Where is Sauble, Michigan?- Part One

Sauble, Michigan, is noticeable only to the wildlife that visit it daily. There is no actual town sign there and the only business that has ever been there, to my knowledge, was the Ward Hill Ski Area and even more recently The Ward Hills Lodge. Now that area has reverted back to private ownership.

The Big Sauble River is found in this vicinity.   It is a hidden gem in North Western lower Michigan. It remains relatively unknown sitting between its more well known brother the Little Manistee and the Pere Marquette.

Its headwaters are at the confluence of the Sauble Lakes(a chain of four lakes) and Bloody-Run Creek The headwaters are easily waded and this tends to be brookie territory, although browns and brookies share most of the river. Continuing into Mason County the river flows into some public land with access available via the labyrinth of two tracks that wander through the area. There is good cover and lots of holes available to fish.

Further downstream the holes get deep enough to float your hat and the wading becomes increasingly difficult as you near US-31. The tradeoff is that this is where you will find the bigger fish. Good fishing can be found all the way to downstream of US-31.

Thus Sauble, Michigan, can boast of the ski resort and river.  Tomorrow I will have more on the Ward Hills Ski Area.

Forested Elk Road

Darlene and I enjoy traveling the dirt road known at least to us as Elk Road in Lake County. At the northern end of Hamilton Road, instead of veering toward Seaman Lake you go straight onto a dirt road which takes you into the heart of the Manistee National Forest.

Along that route, you go by the tree farm that Dave Norris speaks of down the Bloody Antler Trail and then through many twists and turns until you reach the Free Soil Road.  Along the way there are many points where Darlene and I like to stop the car and get out with our two huskie dogs, Frick and Frack. 

There aren’t many houses out this way as it is rather desolate once you leave the Seaman Lake area.  There is a side road that leads directly to Big Bass Lake Road and there are a few houses along that way.  We avoid that road and stay on Elk Road. 

If you ever get the chance take this road and explore where you can.  Every now and then you will spot a deer crossing the road or even a bear if you’re lucky.  Not many cars travel Elk Road leaving you all to yourself.  So sit back and enjoy the ride!

This is the Winter That Wasn’t

I’m a little jealous of my good friend David who lives in Indianapolis for he told me this morning that for the next seven days daytime highs in his city will be in the 70′s. Today he said that Indianapolis will be warmer than San Diego. The expected high for tomorrow in his city will be 78. What is going on???

Even here in Michigan our weather has been better than usual and scenes like this have been few and far in between.  My wife always has whites out in the spring on her clothes line but the real white out has been as rare as the dodo bird in Michigan this winter.  My two huskies think that I’ve misplaced winter this year and that they’re living in another state.

My snowmobiles haven’t been used a whole lot this year and that’s a shame.  Maybe there’s something to this global warming thing after all??  And what will the weather be like in Michigan this summer?  I heard that it even snowed in Hawaii this winter.  What is going on???

I’m somewhat concerned as to what Spring will look like in Michigan this year after our winter bust.  Maybe even some snow among the apple blossoms??

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.

Brookwood’s McCarthy Creek

I enjoy hearing of Dawn’s exploits at Brookwood and you can find them all in our category section under Brookwood on the sidebar. Last winter, I determined within myself to find this mystical place that Dawn writes so fondly about. Mike and I parked our truck on a nearby road and crossed some private property to get to our goal. Knowing it was winter, we knew that few live in this area year round but instead migrate to places like Florida to hibernate from the cold.

All we left behind on that property we crossed were our footprints going both ways.  Dawn had written about McCarty Creek but neither Mike nor I could find that stream in Lake County but we did locate a McCarthy Creek.  Even in the winter time I could visualize all that Dawn had written about.  She spoke of how cold that creek was and in winter it was still very cold. 

Yet only through the eyes of one that lived through those times can one gain the proper perspective of this Brookwood area.  I would urge all of our readers to read what Dawn has said about both Brookwood and McCarthy Creek.  It will warm your soul which is what Mike and I intended to do once back at our truck.  That was a very cold and windy visit to McCarthy Creek that day but one that I can honestly say I shared albeit for such a short time.  Enjoy all that Dawn has to say on this area for I sure do.

Autumn Driving

I took a drive a few weeks ago from Scottville to Baldwin to get some ice cream and I must say that with every passing mile the scenery became more colorful than the last.  Jones’ ice cream in Baldwin is well worth the drive except in the winter.  I took US 10 as that goes through the heart of the Manistee National Forest and after Branch, Michigan, the area becomes most desolate.

While in Baldwin, to make it worth the trip, I stop by at the Shrine of the Pines which has natural wood furniture almost everywhere you look.  I also like to hike the trails and browse along the Pere Marquette River at that location.

