Oma,
I think Lake Superior is awesome. You probably miss it still. The people who live up there all seem to be extremely hardy folks.
First time I heard "the wreck" was 1976, late October, I was in tech school at Chanute AFB in Illinois. It really woke me up when I heard it...natural disasters in a song that was so down to earth, and basic, WOW.
GSS

[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 16, 2003).]

Hey Gwen,

I've been to Chanute AFB in Rantoul! My friend was stationed there (1984 or 85)and I drove down there to pick her up so she could visit her parents over the weekend (Yorkville, IL). I got stopped by the military police when I was driving through the base...scary!!!!

Oh, yes, and I STILL miss Lake Superior, but at least we go up there for little trips pretty often. We are planning another trip up north pretty soon.

Do you still fly???

Also...when I first heard "The Wreck.." it was late Fall, 1976. The weather and season was perfect to put you in the mood for that song.

[This message has been edited by Oma (edited April 15, 2003).]

Hey Gwen,

I've been to Chanute AFB in Rantoul! My friend was stationed there (1984 or 85)and I drove down there to pick her up so she could visit her parents over the weekend (Yorkville, IL). I got stopped by the military police when I was driving through the base...scary!!!!

Oh, yes, and I STILL miss Lake Superior, but at least we go up there for little trips pretty often. We are planning another trip up north pretty soon.

Do you still fly???

Also...when I first heard "The Wreck.." it was late Fall, 1976. The weather and season was perfect to put you in the mood for that song.

[This message has been edited by Oma (edited April 15, 2003).]

Oma,
Good old Chanute...the memories of that place. It is amazing to me what they have done with that area after the property was reclaimed (environmental clean-up) and transfered to the Village of Rantoul. One base closure that was a revolution.
Yes, I fly when I can and I am looking for another aircraft to purchase. I think I cherish the time with my children and husband to an extreme amount...they are worth it.
Lake Superior for the summer! That is such an awesome place. I heard that you and Titan are meeting up there somewhere (for steak and potato salad)lol. I hope to get up there in August for a few days.Lake Superior is a magic place. I know you will enjoy yourself. I think our trip will take us to Rock of Ages on a boating trip. Have you been there? Isle Royale? Last year we did Mackinac Island the Straits and many lights in that area. I think of the Wreck and the families and Gord the entire time I am in that area, from Turquoise Point all the way to Taque. Falls. That area is just permeated with that kind of feeling for me. Does anyone else feel like that up there?
GSS



[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

Oma,
Good old Chanute...the memories of that place. It is amazing to me what they have done with that area after the property was reclaimed (environmental clean-up) and transfered to the Village of Rantoul. One base closure that was a revolution.
Yes, I fly when I can and I am looking for another aircraft to purchase. I think I cherish the time with my children and husband to an extreme amount...they are worth it.
Lake Superior for the summer! That is such an awesome place. I heard that you and Titan are meeting up there somewhere (for steak and potato salad)lol. I hope to get up there in August for a few days.Lake Superior is a magic place. I know you will enjoy yourself. I think our trip will take us to Rock of Ages on a boating trip. Have you been there? Isle Royale? Last year we did Mackinac Island the Straits and many lights in that area. I think of the Wreck and the families and Gord the entire time I am in that area, from Turquoise Point all the way to Taque. Falls. That area is just permeated with that kind of feeling for me. Does anyone else feel like that up there?
GSS



[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

Gwen, I too lived by Lake Superior Finland, Minn. my ex was stationed at the Air Force Base there. I am planning to go back to Minnesota next year for my (YIKES) 25th high school reunion. Where are thesse places you are talking about? Rock of Ages, Isle Royale? Turquoise Point Taque. Falls? I was born in Minnesota and really didn't go anywhere sight seeing, I do now in Colorado I always take an annual trip. But I think when you are born and raised some where you don't have the appreciation and don't take the time to see the whole State.But now I want to go everywhere. I just fell in love with Canada last year. I'd like to travel around Minn. a little when I go back.

