General

Memories of Great Lakes Lead to a Call for Action

I grew up an hour from Lake Michigan and it was a special occasion to be able to go to “the lake” for a day. There were many days, however, where you didn’t want to get anywhere near the lake because of the giant mounds of dead, rotting, alewives communities were attempting to manage. Many of the beach towns, like Saugatuck and South Haven had boarded up hotels and downtowns. But a commitment to clean water and the introduction of salmon into the Great Lakes changed all of that…..

Today we are faced with new threats to the Great Lakes. Invasive Read More » »

Coalition Announces Winners of Great Lakes Story & Photo Contest

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (October 4)—A father’s decision to fish with his sons before being deployed to Iraq. A woman’s relationship with Lake Michigan during milestones in her life.  A child’s chase down the beach. A teenager’s leap for joy on a sand dune.

These are some of the subjects of the winning entries for the month of August and the contest as a whole in the Great Lakes story and photo contest, which concluded in late August.

“People’s love for the Great Lakes is clear by looking at the winning entries—and all of the entries that we received during the contest,” said Read More » »

Endless Beauty

A story from Darshan S. from Fennville, MI…

The gentle breeze slowly ran its fingers through my hair, as I ran and danced in the soft, silky sand. I was so young, just a little girl, but I enjoyed every second I had near the water. My mother would take me to the beach, a place that we could enjoy every bit of nature that surrounded us. Sometimes I would stand at the shoreline listening to, and watching the rumbling, rushing waves. They were so loud and powerful, and yet they were gentle as they swept over my feet.

As I grew Read More » »

Soggy Shoes

This story comes to us from David O’Keeffe, who is entering in the children’s category. David resides in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and writes:

It was a hot Friday afternoon on Rock Island, a small island off of Washington Island, which is a twenty minute ferry ride from Door County, Wisconsin. Next, you take another ferry to get from Washington Island to Rock Island or if you’re very adventurous, or just plain crazy you can walk from island to island in the blistering cold water of Lake Michigan.

Once on Rock Island my Dad, Step Mom, older sister, and I went on a hike Read More » »

My Thirteenth Birthday

This story comes to us from Emily Bonga of Wheaton, Illinois. She writes: “My story is about my 13th birthday at the beach off of Lake Michigan. I invited girls and their dads to drive up and back from Illinois and spend the day having fun in the sun on the beach and at my grandparent’s summerhome. We had a blast, and I hope that it is shown through the story.”

Here is her story:

I woke up ready to start the new day. This was the day I was going to celebrate my thirteenth birthday with my friends and their dads. Read More » »

Lake Superior: One More Time

This story was sent in by Siggy Spelter in Phoenix, AZ. Siggy writes, “This story is about one of my last days of so-called “freedom” before adulthood, and the only appropriate way I could spend it.” Here is his story:

I knew I shouldn’t go. I was 21 years old, soon to be a college graduate. There was one thing that stood in my way. The course was Medieval Spanish Literature, consisting of twenty-four total assignments which should have been spaced out evenly over a whole semester. I however, had left twelve assignments to the last week. They were lengthy too, Read More » »

A Fish Out Of Water

This story (and accompanying photo) come to us from Sara of Battle Creek, MI. Sara says of her photo: “My photograph reminds me of a dangerous backpacking trip to Arizona where I found out first hand the hard core value of water and the true magnificence of our Great Lakes.”

Here is her story:

My friend and I both grew up near the shores of Lake Michigan. We recently had business in Phoenix and were fortunate to depart early to spend some time outdoors. Having both grown up hiking and backpacking, we were not daunted Read More » »

Breaking Skin

This story comes to us from Christine in Golden, Colorado. The story is summarized in one sentence by Christina: “Sometimes it helps to have input from those you love when deciding on a long-term mate.”

Here is her story:

I’ve always been baffled by mate selection. Dating only worsened my befuddlement. When I was a teenager, I meticulously interrogated my older brother before he got married. “How do you know she’s the one? That it’s going to last, and be good for the long run? That you won’t meet someone in the future who you’d rather be with?”

He answered with a decisive Read More » »

A Trip To Lake Erie

This particular story is from Lydia , who is entering in the children’s category. Lydia lives in Warsaw, Ohio. Here is her story:

When we went to Lake Erie, we went with my mom and dad, Aunt Deb, and my three cousins. My dad said we are the fourth generation to be coming to East Harbor. I think that is pretty cool that I can swim and play where my Great Grandpa did. Me and my cousin Bri built a sand castle for King Tritan. It was neat, but my little cousin Ethan threw sand in my eyes and I didn’t Read More » »

Forgiven

This story comes to us from Keven of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She writes, “This story is about the realization that the beauty of Michigan is comparable to even the likes of the Pacific Northwest.”

Here is her story:

I couldn’t pack my bags fast enough…after all, nothing in Michigan could compare to the splendor of the mountains and waters of the Puget Sound. I grew up in Jackson and now, at 19, was making Seattle my home.

And what a home it was, for 24 years. Taking advantage of its sights I left no trail, mountain, or coastline unturned; no eagle, bear, or Read More » »