Ferry Boat Makeover

It’s not widely known but rumor has it that many fish in Lake Michigan have fallen dorsal over fin at the new look ferry boats heading out of Ludington, Michigan. Apparently cupid has shot his arrows at the pan fry occupants of the vast lake. As a human goes, how do you find the appearance of these ferry boats?

No, the dippy hippy of Mississippi was not the inspiration for this new form of artwork. In fact, I’m not even sure who the artist or artists are but one thing I do know is that you can now see those ferry boats coming from quite a way out! They don’t have to sound their horns very loud anymore because their horns aren’t all that loud anymore considering all things.

I wonder if this new design is just for the Badger or if the Spartan is decked out this way too? I must say that this new design does make our ferry boats stand out. I just hope that the bigger fish of Lake Michigan don’t take them home to meet their mamma’s before returning to port!?

Receeding Beaches on Lake Michigan

My husband, Mike, just loves to run along the shores of Lake Michigan nearly anytime during the year and he rarely observes what I do.  He misses the fact that this year there seems to be less and less beach.  Now that hasn’t been the case in recent years when, in some cases, some piers were left altogether out of the water.  This year, however, with all he snow we had during the winter and the abundant rainfall this spring and summer, well, the lake has gone up again.

Just examine how close to the end of this staircase the lake is compared with how much beach is available.  Not much!  You’re almost immediately in Lake Michigan and even Mike should notice how narrow his running track has been this summer.  I, on the other hand,  prefer sunning to swimming and I do notice how short the beaches have become.  In years past, I had to walk quite a distance to get wet but now its just a few feet!

Yet next year there might be more beachfront than this year so I suppose it’s just a matter of how different each year becomes.  Still, while I sun myself I do enjoy the rolling surf of Lake Michigan and the wonderful sounds it brings with it.  Makes me want to nod off.

A Lake Michigan Meadow

Meadows, such as the one you see here, are great for picnics and on this day, Mike and I took Mike’s Big Brother/Little Brother on an outing to Lake Michigan. I had packed a cold lunch consisting of ham salad, potato salad, and a bean salad with cold lemonade to wash it all down and we ate all this in the middle of this meadow. What I like about this meadow is that, while you can hear Lake Michigan, you can’t really see it as there is a strand of forest between the meadow and the lake.

Mike and his Little Brother. Brian, tossed a Frisbee about and then I joined in with them after putting all the leftovers back in my picnic basket. That period of exercise helped settle all our lunch. Since we were all decked out in our swimming suits already, we moved through the forest to Lake Michigan for a time of sun and swimming, While Mike and Brian swam I did some sun bathing. They picked up where they left off in the meadow with that Frisbee as they enjoyed passing it around in the lake. The waves were somewhat choppy as there was a pretty good wind coming off the lake.

Fortunately for me, there was a goodly portion of sun coming down and the temperature was in the low 80’s. After about an hour in the water, the guys came up to me and doused me with a Frisbee full of water. I jumped up and screamed at them in jest. Well, somewhat in jest!

We then took a brief hike in the forest before calling it a day. Yet, for me, that meadow was just perfect to start the day off with. And, you’ve got to admit that it is a beautiful scene!

Wave Explosion

This wave explosion was recorded in Grand Haven, Michigan, and what a wave it was! Just look at how far and wide the spray of that explosive wave took. Mike, Darlene, and I are looking far and wide up and down the coast of Michigan to bring you the best possible of waves such as this one. You’d have to admit that so far the three of us have provided you with some pretty impressive photographs with many more to come!

The churning waters of Lake Michigan are propelled by gale winds from the west and they literally explode year round in displays much like this one.  To date, I think this to be the best one as it covered a great deal of territory.  Can you imagine walking up those stairs to this lighthouse at this exact precise time?  Bath time would be over for at least a week!  The fury of Lake Michigan is poured out in all of our photographs and I can’t wait to see what comes up next.