Gwen, I too lived by Lake Superior Finland, Minn. my ex was stationed at the Air Force Base there. I am planning to go back to Minnesota next year for my (YIKES) 25th high school reunion. Where are thesse places you are talking about? Rock of Ages, Isle Royale? Turquoise Point Taque. Falls? I was born in Minnesota and really didn't go anywhere sight seeing, I do now in Colorado I always take an annual trip. But I think when you are born and raised some where you don't have the appreciation and don't take the time to see the whole State.But now I want to go everywhere. I just fell in love with Canada last year. I'd like to travel around Minn. a little when I go back.

Hello Brink,
All of the places I mentioned are in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,Island Royale is on the north side of Superior, it is an island and there is a lighthouse called "split rock" there, a lot of the more senior people in our lighthouse group call it "rock of ages" and they have the most fantastic stories to tell about this island and the mystery surrounding it. Isle Royale is closer to Canada's "Thunder Bay" in Ontario, than any Michigan city so we will be discovering a bit more in that neighborhood, also. Turqouise Point is the eastern point of Whitefish Bay. There is, of course, a very pretty lighthouse there and it is not far from the Sioux Locks and the St. Mary river area. Again that whole region is in my opinion somewhat magical. I am taken by the calm and the water and the beauty. It takes you back to the peaceful times of a bygone era without all of the hurry and confusion (but, know that I have never been up there during peak tourist season, that's the best caution I can give you). You know that in the states we have several states that butt up against the Great Lakes, not so in Canada, only the Province of Ontario is adjacent to all of the Great Lakes. I think it is the reason it stays so serene, but, Canadians of Ontario feel that they would like more help with the burden of care for all of these resources...anyway, that's my promotion for Canadian wildlife, nature, etc..
One musing I have about Georgian bay (Gords Christian Island lake)is, Why didn't they call this the 6th Great Lake?
Taque. (now you put me on the spot).My abbreviation was so I wouldn't botch the spelling on that beautiful area. It is a falls area that some might believe are really ugly, dirty water (or cruddy water), but, in fact this is the natural process of iron-ore deposition. The local rocks are laden with deposits that leech out into the water, mother nature doing her thing. Very unique and utterly beautiful area. Somebody correct me if I am wrong, I believe the spelling is Tacquemonen Falls ???? Enjoy! And Brink coincidentally the area around Duluth is rich in many different jewels of its' own...I did this same thing upon returning to Northeast Ohio, I found untold beauty and many unique natural treasures that I had not seen as the youngster who grew up here, amazing really. National Geographic did an article about the Duluth area that was outstanding some time back. All of those places are on Superior's shores. Right, SomewhereupinMichigan? Gord had a beautiful palette of places to dream within as he wrote these songs we love, and so to understand what makes one a bit more aware I suggest you all head up into his 'hood, and the Canadian tourism association will thank you for it. I am finshed with my guided tour, guys, sorry, I am a geographer and I really apologize for getting carried away.
GSS
PS you must like pasties and whitefish to hang around there a long time.
PPS now everyone does understand what a pastie is, right? A kind of potpie without the pie pan...