Then, with my ice cream on ice, I make the trip home to the Scottville area still in amazement at all the fall colors along the route.  I love it when we get an early light snow because it really adds some flavor to those leaves in full color.  When in Baldwin stop off and get some of that ice cream.  It’ worth any long trip!

It’s McCARTHY Creek, Not “McCarty” Creek

I’d like to thank my pal, Mike Reynolds, for piping me aboard Big Bass Lake and Beyond as a regular contributor instead of an occassional guest author.  It feels good to become part of the group that writes here.  For the longest time I’ve been following the exploits you and had become engaged with the writing of another guest author by the name of Dawn and her stories about Brookwood.  It made me want to know more about McCarty Creek.

I visited the Lake County Courthouse and Library to learn more where that creek might be but could not locate it anywhere until I found a McCarthy Creek and it was at the same coordinates that she described McCarty Creek.  I think she was just a letter short when she typed out the name of that creek.  It’s about ten miles southeast of Alice Lake as the crow might fly.

Well, I found it and might have broken a few trespassing rules, but I came across where Brookwood might be and sure enough there was a section that I almost stepped into that was for all the world like quicksand.  It ate up a branch that I stuck into it.  Better the branch than me!  And that creek was as cold as ice just as Dawn described it.  Coming upon it I felt just like Ponce De Leon. 

I hope McCarthy Creek clarifies the error that was once known as McCarty Creek. 

Is It Bear Swamp or Duck Marsh?

My grandmother used to call this area, Bear Swamp, but today its known as Duck Marsh. Over the course of time many natural areas have their names changed. Both the tiny island on Big Bass Lake and the second smallest island have undergone name changes over the years. Whatever the name, along the road to Free Soil, there is about a mile long area that is swampy on both sides of the road. It is errie when a fog is over it and not the place to be at night.

In my grandmother’s day bears roamed the swampland and the surrounding forest. And they are making a comeback today as numerous bear sightings have been made not only in the Duck Marsh area, but also around Big Bass Lake. When their natural food is short they go for human areas of habitation to root out their garbage.

South of this area is another protracted area of swampland that runs north of the Bloody Antler Trail and into this very location. I would hazard to say that quagmire is beneath the waters of Duck Marsh. Thus this may be an area to get pictures of but I wouldn’t want to venture into this waters by foot.

The Starvation Plantation

Just off Michigan 37 and heading toward Big Bass Lake was this sign which was passed on each and every trip to our family farm. I believe it was close in to the thriving, at one time, town of Peacock, Michigan, at least that’s what my dad once told me. To me then it was just a town with not even a break in the speed limit. A few houses and that was about it.

Then came The Starvation Plantation. I offered wondered just what that was? Was it a statement by the owners how broke they were? What kind of work was done on that property? Were they into oil speculation? What I should have done was just stop by and ask to satisfy my curiousity but I never did. Maybe it was a farm that just couldn’t produce an iota of food?

How about today? is that Starvation Plantation still in existence and does anyone out there know who owns it and what they do? Let us know by way of a comment.

Dangerous Jogging

So, what’s wrong with this picture? This youngster is jogging on a partially iced over lake and by himsef, no less. What if he were to fall through? There would be no one around to help him out. The viable danger this kid is putting himself in is a no brainer. If a lake is only partially covered in ice, do your jogging on the shoreline.

This youngster is asking for trouble. I would caution all parents to warn their children of the dangers such as this. Use this kid as your example of what NOT to do. Even at Lake Michigan I opt to jog on the shore over that of risking my life out there on the ice.

This was taken at a Lake County lake by someone that was obviously his friend but you can see where his friend would be standing in contrast to where the kid is jogging. Not even close to him! A picture is worth a thousand words and all of the words here would be dumb!

The Club 37 Restaurant

About seven miles from Big Bass Lake enroute to Baldwin, Michigan, is the Club 37 Restaurant which provides the diner with a touch of elegance in the backwoods. They serve steaks, fish, and an excellent potato soup. The atmosphere is cozy and the conversation revolves around the various lakes and woods that surrounds it.

During the winter months snowmobiles are often found in its parking lot. It is located right on Michigan 37 just before one turns off right to Baldwin. For families that like to dine together in quality fashion the Club 37 would be for you.

The food is well above average and you just have to visit them to learn more about what a fine job they do making you the diner fell welcome and well fed.

