Watervale, Michigan - photos, weather, gifts!

Photos and Articles - News - Links

The Sinking of the Marinette
Ever wonder about the timbers which can sometimes be seen on the hike back from Baldy? They're the remains of the Marinette, which sank in bad weather in 1886, taking 6 lives. Did you know you can snorkle out to the rest of the ship? Updated September 2007 with a newsaper woodcut from 1886 and photos of the what appears to be the Marinette's sister ship, the Menekaunee

Watervale Area Photos
Photos I've taken over the past few years. Updated with 2007 photos.

The "Singing Sands" of Lake Michigan
Why does the sand on Lake Michigan beaches squeak when you walk on it? Click Here to read two theories..

John H. Howard's 1929 The History of Herring Lake. This has been painstakingly recreated in PDF form from the original book.

Tales include:

The Outlet, so deep and wide that ships can pass between the lakes

The rise and fall of Watervale as a sawmill town

A German couple attempts to drive across the frozen Outlet, with tragic results!

The strange disappearance of "Happy Mack"

Lake Michigan
Did you know that Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world and has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska? Or that the dunes of Lake Michigan are the world’s largest freshwater dunes? That information plus much more on my Lake Michigan page.

	The Sinking of the Marinette Ever wonder about the timbers which can sometimes be seen on the hike back from Baldy? They're the remains of the Marinette, which sank in bad weather in 1886, taking 6 lives. Did you know you can snorkle out to the rest of the ship? Updated September 2007 with a newsaper woodcut from 1886 and photos of the what appears to be the Marinette's sister ship, the Menekaunee
	Watervale Area Photos Photos I've taken over the past few years. Updated with 2007 photos.
	The "Singing Sands" of Lake Michigan Why does the sand on Lake Michigan beaches squeak when you walk on it? Click Here to read two theories..
	John H. Howard's 1929 The History of Herring Lake. This has been painstakingly recreated in PDF form from the original book. Tales include: The Outlet, so deep and wide that ships can pass between the lakes The rise and fall of Watervale as a sawmill town A German couple attempts to drive across the frozen Outlet, with tragic results! The strange disappearance of "Happy Mack"
	Lake Michigan Did you know that Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world and has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska? Or that the dunes of Lake Michigan are the world’s largest freshwater dunes? That information plus much more on my Lake Michigan page.

News Stories

Botulism is Killing Great Lakes Birds
Some 8,000 died in 2007, including 2,000 loons. Scientists say they think the botulism, which is native to the Great Lakes, comes to life in rotting cladophora algae and is absorbed by invasive zebra and quagga mussels that have taken over the lake bottom. Gobies eat the toxic mussels, and the birds eat the gobies. Click Here to read the article from the Detroit Free Press

Hemimysis Anomala, the Newest Invasive Species
A freshwater shrimp from the Caspian Sea is the latest invasive species found in Lake Michigan. Predicted to be "highly disruptive" to the fragile Lake Michigan ecosystem, scientists are worried about how it will affect the food chain. Click Here to read about the "Bloody Red Shrimp" in Science News Onlinel

Michigan's Great Wines
As of August, 2007, Michigan wineries have won 2 Platinum, 92 Gold, 309 Silver, and 338 Bronze International Wine Competitions!

	Botulism is Killing Great Lakes Birds Some 8,000 died in 2007, including 2,000 loons. Scientists say they think the botulism, which is native to the Great Lakes, comes to life in rotting cladophora algae and is absorbed by invasive zebra and quagga mussels that have taken over the lake bottom. Gobies eat the toxic mussels, and the birds eat the gobies. Click Here to read the article from the Detroit Free Press
	Hemimysis Anomala, the Newest Invasive Species A freshwater shrimp from the Caspian Sea is the latest invasive species found in Lake Michigan. Predicted to be "highly disruptive" to the fragile Lake Michigan ecosystem, scientists are worried about how it will affect the food chain. Click Here to read about the "Bloody Red Shrimp" in Science News Onlinel
	Michigan's Great Wines As of August, 2007, Michigan wineries have won 2 Platinum, 92 Gold, 309 Silver, and 338 Bronze International Wine Competitions!

