Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Vol XXII – #10- Fog and Birds

Cold weather hanging around can’t stop the lake from thawing. But that didn’t stop our friend Elijah from taking his kite skiing rig out on the lake one last time. Per Elijah, “And no, it’s not really safe”. Noted! Today a cool fog bank rolled over the East side. A lone kayaker was communing with the seagulls out near the… Read more »

Vol XXII – #9- No Cruise Ships

It was probably inevitable, but cruise ships have made their way into the Manitou Passage. I’m not talking a small one, mind you, this was a massive one that could inundate our peaceful town with thousands of gawky iPhone-laden tourists all at once! Imagine the lines at the Cheese Shanty after a visit with one of these monsters. And the… Read more »

Vol XXII – #8- Leland on the Atlas

I dropped off some more Leland Report books at Leelanau Books in Leland last week and Paula handed me an Oxford Essential Atlas 8th Edition which has the Leelanau Peninsula on the cover! She has a shelf full of them, so go pick one up. It’s now been six years since I came out with “The Leland Report- 15 Years… Read more »

Vol XXII – #6- A Puzzling Week

I am up in Leland again for the first time since the middle of January. Covid kept me back in Illinois in February, but I spent a couple weeks recovering and finally made my way up. The weather on the trip up Sunday was great, but immediately took a turn Monday, so I apologize for jinxing you all. It’s been… Read more »

Vol XXII – #4- A St Patrick’s Birthday

Happy 89th birthday to the original Leland Reporter, Keith Burnham. Slàinte! Breaking:  I have confirmed with Fishtown Preservation that I will be at the Art Shanty again this year from 6/28-7/4 Thanks to everyone who has supported our project throughout the years. We all know how special and “one-of-a-kind” this area is and we have enjoyed bringing out that uniqueness… Read more »

Vol XXII – #3- Ice Windsurfer

I was looking through old photos taken by my Dad back in January 2005 for something to post to Instagram and ran across these, of an ice windsurfer! I don’t believe I ever saw one of these or knew it existed, but it looks like it works! Does anyone know who the rider is? Breaking:  I have confirmed with Fishtown… Read more »

Vol XXII – #2- Birkebeiner Festival

Not Leland related, but as we say, “Leland is where the heart is”. But this is a bit of inherited Norwegian culture that not many people have heard about and might find interesting. To say I’ve been busy the last couple of weeks is an understatement. I was with my girlfriend in Houston for a concert and to see a… Read more »

Vol XXII – #1- New Year Same Pandemic

Sorry for the long delay in posting, I was in Florida for the New Year and was pretty busy in January. The first week of February I was sick with Covid and although I’ve completely recovered, I thought it best to skip a month traveling up to Leland. The photos here were taken on my way back on my last… Read more »

Vol XXI – #48- Pierce Stocking and Windy Hill Moraine Hike

A couple inches of snow fell overnight replacing what we lost yesterday. My goal was to hike Leelanau Conservancy trails Shauger Hill and Windy Moraine, but ended up hiking up Pierce Stocking to the N Bar Lake and Lake Michigan overlooks first instead (having completely missed the Shauger Hill trailhead at the entrance to the parking lot). Pierce Stocking Drive… Read more »

Vol XXI – #47- Big City on the Bay

The sun finally came out and stayed out all day. I needed a 16″ water supply hose today and the only place open was in Traverse City, so I headed south, stopping by some scenic views along the way. I headed first to the Lake Leelanau Narrows bridge, then to get the hose, then up to where the Schooner Manitou… Read more »