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I don’t know if you have ever seen the Ludington Badger in the darkness of the early morning as it prepares for it’s morning voyage. It is a pretty sight to see the windows all lit just waiting for the passengers to board and the smoke billowing into the nighttime sky. There is an air of excitement as you hear the clanking of supplies being loaded.

One early morning, I was setting up to take a few pictures of the Badger preparing for it’s daily trip. Before setting up the tripod, I decided to snap a few pictures without the tripod and found the results to be quite interesting. Hope you enjoy this unique view of the Badger!

You can’t teach old dog new tricks.  Or can you?

For the past several years, I have heard reports about a pair of photographers who were doing some amazing work in the Ludington area. After seeing their inspiring photos of Lake Michigan and the Ludington State Park, I had to learn a little bit more.

A father and son team, Brad and Todd Reed own a growing gallery on the main street  in Ludington Michigan.

While exploring their website, we learned about a class they offer two afternoons a week during the summer months, so one summer afternoon my wife and I made plans to attend one of the sessions. We knew we needed to sharpen our skills or, more truthfully, acquire some skills. I was hesitant about spending three hours in a classroom on a beautiful summer afternoon, but we were blown away with what we heard. Time flew by and we wanted to hear more.  Todd was our instructor that afternoon and he shared some of their tips, experiences and ideas. In the evening Todd joined him and our group for a sunset photo shoot. They gave tips and advice on setting up that perfect shot.  But, we found it just as fascinating to watch Todd and Brad setting up their shots and explaining their rational on how they were composing the shot.

One side note, as we were about to leave our home for the class, my wife asked me if I had packed the tripod. I had not, so set the camera down and packed the tripod. About 65 miles into the trip, I asked my wife to erase the shots on the camera.  She asked “Where did you put it?”  Sure enough, we packed the tripod and left the camera on the counter!  Fortunately, we had a spare camera with us and Todd graciously loaned us one of his.  But, we learned a good lesson that day. If you are going to take a camera class, bring a camera! 

Todd and Brad also offer a more detailed class over the course of two days with and early morning shooting session and a sunset shooting session. The weekend includes a review and critique of photos taken and instruction of the technical aspects of photography. They go over shutter speed, F Stops,  ISO, depth of field and much more. They ask you to take the manual to your camera and they help each person individually to understand how their particular camera works. Throughout the entire weekend, I never felt I was asking a dumb question or was wasting their time. They teach you how to take your camera off automatic and get creative.

The morning shoot was in the Ludington State Park and Todd and Brad shared insight on how to catch the morning light and make it work in your photograph.

The evening shoot was on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Yes, the sunset was an object of the lens, but there was so much more to shoot. Todd explained that so many people leave with their cameras as soon as the sun sets, thereby missing some spectacular shots.  I never realized how good the shooting is after the sun goes down.

This is not your ordinary photo class taught by a part time photo enthusiast. Todd and Brad have real passion and flair for what they are doing. Todd  is a former newspaper photographer and instructor. Brad a natural photographer, taught us that photography is an action sport. You have to get right up their where it is happening!

The intent of this site is not to recommend places or businesses, but this site seeks to promote Michigan and when I see someone with a passion for the beauty of Michigan who has the gift of capturing it and sharing this beauty with others, I do not hesitate to recommend them.

Visit their website, sign up on their email list, take their afternoon class, and take their picture perfect weekend class. Visit their gallery on Ludington ave and buy something.

Over the years as my wife and I would consider travel plans, we would explore travel sites and brochures. The concept of staying at a bed and breakfast would always come up, but I would always squelch that idea. The thought of staying in a stranger’s home, with a group of other strangers, was not appealing to me at all.

This past weekend my thinking may have changed a bit. While I did not stay at a Bed and Breakfast, I attended a workshop at the Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Ludington Michigan.

This impressive home is a large, brick, neoclassical home built by William Cartier during Michigan’s lumber boom era in the early 1900’s. The large inviting front porch led to an impressive center entrance where the Cartiers would welcome their friends and business associates.

Even more impressive is the original woodwork throughout the home, each room finished with a different species of wood. The different rooms feature mahogany, oak, cherry, and my personal favorite, the black walnut in the library. Off the library is a delightful cozy den with a fireplace. I could just envision the Cartiers relaxing in this room with their close friends, enjoying the rooms  beautiful pocket benches next to the fireplace. The room even has pockets in the brick for guests to place their drink. I could go on and on about the detail of the house, but I will let you explore their website.

Now for the people. Gary and Sue Ann Schnitker are owners of the B & B and are only the third owners of this residence. I arrived very early Friday morning and I was welcomed by Gary, a very warm and personable gentleman, who with his warmth and sincerity, quickly erased my false, preconceived ideas of a B &B. 