Links you might be interested in

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Lake Michigan Water Temperature

Click Here to stick your virtual toe in Lake Michigan to check the (brrr!) temperature.
Live Webcam from Harbor Lights Resort in Frankfort. It's nice to check the skies and surf from 1,000 miles away.

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy "Protecting significant natural, scenic, and farm lands - now and for all future generations.".
Gravity Hill (the Mystery Spot)
Click here for a map to the Mystery Spot

Sunset Declination Animation
How much does the position of the sunset change from winter to summer? Click here!
Cherry Bowl Drive-In
Since 1953. Great movies, great prices, family-friendly, always a double feature!

Northern Michigan Books, Magazines and CDs.
Looking for a great beach novel, coffee table book, magazine or CD relating to Northern Michigan? I recommend these.

Looking for a petoskey Tshirt or mug? How about a Benzie County wall calendar? These and more available here.

Trick Dog Gallery and Cafe

Featuring the artwork or Greg Jaris.

Sleeping Bear Dunes
64 miles of wide, sandy beaches on Lake Michigan, immense sand dunes perched atop towering headlands, and pristine inland lakes and streams. Incredible.

Online site for the popular Arcadia Historical Museum. They have a link to several local shipwrecks, including my story of the Marinette.
The Cherry Hut, A classic and a landmark since 1922.

Back to Top

Vera Noble died on July 14th, 2005 - Click here to read her obituary

Where Do Visitors to this site some from? Click the map below.

Sunrise Sunset Calendar Find out when the sun and moon will rise and set when you're in Michigan.	Frankfort-Elberta Chamber of Commerce Filled with Frankfort area info
Petoskey Stones and Jewelry A lot of great gifts and some beautiful Petoskey stones.	Gwen Frostic's website Her original block prints are famous throughout the world.
Benzie County Michigan Web Site Directory The most complete directory of Web sites for Benzie County.	Arcadia House Bed and Breakfast Historic 1910 home in Arcadia.
Beyond Salon Romantic hairstyles and makeup services on location. Located in Frankfort.	Brendon Baillod's Great Lakes Shipwreck Research History, rumor, book reviews and databases of shipwrecks in the Great lakes.

Know of any links that need to go here? Have a website with Watervale photos or info?
Are you a merchant and would like to have your site listed here? Email me!

Lake Michigan Water Temperature Click Here to stick your virtual toe in Lake Michigan to check the (brrr!) temperature.	Live Webcam from Harbor Lights Resort in Frankfort. It's nice to check the skies and surf from 1,000 miles away.
The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy "Protecting significant natural, scenic, and farm lands - now and for all future generations.".	Gravity Hill (the Mystery Spot) Click here for a map to the Mystery Spot
Sunset Declination Animation How much does the position of the sunset change from winter to summer? Click here!	Cherry Bowl Drive-In Since 1953. Great movies, great prices, family-friendly, always a double feature!
Northern Michigan Books, Magazines and CDs. Looking for a great beach novel, coffee table book, magazine or CD relating to Northern Michigan? I recommend these.	Looking for a petoskey Tshirt or mug? How about a Benzie County wall calendar? These and more available here.
Trick Dog Gallery and Cafe Featuring the artwork or Greg Jaris.	Sleeping Bear Dunes 64 miles of wide, sandy beaches on Lake Michigan, immense sand dunes perched atop towering headlands, and pristine inland lakes and streams. Incredible.
Online site for the popular Arcadia Historical Museum. They have a link to several local shipwrecks, including my story of the Marinette.	The Cherry Hut, A classic and a landmark since 1922.
Back to Top Vera Noble died on July 14th, 2005 - Click here to read her obituary Where Do Visitors to this site some from? Click the map below.