Meinert Park Beach

Montague, MI

We had thunderstorms in our area before dawn. Today turned out to be a pretty good day anyway. On our way to breakfast, we stopped by the Whitehall Leather Co. property to get a picture of the brick rubble. The implosion yesterday was quite an awesome sight. From our vantage point across the lake, we saw the building go down well before the sound carried across the water. Hum. . . there's a science lesson there with that one.




We rode our bikes up the paved trail a piece and returned to Montague for a quick trip to the Post Office. Kit's Dad has a birthday on Friday and she needed to pick up a mailing box.











After lunch, we headed to Meinert Park Beach for a little sun and a chance to get some reading done. Kit caught these shots of a wind surfer just taking off from shore. The guy was on his surfboard for well over an hour. Before we left the beach another joined him. conditions must have been just right for them.


We had more storms around 8:30 p.m. The sky was filled with lightning! Whew!

Whitehall Leather Co. Goes Down.

Montague, MI

Today was another cloudy one. Breakfast was a quick eat at McDonald's. We hurried back to the RV to pick up our camera and binoculars. Our plan was to meet Carlton and Merry at the White Lake Marina Adult center for the implosion of what was left of the Whitehall Leather Company building.



The tall brick tower across White Lake on a point overlooking the Marina was going down!








The rest of the plant was demolished earlier this summer. For years it was the premier leather tannery. Whitehall Leather Co. was established in the late 1800's in this area of Michigan to make use of the readily accessible Hemlock bark. Whitehall Leather became the source for high quality bookbinding, billfold, bags, cases, and strap leather. In 1944 it was purchased by Genesco to make upper shoe leather and operated until 1976. The tannery ceased operation and in the 80's/90's there was a huge environmental cleanup of White Lake. Sediments containing chrome, arsenic, mercury, as well as tannery waste were removed. Now, plans are to add another marina/condo facility to be built in its place.



Jerry set up the tripod to capture the event. We waited over 90 minutes before we saw the dust.

Ready

Going

Gone

Jerry, Kit, Merry, Carlton on the top floor of the Adult Center

We also make it to Old Channel Inn. There burgers were pretty good.

Beach behind the restaurant.

This restaurant is also a landmark for Montague/Whitehall.




We finished off the afternoon at the library -- actually two libraries. Kit wanted to research the tannery. Jerry read his emails at the Montague branch and listened to CD's at the Whitehall one.

Another Big Brother tonight. . . also a CNN Special for the next three nights on Islam.

Belted Galloway Cows

Montague, MI

Monday, August 20, 2007

It was another day with gray clouds and rain. The temps never moved out of the 60° range. Kit worked on laundry all day using the washer in the RV. While doing those loads she was able to clean and vacuum. Then, just up the street is a handy Laundromat where she uses the dryers. This procedure is fast and more convenient for us.

Jerry worked at his computer station sorting photos and reading emails.

Late in the afternoon we drove out toward Lake Michigan with the purpose of eating at the quaint "Old Channel Inn." Drat's! It is closed on Mondays!

On our way back into town, we came across a farm with Belted Galloway Cows. Take a look. .

Sometimes they are called "Oreo" cattle.

These animals are natives of Galloway, Scotland. Their unique feature is their double fur coats. They are extremely adaptable to the colder winter climates of Michigan.
You can check out this website for additional information.

http://www.shareyourstate.com/oklahoma/belted.htm
Also

http://www.plejaderna.nu/torget/Galloway.html

We watched TV, surfed the net and answered emails. Tomorrow promises to be more exciting -- we are going to watch an old landmark implode. Stay tuned.

A Rainy Day

Montague, MI
Sunday, August 19, 2007

Rain! We had it all night long and it is welcomed in this area of the country. Someone told us that White Lake is about 27 inches short of water and Lake Michigan is around 32 inches low. Several of the marinas have lowered their docks this summer to make it easier getting in and out of the boats.

The temps in the 50's today forced us to wear our sweatshirts for the whole day. We lounged around the RV reading emails and playing solitaire on the computer.

Tune in tomorrow, it has to be more exciting.