Beaver Island

          Two courses diverged on a wavy lake,
          and sorry we could not cruise them both
          and still one cruiser be-
          we chose the one less traveled by
          and that has made all the difference!
                   (apologies to Robert Frost!)

We had to decide whether to cruise the east coast of Lake Michigan or the west coast. Even if we had an entire summer to spend here, it would be hard to "do it all!" So we decided to leave the east coast and head for Green Bay, with a stop at Beaver Island on the way. So this morning we got the 7:30 opening of the Charlevoix bridge to exit Round Lake for Lake Michigan. The east coast of Lake Michigan has huge sand dunes...whereas the west coast has rocks! Being from Tobermory, we like rocks!

I am including a picture of Lake Michigan so you can get an idea of some of the places we will be mentioning. The lake is over 300 miles long. The east side has many natural harbors and a place to seek refuge off the lake every 20 miles down the coast. On the west coast the harbors are mostly man-made. Green Bay (the Bay, not the city) is at the north end and towards the bottom of the bay there is the Sturgeon Shipping Canal that connects the southern part of the bay with Lake Michigan. 
The places offering refuge are farther apart than on the east coast.  
I have highlighted the places we hope to stop at, as well as the canal towards the bottom of Green Bay that we will take to re-enter Lake Michigan.
 This morning we left Charlevoix in the NE section (no sleeping in, as I had planned!) and went NW to Beaver Island. It was a bit rough, but it was better having the waves on our stern quarter than heading straight into them! And we are part of the way across to the west side of the lake! 

Taken from Skipper Bob Publications

Beaver Island reminds us of Tobermory. There are about 650 year-round residents, but many more who come for the summer. The ferry service from Charlevoix ends Dec. 22 and resumes in April. There are no traffic lights, just like back home. The pace is laid back, but the island is rich in history. I am starting to read a book written by a woman who was the lighthouse keeper, and she recalled first-hand accounts  about events during the 19th century. 

The Ojibwa Indians settled here over 1,000 years ago. The French later colonized it searching for beaver pelts around 1634. Then in 1847 James Strang founded a Mormon community here, appointed himself "King" and made Beaver Island his "kingdom." When he was finally "dethroned" (murdered by his followers!), Beaver Island was settled by Irish immigrants, as evident in the current population. 

 Irish flags are everywhere...this one is at St. James Harbor where we are docked.

 Originally the St. James Hotel, built in 1901, and now a private club.

 The lighthouse at the north end, near the harbor.

These compasses where inbedded in all the sidewalks.

We started celebrating Don's birthday a few days early with a wonderful meal at the Beaver Island Lodge.....the food, quality and presentation, is 5 star!!!

The wind has howled all day, over 20 knots after we arrived, and small craft warnings were issued....if we don't leave tomorrow, we may be here for several more days. We will check the weather in the morning. Stay tuned.....