Musings

Open forum for regional discussion. (extension of the Information Search page for off topic & personal discussion)
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Yesterday I came back to my new home. As I drove through Tawas, saw one of the ASC ships at the gypsum dock but a street project had it blocked, so had to turn around . This morning one of my first projects was to hang a medium sized Interlake flag over the sun porch entry. Lots to do before move-in day but I'll check Boatnerd daily, as usual.
Guest

Re: Musings

Unread post by Guest »

Denny wrote:I second that garbear and send my congrats as well to Dawn on her new home and place of living. Glad to hear that you will be moving down to the Bluwater Area as I think you once lived here years ago if I am correct before moving further north? I am also happy to hear that you got to see the Lee A. Tregurtha as I know she’s your all time favorite. Just to ask Dawn though, have you ever been aboard her and taken a trip on her? Just curious and don’t mind me asking. A bit off subject but I saw the PRT at the Soo and told the tourists I’ve been following her for 26 years and know just about everything on her but never been on her yet! Their response to me was “Maybe I should consider writing or contacting Interlake and explaining to them my interest in the PRT and who knows what could happen?” That would be awesome though.
Incredibly, I had the opportunity to walk her decks at the Toledo CSX dock, in 2004. Seems like a dream now, but I have the pictures to prove it. As you can imagine, a trip on her would be a dream come true, but since 911, that's all but impossible. Winning a trip is one way, and being family of a crew person is another. Hmm, maybe one of them would adopt me as their grandma!
Paul A
Posts: 428
Joined: June 28, 2010, 12:30 pm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Paul A »

Great news and congrats Dawn! Glad to hear you're getting back to the water.
Denny

Re: Musings

Unread post by Denny »

I second that garbear and send my congrats as well to Dawn on her new home and place of living. Glad to hear that you will be moving down to the Bluwater Area as I think you once lived here years ago if I am correct before moving further north? I am also happy to hear that you got to see the Lee A. Tregurtha as I know she’s your all time favorite. Just to ask Dawn though, have you ever been aboard her and taken a trip on her? Just curious and don’t mind me asking. A bit off subject but I saw the PRT at the Soo and told the tourists I’ve been following her for 26 years and know just about everything on her but never been on her yet! Their response to me was “Maybe I should consider writing or contacting Interlake and explaining to them my interest in the PRT and who knows what could happen?” That would be awesome though.
garbear

Re: Musings

Unread post by garbear »

Bookworm wrote:Two weeks ago today, I came back to St. Clair county hoping to find an apartment but no luck. Then a friend recommended a retirement park in the area. As I drove through I saw one home with a FOR SALE sign in the window. I did a walk through on Tuesday morning.. made an offer almost immediately...and had the sellers acceptance by suppertime. Put a deposit down the next day, and the inspection was that Friday.. and I just closed within the hour. Should be moved in the middle of September. And the first ship I saw, in the early morning darkness was Lee A!
Congrats, Dawn. Now I know where I can visit if I ever make it back to my home state again;)
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Two weeks ago today, I came back to St. Clair county hoping to find an apartment but no luck. Then a friend recommended a retirement park in the area. As I drove through I saw one home with a FOR SALE sign in the window. I did a walk through on Tuesday morning... made an offer almost immediately...and had the sellers acceptance by suppertime. Put a deposit down the next day, and the inspection was that Friday... and I just closed within the hour. Should be moved in the middle of September. And the first ship I saw, in the early morning darkness was Lee A!
MarcE
Posts: 94
Joined: January 27, 2018, 8:47 pm

Re: Musings

Unread post by MarcE »

They got that 100% correct!
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Algoma Central needs to know this:
Was in Alpena with some time to kill this afternoon, so explored the Besser Museum. Picked up a brochure titled, "What you can do about Aquatic Invasive Species." Perusing the contents, one suggestion was to make boaters aware that, "Invasive species can hitch rides on boats making for easy transport from one waterbody to another." In addition to a pleasure craft, I was astounded to see a thumbnail photo of what appears to be one of the Equinox ships with a tag, "barge" posted beneath it!
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Going through my digital photos recently, I rediscovered this Detroit River Cruise photo from 2002.
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"Bookworm" and "Lady Pirate"
"Bookworm" and "Lady Pirate"
Paul A
Posts: 428
Joined: June 28, 2010, 12:30 pm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Paul A »

