Why The Great Lakes Are Great

I saw the below video shared on social media this week and it did a decent job of summing up why the Great Lakes are so great. Growing up in Michigan, I can remember studying HOMES (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior) back in elementary school geography lessons and how the glaciers formed the Great Lakes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBRcOLcEwF0

It seemed like every year around Michigan Week (does anyone remember Michigan Week?) we would focus on Michigan history and geography which inevitably lead to studying the Great Lakes. I believe it was in the 4th grade when we watched this 1968 film (yes, it was on a film reel!). Funny, how the image of the man in the midst of the polluted waters has stuck with me all these years later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afs_A_Lz2w4

Just watched this again for the first time in over 30 years and it was a real nostalgic treat. Amidst the schmaltzy music and humor you do get a good overview of how The Great Lakes formed.

Probably around this same time period in elementary school, we also watched this Canadian classic - Paddle to the Sea. The possibility that you could send a little boat down a stream in the woods and it would flow all the way through the Great Lakes to the ocean always intrigued me as a child.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olXmGz4iCxM

Does anyone else remember watching these films back in the day? How about Michigan Week?

The Ice Caves of Lake Superior

I get claustrophobic just watching some of these videos. These Lake Superior ice caves look amazing though. Truly a Winter Wonderland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61jOM4lmIBU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA-Ui69S0F0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y821ade5MOg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HcMD5331PY

Which Great Lake is your favorite for swimming?

With the temperature in the 90s the next two days it got me thinking about going to the beach. Specifically any beach along Lake Michigan since it's the Great Lake that is closest to us. Then I started to wonder if people had a favorite Great Lake and that brings us to a new poll question! My personal favorite is Lake Michigan mainly because of its proximity and sandy bottom along west Michigan's shoreline. I have never attempted a swim in Lake Superior - I dipped my toe in and that was enough. The only time I was over at Lake Erie was before it started to get cleaned up and there was no way I was swimming in that. I've never been to Lake Ontario and the one time I was at Lake Huron it wasn't warm enough for swimming.

So, how about you?

[poll id="48"]

Beautiful video tribute to the 29 crewmen of the Edmund Fitzgerald

34 years ago today during the evening of November 10, 1975 the Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a storm on Lake Superior taking the lives of all 29 crewmen. This video tribute is hauntingly beautiful. I feel so bad for the families that lost loved ones 34 years ago today. The music featured in the video is, of course, Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Don't forget that you can watch the annual service from River Rouge online tonight from 6pm until 8pm. There is a school program online from 1:30 until 3pm as well.

November 10th is the 34th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service

On November 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank to the bottom of Lake Superior taking the lives of all 29 crewmen. One week from today, the 34th service honoring the crew will be held at River Rouge. From SSEdmundFitzgerald.com:

. A memorial service for the men lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald will be held on November 10 at Dr. Henri Belanger Park in River Rouge, Mi. The service will be held near the Mariners Memorial Lighthouse beginning at 6:00 p.m. The tug boat will be on hand to take out a wreath to be placed on the river. The service will feature a plaque presentation, bell ringing, lantern lighting, and refreshments will be served. For more information call Roscoe Clark at 810-519-2148 or Dolores Swekel 313-842-7822.

The service will be at River Rouge Michigan on the Detroit River next to where the ship was built at the slips and on the other side is where Zug Island is located.

The service will also be broadcast online via a free stream at SSEdmundFitzgerald.com. You can find all the details at their site.

The daughter of the "Old Cook" from the Gordon Lightfoot song left this comment on my tribute page for the Edmund Fitzgerald:

I am honored and excited to be invited to attend the upcoming service held this November 10th in River Rouge. I will be coming from Kansas to honor my dad and the other 28 crewmen. My father was the " Old Cook" referred to in the Gordon Lightfoot song.

There will be so many events having to do with the FITZ I hope to be able to fit it all in. I think it's great to include the school kids learning about the Great Lakes and the ships that have sailed on them.

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio and watched from many ports my dads ship sail off with a load of iron ore or coal. Those good memories never go away. Hope to see you there. All are welcome to honor and remember that fateful night.

Pam Johnson Daughter of ROBERT C. RAFFERTY