• Monday-What'sUP April 16 - 08:32 pm

Let's see a show of hands from all those that know what Island E. Neil Harri is flying us over today. If you had your hand up and said Beaver Island, then you're correct! This Island is located in Lake Michigan, with the ferry service to it sailing from Charlevoix in lower Michigan, even though it's only 25 miles from Manistique in the Upper Peninsula. Neil said that small planes (like his), use Beaver Island for safety when crossing to downstate, kind of like a pilot's version of the Mackinac Bridge. It's their safety net, since there are two airports on the island, should they need to land there in an emergency. In the second shot you can see another land mass off to the northeast of Beaver, that would be Garden Island, which is owned, for the most part by the State of Michigan, overseen by the DNR and uninhabited. Neil zoomed in on the settlement of St. James Harbor on the northern tip of Beaver Island in his last photo. Thanks for the flight, Neil! It's always a special treat to see the U.P. and surrounding area through your camera lens!

Great shots again!

Great pictures, Neil! I did not know about Garden Island--thanks for the info & link, Mary. I've heard about Beaver Island for many, many years, but I have never had a chance to go there. (Lots of retreats are on Beaver Island in the summer, like quilting, knitting, and you name it.)

We've been meaning to go there for a long time too. Wasn't there a
colony of some sort out there?

Don't ya just wonder what kind of crops the State of Michigan has growing on Garden Island.Maybe money on trees? Got to love the cherries from there.

The island has a colorful history. There was a colony of Mormons living there. If I remember the story correctly, the leader declared himself king of his own country.I think it was President Teddy Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson who sent Navy warships there to take him into custody. He was taken to Detroit to stand trail. I don't think he was convicted.
There were a lot of Irish immigrants after that.
Fred Rydholm writes of a farm there from anceint times. One theory is they were part of unknown race who mined Copper Country copper.

Some of the Mormons that did not go on to Utah came to the island from Illinois and settled there but there was disagreements with the leader and he was killed by his own followers and then the Irish fishermen took over the island. I went there once for the day and it is a great trip. My husband and I rented mo-peds and did a little exploring. I recommend it.

At one time, Beaver Island was a Mormon stronghold run by James Strang. Click on Mary's link above for more info on the Island; it's a very good read. There's also some neat glacial landforms out there, and the fishing offshore used to be incredible (not sure what it's like now)....

I love Neils Pictures, this is another great one. Never been there, haven't spent much time on Lake Michigan since my family is partial to Superior and Huron in the UP.

Brooke, my family is partial to Lakes Michigan and Superior. I guess at least part of it depends on where your family roots are/were. My husband's uncle had a cottage on Lake Michigan/Grand Traverse Bay, just opposite Old Mission Point, so we got started there when we moved to Michigan some 28 years ago. From what I have seen of the Lake Huron shoreline, it is a lot more commercial than Lake Michigan shoreline. I guess it is what you have grown used to.

Beaver Island is a nice place to visit if you just want to take in the air, water, and quiet. I like the little local library!

some GREAT history lessons on beaver island !! Get a book and read up ! And, Garden Island has a VERY LARGE native american cemetary. spent 6 weeks there taking some summer classes at the CMU Biological station.

The YMCA Camp on Torch Lake used to send campers on trips to Beaver Island over 60 years ago. Once we went to the far south end where you can see Fox Lake in the first picture. There was a herd of wild milk cows in the woods that acted more like deer, jumping logs and fences! Apparently surrviving in the wild.

These islands can be seen along US-2 between St. Ignace and Naubinway from tourist rest areas. Pull over and have a pasty and a "pop" break.

I'm sure, Neil, you must appreciate your opportunities to fly, let alone photogragraph the wonders of this fantastic area of the country. Even as a little girl I always wished to be able to fly (either as a bird or a people)! Thank you...thank you..Ms Katie

Wow! Wild cows...in Michigan...that's too cool. I wonder how they got loose in the first place???

Maybe the Wild Cows came from Illinois with the Mormons and refused to go to Utah.

It is a realy great place to stop just as Eddyfitz said.

Yeah, and in addition to the wild cows, Beaver Island has one of the largest populations of the ever-elusive wild snipe. It is a great place to teach people just how fun an evening snipe hunt can be...

If anyone wants more info on Beaver Island, www.beaverisland.net has some great history and photos. Be sure to check out www.beaverisland.org and www.bibco.com, too.

Gosh......what great pictures. Like you Kay when I was little I used to pretend I could fly......still wish I could.

I'm going to have to check that link out about Beaver Island.....wonder if they have motels ???

God Bless everyone on this beautiful day....Hugs

You too blu

P.S. Hey Neil......How do you take pictures and fly....don't even tell me you take your hands off the wheel....flying thing ...???

Thanks allot for all your wonderful pictures...

Strang and the Mormons were a great read....They even tried to invade Mackinac Island over the ice at one time. They were run out of Illinois and found Beaver Island. I have a couple of great books on the history and it is COLORFUL....

I fly to Houghton a few times a year and always fly direct across Lake Michigan as it is always within gliding distance of Beaver Island. I have flown in there a couple of times, and it is peaceful...

For you from Detroit area who are used to the 590 mile trip which I have made over 60 times going to da Tech, direct by air it is less than 400 miles, and going 190 mph gets you there in just over 2 hours......See you on the 4th of July

Did Father Baraga do any missionary work on Beaver Island?

Loved everybody's comments. Will have to read up on this.

For those of you interested in Beaver Island...there is a new webcam with a view of Beaver Island's Harbor- Paradise Bay. The webcam can be found by visiting www.powershardware.com. Make sure you scroll down and click the link to the live webcam.