The Neebish Island News

Web Sites

2008-08-22T16:35:00.003-04:00

Most people know about the Boat Nerd web site, but I recently came across Sault Boat Watching which is more applicable to the freighter traffic around Neebish Island. The site is described as "Daily happenings on the St. Mary's River near Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula."

While I'm at it here are some other links I recommend:
Neebish Island Resort
Iverson Snowshoes
Lake Superior Woolen Company
LSSU Fish Cam

Border News

2008-08-22T14:56:00.002-04:00

It appears that the days of getting on your boat and leaving Neebish Island for an easy and enjoyable trip to Richards Landing or Soo Ontario are over.

See the Washington Post: Citizens' U.S. Border Crossings Tracked

And this is on top of the news that any of your electronic devices can be detained indefinitely at the border.

See EFF: Public Pressure Mounts Against Invasive Border Searches

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

What Kind Of Boat Can You Get For $85,000 Per Week?

2008-08-22T14:42:00.002-04:00

A 131 foot superyacht. This was in Traverse City and is very impressive up close.

(That's a 17 ft "tender" in front of the yacht. Image at record-eagle.com)

Get more info:
131-foot yacht docks at Clinch Park

Motor Yacht - CV9 - Delta Marine (specs)

Motor Yacht CV-9 - Sparkman & Stephens: Charter Prices & Seasons: US$85000.00-98000.00/wk

Build Your Own Houseboat

2008-08-22T14:19:00.001-04:00

Here's a guy who claims you can build a houseboat for $20,000 or less.

The Return of the Brandy Bar: Houseboat living an economical, pleasant alternative to the terrestrial treadmill.

Swimmer's Itch

2008-08-18T16:20:00.003-04:00

The Soo Evening News recently carried an article about swimmer's itch being reported from Lake Superior to Neebish Island (See: County officials warn about Swimmer's Itch)

If you pick up a case of swimmer's itch you can report it at swimmersitch.org.

That site also has these tips:

What can be done to prevent or to reduce swimmer's itch?

* Avoid swimming for long periods in shallow water
* Avoid swimming in areas where swimmer's itch is a problem and where there is an onshore wind
* Towel off immediately after leaving the water may help reducing swimmer's itch caused by cercariae of a few species that enter only as the water dries on the skin
* Post appropriate signs on beaches where swimmer's itch is an annual problem
* Do not encourage birds to stay in your area by feeding them
* Avoid placing rip-rap on your shore. This provides an excellent surface for certain species of snails to attach their eggs. The higher the number of snails, the greater the chance for swimmer's itch.

Mackinaw Tours

2008-08-15T16:52:00.001-04:00

Tours of the icebreaker Mackinaw are now possible. See The Mackinaw Cutter at MyNorth.com.

Where Does The Water Go?

2008-08-01T16:15:00.001-04:00

Via The Sarnia Observer - Crop watering biggest drain on Great Lakes

A study by the U. S. Geological Survey shows the largest consumptive loss of water in the Great Lakes basin is due to irrigation of farm crops.

Atlantic Salmon Fishing

2008-07-25T07:00:00.001-04:00

The Detroit Free Press has a story about fishing for Atlantic salmon in the St. Marys River.

See: St. Marys River provides bargain world-class fishing

Water Levels Continue To Go Up

2008-07-22T15:49:00.000-04:00

As reported by the Bay City Times, Lake Huron is seven inches higher than last year at this time (All the rain is helping to raise water levels in Great Lakes after years of decline). And Lake Superior is 15 inches above July, 2007 levels, but is still four inches below the long-term July average (Weekly Great Lakes Water Level Update for July 18, 2008)

Big News For Chippewa County

2008-07-22T15:39:00.001-04:00

A cellulosic ethanol plant will be built. This will be the first cellulose to ethanol plant in the United States and is an unproven technology. Plus ethanol is not the best liquid fuel option when compared to alternatives such as biodiesel and butanol. But if successful this could mean big changes for the eastern U.P. and should have an impact on property values.

See:
Autoblog Green - Mascoma cellulosic ethanol plant to be built in northern Michigan

Detroit Free Press - State races to be 1st big wood ethanol maker

Vote For The Grand Traverse Lighthouse

2008-07-11T14:09:00.002-04:00

LeelanauNews - 1 in 12 chance for new windows

As part of a national "Rock The Vote For Lighthouses" campaign, a company will replace the doors and windows to the lighthouse that receives the most online votes. A list of 49 lighthouses nationwide has been narrowed to 12 finalists, and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum near Northport is the only one from Michigan.

