Thanks Ed and Maureen... What a beautiful day out on the lake and in that pristine harbor and Marina. I agree with you, Ed... the clarity and azure color of the water was really refreshing and delightful to view. I love that sort of thing. It's such a rarity these days. Generally you only get that when there is a large underground spring feeding a river that empties into an inlet. Was that the case here as well? Where was you next stop on this leg? I assume you eventually went through the other great lakes this past autumn. This appears to still be from last August. Everything is just so beautiful in that area. So there is no direct passage into Elk Lake, on account of the Elk Lake Hydroelectric Dam. It was really neat that your brother lives on the other side and was able to take you over to Torch Lake in his ski boat. All these places are so nice, it's hard to say which is the nicest since they all have a different flavor to them. Some are more cozy, close, and personal while this harbor and marina is more wide open and relaxed with spacious views. Thanks for sharing. I've been waiting to see this next episode. You guys do a really nice job of casually including the viewer in your experience. Not everyone has that gift. Gord
Thanks, Gord! We were so happy with how the day turned out! I found this information here: www.lakebeyond.com/why-is-torch-lake-michigan-so-clear/ Unique Limestone Geological Formation A massive geological formation known as the Traverse Limestone underlies the waters of Torch Lake. This formation is not only responsible for the lake’s exceptional clarity but also the unique marine life found in its depths. The Traverse Limestone formation is approximately 300 million years old, and this geologic structure helps to keep rivers, streams and lakes clear because the limestone acts like a filter, trapping sediment and other particles before they enter the water. Furthermore, the limestone acts as an effective base for aquatic plants and it is these that give Torch Lake its beautiful emerald green cast and pristine clarity throughout the warmer months. Ed
@@FreebirdonTheGreatLoop Thanks Ed... that was great information. I didn't know that limestone could do that. It's so neat that you can get the beautiful Caribbean look to the water in a fresh water lake. I've never seen that before. Thanks for that link. I'm definitely checking it out.😃 Gord Gord
Ed, In that link it said that motorized vessels are not permitted on Torch Lake. I gather your brother didn't take you over there in his boat... just the Elk Lake area. But since Torch Lake feeds Elk Lake, I guess that's pretty nice as well. Sailing must be the thing on Torch Lake. Because it's such a resource, they have a lot of restrictions to preserve the charity of the lake. Kind of a 'look, but don't touch' approach. What a thing aye! They want tourists but they don't want tourists disturbing the lake. And they say they patrol it constantly in that article. I also found the bit about phosphorus in the fertilizer runoff is what causes the algae blooms, very interesting as well. Gord
@@FreebirdonTheGreatLoop Thanks Maureen. You were actually zigzagging around before heading northeast. Is that because they have like a four day restriction at most of the marinas to keep the visiting boat traffic moving for maximum access throughout the season? Gord
Thanks Ed and Maureen...
What a beautiful day out on the lake and in that pristine harbor and Marina.
I agree with you, Ed... the clarity and azure color of the water was really refreshing and delightful to view. I love that sort of thing. It's such a rarity these days.
Generally you only get that when there is a large underground spring feeding a river that empties into an inlet. Was that the case here as well?
Where was you next stop on this leg? I assume you eventually went through the other great lakes this past autumn.
This appears to still be from last August. Everything is just so beautiful in that area.
So there is no direct passage into Elk Lake, on account of the Elk Lake Hydroelectric Dam.
It was really neat that your brother lives on the other side and was able to take you over to Torch Lake in his ski boat.
All these places are so nice, it's hard to say which is the nicest since they all have a different flavor to them.
Some are more cozy, close, and personal while this harbor and marina is more wide open and relaxed with spacious views.
Thanks for sharing. I've been waiting to see this next episode.
You guys do a really nice job of casually including the viewer in your experience. Not everyone has that gift.
Gord
Thanks, Gord! We were so happy with how the day turned out! I found this information here:
www.lakebeyond.com/why-is-torch-lake-michigan-so-clear/
Unique Limestone Geological Formation
A massive geological formation known as the Traverse Limestone underlies the waters of Torch Lake. This formation is not only responsible for the lake’s exceptional clarity but also the unique marine life found in its depths. The Traverse Limestone formation is approximately 300 million years old, and this geologic structure helps to keep rivers, streams and lakes clear because the limestone acts like a filter, trapping sediment and other particles before they enter the water. Furthermore, the limestone acts as an effective base for aquatic plants and it is these that give Torch Lake its beautiful emerald green cast and pristine clarity throughout the warmer months.
Ed
Hi Gord! I think we go to Petoskey next...need to get working on that one.
Maureen
@@FreebirdonTheGreatLoop Thanks Ed... that was great information. I didn't know that limestone could do that. It's so neat that you can get the beautiful Caribbean look to the water in a fresh water lake. I've never seen that before. Thanks for that link. I'm definitely checking it out.😃
Gord
Gord
Ed,
In that link it said that motorized vessels are not permitted on Torch Lake. I gather your brother didn't take you over there in his boat... just the Elk Lake area. But since Torch Lake feeds Elk Lake, I guess that's pretty nice as well.
Sailing must be the thing on Torch Lake. Because it's such a resource, they have a lot of restrictions to preserve the charity of the lake. Kind of a 'look, but don't touch' approach.
What a thing aye! They want tourists but they don't want tourists disturbing the lake. And they say they patrol it constantly in that article.
I also found the bit about phosphorus in the fertilizer runoff is what causes the algae blooms, very interesting as well.
Gord
@@FreebirdonTheGreatLoop Thanks Maureen. You were actually zigzagging around before heading northeast.
Is that because they have like a four day restriction at most of the marinas to keep the visiting boat traffic moving for maximum access throughout the season?
Gord