I went to the Beaver Island Lighthouse school for 2 semesters. It was an interesting program that provided alternative education to many different kids from all over northern Michigan. It was 22 days at the school without leaving, then 3 days back on the mainland, return to school for 22 days, then off for 3 more, then a final 22 days in those cabins. I learned a lot about myself and about the Island when I was there. One spring, there was an amazing ion storm. There were wave after wave of ions cascading across the sky. We all just stood outside in awe and basked in the glory and power of the universe. Beaver Island helped to shape me into who I am today.

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

It sounds like it was a great program for sure! I would have loved to have gone there.

@TheDeadheadable

8 ай бұрын

I did 3 it was the best time of my life.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

That's cool!

@dispatchdebbie

8 ай бұрын

I can see that occuring. City dwellers know not what they're missing! 💕 I'm never closer to my God than in His creation and away from man's 🥰

My uncle was born and raised on Beaver Island. I took a couple of trips with him in the 1970's to go check in on his parents. His father, Patrick Bonner, was 92 at the time and played his fiddle for us. Patrick was one of the Beaver Island Fiddlers. It was an amazing sight to behold. Patrick died later that year, and his wife moved to the mainland the following year. Treasured memories.

@user-yn7on7ou8n

8 ай бұрын

My father-in-law, Curtis Graham grew up on Beaver Island. I wonder if he knew your family. He died in 1999. His family were commercial fishermen.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Neat story!

@robinmclain9291

Ай бұрын

We might be related then, 2nd GGM was Bridget Harkins, whose sister Sophia married a Bonner.

"The Big Rock." Well, I grew up next to 'Big Lake'. Ah, Michigan, I love you so.

I hope you post a separate video just of the interview with Mr. Welke. I'm across the state in Port Huron, and have sailed past Beaver Island when working as 2nd cook on the freighters, but only saw the island in the distance. I recall it being a surprise to see land because I somewhat knew the route was straight up Lake Michigan. We weren't going to be close to the Lower Peninsula shore until the cliffs across from Mother Bear and Cubs islands, but I saw land in the distance before then. Then I remembered about Beaver Island. My traveling days are done, but when I did travel, whether for work or pleasure, my main interest was in taking to the old timer natives of a place. I would be enthralled to hear the Welles talk.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Seconded on the interview!

@dispatchdebbie

8 ай бұрын

Smart decision! Seniors have so much depth to tap, we do 😊

I spent half of my high school life on that island 20 years ago. I need to go back.

How do you not have millions of views? This is amazing content!

My late husband took me several times here. What an experience. Its a little expensive having to take the boat across the lake. You will NOT be disappointed.

Dear Chuck and Poppins. We have flown our planes (Piper Colt recently) into Beaver several times over the years and "borrowed" a car from Mr. Welke and others as well. Thanks for the reminder of how Beaver is such an interesting and friendly destination. Jim and Candy Speerstra.........the rum and Coke at Shamrock ain't that bad either 🙂

@petergreenwald9639

8 ай бұрын

I flew in there with some friends in a C172 rented from a FBO in Blaine MN. I did my due diligence and called flight services the day before and all was good. Until we got there and found a dozer on the runway and a big X. As we orbited deciding what we were going to do, my right seat passenger saw somebody in a field waving at us furiously and then pointing. I got down to around 500ft and saw that they were pointing at an obvious grass strip. We landed and had a great weekend and many good chats with the folks.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Cool!

Wow, this was really cool and interesting!! Im going to have to get there this summer!!

In June 1861, American author Henry David Thoreau stopped by Beaver Island. He and a traveling companion, Horace Mann Jr., had spent two months in Minnesota and were on their way back to Massachusetts. They took a northern route home, with a steamship leaving from Milwaukee and crossing Lake Michigan. The ship stopped in Leland to take on wood and water. Then, as Thoreau wrote in his field notebook, "Leave there at noon & steam n & w to Beaver (or Mormon Islands) with its first hut & Mormon homes. Leave there at eve & reach Mackinaw 2 a.m., [June] 30th." The men spent about four days on Mackinac, then crossed Lake Huron to Goderich. From there they took a series of railroads to get home. Thoreau didn't have a chance to write more about this trip. It would have been interesting to hear what he thought of and saw of Beaver Island.

@RestlessViking

11 ай бұрын

Excellent! Thanks for sharing that knowledge.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

#sweet thanks for the share!

