Hey guys ....
just a couple of notes ....
During the first week of October, the Mrs. & I had the circumstance to spend several days on the U-per and the opportunity to spend a couple of days at Whitefish Point Light and Bird Sanctuary.
The Great Lakes ShipWreck Historical Society has refurbished and installed the latest ammenities to the 'Crews Quarters', a stately, yet unobtrusive home.
The Crews Quarters are open to all who may wish. The atmosphere is one of a Bed & Breakfast without the host. You have free reign, though courtesy is the order of the day. There are four rooms available for nightly lease. The Crews Quarter is well endowed with safety in mind and resplendent with nautical items of interest. The rooms are cozy, though a but cramped. Of course, please remember, these were the rooms of working folk and provided shelter.
We happened to enjoy the Captains Quarters, which, according to the attendants, one of the better rooms, as it has views of not only Superior but of the Light as well.
A side note...... I woke about 4 am and looked out the window to Superior with the Light splashing itself upon the compound in a very orderly fashion. The weather was such, for the first week of October, rather chill and locals exclaimed it was uncommon to get snow at this time of year. As i looked out the window, with Superior caressing the shore about 300 feet out and as the Light swung around, in it's particular sequence, a deer was dining on snow covered grass. Each pass of the Light caused the deer to start until finally, after four or five minutes, she was quite disturbed by the light and jumped off into a nearby thicket.
I will say, the stay at Whitefish Point has made a sincere impression on me. I will not forget this as long as I live. I highly recommend a night or two at Whitefish Point.
As well, during our time on the U-per, the weather was not conducive to camping. The weather was terse enough to cause sailors and tankers to find safe harbor. We witnessed several large tankers anchored in cove at St. Ignace near Mackinaw.
Another item to be aware of is the Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony, November 10, 2003. The Ceremony begins at 7Pm. I wish we could attend, however, duty calls elsewhere.
The most poignant moment will be the Ringing Of The Bell. She'll ring 29 times with revered attention to the Sailors who perished on November 10th under the flag of the Edmund and a 30th Chime for and in memory of all the Great Lakes Mariners lost at sea.
I might also mention Kathleen (Pulcer) Lyon, daughter of the Commander of the Edmund, has donated a set of flags the Edmond sailed under, to the Society.
If you are in the area, see to the Light and whisper to the North a prayer to those who found Davey Jones' hand.
best regards
ambrose
[This message has been edited by ambrose (edited October 28, 2003).]
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