Babs has been out and about on the West Bay and on Torch Lake messing about with boats. She writes:
This is a big boat weekend in Northern Michigan, with two major events.
The Michigan Schooner Festival was held in Traverse City. Pictured below are (from left to right) The Madeline, the armed sloop Welcome and The Manitou out on the West Bay. The Welcome was making lots of noise and smoke, but I assume was not shooting. I’ve put more pictures from the Festival on Flickr.
Meanwhile, the Torch Lake Yacht Club hosted the 2011 E-Scow Nationals. It was a beautiful weekend for sailing and offered lots of good photo ops. I borrowed my neighbor’s boat and went down on Saturday. There are a bunch more photos from E-Scow on Flickr, too. That set is here.
Torch Lake Views 
katherine
September 11, 2011
COOL Photos! Were you on land or water when you took the schooner photos? I didn’t even know about it (either one). Guess I’m gonna have to pay attention 🙂
Babs Young
September 12, 2011
I was on land when I took the Schooner pictures (at the Maritime Academy) and in a boat for the E Scows.
jeanie
September 12, 2011
Simply delighted to be introduced to your blog from Shoreacres. I’m from Lansing, but spend as much time as possible in Gaylord and my squeeze has old Torch Lake connections, so I’m delighted to discover all your fun links as well as juicy posts! Cheers!
Gerry
September 12, 2011
Wuff! “Cheers” here in Michigan–in Lansing yet! Things have definitely changed from my student days. I am glad you find things to enjoy here. One day I’ll have to make a little road trip and do a post about Elmira potatoes and the Sugar Bowl in Gaylord.
Joss
September 13, 2011
I love that first picture, so I’ve put it as my new desktop. The messy icons are all in the sea so the main image isn’t spoiled. I love the way the gables of that white building in the centre of the composition echo the peaks of the sails, and yet look totally incongruous. it makes the whole thing more of an abstract design than depiction of a desperate sea battle. Fantastic.
Gerry
September 13, 2011
Now that is high praise indeed. I loved the photo, too, with the rich colors looking for all the world like a 19th-century painting. No more desperate sea battles on the Great Lakes, though. There’s an advance in the lives of nations.
Babs Young
September 13, 2011
Thanks for the kind words. It’s always nice and enlightening to hear an articulate description of your work. It tells me things I saw but didn’t put words to describe. Thanks and yes, Gerry it is also nice to know that Traverse City is not under attach from The Welcome.
Scott Thomas Photography
September 14, 2011
Those ships are making me look forward to next year’s visit to Oswego (NY) of tall ships, Babs. 100th anniversary of the War of 1812, you know? The racing yacht photo has great color and excitement about it.
isathreadsoflife
September 18, 2011
Superb pictures ! The first one is a sight one cannot see on our lakes in the Alps ! I went to Babs’ photostream on Flickr, many more excellent shots of this great event. Thanks to both for sharing it with us.
Gerry
September 18, 2011
Hi Scott, Isa – Thank you for the nice comments. I’m glad you enjoyed the ships and sailboats. The Great Lakes were a very important part of the War of 1812. I have to plan some posts about the war along the Detroit River.