U.F.O, photo by GH Patriot.
We’re getting reports of Unidentified Flying Objects over the Grand Haven Ski Bowl.
Be sure to check it out bigger and in Kevin’s snowboarding slideshow, which features more of the same.
Still winter on Kitchi-Gummi
Kitchi-Gummi, photo by Holkeboer.
The Great Lakes Information Network has this to say about the world’s largest lake:
The first French explorers approaching the great inland sea by way of the Ottawa River and Lake Huron referred to their discovery as le lac superieur. Properly translated, the expression means “Upper Lake,” that is, the lake above Lake Huron. Kitchi-gummi, a Chippewa Indian translation, signifies Great-water or Great-lake. A Jesuit name, Lac Tracy, was never officially adopted.
An Indian name for Lake Superior was “Kitchi gami” (or “Kitchi-gummi”).
Be sure and check this out bigger or in John’s Feb. Munising Trip set (slideshow).
The rock in the picture is Miner’s Castle, which you can learn more about from Michigan in Pictures.
US Coast Guard Cutter Bramble: A Ramblin’ Gal
USCGC Bramble, photo by k.l.macke.
Wikipedia says that the USCGC Bramble (WLB-392) is one of the 39 original 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944 for the United States Coast Guard. Bramble is currently a museum ship, part of Port Huron Museum. The museum’s page on the USCG Cutter Bramble says:
The Coast Guard Cutter Bramble was commissioned in 1944 at a cost of just over $925,000. Following World War II, the Bramble participated in “Operation Crossroads,” the first test of an atomic bomb’s effect on surface ships, at Bikini Island. In 1957, along with the cutters Spar and Storis, it headed for the Northwest Passage, traveling through the Bering Straits and Arctic Ocean. Traveling for 64 days through 4,500 miles of partially uncharted waters, the vessels finally reached the Atlantic Ocean. These three surface vessels were the first to circumnavigate the North American Continent, an ambition mariners have had for more than 400 years.
In 1962, the Bramble transferred to Detroit to perform the missions of search and rescue, icebreaking, and law enforcement throughout the Great Lakes, in addition to aids to navigation. In 1975, the Bramble reported to Port Huron. The cutter’s areas of responsibility included eastern Lake Erie, southern Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, and maintaining 187 buoys, one NOAA weather buoy, and three fog signals. During winter months, its capabilities as an icebreaker enabled it to escort ships through ice and assist ships in distress. The Bramble was decommissioned in 2003 to be used as a museum.
Check this out bigger and in Keith’s Ships, Boats & Water Toys set (slideshow).
March in Michigan
“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” – Lewis Grizzard
Every month we post an event calendar on Absolute Michigan that highlights some events from all over the state of Michigan. Our Michigan March Event Calendar features music & entertainment including the Metro Times Blowout in Hamtramck, the Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Brew-Ski Festival in Harbor Springs, celebrations of spring like Foremost’s Butterflies Are Blooming in Grand Rapids, reminders that winter isn’t quite over including the Annual Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon in Calumet and (of course) the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade. March is also the season for shows, including the West Michigan Home & Garden Show in Grand Rapids and the Lansing Home & Garden Show and the The Michigan Golf Show in Novi.
Jim took this shot of an ice formation on Lake Superior taken near Little Girl’s Point in the far western end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He says to check it out bigger, so do, and also see it in his Winter slideshow.
Belle Isle Aquarium – 1905
Fishbowl: 1905, photo via Shorpy Historic Photo Archive
The Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium history page (click through for some great photos & historic postcards) says:
It was August 18, 1904 in Detroit when architect Albert Kahn’s new aquarium would open to the public … The Belle Isle Aquarium, which opened adjacent with the new horticultural building on Belle Isle at a cost of $160,000, would quickly become, “one of the most popular attractions on the Island.”
…The interior of this aquarium were framed cypress tank-lined walls that were filled with fresh and salt water fish. The water contained in many of these tasks were brought direct from the ocean for the aquarium. Under the domed ceiling in the center of the building was a deep pool that was encircled by several small tanks. Later this pool would become the home to a large tank that would sit in the middle.
The most magnificent part of the interior was the grotto ceilings lined with shinny jade green titles, giving visitors a unique feeling of being underwater. Underneath this aquarium was a basement, that would be used by many as a speakeasy during Prohibition.
This photo is one that you absolutely have to check out bigger. You can get more shots from Belle Isle at Shorpy and prints too! and get more view & buy Detroit pics right here!
Snow day!
Snow day!, photo by Larry the Biker.
Larry writes that Clinton Township received 7.5 inches of snow yesterday and the sledders took advantage of it.
Check it our bigger and see more in his snow day slideshow or his Winter set (slideshow).
You can also check out Snow Days past on Michigan in Pictures.
Upside Down in Lake Bellaire
There isn’t much about Lake Bellaire to be found online – the Lake Bellaire Wikipedia page hasn’t even been edited yet. Fishweb says that Lake Bellaire:
…is part of the Chain O’ Lakes in Antrim County Michigan. It is connected to Clam Lake to the south by the Grass River, and north to Intermediate River. Fishing Lake Bellaire you will find a variety of game fish such as trout, walleye, bass, pike, perch and many more. LakeBellaire is a small but deep lake with a maximum depth of 107′. The depth allows for trout fishing but still offers plenty of shallower depths, weed cover and river beds for fishing many different styles.
Check this photo out background big or in James’ Landscape and Nature set (slideshow).
There’s many more aerial photos and Michigan lakes to be found on Michigan in Pictures!
Icarus, 2010
Micha , photo by john mark..
All limits are self imposed.
This modern Icarus is Micah Middaugh from the Michigan band Breathe Owl Breathe. Do not leave him open on the basketball court or he will make you pay.
Check it out bigger or in John’s slideshow.
In this home on ice
In this home on ice 2, photo by Alan Medina.
Check it out bigger and in Alan’s slideshow.
Too cold for you? Stay warm with paczki and The Twist over on Absolute Michigan!
MacArthur Lock No. 4
MacArthur Lock No. 4, photo by Ralph Krawczyk Jr.
With apologies to Richard Harris, Donna Summer and pretty much everyone…
The captain took the Spruceglen, through the Soo
Ralph has a Holga, on trips he often takes it
It uses film and doesn’t fake it
Which isn’t always the easiest thing to do
Check it out bigger and in Ralph’s The U.P. – Autumn 2007 set (slideshow).
Michigan in Pictures 