Around Lake Michigan in a DUGOUT CANOE!

Many people have contacted me in search of information about Lake Michigan:  Can I walk the shoreline between these two cities?  How can I help protect the lake?  I'm a sailor...what are the best cities to visit with marinas?

Mary Catterlin and Amy Lukas

  

Amy Lukas contacted me recently with a unique question:  My friend Mary and I are going to paddle around Lake Michigan in a dugout canoe that she made.  Can you tell us about any obstacles on the shoreline?

Well, this caught my attention!

I met up with Amy in the town of St. Joseph for lunch yesterday so we could discuss their adventure.

Turning a 2000-pound cottonwood trunk into a canoe!

Sealing the boat

The boat is almost complete.  They will attach two outriggers and a sail soon and test it on Lake Michigan.  Their launch date is July 1.

Isn't it beautiful?

 Follow their adventure HERE.

Trial run

My path may cross theirs when I hike some of Lake Michigan's shoreline later this summer!  Keep a lookout for Mary and Amy on the lake and cheer them on!

From My Stack of Reading...

The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas by Jerry Dennis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jerry Dennis is one of the best 'Great Lakes Writers.' His work has inspired me, and this account of his journey by boat through four of the Great Lakes all the way to the Atlantic Ocean is a great read.

I'm not much of a boater, but I do enjoy learning about the lakes and this book explores many aspects of the lakes.

Dennis also tells of his time as a crew hand on a sailboat in the Chicago to Mackinac Island race. I've been in Chicago for the start of this event when the lake is filled with sails. It was fascinating to be along for the ride by reading this book.

Saving Sailing

My friend, Phil Martin, sent me the latest book published by his imprint, Crickhollow Books. It is Saving Sailing by Nicholas D. Hayes.

Now, I'm not much of a sailor (though I've enjoyed the times I've been out on the lake on boats), but I found the approach of this book to be rather fascinating.

Hayes uses the lens of sailing to examine society in much the same way that Malcolm Gladwell has used case studies and statistics to dissect societal trends. Hayes looks at how the amount of time we invest in pastimes which have a learning curve and that may be shared with -- and skills passed on to -- friends and family (like sailing) are becoming less common as we fill our time with cable tv and individual pursuits.

If you love to sail it is a must read.

Even if you're not a sailor, it's a compelling read.

If you're wondering about the health of the American family, this book provides a unique perspective and suggests prescriptions to strengthen the family.