Fantastic M-37 Overlook

On the way to Baldwin, Michigan, a few miles south of Wolf Lake, is a gigantic hill where you can observe a dirt road in the distance weaving its way through the Manistee National Forest. It’s an incredible sight. Our photograph looks south at the summit of that hill on Michigan 37. If one were to be traveling north, there are two lanes going up that hill and in your rearview mirror you could still observe that sandy trail snaking its way through the forest.

Last year I had a business conference in Traverse City and chose to drive up taking M-37 out of Grand Rapids. The roughly ninety mile drive was all forest from that point on. On the way home, I was able to stop and take this photograph of the snake like road in the distance all of sand.

I’ve always loved the summit where you can see for miles through the Manistee National Forest. In this picture you can barely make out that sandy road but it is there. This is about sixteen miles from Big Bass Lake.

The Legend of Bloody Run- Epilogue

For the last three days I’ve provided for you Mike O’Connor’s account of The Legend of Bloody Run that was found in the Michigan Holiday News from 1989. I would now like to make a few observations about this event.

Most people are probably unaware of the fact that in those days it was the conductor that was in charge of the train and not the engineer. However that particular conductor’s “Loco-Motive” of taking over the train and replacing the engineer was crazy. Their argument had to be overheard by the lumbermen and I wonder how they felt about the inexperienced conductor taking over for the engineer? I wonder how many of those lumbermen chose not to continue onward with that train?

Also how many of those lumbermen might have jumped the train before it ran off the track? Were there any survivors at all? One also has to wonder about the last thoughts of the conductor as he saw the train out of control? I would take it that the engineer was not around for that ride so what were his thoughts?

I found the speculation of Mr. O’Connor in regard to his after thoughts about the incident intriguing. Do local residents still hear errie sounds relating to that accident even today? Does that creek really run red on the day of that anniversary or are some locals helping that along with some cherry Kool-Aid?

Has anyone reading Big Bass Lake and Beyond been to that scene of late especially at night? I would be most interested in your observations.

The Legend of Bloody Run by Mike O’Connor- Part Three

NOTE: This, again, is not a picture of Bloody Run, but of a similar rail accident. And, in Part 4, Dave Noreika will be bringing you his thoughts on Bloody Run.

How is the Legend of Bloody Run taken yet today? Many of the people of this area believe the area of Bloody Run is haunted. In the blackened night the rumble of a phantom train can be heard in the distance by the sound of an errie whistle followed the crash of thunder from the gully where the accident occurred.

On stormy days the sounds of loons can be heard and they are oftentimes confused with the wails and cries of the tormented men who lost their lives in that train derailment. But whether or not you believe the legend of Bloody Run is up to you! And whether or not you believe that the ghosts of those men still roam about Bloody Run Hill is also up to you.

Can you explain why the creek runs red every year on the anniversary date of the Bloody Run tragedy? Tomorrow the conclusion to the Legend of Bloody Run.

The Legend of Bloody Run by Mike O’Connor- Part One

A man by the name of “Peters” was logging this part of Michigan with a crew of 100 men. A narrow gauge railroad terminating at Manistee served to haul the logs. That time was long before compressed air had ever been thought of to check the speed of trains. The only means then known was “hickery” and the old fashioned hand-powered brake wheel, rod chain, and shoe.

It was a raw day in mid-winter and the rails were slippery with snow and ice. The trains, consisting of a long string of flat cars, had been daily loaded, or rather over loaded, near Peacock, and the conductor had issued his orders for the engineer to pull out. An argument ensued with the engineer vividly pointing out to the conductor the danger involved in trying to move the string of flat cars under those dangerous conditions. The argument developed into a controversy, but the engineer, who apparently understood his business, was adament and finally refused to run the train.

The conductor, incensed at the position taken by the engineer, and in a spirit of bravado, announced that he would take the train down by himself. Riding each flat car and astride the pinnacle of the pyramidal piled logs, was human freight. That freight was lumbermen of every nationality. They were all expert in their field. They were clad in mackinaws of color, calked boots, heavy trousers, and caps.

Now they were enjoying a brief respite from their labors, all joyous and unaware of the awful fate in store for them at the bottom of the ravine ahead. And, that will come tomorrow afternoon in Part Two.

The Legend of Bloody Run by Mike O’Connor- Part Two

NOTE: This is not Bloody Run but something similar to the grade. This legend should serve to prove why a conductor should NEVER engineer a takeover!

The legend continues! These poor lumberjacks were about to ride to their doom through the blunder of the conductor who had taken over the train. “Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die”.

With smoke belching from her funnel, the train started, gradually acquirring headway, then quickly picked up speed upon reaching the head of the slope and became a mad runaway thing. The inexperienced conductor, his control of the train lost, was powerless to prevent the catastrophe to follow.