As I waited in the parlor for the rest of the workshop participants, I had the opportunity to admire the cherry trim, the inlaid floors and the casually elegant period furniture. Sue Ann then came out of the kitchen, and I was given another warm welcome. I felt like I was a long lost friend!

The meals that were served were outstanding, beginning with a four course breakfast. All of the fantastic food was prepared and served by Sue Ann and Gary. The surroundings, the proprietors and the food went far beyond my expectations.

I was not able to spend the night at the mansion that weekend, but it is now on top of my list of things to do.

The Manistee National Forest extends over several Michigan counties: Lake, Manistee, Mason, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Wexford. The majority of  Newaygo County also lies within its district.

There is something for everyone including hiking trails (48 miles) and camping, horseback trails (35 miles) and ski trails, snowmobile trails (50 miles) and ATV trails (19 miles).

Within Newaygo County, the forest offers two developed campgrounds. Nichols Lake and Benton Lake campgrounds are less busy than a private campground or a state campground. These campgrounds are designed for those who really like to rough it, as electric and sewage hookups are not available.

You may chose to use the campsites on one of Michigan’s small lakes within the forest: Brush Lake, Condon Lake, Hungerford Lake, Sawkaw or Shelly lake. These sites are more rustic but generally have drinking water, garbage disposal and restrooms.

As with most attractions, there are fees involved: $3.00 for one day, $5.00 for up to seven days or $20.00 for the season. You can get more information by writing: District Ranger, 650 N Michigan, Baldwin Mi., 49304 or by calling 1-231-745-4631

It’s Saturday. It’s Summer. It’s off to enjoy a Michigan lake.

Bass Lake is located Summit Township, just north of Pentwater. This is a very nice lake of 520 plus acres of surface water, with reported depths of 12 feet. Bass Lake is a very popular lake due to its size and great fishing for bass, panfish and pike. The lake is largely surrounded by private property owners.

There is a public paved launch site off Bass Lake Boulevard.  It is a very tight site surrounded by private property and parking is limited.

Lake Michigan is less than a mile away and is within a fifteen minute walk.

What has 842 acres of surface water, six miles of water frontage and contains 27 billion gallons of water?

It is the Consumers Power reservoir at the Ludington Plant. Perhaps you have seen the 170 foot tall dike, berm or hill surrounding this engineering marvel. The top of the reservoir is 950 feet above sea level, Lake Michigan being 579 above sea level.

While traveling in the area, you may have seen the six transmission lines that run from the pump house, two leading to Ludington and Traverse City and four leading to Grand Rapids.

During the day, water is released from this gigantic reservoir and flows by gravity through six large penstocks (pipes), each 1300 feet long and 28 feet in diameter. The water runs through six turbines generating electricity at high demand hours. Water is lowered forty feet during this daytime process.

During the night, when the demand is low, water is pumped back up to the reservoir from Lake Michigan through the six turbines/pumps. Lake Michigan water levels are not effected by these activities.

What about the fish? Consumers Power Company is quick to point out their 2½ mile long fish net that is installed to reduce fish loss. The net is in operation between April to October every year. It is removed to prevent damage from ice and the winter storms.

To learn more about this impressive engineering achievement. Visit them on the web. Better yet, see it yourself on Lakeshore Drive between Pentwater and Ludington.

The power company has a observation tower on top of the reservoir. The views of the reservoir and Lake Michigan are magnificent from this vantage point. To reach the reservoir, it is somewhat of hike a up the paved path aptly called the “Beast”, but benches are provided along the path for those that want to take a breather, or simply sit and enjoy the view of Lake Michigan. There is plenty of parking at the parking site and restrooms are available. There is also an over the street walkway to view the jetties protruding out into Lake Michigan, as well as the pump house and the transmission lines.

On the day I visited this facility, I was unimpressed by the overall maintance of the site. The observation site had peeling paint and was full of graffiti, the grass was unkept and things overall gave the impression that no one cared for the property. In today’s scheme of things, it reminded me of a foreclosure.

Scottville Michigan, a quiet community of 1200 residents, is well located ten miles East of Ludington, along US 10.

This sleepy town awakens when its home town band, The Scottville Clown Band, begins to play and march. Not only do they sound good, but this sought after group is a sight to behold. It’s 200 plus members dress in all kinds of unusual costumes from clowns to queens. There are not words to describe what you may see.

For close to one hundred years, members young and old, from all walks of life give their time to perform over 65 times a year in parades, concerts and private events. Profits from their endeavors support the Raymond Schulte Memorial Scholarship Fund, providing generous support of scholarships for children attending music camps.

Visit them at:  www.ScottvilleClownBand.Com