Vote Here: JELD-WEN Windows and Doors Lighthouse Restoration Initiative

Review Of A New Multi-Species Fishing Lure

2008-07-11T14:06:00.001-04:00

CoolTools - VibraSpin Lure

HMS Ontario Found

2008-07-11T11:59:00.002-04:00

While this is nowhere near Neebish Island, I know many people have an interest in the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes.

MSNBC - 1780 British warship found in Lake Ontario: Intact 80-foot sloop is oldest ever found in the Great Lakes

Concern For The Bottom Of The Fish Food Chain

2008-07-11T11:48:00.000-04:00

PhysOrg - A Great Lakes mystery: The case of the disappearing species

Quonset Huts

2008-07-10T23:47:00.002-04:00

I didn't know what Quonset Huts were. Wikipedia explains them as:

A Quonset hut is a lightweight prefabricated structure of corrugated steel having a semicircular cross section

Apparently there's one on Neebish Island that was spotted by someone who goes around looking for these.
See:
Neebish Island nearly Goneset Hut

If You See A Floating Dock That Appears Lost...

2008-07-04T10:05:00.002-04:00

SooToday - See this float by?

On June 14, 2008, we moved three starting platforms for the Dragon Boat Races to the Sailing Club.

On Monday June 16, 2008, one went missing.

Would you ask your readers if they have seen the attached dock floating down the St. Marys River to please call Sault Search & Rescue at 759-5878.

As a non-profit group, replacing this dock will cut into our operating budget.

Lake Levels Higher But Still Below Long Term Average

2008-06-27T16:44:00.000-04:00

SaultStar - Superior's water level higher

Lake Superior was four centimetres above chart datum level for May and is expected to rise this month. However, the lake remains 18 centimetres below its long-term average level.

Lake Dumping

2008-06-27T16:35:00.001-04:00

U.S. Coast Guard policy would allow lake freighters to keep dumping refuse

Freighters could continue dumping tons of coal and other dry cargo residues into the Great Lakes indefinitely under a proposed U.S. Coast Guard policy

.
If you did this on your boat you could face a $50,000 fine.

Cottage In A Day

2008-06-04T14:26:00.003-04:00

Do you have a small slice of land on Neebish Island or in the U.P. but not sure what kind of cottage you can build? Pre-fab homes have improved mightily in the last 10 years. And a new Traverse City company specializes in cottage designs built on piers so they go up and fast and can even be moved if needed.

Via MyNorth.com - Build Your Cottage in a Day

Official Site:
CottageInADay.com

Native Plants

2008-06-03T10:33:00.002-04:00

If you are planning new plantings or landscaping this season please consider native plants in order to preserve the natural Neebish Island florae and the fauna that depend on them.

See:
AbMI - Consider Planting Michigan Native Plants

LTC - Attracting Butterflies with Native Michigan Plants

Invasive Plant Species in Northern Michigan

Another Reason To Keep Baking Soda In The Pantry

2008-06-02T16:23:00.000-04:00

Over Memorial Day weekend we had baked whitefish (melt a couple of tablespoons butter with whatever "fish herbs" you have nearby, once melted pour over two whitefish fillets, and bake in a 400F oven for 7-10 minutes).

After dinner I could not scrub off the fish skin from the baking dish, even after soaking. I was about to harvest some scouring rush then remembered we had baking soda.

I poured out the soaking water, sprinkled in a couple of heaping tablespoons of baking soda, and by rubbing in the baking soda a paste formed that cleaned the fish right off. Plus, baking soda is good for the septic system.

Moose

2008-06-02T15:19:00.004-04:00

Even though I heard a story in the late 80's of a grazing moose spotted in one of Neebish Island's shallow bays I was quite surprised when I found moose tracks last year. I searched for more over Memorial Day weekend but only found tracks on the beach from a single coyote (sorry, didn't have a camera with me).

The New York Times reports on the return of the moose to the Adirondacks - Moose Gain Ground but Keep a Low Profile

And as exciting as seeing moose is, imagine the return of bison!
Bison can thrive again, study says

Sandhill Cranes

2008-05-20T10:18:00.002-04:00

Sandhill Cranes have such a distinctive sound. And this is a bird species that has been around for 10 million years! And although dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years ago, I like to imagine the call of the Sandhill Crane is similar to them. I took this 15 second video clip last Memorial Day weekend.

More info:
Cornell Bird Guide - Sandhill Crane
International Crane Foundation - Sandhill Crane

Ferry News!

2008-05-14T21:05:00.001-04:00

Reports are the Neebish Islander II will return to service on Thursday, May 15th.

Boaters Asked To Spy On Neighbors

2008-05-01T23:07:00.002-04:00

Via MSNBC - New troops in war on terror: 80 million boaters: Awareness program akin to neighborhood watch is being launched

Hard to believe the United States is becoming a country of citizen-spies.