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Revised 04/08/10 |
Michigan Botanical Club
Spring Foray 2007 The MBC Spring Foray will be held at Ludington, MI on May 25-28, 2007. The Arisaema (Mar-April) issue will provide all the details on fieldtrips and room reservations at the Ludington Ramada Inn. Our focal area is about halfway up the Lake Michigan shoreline between Indiana and Mackinaw City. It will make an interesting contrast to the Indiana dunes area that we visited at the south end of Lake Michigan in May, 2006. It is, of course, much cooler. While this area is basically shoreline and glacial deposits, it is very complex geologically with very diverse habitats ranging from high and dry dunes to glacial kettles, which can be very wet. Likewise, this region is very complex biologically. It is heavily forested and is particularly interesting, because it lies in the transition between more southern deciduous and northern coniferous forests. However, this transition is largely overridden by well-drained soils supporting pine-oak forests, thereby adding to the complexity. Not only will we see a lot of interesting plants and natural communities, but we will learn about their ecology, conservation and management. A list of references is cited later to help those who are want to get more information. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory website also offers a lot of information. Following tradition, we have arranged a series of evening speakers who will give us overviews and insights into this area starting with Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray to tell us about the geology of this region. Alix Cleveland, Botanist, Manistee National Forest, and Dr. Brian Hazlett (who did his Ph. D. thesis here [see references]) will inform us about many interesting facets of the Huron-Manistee, Hiawatha, Ottawa National Forests and the Nordhouse Dunes respectively. CONNIE CRANCER'S FAVORITE THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND LUDINGTON I was asked to put down a few of my favorite things to do and places to go since my hometown is nearby and I’ve gone to Ludington for years. By luck I found I was having dinner with Joan Young, a local Ludingtononian and field trip leader recently, so I picked her brain. The following alternative activities and places to go for yourself if you come early or stay after the foray, or for family or a friend, who might want to join you but can’t imagine spending all their time looking at plants. Perhaps my favorite thing to do is to stop and park at Stearns Park and wait for the SS Badger Car Ferry return at 7 pm and stay for the sunset. Of course one could actually get on the Ferry at 9 am visit Manitowoc, Wisconsin and return that same evening. Stearns Park is at the end of Michigan Highway 10. It stops right there at the Big Lake, and there you are. And where can you find shuffleboard is this day and age? Picnicking, playground, miniature golf. Oh, and swimming (brrrr). You can find more information of the SS Badger Lake Michigan Car Ferry at: http://www.ssbadger.com/schedule/schedule.html As far as parks go the Ludington State Park can’t be beat. It has something for everyone. Swimming, bathhouse, water-skiing, fishing, boating (ramp, rentals); hunting, cross-country skiing, picnicking, playground, concession, camping, and a visitor center. The park is comprised of nearly 5,300 acres of scenic sand dunes, shoreline vista, ponds, marshlands and forests. It is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of shoreline, beaches on both bodies of water, and access to the Sable River. It gets visited by scores of people but you can quickly get away from the crowds. Heck, just the ride there is great – you drive through miles of beach along Lake Michigan. Its located at the end of Hwy 116. You can find more at: http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/ParksandTrailsInfo.aspx?id=468 For a different and completely not plant related, Joan and I both suggest the Ludington Hydro Plant. You can’t possibly understand the impact of this 840 acre reservoir. Its one of the world’s largest facilities of its type. Once you have climbed the 100 plus stairs (it gets harder each year) the overlook facing Lake Michigan in the afternoon when the sun light dances on the water is phenomenal. And the view of the turbines and the reservoir itself is intriguing. The Ludington Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant is located on Lake Michigan just south of Ludington on Lakeshore Drive. And I should also write that the drive down Lakeshore drive to Pentwwater Michigan, a destination tourist town, is a beautiful, carefree drive. Joan suggests visiting “The Cross”. A local name for the Fr. Marquette Shrine. Apparently Father Jacques Marquette died “somewhere” along the Lake Michigan shoreline and because of this ambiguity ( and somewhat contested subject) you can find as many as three locations claiming the death site. This is one of them. Find more about the "The Father Marquette Shrine at: http://peremarquettetwp.org/HomePage/Parks/Shrine/Shrine.htm Of course we suggest that even a small stroll on the North Country Trail if not hiking the entire 40 mile stretch, is a destination in and of itself. It stretches along the Manistee River from the High Bridge Trailhead and ends at the Marilla Trailhead. The Coates Highway is a convenient halfway point to start in either direction. The overviews of the Manistee River are as grand as any I’ve seen along bigger rivers and areas of great topography. And the habitats one transverse are diverse and unique. To see a map and find out more go to http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/wildlife/viewingguide/nlp/40North/index.htm A place that I haven’t yet visited (but I’m greatly intrigued) and suggested by Joan is the The Shrine of the Pines located at 8962 South M-37 in Baldwin, MI 49304. The Shrine of the Pines is a world famous tourist attraction in a secluded, wooded spot on the banks of the historic Pere Marquette River, and home to the great lifetime work of Raymond W. Overholzer with dozens of unique works and handcraft items on display. Joan also suggests Amber Elk Ranch (http://amberelkranch.com ) but I think a better description is found at: http://visitludington.com/amberelk.html Of course there is plenty of poking into shops at both Ludington and Manistee. And Manistee has a wonderful boardwalk along the Manistee River which runs right through the downtown. The Manistee River, spanned by two historic bascule (draw) bridges. Shopping, eateries, Lake Michigan. Life is good. And for those who know that life is better along the river there are Canoe Liveries in Scottsville, Welston, and two in Baldwin. Check out these websites: Things to Do in and around Ludington at http://www.snydersshoreinn.com/things.html, also http://www.getoffthecouch.info Is a great resource of wheel chair accessible trails, interpretive trails, a one mile lope through the city of Ludington, canoeing, etc. For food, Joan suggests House of Flavors for ice cream, dinner, lunch and she says the rotisserie turkey is a local favorite. For authentic Italian Food and pizza, she suggests Lucinano’s. Enjoy your stay. Connie Crancer
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