[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

Hello Brink,
All of the places I mentioned are in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,Island Royale is on the north side of Superior, it is an island and there is a lighthouse called "split rock" there, a lot of the more senior people in our lighthouse group call it "rock of ages" and they have the most fantastic stories to tell about this island and the mystery surrounding it. Isle Royale is closer to Canada's "Thunder Bay" in Ontario, than any Michigan city so we will be discovering a bit more in that neighborhood, also. Turqouise Point is the eastern point of Whitefish Bay. There is, of course, a very pretty lighthouse there and it is not far from the Sioux Locks and the St. Mary river area. Again that whole region is in my opinion somewhat magical. I am taken by the calm and the water and the beauty. It takes you back to the peaceful times of a bygone era without all of the hurry and confusion (but, know that I have never been up there during peak tourist season, that's the best caution I can give you). You know that in the states we have several states that butt up against the Great Lakes, not so in Canada, only the Province of Ontario is adjacent to all of the Great Lakes. I think it is the reason it stays so serene, but, Canadians of Ontario feel that they would like more help with the burden of care for all of these resources...anyway, that's my promotion for Canadian wildlife, nature, etc..
One musing I have about Georgian bay (Gords Christian Island lake)is, Why didn't they call this the 6th Great Lake?
Taque. (now you put me on the spot).My abbreviation was so I wouldn't botch the spelling on that beautiful area. It is a falls area that some might believe are really ugly, dirty water (or cruddy water), but, in fact this is the natural process of iron-ore deposition. The local rocks are laden with deposits that leech out into the water, mother nature doing her thing. Very unique and utterly beautiful area. Somebody correct me if I am wrong, I believe the spelling is Tacquemonen Falls ???? Enjoy! And Brink coincidentally the area around Duluth is rich in many different jewels of its' own...I did this same thing upon returning to Northeast Ohio, I found untold beauty and many unique natural treasures that I had not seen as the youngster who grew up here, amazing really. National Geographic did an article about the Duluth area that was outstanding some time back. All of those places are on Superior's shores. Right, SomewhereupinMichigan? Gord had a beautiful palette of places to dream within as he wrote these songs we love, and so to understand what makes one a bit more aware I suggest you all head up into his 'hood, and the Canadian tourism association will thank you for it. I am finshed with my guided tour, guys, sorry, I am a geographer and I really apologize for getting carried away.
GSS
PS you must like pasties and whitefish to hang around there a long time.
PPS now everyone does understand what a pastie is, right? A kind of potpie without the pie pan...



[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

Thanks Gwen. You should be a tour guide you make it all sound so tempting I may do a trip this year. I love being around the water, though I have never ben much of a swimmer. I went on a cruise a couple years ago and was so nervous the first two days I finally told myself that we were so far out that even the best swimmers wouldn't make it. Sounds like a real calming thought doesn't it? But it worked for me, I relaxed enjoyed the trip and want to go again. I caught your mention of Lighthouses, I sure like those. There is one between Silver Bay and Two Harbours that is also called Split Rock lighthouse. I have not been lucky enough to find one that allows people to tour. I am hoping that when I get older and semi retire that the program for summer lighthouse sitters will still be going on and I could do that for the National Parks.

Thanks Gwen. You should be a tour guide you make it all sound so tempting I may do a trip this year. I love being around the water, though I have never ben much of a swimmer. I went on a cruise a couple years ago and was so nervous the first two days I finally told myself that we were so far out that even the best swimmers wouldn't make it. Sounds like a real calming thought doesn't it? But it worked for me, I relaxed enjoyed the trip and want to go again. I caught your mention of Lighthouses, I sure like those. There is one between Silver Bay and Two Harbours that is also called Split Rock lighthouse. I have not been lucky enough to find one that allows people to tour. I am hoping that when I get older and semi retire that the program for summer lighthouse sitters will still be going on and I could do that for the National Parks.

LOVE pasties!!! I think I'll make some for dinner this week!!! Yum! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

LOVE pasties!!! I think I'll make some for dinner this week!!! Yum! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

Gwen et al.:

Being from Maryland, I tend to think of "our" Bay, the Chesapeake, when I hear Gord's nautical songs. Our estuary is not so fearsome as the northern waters, though. MD has a lot of variety in a small area--we have mountains (near West Va.), farmland, etc.--but the Bay dominates, and we tend to be very proprietary about it (which really POs the Virginians).

