Petoskey Stone
Petoskey Stone
Fishtown - A Lake Michigan Vacation Adventure
Fishtown may sound like the home of an over-muscled, greens-eating cartoon character, but it is very real. As opposed to many tourist attractions that are reproductions of historic buildings and sites, Fishtown is the real thing, salvaged, restored, and waiting for visitors. The wild west has ghost towns and Michigan has Fishtown, a collection of unique shops and historical displays lining the docks of this once bustling 1800's fishing village.
Starting as far back as the 1870's, Fishtown was a thriving commercial fishing village. Located along the banks of the Leland River in Leland, Michigan, fishtown supplied Great Lakes fish to a large part of the country. Then, in the mid-1900's the market for local fish began to decline and by the 1950's the collection of buildings, docks and boats had begun to earn its living catering to tourists and offering a glimpse into the past.
Today, the buildings and boats of Fishtown are still there; inviting visitors to enjoy the atmosphere and get a feel for life on the Great Lakes in the early 1900s. Fishtown is also known for the eclectic collection of shops that line the docks. Exquisite candy stores, upscale clothing stores, stores providing handmade jewelry (often made from native Petoskey stones that cannot be found anywhere else in the world), wonderful pottery shops, art galleries and even a store specializing in exotic cheeses. There are also several charter boat services available for those wanting to try fishing themselves.
Fishtown offers a chance to revisit the past and learn about the economic importance of fishing on the Great Lakes, while still enjoying a bit of shopping and a relaxing day on the edge of Lake Michigan. This little known tourist stop is well worth a visit and is also near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, which is known as one of the most scenic places in the world. If you are visiting Northwest Michigan, a visit to Fishtown and Sleeping Bear Dunes is well worth the stop.
About the Author
William G. Oatiz grew up in Northern Lower Michigan and became an expert on many things involving the region. You can find more of his articles at stainless steel travel mug, or http://stainlesssteeltravelmug.org
 |
 Lot of 28 Petoskey Fossil Stones from Charlevoix MI  US $64.99
|
 Polished Northern Michigan PETOSKEY STONE 6 oz E90 US $55.00
|
 Giant and Rare Michigan Petoskey Stone US $49.99
|
 Petoskey Stone Top quality Leelanau Peninsula MI US $47.50
|
 Lot of 22 Petoskey Stones for Jewelry Making US $42.95
|
 Polished Northern Michigan PETOSKEY STONE 2lbs 10oz E91 US $40.00
|
 Collectible Polished Petoskey Stone Charlevoix MI US $39.50
|
 Lot of 14 Finished Decorative Petoskey Stones US $35.00
|
 Lot of 12 Petoskey Stones for Jewelry Making US $34.99
|
 Polished Northern Michigan Sliced PETOSKEY STONE E51 US $30.00
|
 Best Polished Petoskey stone Only sea coral US $29.99
|
 Petoskey Stone crystal Pendant 6 fossil SS LG US $27.99
|
 Nice Large Hand Polished Petoskey Fossil Coral Stone MI US $26.95
|
 LargeBird Hand Polished Petoskey Fossil Coral Stone MI US $26.95
|
 Petoskey Stone crystal Pendant 12 fossil SS US $25.99
|
 petoskey stone fossils polished on all sides US $25.00
|
 Polished Northern Michigan PETOSKEY STONE 4 oz E 268 US $25.00
|
 Polished Northern Michigan PETOSKEY STONE 6oz E50 US $25.00
|
 Petoskey Stone crystal Pendant 7 fossil SS US $24.99
|
 Petoskey Stone crystal Pendant 13 fossil SS US $24.99
|
 Petoskey Stone crystal Pendant 8 fossil SS US $22.99
|
 Lot of 9 Polished Decorative Petoskey Stones US $22.50
|
 Petoskey Stone Jigsaw Puzzle Rising Sun US $22.00
|
 PETOSKEY STONE IN THE ROUGH WEIGHING 758 GRAMS US $21.00
|
 Polished Northern Michigan PETOSKEY STONE 4 oz E52 US $20.00
|
 Petoskey Stone Fossil Coral Hand Polished Michigan BJs US $19.99
|
Dunes Hiking Supply bear sleeping in the
I was hiking in the dunes of Sleeping Bear. It was March, so when I have done to the forest and dunes, which had miles of beach to myself. It has been more Nighter, a chance to test new computer backpack ultralight. I scoured the wooded hills quickly, enjoying the fresh air.
In the middle of the forest, I stopped Cook the noodles. The pot cheap 3-ounce was from a dollar store, and it worked well. I was happy, because at From the catalog descriptions, the expensive titanium pots heavy, probably because they are too thick and with too many appliances.
I had use a twig-fire when my homemade alcohol stove did not provide enough heat. Later I learned that the isopropyl alcohol do not burn as hot as the alcohol used for a gas additive, but the branches worked in all cases.
Walking to the beach
After eating, I walk to Lake Michigan, and sitting on a sand dune. I watched the waves push ice into the empty beach. Coyotes howled in the distance, and clouds rolled in. I was at the beach for Petoskey stones when the snow began. Hiking in March has its risks.
I was in running shoes, and would be below zero at night. In northern Michigan, March is definitely part of winter. My feet stayed warm while I ride, but I had not planned to moisten. At least I had a couple of hot, dry socks for sleep.
Ultralight equipment
It was the first time I used my backpack weighing only goLITE Brisa 13 grams. I was hiking with about nine pounds on my back, and this only because I threw some canned food. I been clear, but I knew forests here and felt comfortable with my abilities.
My sleeping bag is 17 oz Western Mountaineering Highlite. Was the first time you use below zero (it was 25 degrees Fahrenheit at night). Fortunately, it was too windy.
The edge woods behind the dunes, I set up my small canvas. I piled pine needles and dead bracken ferns under it, is ending the same way as dark. This is a warm blanket, and slept Well, listen to the coyotes, and waves pushing ice around the lake.
In the morning, I was pleased to see just a coat of snow. My bag of a book on sleep had been warmer than my three books - and I thought there was light. I poured alcohol in the bottom of a Pepsi can cut (my backpack stove 1/2-ounce) and prepared tea. After a few cookies that soon in my hiking boots for the most-dry along the coast of Lake Michigan.
Lessons learned Hiker
I finished my trip in the afternoon with a walk in the village of Empire, seven miles. I was satisfied the majority. Only two problems: My painting was too small, and the alcohol I had was the bad guy.
After hiking in Michigan for years, I know him well. I know where to find the dead grass and bracken, for example, to make a warm mattress in minutes. Knowledge course, can be as effective as the expensive gear bag.
About the Author
To learn about chameleon care and romney sheep, visit the Knowledge Bin website.