YooperGal came to Lake Leelanau from Sault Ste Marie to visit with her cousins and Auntie from Ohio. “Hey Auntie, lets get some snacks for later? How about some smoked whitefish pate and cheese curds?” Auntie thought that was a great idea and made sure they packed their swim gear as both Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan might be warm enough for a quick swim.
“Let’s head to Fishtown and act like tourists and do some food shopping. Wow, Fishtown hasn’t changed since last I was here.” YooperGal exclaimed.
Her elder aunt said it looked like this when she came as a young girl, too. “The store names change, but most everything else looks the same.”
They stopped to read the historical marker learning more about the local history – you can too at:
http://www.michmarkers.com/startup.asp?startpage=S0407.htmAfter reading about Fishtown, they proceeded down the steps and Auntie went into the Cheese store for some curds. YooperGal headed over to the Dam Candy Store giggling and repeating the name out loud as she went. They met outside the two shops and slipped between them to the river.
Auntie could not control herself and said “YooperGal, be careful and don’t fall in the river!”
YooperGal rolled her eyes and answered “Thanks, Auntie”
They enjoyed the view of the recently renovated dam and noticed the dam water and the dam walkway and the dam restaurant and the dam hotel and both giggled and laughed. Heading down river they saw the old fishing nets and the sniffed the wonderful smell of smoking fish.
“How come the fish get to smoke in a no smoking public place?” YooperGal asked.
“Well, I don’t know, maybe because they have gills instead of lungs?” Auntie joked and they wandered to a place with two anchors. With the anchors on their left and the beautiful, huge wind fish on their right, they walked towards the row of arborvitaes due North.
“Look at this, The Manitou Passage has an Underwater Preserve.” Auntie said pointing at a placard.
“I think behind Crystal Lake there may be a fisherman’s sinker and hook” said YooperGal. “Let’s check it out behind this post.”
“Well, be careful, there are lots of people around and they may be wondering what you are doing.”
“Oh, don’t worry Auntie, I’ll be quick and we can go over to the picnic pavilion and look at it. I’ll put it back carefully and let’s not forget to go to Carlson’s and get that pate.”
Update June 2006 - Fishtown is in the process of being purchased from the Carlson Family whose family has owned the fish business and properties for several generations. The Fishtown Preservation Society
http://www.preservingfishtown.org/ needs to raise $2.5 million by December 31, 2006. Please check out their website for details and donations.
Update December 29, 2006 - Fishtown Preservation Society (FPS) is pleased to announce that contributions to Phase Two of their fund raising campaign have surpassed the $2.5 million goal set in order to close on the acquisition of Fishtown.
Hike Length: 0.3 miles
