Grand Traverse Island Chain Summer Solstice Excursion

Join us for a rare opportunity to explore the Niagara Escarpment from the waters of Lake Michigan as you view the ancient shorelines of the Grand Traverse Island Chain. Named by early French voyageurs paddling between peninsulas, they are also known as the Potawatomi Islands.

Monuments to our maritime history command their shores, including Native American archaeological sites, five nineteenth-century lighthouses, numerous shipwrecks, the great estate of Chester Thordarson, and the last remaining Duluth-style U.S. Life Saving Service station on the Great Lakes.

These twenty islands are part of the vast Niagara Escarpment and bridge the northern portion of Door County to the Upper Michigan's Garden Peninsula. An unprecedented view will be offered of the Niagara Escarpment’s impressive cliffs, in both Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The tour destination is a long lunch (included with the tour) stopover at Fayette State Park, where we’ll be greeted by docents for a tour of the historic village and harbor. A short walk will also allow you to explore the rugged beach below the Escarpment’s dazzling cliff faces (sturdy shoes required).

This will be an experience not to miss from the deck of the “The Shoreline”, a 32-foot tour boat operated by the Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands and piloted by a licensed Captain and crew who will offer bits of maritime history. NERN will provide two expert guides, Dr. Don Mikulic and Bob Bultman, who will share the story of the island chain’s geology and ecology. A drive-by of Washington, Plum, Pilot, Rock, St. Martin, and Little Summer Islands are planned along this 70-mile roundtrip journey, and may include others if time and conditions permit.

Tour leaves Gills Rock at 8:00 a.m. and returns approx. 4:00 p.m. Lunch and beverages provided. Only 10 spots available - first come first served. Register for this special fundraising trip now for only $350 per person. Rain date is Sunday, June 21st. No refunds unless trip cancelled by NERN. More details at www.wiledge.org. Ticket sales end on June 14th.