Rushing down a30% gradient, the engine was bounding and crazily lurching over the rough roadbed being hurled forward by that irresistable momentumof the big load of logs upon her. At the bottom of the valley and over a little trout stream, when the light engine began to make its climb into higher ground, the heavily loaded flats behind buckled, the forward ones catapulted in a nose dive into the sandy soil, coupling pins broke, cars piled up, stakes were smashed from their sockets, huge binding chains snapped, and flew through the air like small pipe stems.

The logs, released from their fastenings, rolled down the embankment, splinters and bark showered the air, and with it all was the sickening crunch of human bodies mngled in an extricable mass of arms, legs, heads, snow, and debris, accompanied by the groans and shrieks of dying men whose life blood now crimsoned the clear waters in the brook.

A score or more of human lives was the horrible toll exacted in payment for the terrible mistake of the conductor, and thus did the locality claim the name of “Bloody Run”. This story has run its course but that is not the end of the matter and Part Three coming your way tomorrow will tell the rest of the legend.

The Old Peacock Depot

My dad always used to tell me what a thriving town Peacock, Michigan, was but even in my young days, Peacock was just a blur in the road. No stop sign, not even a flashing light. Branch, Michigan, at least had a flashing yellow light and I thought that was small too. In fact, Peacock was just a little burg with a few houses and that was it.

Yet in my dad’s day, Peacock was something else as it had its own train depot which made it something in those days. Now I’m not even sure if a train knows where Peacock is. It is located about seven or eight miles away from Big Bass Lake but unlike Irons, it has little businesses of note. Irons has restaurants and a few churches along with some other kinds of businesses.

But Peacock used to stand out in my dad’s eyes but for what I don’t know. Anyone else out there with more info on Peacock?

Jaywalking Bear

I’ve always thouht that jaywalking in a city is rather a silly offense. Yet there are many police officers that ticket just such a crime. But, I’d like to see the cop that would try something with THIS offender! He would get the bear facts of life rather quick. No, you’d just to ignore such an offense by a bear. Say? Maybe that’s the ticket in the city? If one were to wear a bear rug in the winter, they could jaywalk to their hearts content. That is until an over zealous police officer started pumping lead into you!

In the country, though, that’s not liable to happen. Can you imagine how a Barney Fife police officer might handle this in the Manistee National Forest? All I have to say is that he’d better have more than one bullet in his revolver! In my opinion, let a bear jaywalk all he wants!

Lake County Snow Removal

One thing that has always amazed me about even rural Michigan is on how fast they clear the roads. Here in Indiana, rural roads are often never cleared but in Michigan that is not the case. Could that be because Michigan gets more snow? That would be a good argument. But even at our family farm, which is a good twenty miles off the nearest highway, Big Bass Lake Road gets cleaned off shortly after any major storm.

To get to our cottage it’s nearly impossible as our entry road is wind swept due to the open fields on each side of that road. I have twice parked my car just off Big Bass Lake Road and had to hoof in through deep snow that quarter of a mile to the cottage just to view the area.

There are a lot of rural roads in Lake County, not to mention all the surrounding counties that are full of rural arteries. My hat is off to the counties highway department for how fast the roads are cleared.

Night Riders

Wow! There are still a few Christmas gifts to get under that tree and the only way to get to the stores safely is by snowmobile. Then they have to be strapped down behind the rider and a slower trip home to make sure all those gifts don’t bounce off.

I love riding my snowmobile in the dark as my headlight gives me all the light I need to observe what’s coming up ahead. In the woods they give off an errie glow as they move forward at rapid speeds. The only thing I fear is those nuts that string barbed wire up across various fields. Since I only travel ESTABLISHED trails that is not a problem but friends of mine have been severly hurt by going on private property.

As long as you’re properly dressed on your snowmobile the cold air is not a factor. And neither snow nor drifts will hinder my late night vigil to get those last minute Christmas gifts. Oh, yes, Merry Christmas to all!

Lake County Michigan Fantastic Sale !!

Lake County, Michigan, has a fantastic sale going on this month at one of its supermarkets. Check this out!

10 Pounds of Sugar for 42 Cents
Coffee- 19 Cents a Pound. That ought to “perk” you up!
Toilet Paper- 6 Rolls for 25 cents
Tall Cans of Milk for 33 cents
3 Pounds of Steak for 25 cents total
Butter- 2 Pounds for 33 cents
Sliced Bacon for 10 cents a pound
Pork Roast is a little higher for 60 cents a pound
Lard- 4 Pounds for 19 cents
Macaroni- 10 packages for 39 cents

What a fantastic sale! Of course this sale was held in December of 1933 but then maybe one of you has a time machine so that you can avail yourselves of these great prices?