Today was a welcome day in port (Munising), at least for me. As a stubborn north wind continued to blow, the sightseeing boats that take up much of the dock space here - and bring in lots of tourist money - remained in port, reminding us that even capitalism bows to weather. We did boat … Continue reading Munising (Day 3)
Second day under way and it already feels like a week! We ask each other what day it is. (Our "calendar" is now the weather forecast.) We try to establish an on-board exercise regimen - planks and exercise bands for me, push-ups for Jeff - to keep our upper-body strength. I learn to keep food … Continue reading To Munising (Day 2)
Destination: unknown. Well, not exactly. Jeff's dream is to do The Great Loop (look it up), which would take at least six months and possibly a few years if done in sections. "The Loop" doesn't begin, for us, until we reach Mackinac Island and enter Lake Michigan. How far we go this year, and how … Continue reading Many Moons Leaves Home
The waterfront path at my camp is the first thing I cleared after buying the land. It's lined with stumps, every 20 feet or so -- with foreign words on them. You may be stumped by this! Let me explain. Some people are content to look at a pretty scene. I want to feel it. … Continue reading Stumped? I’m Finnish!
Boo and Roscoe are my outdoor companions. They are so fun, and funny. I can't imagine outdoor life without them. Roscoe is a full-blood Siberian Husky who weighs 65 lbs. Boo is an American short-hair of undetermined pedigree who weighs 6 lbs. Both are about 11 years old but still full of energy and curiosity. … Continue reading Pets Need Nature Too
It's 65 feet of wood planks. It sits on the frame of an old house trailer. It rides on wheels so it can roll in or out of the water as needed. On nice days, it's the centerpiece of Camp Many Moons. It plays many roles: a place to read, or visit, or tie up … Continue reading The Dock
I've always been aware of the moon -- its phase, its arc, its pull. Even more so here at Camp Many Moons! I gave this place its name for three reasons. 1. It was the nickname my brother gave me. 2. It suggests a Native American connection. 3. I want the retreat we've developed here … Continue reading (Many) Moons
"Blessed be the tie that binds." So begins an old hymn I learned as a child. It came to mind as I paddled over bits of sunken railroad ties that bind me to the history of Huron Bay. Across the bay from Camp Many Moons, the remains of the Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad … Continue reading Ties That Bind
Boats are meant to move. But some of her best moments are when she is not. These photos are taken at the tiny marina at Pequaming, a little-known jewel tucked into a corner of Keweenaw Bay on the south shore of Lake Superior. This is the current berth for the Mainship Many Moons. Many repairs … Continue reading Pierside Pleasures
On the south end of Camp Many Moons, the waterfront is interrupted by a small inlet. The waters of Huron Bay ebb and flow here. The sand does, too. Sand is a remarkable medium, both adaptable and resilient. It shifts as nature or humans require, never losing its elemental nature even as its appearances changes. … Continue reading Shifting Sands
For Many Moons 