@pattyesch7352

5 ай бұрын

That is so interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, it's hard to believe that a Birch tree could be that old. I've always thought of them as really fragile.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Me too!

@Lithilic

8 ай бұрын

I know where I grew up most of them don't live very long because they pretty much all succumb to some disease. Perhaps the diseases that plague the trees aren't on the island?

In the 60's and 70's my folks had the little house there on Wicklaw Beach . Unforgettable !!!

Beaver Island is also known for the old-time fiddle music that was prevalent there.

Love the Island. In the 70's we had a family cottage, in Sand Bay..The beach was pristine.. We fished in lake Genasereth, and always caught lotsa fish..The south end of the island was always fun when the wind was up, because we could body surf.. The golf course was all sand, with lotsa snakes.. Archie LeFranier, owned the grocery store, an IGA.. He was also traffic controller for the airport. The Wojans had rental properties, and rented the fishing boats, for the lake This brings back many good thoughts of many good times.. Thanks for sharing

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing history as well!

Enjoyed your video. Found in church records my gg-grandfather was on the island. Around 1864 to 1886. He was a Belgian. Cooper by trade. Father Gallagher is listed as doing a baptism ( baby Mary)then a week later the funeral of my gg-grandmother.

thank you for telling michigans history ❣️

My first (and so far, only) trip to Beaver Island was July of 2006 with my son and his Scout Troop. We took the Emerald Isle between Charlevoix and the harbor. From there, we hiked down to Bill Wagner Campground. We wondered why it was not named Biting Fly Island, as the black flies were so thick, even swimming out some 30+ yards offshore did not stop them! On our hike back, we stopped for golf at the Beaver Island Golf Course and even stayed at the "remains" of the old Boy Scout camp along side the 7th fairway. We got to have a shotgun start with a cannon and slept in the open air that night. Getting back to town, we had a couple hours to burn, so my son and I set off to explore the harbor town. We have some great photos and memories of Beaver Island. Thank you for showing some of the things we saw and many that we did not get a chance to visit! Looking forward to your return video.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Did you know the Scouts can stay on Mackinac Island?

@Jim49446

Ай бұрын

Ah, yes. Black Flys. The Michigan state bird.

We sail to Beaver Island nearly every year. It indeed is a colorful place! Our daughter grew up taking trips there. We have photos of her scrambling up to the top of the big rock, climbing the lighthouse stairs and playing in the sand at Donegal Bay. Each evening we would take a walk from the marina to Daddy Franks for ice cream. She is in college now but still enjoys going there. Now, as parents, we have a gathering place as well. It has become a tradition to venture over to Whiskey Point Brewing at 5:00 for a cold beer each day. You never know who you're going to meet there. Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the kindest soul on the island. Mary. who owns the toy museum, is the most wonderful person you will ever meet. She's like every child's grandma. There is every trinket you could ever want inside that little house! But I would discourage you from going to Beaver Island because there is nothing to do there. 😉

@NorthernKitty

8 ай бұрын

"But I would discourage you from going to Beaver Island because there is nothing to do there." Sounds like exactly the place I want to visit.

@falconquest2068

8 ай бұрын

@@NorthernKitty Oh no, you really don't want to go it's dreadful! 😆 But if you do go, treat yourself to dinner at the Lodge outdoors on the patio for the best view of any restaurant you've ever been to. But don't tell anyone okay?

@dispatchdebbie

8 ай бұрын

Sounds good to me!! Lived here most all my life (Detroit Metro) but never been!! 💕

@thomasmleahy6218

2 ай бұрын

​@@falconquest2068Sounds dreadfully wonderful.

Thank you both for the history lesson. Great educators and storytellers. Much appreciated ❤

@RestlessViking

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Shelli!

I went to school on the south end of the island for a semester. The fog signal was our scenic room. We would stay out there for few weeks and come home for 4 or 5 days. Was awsome 💚

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

I bet it was!

Dark sky astronomy too, beautiful video, thank you both

@thomasmleahy6218

2 ай бұрын

Dark sky indeed a very rare commodity these days without lengthy travel. Thank you.