Nice jog of my memory of a very nice lady. I met "Lady pirate" on a Detroit River Boatnerd cruise in 07.
Attachments
LP.JPG
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Remember "Webster," the resident Soo camera arachnid? As I recall, our late Boatnerd friend, Violet Bostwick named him. Well, with that camera no longer in service, this morning, as I followed Lee A. Tregurtha into Poe Lock (9 & 10 Sault Ste. Marie Skycam for the Soo) one of Webster's kinfolk was pulling in the night's silky threads. Fun to watch and to remember Violet, as well.
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

"Webster" (who, as I recall, was named by our late Boatnerd friend, Violet Bostwick), or one of his/her 8-legged relatives, was busy reeling in the night's silk lines from the web cam lens as Lee A Tregurtha made her way into Poe Lock, down-bound to AK/Rouge this morning. It was a delight to watch the action on both fronts.
With the discontinuation of the Soo Cams we were used to, I now use this one to follow ship traffic: https://www.9and10news.com/weather/live ... marie-cam/
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

In another thread, I suggested that with the increase in gas prices, this might be the year to stay close to home and explore what your state has to offer.
Living along the "Sunrise Coast" of Lake Huron, I began looking at what one traveling US #23 might find to their liking. The first two are off I-75N, before the US #23 exit.
The first item that caught my eye was the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum: https://www.ussedson.org/
And the Pinconning Cheese Co. offering not only delectable varieties of cheese but also meats and chocolates. https://prod.pinconningcheese.com/
All along the way, from Standish to AuGres (oh gray), Omer, AuSable (awe sobil), there are museums, casinos, brew pubs, etc. Alabaster is not a true town but if you follow the signs, you can stand and look at the colossal remains of the Alabaster gypsum loading dock: https://michpics.wordpress.com/2012/07/ ... alabaster/) and don't miss the Alabaster Corner Store with its walk through days gone by.
Tawas/East Tawas is the next town to the north. Occasionally one of the American Steamship triplets (Boland, Laud, & White) load gypsum at the National Gypsum dock, south of town. Along the way are scenic parks and there is a busy marina, too. The business district boasts a fascinating array of specialty shops, including one featuring chocolates. North of town, (follow the signs) is the Tawas Light House.
Fifteen to twenty minutes up the road you'll come to Oscoda. The visitor's center and marina w/pier are to your right, at the flashing yellow light. Turn right at the traffic signal in town and enjoy a beach-front park with a pier walk, playground, picnic tables, and skateboard area. But the biggest attraction is the Wurtsmith Air Force Base Museum. https://www.facebook.com/WurtsmithAirMuseum/
All along the way from Oscoda to Greenbush, and Harrisville (State Park just south of town) are splendid views of Lake Huron, and the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse is 3-4 miles north of town (veer right and follow the signs).
At Alpena you can enjoy several parks -- especially the marina and break wall area. Check tourist sites for more ideas on what you can see/do there.
Picturesque Presque Isle County boasts 3 light houses -- from the first to the newest), and a a couple of excellent places serving big-dips of scrumptious ice cream.
Rogers City (follow the business route signs) is where you can see the largest limestone quarry in the world and the Calcite public overlook where you can watch ships loading limestone. There is also a maritime museum, where the bell of the Carl Bradley is on display. Forty mile point light house is also in the area: http://www.40milepointlighthouse.org/
I've not gone any further north, but one of the websites offering travel information can fill in those gaps.
Enjoy your vacation, whenever and wherever you take it!
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Good news! The Port of Gypsum will continue shipping the product by boat, as it has in the past. The report cited in my previous posting was erroneous!
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

