m not sure that was a wise place to build as the noise level from the landing can be extreme at times. 

Prior to our property being sold in 2002, the land appeared somewhat different.  The yellow garage in the distance was painted white when my grandparents owned the land and it replaced the old cabin which you can see now.

Here, the driveway is unpaved and rather primitive. It is where I found rocks to skip on Big Bass Lake when I was a young boy. The orchard, near the house, was removed when a tree disease overtook our trees.  Those trees grew apples and cherries and produced many a pie from my grandmother.

What remains in both pictures is our farm land to the left which extends all the way to Noreika Road skirting Big Bass Lake Road all the way.  Quite a difference in the two views is it not?

Downtown Ludington at Christmas

Well, the weather outside is frightful but downtown Ludington is ever so delightful. It was a few nights before Christmas and all through downtown Ludington, not a creature was stirring as will be closing up early. Sometimes downtown Ludington seems like a ghost town at night but maybe that’s the way it ought to be. I did my Christmas shopping already in Ludington as Scottville just doesn’t seem to have everything I need to get.

In a few days, my wife and I will enjoy Christmas together and tell each other stories tonight around our fireplace. It is a Reynolds family tradition to do so. I’ll build a nice toasty fire and then we’ll sip hot cocoa and munch on some graham crackers as we share our holiday stories to one another. Merry Christmas from the Reynolds family.

Chopping Your Own Christmas Tree

How about the great outdoors for your Christmas tree store? Now our picture is from a Christmas tree farm but what about property that you might own where there is an abundance of Christmas trees already there? Our property had several areas where a good pine tree of size could have been chopped down and trimmed to living room standards.

When one chops down their own tree it somehow makes it even more festive than those we purchase from parking lots where trees are shipped in from around the country. I have personally chopped down my own tree on more than one occassion and it makes that tree even more special.

The trimmings on the tree of lights and ornaments make it even brighter. Remember, though, to keep that tree well watered during the Christmas season so that the pine needles don’t try out making them even greater fire hazards than before.

Natural Air Conditioning at Big Bass Lake

During a summer when the temperature has been in the high eighties to low nineties with a heat index near one-hundred degrees, its ever so nice to get that cool water spray in your face while tubing on Big Bass Lake. These days you almost see more tubers on the lake than water skiiers.

That could be because almost any age can enjoy an inner tube run around the lake and its five islands. A popular course is around either Haunted Island or Grandma’s Hat on the southwest and southeast portion of the lake.

Here we see a picture from Mike Eisner with a friend taking a trip about the lake-

On these hot summer days this just has to be the way to get some refreshment from the high humidity that has stricken the region. Of course for those in the boat they have to adjust themselves upon those hot metal seats which may have them longing for a trip around the lake on the tube themselves.

At any rate this sure looks like a great place to be on a hot summers day.

Winter at Our Property at Big Bass Lake

What a view we had through trees void of leaves in the winter from our hillside. The whole of Big Bass Lake was laid out before us icy cold. I wondered how far a sled or saucer might go down our hillside and onto the lake?  Maybe as far as Haunted Island if the ice were clear of snow? 

When my grandmother was still alive you could walk into her kitchen from the cold outdoors to be greeted by a warm stove and hot food upon her circular table.  Pasti and cole slaw really tasted great after being in the great outdoors during the winter.  A hot cup of tea hit the spot on those days.

I spent only one winter at the farm in the old cabin.  The newer cottage was not built for winter cold.  The nights had me covered up with blankets and really warm.  But breakfasts were the real meal of the day as our table was always filled with oatmeal or Ralston, eggs, bacon, and toast. Tang or ice-cold water helped wash down all that great food. 

But nothing could match that view atop our hill not twenty yards from our cabin door.  Why not gauge that for yourself?

Christmas at the Hoffman Estates Boys Club

During the Christmas season at the Hoffman Estates Boys Club, our library was transported into a holiday mesh of Christmas trees and lights plus decorations galore. I set up three Christmas trees each year. Aside from our traditional party, those trees stayed up and lighted through the months of January and February.

The reason why was that there always seemed to be a let down in those two cold winter months that follows Christmas. The decorations came down around New Years Day but the trees remained. The kids seemed to appreciate that as whatever activity that took place in the library, be they quiz bowls or arts and crafts, were brought forth with even more gusto and enthusiasm.

In the evening the Christmas tree lights were turned on and the library overhead lights were turned off and some kids just went into the library to sit there refreshed. It seemed to have a real atmosphere of calmness for the kids. It became a fortress of solitude so to speak.