Remember arriving on the ferry back in the 60's... The long dock and the few town high school girls awaiting the load of 'fresh fish' from the mainland... hoping to escape. People looked so miserable there... Island was mostly vacant as we traveled the Kings Highway in a rental rundown... nobody was friendly and business was light and short. Remember seeing the original Mormon housing remnants consisting of partial wails of 4' square hewn logs... The narrow rail and the grave of the engineer... Heard all the stories of the King but never so thorough history as yours... Thanks! Post Script: As of the three places I wished to reside... Beaver Island was my first love and ended up in the Desert SW. 🤔

This was not only a great history lesson but it also brought back a few memories of previous trips that i've taken to Beaver island over the decades. If you want to get away to a clean & quiet place with few distractions, Beaver is definitely the place for you. I used to go there sometimes because my Aunt & Uncle had a summer cottage in downtown St. James for many years. But around 2002 they decided to move to the Northwest side of the island full time. They then built a beautiful 8500 square foot Bed & Breakfast & named it Deerwood which is still there today. They held on to it for several years and had many guests including the singer Madonna. Well... sort of. She booked her room, flew to the island with her family, took a tour of the lodge & met my relatives. But after seeing how rocky the beaches were, she decided they weren't suitable for her kids to play on. So she wrote them a check , thanked them & left. Haha. Taking care of the massive lodge got to be alot of work for them so they decided to sell it & they now live in a house in Charlevoix. But my cousin Matt has a tug boat that he still often sails up to Beaver. Anyway, i'll definitely be passing this along to them cuz I bet they'll not only know most of the ppl in your video but also get a big kick out of it.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Haha

@pattyesch7352

5 ай бұрын

Madonna should have taken her kids to the beaches on the eastern side of the island - near the CMU Biological Station. I have never seen or felt such amazing sand. It squeaks beneath your feet and is so soft.

It would be cool if the residents of Beaver Island declared war on and defeated the mainland capitol at Lansing; maybe term it a Special Military Operation; that sounds better. Beaver Island and Charlevoix are fun. Great channel, thank you!

Plan on taking a trip to Beaver this summer, via my boat, from Charlevoix

@RestlessViking

Жыл бұрын

Yeah! Great Idea!

@Rev1Kev

11 ай бұрын

@@RestlessViking managed two trips with the boat, once from Charlevoix, and one from Mackinaw city, Wilderness State Park

@RestlessViking

11 ай бұрын

@@Rev1Kev Excellent!

I remember visiting Beaver Island as a kid during the mid 1960's with my father who was curious about the place. The car he rented must have been from the late 1940's as it still used a manual choke.

Wow. I took a vacation here about 12 years ago as of writing this comment and I had no idea that the history was so insane 😳

Amazing the Mormon connection in the general area with the end result being the same. General area being Indiana and Michigan. A few towns and places founded by them and then a mass exodus. Many hysterical societies will tell you of a connection but not so much why they are no longer around. Thanks for sharing your research and as always an awesome video.

@thomasmleahy6218

2 ай бұрын

Hysterical Religious Fanatacism

Very cool and interesting history I never even heard of. Definitely will have to plan a trip out to Beaver Island!! Thank you!!

Just bought land out there and will be camping mid may. I absolutely love that place.

@suzypos4571

Жыл бұрын

Stop on by..we just bought Thomas's log home on mrs. Redding trail..we aren't moving there yet..have alot to work on. Welcome.

@frothybeaver4869

Жыл бұрын

@@suzypos4571 awesome. I’m on East side drive about a half mile south of bill wagners camp ground. I’m gonna be doing some pruning and brush removal. Probably build in 5 years

Thanks for taking us along to Beaver Island and the education along the way. I’m a true lover of Michigan but I’ve never been there. Michigan as we know is steeped in history. Enjoyed your video!

I was born and raised in Michigan and I have family roots all along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I haven’t lived in Michigan for almost 40 years but I love Michigan history. Great channel!

@RestlessViking

10 ай бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you stopped by!

@aBluegrassPicker

8 ай бұрын

Me too! fully agree great channel

@brandonbell5357

8 ай бұрын

Fuckin a go blue!!

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

#GoBlue

@brandonbell5357

8 ай бұрын

@@mitrolltv hell to the yeah go blue

You found the train wreck memorial. Awesome. Great video as always. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Is that memorial hard to find?

Good video of general island history. We are islanders, year round. Next time you come over to our island, let us know. We would be happy to show you into deeper histories with ya!

@RestlessViking

Жыл бұрын

Deal. . .

Would love to hear more on Harrison “Tip” Miller, lighthouse keeper and for whom Millers Marsh was named!