One Heck of a Sand Dune by Daniel Harding

A few days ago Mr. Mike Reynolds spoke of sledding on sand dunes in both the summer and the winter using a metal saucer. Well, with this sand dune, one would travel almost halfway to Wisconsin if they used it in the winter. Can you imagine the erosion dangers with this dune? Those trees at the top of the dune are in a most perilous position.

And, how does that child on the ever so thin beach ever climb back up that dune to wherever they might live?  I’ve seen some steep angle sand dunes before but this one is ridiculous!  I wonder how close the nearest house is in regard to the edge of that dune above?

My thanks to Big Bass Lake and Beyond for allowing me to post this article.  Maybe I’ll have another down the pike?

Can You Smell Summer In The Air?

My whiffer was a bit off this year as it got the scent of summer in MARCH! And not only the scent but a string of 80 degree days which is almost unheard of in Michigan in March. Yet to any sane Michigander, their nose tells them that even with a warm March, April may well bring a few days below freezing and it did!

There were several hard freeze days in Michigan in April and those could well cost Michigan farmers their cherry crop. In our topsy-turvy winter matched the rest of the country as I heard tell that even Hawaii had a snowfall this year.

Some days this past winter it was warmer in Montana than Florida. Some around my community were getting out their shorts. Not me because I know what Michigan weather can be like. In fact, my summer clothes don’t come out here until mid-May.

To be true to my title, though, summer as whiffed in March of this year and then that same nose felt the chill of April. What will be in store for it come May?

A Night Time Bath

What a mysterious and eerie scene. That bright red sky hovering just above the surface of Lake Michigan and the swirling dark clouds high above make it scene like a storm is on the horizon. Already increasing waves are pounding the Ludington Lighthouse sending water high into the sky. It makes me wonder as to what fierce sized waves will be hitting that same area later in the night?

I must say that must be the cleanest lighthouse in all of Michigan. It is pounded each storm by ever increasing size of waves continually until the storm moves onshore. It never ceases to amaze me as to the number of fantastic photographs one can have of this location.

One thing is certain and that is that I will continually strive to provide you with even more pictures of this great location in Ludington.

Glorious Mornings of Michigan

I think what I love most about Michigan is the glorious morning photoshots at Lake Michigan. I enjoy those Michigan mornings when the sky is afire with colors and hues.

This scene is of the outlet of the Big Sauble River into Lake Michigan just past the Hamlin Dam near Ludington. It is where your body gets the sharp adjustment from the mildly warm waters of that river and then the contrast to the icy cold waters of Lake Michigan just a few feet away.

This photo belongs on an artists sketch pad or at the very least hanging in some gallery. What total beauty!

Taking on the Dunes in Summer and Winter

I think that I would enjoy tubing year-round and on the sand dunes near Ludington I can do just that. Not with a sled mind you but rather a saucer. Metal saucers would move well even on dry sand and whiz you down whatever sand dune you choose faster than a speeding bullet. As on snow, sand serves as an excellent feeding system to a saucer.

There is a caution to be raised however in that I would suggest that if you go tubing in the summer time that you choose a dune not to close to Lake Michigan. This is especially so on those large dunes that almost runs into the lake. Can you imagine hitting high speeds down a dune and then go flying into Lake Michigan? You would almost be like one of those stones that kids toss into the lake to make it skip. You could bounce out quite a ways and then have a hard time getting back into shore.

I prefer using saucers on dunes that do not run directly into Lake Michigan and I can have just as much fun on those as anywhere else. The only drawback to saucering down sand dunes is that you have to walk back up them to do it again. Maybe some day someone will install a saucer lift like those ski lifts? Nah!

Where’s the Lighthouse?

The Ludington Lighthouse puts on its own magic show whenever the surf is high due to a storm. The relentless storm pounds into the breakwater with wave action one after the other sending plumes of water high into the air. “Now you see it, now you don’t”!

At various times the amount of water shot up into the air conceals the lighthouse completely from the naked eye such as you see here. It makes it appear as if the Lighthouse is gone. Vanished! Yet mere seconds later and there it is again as a bright beacon of the night. Another few seconds pass and it is gone again as the water spray completely envelops that lighthouse making it vanish from sight.

