The Big Lake, part two

Dave was exhausted from all of that looking up and decided a nap on deck would be just the thing. That guy can sleep anywhere.




Look at all of those lines. I hope Brendan and Cara know what they are for because I sure don't.




Cara decided to make a trip to the top of the mast too. She couldn't let Brendan have all of the fun now could she?




Notice the blue skies. You, not Cara. Cara needs to keep her eyes on where she is going.




Now it's Brendan's turn.







See he really is tied off once he gets to the top.




The rain had moved back in and we were approaching Beaver Island; It was time for Cara to bring in one of the smaller sails on the bow the boat.




Dave's up just in time to bring the big sails down.




Our destination for this day was Beaver Island. It is the largest island on Lake Michigan and is thirteen miles long and three to six miles wide. It was a year round population of approximately 300 people.

Beaver Island was at one time a Mormon kingdom. The island's association with the Mormonism began with the death of Joseph Smith, founder of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most Mormons considered Brigham Young to be Smith's successor, but many others followed James J. Strang. Strang founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite), claiming it to be the sole legitimate continuation of the church "restored" by Joseph Smith. Strang moved his followers to Beaver Island in 1848. In 1850 Strang proclaimed himself king, but not of the island itself. Rather, he claimed to be king over his church, which at that time contained most of the island's inhabitants. While Beaver Island's would-be monarch held many progressive ideas (such as the conservation of woodlands), his autocratic style of rule came to be seen by many as intolerable. Eventually there was a rebellion and Strang was killed. The followers of Strang were then driven off of the island.

Irish fishermen from Gull Island, Mackinac Island, various port cities on the mainland, and County Donegal in Ireland quickly replaced the Strangites on Beaver Island. Their community, increased by more Irish immigration, would develop a unique identity that was enhanced by the island's isolation from the mainland. Church services and even ordinary conversations were conducted in Gaelic for many years.

Now Beaver Island is a favorite vacation spot of people around the Great Lakes.




The marina doesn't have a dock big enough to accommodate the Manitou so Captain Dave threw the anchor in the harbor. It turns out it is much easier to throw the anchor out than it is to bring it back in. Dave would realize that the next morning. Our transportation to town would be a dinghy that was lashed at the stern of the boat. The most important thing about that is to know the dingy schedule. You don't want to miss the last dingy ride back to the boat.




We enjoyed another dinner cooked by Wendy and D, took the dingy into town to explore and then made our way back to enjoy more stories and songs by Lee.