Pretty interesting heard alot about the island didn't know alot of what u discussed can't wait till your next video

My wife and I have been exploring the Great Lakes area since moving here two years ago. We discovered your channel while in Copper Harbor a few day ago. We have now added this to our bucket list. Thank you!

@RestlessViking

Жыл бұрын

That is awesome! Thanks for finding us!

I’m a Michigan Native and my Dads side of my Family grew up on the Lake Huron side, Oscoda, MI to be exact so I’ve been to almost every lighthouse on that side, I’ve been to the dunes on the Lake Michigan side but I don’t think we went to Beaver Island but I definitely remember the name and the name of the lighthouse there. I had family that lives way up in Sugar Island up off the U.P of MI. I’ve been to the area near the Mackinac Bridge where they still have their cannon they had to use and they were still shooting blanks out of it for tourists. I may have been to Beaver Island as a child, ill have to find out because both sides of my Family are Michigan history buffs and LOVE lighthouses. Thanks for this video!

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

When you stay on Mackinac Island, they light off that cannon daily, and you can pay to fire it!

@-BUGZ-

8 ай бұрын

@@mitrolltv That’s awesome! Somehow Ive never actually been to the Island, I literally have family wayyyy up on Sugar island and I’ve been there, I’ve gone into Canada to see family that I have over there but never got to go to the Island. Closest I got was the cannon on the mitten side of the Bridge, the one we watched get shot was right next to the bridge before you cross to the UP. I really miss it up there Ive been to Oscoda and Tawas hundreds of times in the last few years but haven’t been up there in a good while. I like to visit Lighthouses and such on Lake Huron, my Dad grew up on the lake so I fell in love with it and all of the Greats. Ive been to 4 so far.

Been to the the island several times. And what an what and.esperience. very rural. My sister in law brought us there. Thats has been where we really to realize what a unique place. This place hold so many historial issues.

Thanks for the video. I learned alot of history from you. I was in Charlevoix in the Coast Guard in the early 90's and even though we went to Beaver Island and broke ice in the area I never had the chance to explore. Always wanted to take a trip back there. Thanks again

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for your service!

I camped and hunted on Beaver Island for several years in the 1970s. Lots of abandoned farms at that time and little economic activity.

@brandonbell5357

8 ай бұрын

My neighbor was hunting two legged beaver there got his first

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

🍿

Great tour and great history of Beaver Island. It’s a fun place to visit and a step back in time.

I'm so happy I found you. Poppins is my sister from a different mom, but I'm adopted and 59,so maybe.........

Really interesting stuff. Michigan has so much history because of the lakes.

What a great adventure and story.

Just bought a bunch of commercial land there. Going to be building a Dollar General and a McDonalds. Just kidding, I love the place just the way it is, laid back and natural.

@dispatchdebbie

8 ай бұрын

😅😅😅😅 👎🏼

I just watch a mind unvieled episode regarding lake Michigan. Very interesting history. The comet of 1664 & 1812 seem to play a major role in the area.

Sweet!!!!!!!!

Great video, as always. We own some land there and are planning on building a home soon, and we look forward to moving there. It is great, friendly place not ruined by commercialism.

@RestlessViking

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. . . and thanks!

@frothybeaver4869

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely love that place. Closed on 6 acres myself back in September. Going camping in a couple weeks up there

@suzypos4571

Жыл бұрын

We bought Thomas's log home on mrs redding trail..have to do alot of work before moving there..stop on by and welcome.

@Thomas-dp2mf

11 ай бұрын

Well it's sure out of the way I live in WY 15 miles from the store kinda inconvenient but it's just isolated just barely get cell service and dead spots are hundred feet away

Thanks for showing off the beautiful island and teaching us more about it than we thought we knew. Cant wait to see your summer video. Welcome!

You guys know what quality is, that place is super cool, i hope a ferry is available for my 3-wheel Harley? I don't do airplanes! (thankx-4-upload)

@rykerkingsbury7320

2 ай бұрын

There is ferry from Charlevoix

I taught glacial topography for years. Thanks for the short lesson glacial erratics.

Great job, this Mrs and I set sail 2 years ago with Bever Island in our sites. As we motored out away from our home port, South Haven our diesel started cutting out. Not wanting to have our boatv100 percent we turn around and took the car instead. We had a great time and very happy you had a chance to go Thanks again You need to do a run to Isle Royale next

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

What's good to see on I.R.?

