Much like what is often done today, Muskegon offered several financial incentives to entice the rapidly growing business to their city. This, combined with the fact there was no room to expand in their original location, helped the company make the decision in 1904 to move from their Wisconsin location to 59 E. Western Ave. in Muskegon.

 At the turn of the century, Racine Boat company became one of the largest boat and engine manufacturers in the state.   In 1912, Racine Boat Manufacturing Company  merged with several other firms, such as Truscott Boat Manufacturing Co., to form a conglomerate named National Boat & Engine Company.  That firm closed its doors 1915.

 This advertised boat was an 86 foot beauty, whose price was marked down to $2,200.00 for a boat show. They had a smaller, 28 foot model for a modest $1,200.00. A Speedabout for $300.00 was also available, as well as several models of rowboats, canoes and sailboats

You know a new year has arrived when the indoor boat show season begins.  This year, as usual,  a nice  variety of shows are scheduled throughout the state.  These shows provide a great escape in the middle of a Michigan winter and remind us that warm weather and sunlight is coming again!

Here is a list of some of the shows brought to my attention. If you know of other,  please let me know.

Enjoy the show! 

January 7-10: Ultimate Fishing Show, Detroit, Rock Financial Showplace Promoted as Michigan’s Biggest Pure Fishing Show.

January 14-17: Camper, Travel and RV Show, Grand Rapids, De Vos Place Promoted as the One and Only. 

January 15-17: Lansing Boat Show, Lansing, Lansing Center, Details Pending

January 29-31: Huntin’ Time Expo West, Grand Rapids, Delta Plex, Promoted as the 19th aniversary of Celebration of the 2nd Admendment.

January 30-February 1: Traditonal Bowhunters Expo, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, Details Still Pending

February 12-14: Michigan Deer and Turkey Spectacular, Lansing, Lansing Center

April 16-18: Cadillac Boat, Camp & Fishing Show, Cadillac, The Wex

February 13-21: Detroit Boat Show, Detroit, Cobo Center, Promoted as “A Premier Boating Event”

February 17-21: Grand Rapids Boat Show, Grand Rapids, De Vos Place, Promoted as “A West Michigan Tradition”

February 17-21: RV Expo, Grand Rapids, Delta Plex, An extra day this year.

February 19-21: Mid Michigan Boat Show, Saginaw, Saginaw Valley State University, Details Pending

February 26-March 1: Cottage and Lakefront Living Show, Detroit, Rock Financial Showplace

February 26-March 1: Outdoorama, Detroit, Rock Financial Showplace

February 26-February 28 : Petoskey Boat Show, Petoskey, North Central Michigan College

March 3-4: Flint River Valley Steelheader’s Sport Boat and Fishing Show, Birch Run, Birch Run Expo Center

March 7: Quiet Water (paddlesports) Symposium, East lansing, Michigan State University Pavilion for Livestock and Agriculture Education

March 6-7: The Midwest Fly Fishing Expo, Warren, Macomb Community College

March 11-14: Spring Boat Expo, Novi, Rock Financial Showplace

March 11-14: Lansing Boat and Fishing Show, Lansing, Lansing Center

March 18-21: Ultimate Sport and RV Show, Grand Rapids, De Vos Place

April 16-18: Cottage and lakefront Living, Grand Rapids, De Vos Place, Promoted as “Unspoiled, Timeless and True”

April 16-18: Traverse City Boat Show, Traverse City, Howe Arena

April 23-25: “Up North” Lake & Cottage Show, Traverse City, Howe Arena

The hour of sundown had arrived on the backroads east of Hastings, where I was following my nose, with no particular goal in mind other than to get a few photos. Even on this beautiful, blue-sky evening,  brown November was offering little to grab my attention. Yet high, thin clouds patterned the heavens, and the very starkness of the landscape served to call out its rare points of interest.

There are still apples on some of the trees. Along the roadside, an old relic of some bygone orchard raised leafless branches laden with golden orbs. A couple months ago, I’d have driven past without ever noticing. Now, transfigured by sheer lack of competition, the apples commanded the spotlight, were the spotlight, the only bright color in that otherwise somber scenery.

I think it was in the act of photographing those apples that the notion of heading to Battle Creek made sense to me. It’s a pretty drive along much of M-66, with the road winding through the hills past lakes and wetlands. Surely I would find a few photo ops along the way. So off I sped in the waning light, led by curiosity, impulse, and a hankering for barbecue.

Have you ever considered how greatly leaves define the outdoor ambience of Michigan? In the spring, a hike in the woods is like stepping into an Impressionistic painting, with the trees gently unfurling their buds in a wash of color and light. The fully clad maples, beeches, and oaks of summer cloak the land in opulent green. Autumn’s blaze of color need only be mentioned in order for its images to flare up in the imagination more vividly than any words can express.

But in November and the months that follow, leaves set the tone of the outdoors by their absence. We’re left with bare branches—attractive in their own right to an extent, but there are so darn many of them! And there are five months of them. That’s a long time to be shooting tree silhouettes in a largely black-and-white world.

I made it to Battle Creek, and the ribs were superb. Afterward, I set my tripod on a bridge in the downtown linear park, straddling the stream for which the city is named. Night had fallen on a town lit by its holiday Festival of Lights, and the park was bejeweled with gleaming pinpoints. People strolled the walkway along the creek by Clara’s, an elegant old railroad station converted into a wonderful restaurant. Reflections of sidewalk lamps gleamed in the waters of Battle Creek. The sight was altogether magical, and a worthy subject for my first-ever attempt at night-time photography in an urban setting.

If you’ve never visited Battle Creek during its Festival of Lights, now is your chance. With its live Nativity and its 12 Days of Christmas display, it’s a charming holiday experience. And if a taste of barbecue sounds good, remember: O.T.’s Up-N-Smoke B.B.Q. Just go there, that’s all. You can thank me later for sending you.