According to this week's Oscoda Press, U.S. Gypsum (Alabaster/Tawas, MI) is hoping to increase mineral holdings in the county.
That item and my professed interest in "chasing a specific ship" evolved into a fascinating conversation with my editor, the son of a former ship loader at Port Gypsum. His memories include ship's crews feeling slighted if his dad didn't eat lunch with them, and those same crews bantering with the family (in days of up-close-and-personal encounters) as they waited to lock through at the Soo. American Steamship's Buffalo (sold to Algoma this winter) is his favorite ship.
Incidentally, recent information is that ships will no longer be visiting Port Gypsum, because the product will be carried by trucks. Stay tuned for up-dates.
Guest

Re: Musings

Unread post by Guest »

Agreed Bookworm, and I plan on contacting my Congressman.

For anyone not sure who their Congressman is, here's a helpful tool: https://www.house.gov/representatives/f ... esentative
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

I am very alarmed to read the story on today's news page, regarding a proposed cut on Great Lakes Funding: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/ ... /329654002
Politics aside, a decision of that magnitude needs to be informed and the ones making it should -- in this case -- make an effort to investigate/experience it first hand.
I believe those proposing such cuts should make a trip to visit some of the major ports and the Soo Locks. Further, they need full awareness of the successful revitalization of the rivers (specifically the Rouge, St. Clair, St. Marys & Cuyahoga) from polluted "dead-zones to vibrant fish-spawning and fishing grounds. A correlation between those factors and the region's economy need to be considered before making any decision.
For our part, we need to contact our representatives in DC, and make our voices heard!
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Christmas Dinner at Bookworm's was simple, but filling. Courses 1 & 2 are pictured, but there were side dishes and ginger ale, as well.
A young couple from Arkansas (where it was slightly warmer today) were my guests so the focus was on making them feel at home in this frigid land, far from family and friends.
After dinner, we played a game of SCRABBLE -- new to them but which they want to buy ASAP.
They've already been drawn to the lake and spend hours there (in their vehicles) mesmerized by the ever changing sky, clouds, water, and ice formations. They've spotted a few passing freighters so I gave them the imperative sites for following/tracking ships and finding related information.
Attachments
First course (frozen) mixed vegetables, cooked and cubed chicken breast, cream of chicken soup w/broth from the chicken breast, sliced green onion, and seasonings.  After baking to bubbling, topped with refrigerated biscuits and baked until they were golden brown.
First course (frozen) mixed vegetables, cooked and cubed chicken breast, cream of chicken soup w/broth from the chicken breast, sliced green onion, and seasonings. After baking to bubbling, topped with refrigerated biscuits and baked until they were golden brown.
Second course, pecan pie, was a winner
Second course, pecan pie, was a winner
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

Tomorrow, Christmas Day, marks the last time I saw my favorite, Lee A. Tregurtha on the St. Clair River. A friend and I were going out to eat and followed her from Marysville to Port Huron. As she approached, on that wide curve, I was hoping for a salute but she swept silently past. Her bow and most of the mid-section had already cleared the Bluewater Bridges so I was about to turn around and go back to the car. At that point I was startled by a deep, throaty sound and stood, suspended in the moment, as I watched her glide onto Lake Huron, leaving me with a great "memory gift" I unpack and enjoy from time to time.
Bet some of you have special memories connected with your favorite ships, too.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Bookworm

Re: Musings

Unread post by Bookworm »

As you'll soon see, today is a "Moody Blues" day for me. (So glad those chaps will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in April).
The waters of Lake Huron,
Grey beneath the winter sky,
Bring shards of ice with every wave that breaks against the shore.
The winds are calm and peaceful,
Cries of gulls rain from above,
I scan the vast horizon but no vessels are in sight.
(Sing with me now!): "I know you're out there somewhere, somewhere, somewhere, I know you're out there somewhere..."
Yep, with the improved weather, they'll be going up and down the lake on the "Freighter Freeway" now, hopefully making good time in the last few weeks of the shipping season.
Go safe and enjoy your day!
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