This sequence goes on and on throughout the course of the entire storm. But once the storm passes that lighthouse reigns supreme upon that breakwater and so it has been throughout its storied lifetime. It stands its lonely vigil bravely until the next storm plays havoc with it. Thus with every storm it provides onlookers with its own unique magic show. Come and see it perform at the next storm!

The Full Extent of the Ludington Breakwater

It’s quite a walk out onto the Ludington Breakwater and even more so when the waves are high and mighty.  Then its walk at your own risk.  I personally like to jog out to the lighthouse at least once a week in calm seas.  When I do, Darlene prefers to sun herself on the pristine sands of the Ludington beach.

And, how about this aerial photograph?  Have any of you traveled that special quarter of a mile  Let me know how you liked it by way of a comment.

The Georgeous Sauble River Outlet

Talk about a picture saying a thousand words! This belongs on a portrait somewhere! Just take in the beautiful colors on a perfect evening. This is one of my favorite places to visit regardless of the time of day. This is what one would behold atop the M-116 bridge just before entering the Hamlin Dam campsite.

This is where the warmer waters of the Sauble River join with the much colder waters of Lake Michigan. I could just stare into a view like this all day. Examine the crystal clear image of the Sauble River with nary a fish even making a solitary ripple.

The sky in the distance puts a punctuation mark on this picture. The glorious mixture of the colors and the resulting reflections are wonderful. Moments like this should never end.

Relaxing By Lake Michigan

This location is one of my favorite places to visit and just sit down and enjoy the view. The cool grass feels good and at times its good to get away from the sand. In fact some times I bring my hammock here and just relax while listening the the waves breaking on shore. It’s ever so restful.

I also like to paint (by numbers- I’m no real artist) as I watch the rolling surf. Lake Michigan has other uses for me other than swimming or body surfing. Its a good place to collect your thoughts. I also have two dogs, Frick and Frak and they come here with me at times. The bad thing about that is that if they go into the lake they come out real sandy and it takes some time to brush that stuff off.

Check out Lake Michigan wherever you live in either Michigan or Wisconsin, Illinois or Indiana, and get relaxed as its a great stress reducer.

Will the SS Badger Sail Into the 2013 Sunset? Part Two

On August 9 2008, the Badger suffered a stern bearing failure, causing the company to cancel the ferry’s sailings for nearly a week. It was the first time the ship had ever experienced a stern bearing failure. On August 10, she sailed under her own power to the Bay Shipbuilding yard in Sturgeon Bay for repairs. As there was no opening at the time for the work to be done in the dry dock, a team of divers was flown in from California to assist in the repairs. Regular sailings resumed August 15 2008. It was the first time since 1994 (when she struck a rock at Ludington) that the Badger was laid up for unscheduled repairs, and the first time since 2005 that the company canceled a sailing because of mechanical failure..The SS Badger has the tough task of balancing the need to preserve a historic ship with the need to minimize environmental impact.

 The SS Badger came under fire from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and environmental groups in late 2008 because of its daily practice of dumping untreated coal ash from its boilers directly into the waters of Lake Michigan. Coal ash is a byproduct of the Badger’s propulsion system but is also used in farming applications, such as feedlots where livestock are fed. In a North Dakota State University study, coal ash runoff did not present any toxins to humans or animals beyond the acceptable standards (The Badger had earlier been the subject of EPA Clean Air action but was granted an exemption from regulation.) West Michigan Carferry President and CEO Bob Manglitz has rebuffed the EPA demand that Badger find a way to capture and safely offload ash, change the fueling configuration of the ship, or cease operations by 2012. Manglitz has frequently equated coal ash to “harmless sand” and vowed to keep the Badger in its original coal-burning configuration. In an effort to continue to minimize the environmental impact to the lake, the SS Badger has explored a number of alternatives including, storing the ash on board and unloading upon arrival in Ludington. Another option being considered is the use of compressed natural gas, this would allow the historical boiler system to be maintained and making the SS Badger the first “green” ship on the Great Lakes

The Environmental Protection Agency has told the owners of the historic, coal-powered ferry they must stop dumping coal ash into Lake Michigan by 2013. Currently, the ferry dumps about 4 tons of coal ash into the lake each day that it travels between Michigan and Wisconsin. The Badger should be given sufficient time to be retrofitted to run on natural gas fuel which is one of the cleanest fuels available.

