Dave Lusch shows us how the Michigan Basin is like a set of nested bowls, with the older rock on the bottom and the younger rock overlying it. This formation helped the “Master Blaster Eroder,” continental glaciers, “scoop out the Great Lakes like a spoon in a melon.”

Walking back in to view the Mystic Sinkhole, we stop to observe some of the surface karst features.

Bopi Biddanda collects samples of the microbial life that surrounds the upwelling of groundwater from one small sinkhole.
A stream of groundwater being discharged into the bay through a sinkhole. Mats of Purple cyanobacteria are the only organisms that appear able to survive in the oxygen-poor water.

The larger, deeper sinkhole provides a perfect place for a few reflective moments.

Cindy and Kim brave the chilly sinkhole waters. It is always 10 degrees Celsius, whether it is July or January. The bottom of the hole, 70 feet below, can be easily seen from the surface as there is no aerobic life that can survive in this water.

We finished up the day at impressive Presque Isle lighthouse. Our fealess leader always has to find the heights.

Welcome to a Great Lakes “Advenshore” in Alpena, Michgan!

We all rolled in today from all over the eastern half of the US, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and North Carolina. From “Huron” out we will be busy learning as much as we can about the Great Lakes and Lake Huron.

The Dog Days Inn

Gretta helps Steve with the logistics of our stay in Alpena. “And how long will you be staying with us Mr. Stewart?”

After a brief introduction at the hotel, we all piled into vans to move to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center for orientation and introductions.

A dichotomousmixer by Rochelle from Sea Grant got us better acquainted with each other.

After an overview of the workshop by Steve and Cindy Hagley we got down to the real business of the day, dinner.

Dinner at Jeppetto’s

With a menu full of fresh fish dinners and pasta, you can’t go wrong.

After a brief hint, tomorrow promises to be the first of many packed days!

Only five days to go until we all meet up in Alpena!

The coming week promises to be an exciting one. Geology of Lake Huron, lighthouses, sinkholes, snorkeling over shipwrecks, dive cameras. And that’s only the first three days!

If this workshop is anything like the Lake Superior workshop, we are all in for a great week!

Don’t forget to do your reading before you go. It really helps to free up your nights to enjoy the area and the company of your colleagues.
Drive safe and we’ll see you there!