I think the kids enjoyed those extra two months of holiday cheer as they faced the grim nature of winter outside.

Bacon in the Frying Pan

Late autumn camping trips are the best. When I awake and pull myself out of my tent there’s nothing better than the aroma of hot coffee and bacon frying in the pan. A few weeks ago my friend Stan and I went on a late fall camping outing in the Manistee National Forest. This year has been unusually warm so far and our weekend was just great. It did get cold in the night hours but my sleeping bag is geared to those temperatures.

Stan’s profession just happens to be a chef and can he ever prepare meals.  He put something in the bacon that enhanced its taste one-hundred-fold.  But try and get that secret out of him is impossible as he claims it is a family recipe that has been handed down for generations.  His flapjacks that day were unusually good as well.

It’s good to have a cook along with you when camping as he did all that activity for me.  I did the fishing and he cleaned and cooked them.  He enjoyed added a breaded covering over whatever I caught that made them taste A-1.  I might have to invite Stan along more often.  You know, camping should make one lose some weight but I think I gained about five pounds on that recent trip. 

Stan’s bacon literally melt in my mouth and left me wanting for more.  I looked so forward to our three breakfasts on that trip and still can envision that bacon in his frying pan to this hour.  Was it ever great!

Winter at Big Bass Lake

Well, here is Big Bass Lake without swimmers, speed boats, water skiers, or jet skies. You might find a few snowmobiles making their way about the lake and maybe even a dog sled. Perhaps there are a few ice skaters gliding about various parts of the lake? Maybe even some that are ice fishing for the frozen catch of the day?

Big Bass Lake looks so desolate in this picture. Yet I can well imagine many a house around the lake ablaze with a warm fire in their fireplaces. Big Bass Lake has been described as an all seasons lake so does that include ice fishing? This stretch of the lake is looking from south to north.

It should be pointed out that the Haunted Island (left) now has a residen on it and this is his dock.  To your right is the Big Island and I wonder how many of the homes there are inhabited in the winter?  Anyone know?

Length of Noreika Road

The true Noreika Road stretched from our mailbox on West Big Bass Lake Road all the way to North Big Bass Lake Road which was just over a mile in length. Now our old driveway is known as North Island View Lane and Noreika Road doesn’t begin until the location of Albert Matson’s old cottage.

From that point forward Noreika Road goes down and up a small hill before leveling off all the way to its turn to the west.  It then passes the phone lines which divided our property and terminates about a quarter-mile further at North Big Bass Lake Road. 

Yet following Big Bass Lake Road from one point to the other is about a half-mile.  he true Noreika Road only came in contact with our family field at the beginning and end of the road.  Instead it skirted itself through our forest with many vantage points overlooking Big Bass Lake until its turn to the west. 

In addition is now another road that leads down to our wooded beachfront that is called Noreika Lane.  And, while North Island View Lane is paved Noreika Road maintains its original sandy road look.

Christmas in Wabash

I was in the junior high when this photograph was taken and it came in front of our Christmas tree in our living room. Our tree was always placed in front of our huge picture window facing Wabash Street. Our living room was rather large with two sliding doors on either side of the room. One faced the stairway and the front door while the other led into the dining room. A fireplace was on that side of the living room. There was also a patio door to our porch which swung around the entire living room.

My two companions are Sam, the Beagle, and Buff, the all American mix who I found on my paper route. He followed me home and became probably the best dog the Norris family ever had. The other two notable dogs were Waggles in Forest Park and Wilson who replaced Sam after he died in Wabash.

At the back of our property were gigantic hills for sledding and there were three varities of hills in all. It was a great place to test out that Christmas sled or sauncer. Many times sledding lasted well into the night.

Merry Christmas from Big Bass Lake and Beyond, from all of us to all of you!

M-116 Private Beach

Who could resist this location to swim? You can actually see the pavement of M-116 here and observe how close the road is between it and Lake Michigan.  Along this route are many small sand dunes with parking spaces alongside M-116 where you can park your car and have your own private beach.  Between Ludington and the Hamlin Dam there is about nine miles of beachfront to choose from.

Of course, at these locations you are swimming at your own risk so I would advise you to have a few companions along with you.  Just to be on the safe side.  My wife loves to take pictures and anywhere along this stretch of highway you can capture some beauties.  Just over M-116 the other way are miles of sand dunes and scrub forest land. 

But enough talk!  It’s time for me to take a refreshing dip in Lake Michigan and those waves are beckoning me forward.