But, even though the school bells say fall, the calendar still says summer, so we know there is plenty of great weather ahead. In fact,  the other night while in Grand Haven I noticed the on the Grand Theater marquee. It read “It’s Still Summer” .

So, yes, it still is summer and there is plenty of time to enjoy a Michigan lake.

Instead of the formal church wedding with all the detail and formality, the couple chose a lakefront home with beautiful view to start their new life together.

Somehow, this seemed so right to us.

Their vows were spoken at the landing on the top of the stairs leading to the lakefront. The newlyweds did not want to make a photo appearance on the blog, so we will respect that. It was a wonderful wedding.

Just to put in a plug, the couple chose Snyders BBQ in Big Rapids to cater the event. The food was great, the smoked beef brisket being a favorite at my table. I understand it is a 24 hour process that makes this meat so tender and tasty .

Congrats to John and Amie.  May your future be as bright and blessed as the day on the lake.

It seems as if the phrase “Now be careful” on the front of this card has been around for many years.  They were saying it in 1915!

How often has someone said that to you? How often have you said it to someone? You probably can’t count the times. But you know, when I am leaving the house, climbing a ladder, or whatever I am doing, it feels good to be told to be careful. It means someone cares.

I like the way this pair is gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. I like the way he is gently easing her boat out into the water. And since he told her to be careful, and I am quite sure he kept his eyes on the lake until she returned.

One thing I notice that is missing from the boat is a life jacket. If life jackets had been available to the public in 1915, I am certain he would have made sure she had one.  It would have given him a little more peace of mind.

And, it should you too.  Always make sure that when you go out on your boat you are abiding by the Michigan DNR life jacket requirements. U. S. Coast Guard statistics state that 90% of the people who drown in boating  or water related accidents could have survived if they were wearing a life jacket.

Now be careful, and take time to enjoy a Michigan Lake!

Last night I caught just the tail end of a rainbow with my camera. Not the best shot, but it is a refreshing sight. Then the sky turned a golden color, it lasted only for a moment, but just enough time for another shot. For that brief time, all of the colors of the sky were reflected in the water and everything was bathed in gold. For a moment it almost felt surreal and eerie. And then the  colors quickly changed, so I kept shooting.

Tomorrow it will be something different, something new.  And I will be sure to have my camera ready! 

Life in Michigan is beautiful. Enjoy.

I know the name is not real original. Perhaps I should have chosen something like “Dave’s List”, but I believe people appreciate a website whose name accurately portrays it’s purpose. And the purpose of this site is to connect people who want to buy or rent Michigan lakefront property with those who have Michigan lakefront property to sell or rent. It is as simple as that.

It is a site where anyone can place listings to buy, sell or rent Michigan Lakefront Property. The site is basically free and anyone can list their property.

The site is doing very well.  There are close to two hundred listings at this point in time and that number is growing. We have an increasing number of hits and page views every day. And, best of all, there have been sales from the site.

If you have any type of Michigan waterfront to sell or lease, it is free. You do not have to be a realtor, anyone can use the site, and many are. All you have to do is send me an email and I will send you a free promotional code.

We have some interesting changes on the way for the site. It is a work in process. As for changes, look for this site to get an update soon.

Such is the view along the walk at the Bay Pointe Inn on the southwest side of Gun Lake—a view that epitomizes the fullness, the warmth, and the pleasantness of a Michigan summer. In July, you can treat your eyes to many other vistas that convey a similar feeling: long stretches of sand dunes bellying up to the broad, shining waters of Lake Michigan…far-reaching fields of tall, emerald corn ripening in the dog-days sun…colorful boats patrolling the channels at Holland, Grand Haven, and Muskegon while walkers of every age mingle along the piers…campgrounds filled with tents, voices, the laughter of children, and the smell of burgers cooking over Coleman stoves. Summer in Michigan has a thousand expressions, all with a similar, welcome feeling about them. The Gun Lake panorama is just one.

Here is another view across Gun Lake. This one, however, was taken not only from the opposite shore, but also from the far end of the year, on one of the coldest days of January, 2009.

Remember winter?

Here at the cusp of August, amid the flush of summer greenery, it seems incredible that the snowy season even exists. But when we’re in the midst of winter’s frigid, dark belly, it’s hard to believe it will ever end. That polar contrast is one of the ironies of Michigan—to some, a blessing; to others, a curse. No matter how you look at the seasonal extremes, though, one thing is sure: they provide a drama and interest that only those who live in the snow belt can appreciate.

Michigan now and Michigan then. Michigan in the summer and in the winter, in its festive colors and in its funereal starkness. Remembering one helps us keep the other in perspective. Strange as it may seem, our long slide toward winter has begun. But we have yet many, many bright, warm days ahead of us before the last of the painted leaves drop and the snows begin to fly. Here in the height of summer, images of winter have a beauty that’s much easier to appreciate when we can enjoy it without having to experience all that accompanies it.

Today there is no bitter cold. Today the sun sets around nine o’clock, not five. The single-digit temperatures that attended this last photograph when it was taken aren’t present to chill either you or me to the marrow. That’s one of the pleasures of photography: we get to enjoy the beauty of then with the convenience of now.

Of course, that principle works equally well in reverse. Sometime this winter, you’ll no doubt find a splash of summer color in this blog to remind you that while winter can seem long and cold, it’s not forever. Some of you, the snow-lovers, may wish it was forever. Others will feel glad for the encouraging reminder that the warm months will inevitably arrive once again.

Enjoy your summer, and don’t fret about the winter. Both seasons have their unique beauty. That’s the blessing of the Michigan seasons, both now and then.