Your mention of how Ontario Canadians feel about trying to take care of the great bodies of water around them reminds me of the (seemingly doomed) efforts that are ongoing to try to "Save the Bay." There are many small victories, but the war probably will be lost. The main factor is farm runoff (nitrogen fertilizer)--even the tremendous pollution from development, etc., on the shores of the Bay can't hold a candle to that (the bulk of it comes from the Susquehanna River, which flows through Pennsylvania). And these things won't change in time to save the Bay's ecosystem. It probably will be "dead," at least as far as shellfish and other such indicators go, sometime (soon) in this new century.

Gwen et al.:

Being from Maryland, I tend to think of "our" Bay, the Chesapeake, when I hear Gord's nautical songs. Our estuary is not so fearsome as the northern waters, though. MD has a lot of variety in a small area--we have mountains (near West Va.), farmland, etc.--but the Bay dominates, and we tend to be very proprietary about it (which really POs the Virginians).

Your mention of how Ontario Canadians feel about trying to take care of the great bodies of water around them reminds me of the (seemingly doomed) efforts that are ongoing to try to "Save the Bay." There are many small victories, but the war probably will be lost. The main factor is farm runoff (nitrogen fertilizer)--even the tremendous pollution from development, etc., on the shores of the Bay can't hold a candle to that (the bulk of it comes from the Susquehanna River, which flows through Pennsylvania). And these things won't change in time to save the Bay's ecosystem. It probably will be "dead," at least as far as shellfish and other such indicators go, sometime (soon) in this new century.

quote:Originally posted by brink:
I caught your mention of Lighthouses, I sure like those. There is one between Silver Bay and Two Harbours that is also called Split Rock lighthouse. I have not been lucky enough to find one that allows people to tour.

Brink, I know it has no bearing to the areas Lightfoot wrote about, but there is a very cool lighthouse in San Diego - The Old Point Loma Lighthouse. It's no longer in use, but has been refurbished and furnished as it would have been back in the late 1800's when it was active. You can go inside and look around - it's pretty cool. From the grounds you can see the Pacific ocean to the west, islands belonging to Mexico to the south and, finally, the San Diego Bay and the city skyline to the east. It's a beautiful spot and one I take all my out-of-town guests to visit. If you want to tour a lighthouse, there's a place to go http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

Just what I'm looking for, I will try that one. Maybe after ski season starts here again and I need to get away from the tourists and become one myself.

Just what I'm looking for, I will try that one. Maybe after ski season starts here again and I need to get away from the tourists and become one myself.

Hello, Actually Brink that is exactly what I am becoming, a tour guide and conference guide for Lake Erie and so I have to make notes about all of these places and memorize things that are pretty inconsequential, but, fun facts. Next year will be the first conference for Lake Erie that I will get to coordinate, so this year is the fast and furious rush to get it all together for a good time for the whole group (80 people, I think). This June 15th is a tour that visits almost every popular light on the south side of Lake Erie...I need to take lot's of notes (and I'm already nervous about next year). While we are at Marblehead, on June 15th, early in the morning (they are opening the light earlier than normal for our group) we climb the light, I am expecting a spectacular site.Marblehead is open 1 weekend per month for tourists and tours. For other lights they usually have a schedule of when the light is open for tours and if you find out it is not open to climb it probably means it is in pretty bad repair, therefore you should look for a group that might be trying to remodel and rebuild the light and volunteer to help. Our group accepts volunteers all the time for the Great Lakes lighthouses. See Great LAkes Lighthouse Keepers Association www.gllka.com and join the group. Our group owns a light out in the straits of Mackinac that is always in need of hands to help, we also have a weekend long "school" that takes you back to what life was life for a lightkeeper, amazing stuff. And there are others groups like ours all over the US, we even have some Canadian members and they are most greatful for us being on the other side of their beloved lakes and helping on our side like we do, we are greatful to them also.
Janice, San Diego is a very beautiful light! Wow, I envy you. Enjoy her and take care of her if you can. Some day I hope I can get there and climb her, for I have heard she is beautiful and a sight worth troublin' yourself to see.
MaryEllen, I sadly understand what you are saying. We have opened Pandoras' box regarding environmental issues and we are hopeless. Our waters cannot endure the plaques of it, our earth cannot endure the plaques from it, and our fragile liveforms will be sacrificed for it. Sad, sad. My oldest son lives in Richmond, Va and every time we visit there, it just breaks my heart what we hear and see. We should grieve, it is terrible. When will we collectively hear the moaning of too late? ever? I wonder. Know that even here on the Lakes we face the same problems, Toledo Harbor is nearly dead, from farm runoff. When we go to Local Environmental Planning Conferences and all the people are there who could possibly help, they seem overwhelmed by it all...sad, sad. We can't let this go on forever. And ever good effort starts at grass roots, so keep moving and voicing the truth, Mary Ellen! I will too, I promise. Gord would not want us to do it anyother way, either. We all know that. All we can do is all we can do.
GSS