In a climate of economic instability, the Badger remains an economic lifeline to many communities in both Wisconsin and Michigan as it provides 200 jobs directly and supports another 500 jobs indirectly. That amounts to an economic impact of 45 million dollars for Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan. Which is something that cannot be ignored in a time of high unemployment. And, as the last coal-powered ship in the United States, her historical impact is just as valuable as her economic importance to both states. Due to her lengthy service the greatest consideration should be afforded her to have the time to convert to a system that is agreeable to all.

Will the SS Badger Sail Into the 2013 Sunset? Part One

The SS Badger is a coal-fired passenger and vehicle ferry in the United States that has been in Lake Michigan service from 1953 until the present. Currently, she shuttles between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She is the last coal-fired passenger vessel operating on the Great Lakes.

The boat is named after the University of Wisconsin’s athletic mascot, “Bucky Badger”. The Badger runs on Michigan time (Eastern Time Zone, whereas Wisconsin is in the Central Time Zone) and riders pay Michigan taxes on their fares.

On 1 July 1983, the Chessie System ended its car ferry service when it sold the steamers Badger, Spartan, and City of Midland 41 to Glen F. Bowden of Ludington. He organized the Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Company (MWT) to continue the operation.

The railroad car ferry concept on Lake Michigan was facing serious economic troubles during the 1980s and by November 1988, the Badger was the only vessel running. She was the last of the 14 ferries since 1897 based in Ludington remaining in service. On November 16 1990, facing bankruptcy, Bowden laid up the Badger, ending 93 years of railway car ferry service out of Ludington and 98 years on Lake Michigan as a whole.

After sitting idle for a year, the three ferries were purchased by entrepreneur and philanthropist Charles F. Conrad of Holland, Michigan, (and a native of Ludington). He undertook a major overhaul and refit of the Badger exclusively for carrying passengers and automobiles. Returning to service May 16 1992, on the Ludington–Manitowoc route, the vessel has carried hundreds of thousands of passengers and vehicles across the lake. She is the only operating ferry of her kind in the world and is an icon of car ferry heritage on the Great Lakes. Conrad retired as president of Lake Michigan Carferry Service in 1993. He died on February 9 1995. Since 1993 the company has been headed by his son-in-law, Robert Manglitz

.The Badger is the last large coal burning steamship in the United States and is one of the last vessels in service on the Great Lakes to be powered by Skinner Unaflow engines (manufactured by the Skinner Company of Erie, Pennsylvania). The Badger docks 490 times a year on her schedule as of 2009, an exceptionally large number of dockings for a merchant vessel.

On average, the Badger completes a trip across Lake Michigan in about four hours, covering 60 miles. The ferry saves about three and a half hours of travel time (and the frustration of congested highways) compared to the 411-mile drive from Manitowoc to Ludington via Chicago. The ferry offers a number of entertainment options and eating facilities on board, as well as passenger staterooms equipped with sleeping berths. When Darlene and I use this service we always opt for a stateroom for a measure of privacy. Because of her size and strong construction the SS Badger rarely misses a sailing because of weather related delays.

The SS Badger is also unusual in that it is a registered historical site in two states. The Michigan Historical Commission and the Wisconsin Historical commission each named the Badger as a registered historical site in 1997. She was listed as of national significance on the National Register of Historic Places on December 11 2009.  Part Two comes your way tomorrow.

Strange Lake Michigan Storm

At first I wasn’t sure if I was watching a sandstorm or a strange storm over Lake Michigan. The sky was indeed an unsettling color to be sure. Even while photographing this I stayed in close proximity to my car as I was not sure what would come out of this storm.