That was fascinating!! THank you for documenting this, I didn't even know this place existed.

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Great Video! I spent a couple of days there last June on my boat waiting out a blow that came through. First time being there without my Piper Archer. Two meals a day at the Shamrock... Currently still watching from the South pole - fully dark now with the Auroras just lighting up the sky!!! A little bit nippy out, numerous days in the -90's but we have not seen -100 yet.... Your videos give me great reminders of finishing up The Great Loop (before I went to Beaver I think I told you that I anchored at Garden Island for a couple of days of hiking?).

@RestlessViking

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yeah - we chatted about Garden and I've waited out a couple of blows there too. The Shamrock is always my chow hall too. I hope you are able to keep entertained during thee Polar night.

@livenfree

Жыл бұрын

Omg negative 90°! What are you doing down in the South Pole? You must have a good size boat to handle that!

18:31 So they don't do the Rural Midwest index-finger-only greeting when vehicles meet on Beaver Island? Some great stuff on this trip! 😎✌️

@RestlessViking

Жыл бұрын

😂 There are actually a variety of waves on the island - a few Rural Midwest. But the full fingers extended wave seemed to be the most used.

@gus473

Жыл бұрын

​@@RestlessVikingAppreciate the tip, in case I go and want to blend in with the locals...😉 Actually, a really interesting place! And that beach was fantastic!✌️😎

I've learned so much since I found your channel. I love it.😁😁

Wonderful history lesson. Thank you.

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for stopping by!

Fascinating. I just recently learned my great great great (great?) grandfather was Thomas Bedford. Thank you for the history lesson. I can’t wait to do more research on him and this topic.

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

Wow! That's pretty cool!

@mitrolltv

8 ай бұрын

Fascinating find!

Amazing video. So much info

One of your best enjoyed it

Great history lesson!

Great video. Looking forward to more.

Very well done. Thank you.

Very cool!

Always love your stories our our great state!

Thanks for sharing. Interesting history. Looking forward to your trip back.

One of the more interesting videos I have watched. I like the way they presented it because they made it seem like I was walking along with them listening to the history.

So cool, thank you!

Excellent Historic,

Thanks for the adventure. Onward!

Now that's an adventure

This was a great piece of Michigan history.

Thanks for the history. This was very interesting. I'm glad YT sent you two in my direction. 😊

Cool. My friend and I were thinking about going up there this summer.

Very interesting!

What a wonderful video! Will be watching you again,

Very cool video, thks for taking us with you!

My great-grandfather was the train engineer.

I’m glad to hear Michigan ousted the cult king and his subjects! Proud history!

Wow Beaver Island looks mighty cold, brrrr! I liked the history of the island and all the places you shared, thanks! 😎👍

Very interesting, thanks!

Thank you!

This was most interesting, I learned a lot about my home state history. 👍👍

This was a very cool video. I ran across it randomly and was glad. Thank you.

I grew up in Charlevoix and took the ferry to Beaver Island once. I was about 10 years old and it was a very choppy crossing. I was never so seasick in my life, lol. I remember crying when it was time to board the ferry to go home because I knew what was ahead of me. I don't remember anything about the island. Perhaps we should've flown. Thanks for showing me what I missed!

I grew up going to Door County and Washington Island(I'm old), and I remember going to Beaver Island for the first time in the 70s... cool out of the way place. Thanks for your hard work.

amazing seeing my obscure hometown get some recognition

Thank you for sharing and taking the time to bring this story to us.

@RestlessViking

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Very nice guys! Really enjoyed!

Thank you! Your presentation is so inviting! I honestly hope this proves fruitful for you. Even if it doesn't, you still have the adventures! Congratulations!

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

very cool,always wanted to go there,great research!

Enjoyed This Video! Thank You!

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you two, this was great

This is wonderful I’m enjoying watching you two explore and have fun.

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

opps i was 7 1n 1957 when we were there thankyou again for the tour and history

Thanks such a great Video showing some of the great things that are in your local Area 😀

@RestlessViking

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for stopping by!

Well done

Thanks for sharing this amazing island. I live in lower Mi.

@RestlessViking

8 ай бұрын

Thank you too

Never went to the Island via air...went on the Beaver Islander. Shows how many years it's been since I've been there. Hope to return someday.