[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

Hello, Actually Brink that is exactly what I am becoming, a tour guide and conference guide for Lake Erie and so I have to make notes about all of these places and memorize things that are pretty inconsequential, but, fun facts. Next year will be the first conference for Lake Erie that I will get to coordinate, so this year is the fast and furious rush to get it all together for a good time for the whole group (80 people, I think). This June 15th is a tour that visits almost every popular light on the south side of Lake Erie...I need to take lot's of notes (and I'm already nervous about next year). While we are at Marblehead, on June 15th, early in the morning (they are opening the light earlier than normal for our group) we climb the light, I am expecting a spectacular site.Marblehead is open 1 weekend per month for tourists and tours. For other lights they usually have a schedule of when the light is open for tours and if you find out it is not open to climb it probably means it is in pretty bad repair, therefore you should look for a group that might be trying to remodel and rebuild the light and volunteer to help. Our group accepts volunteers all the time for the Great Lakes lighthouses. See Great LAkes Lighthouse Keepers Association www.gllka.com and join the group. Our group owns a light out in the straits of Mackinac that is always in need of hands to help, we also have a weekend long "school" that takes you back to what life was life for a lightkeeper, amazing stuff. And there are others groups like ours all over the US, we even have some Canadian members and they are most greatful for us being on the other side of their beloved lakes and helping on our side like we do, we are greatful to them also.
Janice, San Diego is a very beautiful light! Wow, I envy you. Enjoy her and take care of her if you can. Some day I hope I can get there and climb her, for I have heard she is beautiful and a sight worth troublin' yourself to see.
MaryEllen, I sadly understand what you are saying. We have opened Pandoras' box regarding environmental issues and we are hopeless. Our waters cannot endure the plaques of it, our earth cannot endure the plaques from it, and our fragile liveforms will be sacrificed for it. Sad, sad. My oldest son lives in Richmond, Va and every time we visit there, it just breaks my heart what we hear and see. We should grieve, it is terrible. When will we collectively hear the moaning of too late? ever? I wonder. Know that even here on the Lakes we face the same problems, Toledo Harbor is nearly dead, from farm runoff. When we go to Local Environmental Planning Conferences and all the people are there who could possibly help, they seem overwhelmed by it all...sad, sad. We can't let this go on forever. And ever good effort starts at grass roots, so keep moving and voicing the truth, Mary Ellen! I will too, I promise. Gord would not want us to do it anyother way, either. We all know that. All we can do is all we can do.
GSS


[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

Oh yeah and Oma, now there's a girl from Superiors' shores! Pasties, what a treat!
The whitefish is really good and they cook it every way you can possibly imagine. It's good.
GSS
You know Gord must have loved whitefish to spend so much time up there...you gotta love it!

[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]

Oh yeah and Oma, now there's a girl from Superiors' shores! Pasties, what a treat!
The whitefish is really good and they cook it every way you can possibly imagine. It's good.
GSS
You know Gord must have loved whitefish to spend so much time up there...you gotta love it!

[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited April 17, 2003).]