Well a few minutes later the sky opened up and a hailstorm began quickly followed by a heavy downpour and a drop in temperature of almost twenty degrees.  The wind stayed at around thirty miles sustained with gusts of nearly fifty miles an hour.  Huge waves pounded the Ludington breakwater sending flumes of water high into the air.

The rain was so intense at times that I couldn’t even make out the Ludington lighthouse.  And all that coming from the strangest looking sky that I had seen for some time now.  On the bright side I can  share that sky with you today.

A Strange Sunset Indeed!

Well, what do you think of this sunset in Ludington, Michigan, at the lighthouse? Macabe is what comes first to my mind. It almost looks like something out of a science fiction magazine. This lighthouse is probably the most photographed place in Ludington and this one is a doozy.

Just look at the contrasts of color here. Now, I must put forth the suggestion that this may not be a real sunset but a photo that has been slightly doctored. Of course the sun does play tricks with the eyes at times so maybe with the camera lense as well?

At any rate this is sure some photograph and a keeper to say the least so feast your eyes on this as often as possible.

The Colors of Lake Michigan

On a sky blue day I just enjoy watching the many colors that Lake Michigan displays. In shallow water there are the light browns and it is where young children love to play and have the waves lap at their feet.  That gives way to a mixture of blue and brown in slightly deeper water.  Then comes the pure aqua color a little further out.

Then on the horizon where water greets the sky are the deep blues of the lake.  At times I like to just listen to the waves coming in while relaxing on the shore.  I shudder at those folks who listen to music on whatever device they carry with them while jogging or walking the shoreline.  What robbery when one can listen to the waves talking directly to you.

Suddenly the winds increase and the lake becomes a torrent of high waves and crashing surf.  The brown coloring extends a little further out as the bottom becomes roughed out displaying more of its hues. 

At sunset a whole new mixture of colors are displayed upon the lake and they can run the gamut from brilliant orange and yellows to deep purples depending on what the sky looks like.  I just love how our Creator paints His lake!

Sketching a Sunset

I ever so much enjoy doing pencil sketches of Lake Michigan. I just take my pad of paper and a chair out onto the sands of Lake Michigan and began whatever project fits my fancy. Depending on my location I either sketch the Ludington Lighthouse or the outlet into Lake Michigan of the Big Sauble River. Sometimes I pick a location between the two and sketch out the skyline against the waters of Lake Michigan.

Mike usually goes with me and does a few jogs of a thousand years in the general area I sketch as he does not like me to be there alone as I am almost oblivious to whatever’s around me while composing. In my mind I visualize the colors that I see however they do not go onto my canvas. I have a camera to capture those effects. The simplest work that I do are where the water meets the skyline. Yet I ever so much putting in the wave action of the lake.

It takes me about an hour to finish a general outline of what I want to do and then I fill in the gaps later at home. I prefer sketching on non-wavy days as it is hard to capture the Lighthouse, for example, when it continually is pounded by waves during high winds. Plus the sand is sent flying through the air and it stings making artwork impossible to handle.

I’ve always wanted to work with pastels but so far I haven’t tried that. There’s something so innocent and perfect about pencil sketching. I have several canvases of my work and I always try to top my previous work. My favorite times to sketch are early summer and early fall. And, I would recommend this form of artwork to anyone.

How Did The Ludington Fire Department Handle This One?

One has to wonder how the fire department of Ludington effectively handled this fire? It is the lighthouse that is a good quarter of a mile out into Lake Michigan on the breakwater. This time its light was a warning to itself!

I would hazard to say that the fire department pumped water out of Lake Michigan itself to put out that fire. But can you imagine if the lake was ripe with high waves? I don’t think the fire department would have risked it then. Yet maybe that wavy day itself might have put out that fire? Does anyone know how much damage that lighthouse incurred during that blaze?

The Calm After the Storm

What a difference a few hours makes at the Ludington breakwater! One hour the lake is churning like crazy and then a few hours later it looks ever so heavenly. My second photograph displays how serene the Ludington Lighthouse can get.  Maybe this is how the phrase “The Calm After the Storm” came to be?

