June 10-11, Beaver Island, MI

We start our cruising year having logged 4800 miles so far during the last two summers. So far, so good!

Leaving Charlevoix. Charlevoix South Pierhead Lighthouse.

We are finally ready to get cruising. The weather has become nice. The wind is down and the temperature is 'spring like' with the lows now in the mid 40's and the highs in the mid 60's. When the sun is out, it is beautiful. Winds are calm today and the sun is peaking through.

Linda tending her hanging basket of flowers and herb garden on our first morning underway.

We make the 9 am bridge opening leaving the Municipal Marina on Round Lake at Charlevoix and join one other boat as we head out the channel past the lighthouse and enter Lake Michigan. The water is calm as a bathtub. We make the 30 miles to Beaver Island and arrive at the Beaver Island Municipal Marina about noon. There are four other boats here. Beaver Island is a very quiet place this time of year.

Entering St James Harbor on Beaver Island.

Museum, formerly the newspaper print shop of James Strang.

Beaver Island has some interesting history. The first settlers were some Irish in the 1840's and soon after, some Mormons led by James Strang. Following the murder of Joseph Smith in 1844, (founder of the Mormons) several groups emerged, each led by a 'prophet'. One, led by Brigham Young, went to Utah. The second group led by James Strang, went to Wisconsin and then, about 1846, to Beaver Island. James Strang presided over his Mormon followers here and attempted to build an exclusive Mormon community. Strang was a very controversial character who took five wives, and declared himself 'King' in 1850. The Irish and others living on Beaver Island were given a choice in 1852, join the church (Mormon) or be expelled. The Irish left and went to live nearby, waiting for a chance to return. The “Kingdom” lasted four more years. Two disgruntled Mormons shot and killed James Strang on Beaver Island, in 1856. When word spread, the Irish and others from the mainland came back to the island and resettled taking over most of the Mormon property. The Mormon colony moved from Beaver Island and resettled in Wisconsin, where there are still about 150 followers of James Strang remaining today.

Ferry goes between Charlevoix and Beaver Island, weather permitting.

Nice hardware store with lots of Irish 'stuff' available.

Yacht Club.

Lilac's are in bloom here.

The population of Beaver Island is approximately 550 people year round and more than doubles in the summer. The island feels very Irish and very rural. Transportation to the island is by private boat or ferry, which runs from mid April until mid December. After mid December transportation is only by airplane as the lake is frozen and the ferry is icebound and cannot operate.

St James Harbor Light at Whiskey Point is near the north end of Beaver Island.

Beaver Head Island Lighthouse is at the southern end of Beaver Island.