The quiet picture almost looks as if God were giving His lighthouse a display of a heavenly light show.  Those rays of light add much to that picture.  I ever so much enjoy this locale.  My favorite time here is when the fog is lifting over the lake and then out of a fog bank appears the S Badger almost like a eyrie monster out of nowhere. 

The fog gets as thick as pea soup by the Lighthouse so that you can not even make out the Ludington shore.  It’s Mystery Theatre at its best at those times.  So which picture is your favorite of the two?

Not A Good Hair Day In Ludington

This was definately not a good hair day if you were on the shores of Lake Michigan in Ludington. Just look at those waves. Our lighthouse here is being scrapped and repainted white but here it looks as if it is already painted white. Look at those waves just off the lighthouse. Yesterday was also the last day the Ferry Boat Badger was crossing the lake and what a day to pick.

I personally like these days as the lake is just crazy with waves of all sizes. I had heard in Chicago they had gale warnings up and no doubt Ludington did too. Can you imagine any boater going out into the lake with those kinds of waves to deal with? If the weather had been warmer that would have been some surf to swim in don’t you think?

I was jogging yesterday just off M-116 between Ludington and Hamlin Dam and was the only one out there. The sand was flying around and stung so I wasn’t out there too long. But the waves were just fantastic.

Now if you’ve ever wondered how they keep lighthouses clean, wonder no more!

How About More Snowmobile Tubing?

A twelve-year-old girl who lives near us asked me about taking her for a tubing ride. I told her she would have to wait for summer and then she asked what was wrong about a winter tubing ride using my snowmobile. What a novel idea. So I hitched a tow line to the back of my snowmobile and too her on a ride both at a nearby lake as well as on the shores of Lake Michigan just outside Ludington.

The latter was my idea as I wondered why a snowy beachfront wouldn’t work as well as being on a lake?  Aside from some stinging sand being blown up a nasty wind that day everything was great.  We used our scarfs as mufflers to shelter our face from that sand. 

I might have to consider this again but with Darlene as my passenger.  When I told her of the thought she encouraged it but with me as the passenger.  All of a sudden it didn’t seem like all that great of an idea.  I could also see all that snow kicking up in my face.  That might be great for a kid but as for me?  Well???

M-116 Sand Dunes

What I like best about the large area of sand dunes between Ludington and its State Park is the wide variety of dunes that can be explored. Some come complete with large areas of trees while others are just dunes. I always come prepared with one of my two husky dogs, Frick or Frack, a compass, canteen, and some beef jerky. If I jog without a human companion my wife just calls me jerky.

I like to run up and down the dunes to strengthen my leg muscles.  I’ve heard that members of the Detroit Lions do much the same thing in the off-season.  Going uphill is the best exercise I could give my legs.  Yet I also enjoy my times of pure hiking as I set a good pace for my heart. 

Then in the summer I take an occasional dip into Lake Michigan to cool off.  And, in the winter, that fine sand often become biting as the wind literally picks it up and blows it all over the place.  Thus the M-116 Dunes are a year-long project for me.  Darlene loves to take photographs of them and I like to jog or hike them.  To each their own.  Well, it’s about time for me to leave the house for another jog at those dunes so see you next time I come a posting.

Georgeous Sunset

This one is a keeper for my collection of glorious sunsets at Lake Michigan. I like the addition of awakening love that is shown as well on the breakwater.  The color is near breathtaking!  Could this be an impending proposal of love?

The stillness of the lake reminds me of total peace which should be the foundation of any relationship.  Not to mention the reflecting love that each has for the other.  I know for a fact that Lake Michigan sunsets, not to mention sunrises, are very romantic.  Mike once set up for me an anniversary dinner on the sands just off M-116.  It was a wonderful evening that I will never forget.  Even our beverage of choice was cooled in the waters of Lake Michigan.

I hope that some of your memories are keyed to nature as well.  Perhaps you might share one or two by way of a comment.