The word is out all over town that on Thursday evening Chris Doyal is going to answer that question. (You remember Chris. He was very helpful when I got into trouble trying to figure out underwater history once before.)
I recommend you come with me. We’re going to the Elk Rapids Historical Museum, at 301 Traverse Street at Pine, which used to be a church, but isn’t now. This is what it looks like, just in case you unaccountably decide to drive down on your own rather than coming along with me. You won’t have any trouble recognizing it.
OK, now we get to the important stuff about the program.
Chris Doyal presents
What’s in the Bay, Anyway?
Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm
There is more than sand, rocks, and fish in Grand Traverse Bay. Uncover clues to the past in a review of the Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve’s field work. Enjoy Chris Doyal’s overview of the many shipwrecks, cultural sites, and even a few surprises that are found under our local waters. Bring your curiosity and find out what’s really in the Bay!
(The Cowboy wishes to insert an unauthorized remark. He has observed that there are quantities of the following in the Bay: quagga mussels, ducks, gulls, swans, cladophera, and his own fur. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.)
The waters of the preserve contain shipwrecks from the 1800s up to the 1970s, historically significant cultural sites such as one of the oldest dock remains in Michigan, as well as fun dive sites like a 1970s Ford Pinto!
Doyal began diving in 2000 after snorkeling in Belize while on a fly fishing trip. His 20+ years as a commercial photographer made the transition to underwater photography inevitable. Since traveling to exotic destinations isn’t always possible, he has become well known as an underwater archaeology photographer while working on projects in the Great Lakes and Greece.
There is a $5 suggested donation for adults, which benefits the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society and the preservation of the museum. Kids are free, and you do not have to wear blaze orange to attend, even though the St. Venison’s Day holiday begins early Tuesday morning, and will likely continue on into the following weekend. So come to the museum. It should be safe in there. I don’t see how you can go wrong.
Torch Lake Views 
La Mirada Bob
November 15, 2011
Wow. I sure wish I had one of those transmigration machines so I could come to the event. I would especially enjoy the ride with you.
Gerry
November 15, 2011
Well, if you can transmigrate, I’ll be happy to cart you down to ER. I’m looking forward to Chris’s presentation. I think underwater archaeology and underwater photography both sound like an enormous amount of fun.
mayadogberst
November 15, 2011
I wanna go but can’t…. prior commitments. Oh well, sigh. Maybe next time.
Gerry
November 15, 2011
That’s OK. My brother-in-law is building a transmigration machine for my dad. We think we can get it to teleport him direct to the front lawn of the museum. Unless the Cowboy miscalculated.
Martha
November 15, 2011
I just love this post. I looked up Doyal’s website, too. I’m not going underwater myself, but I wonder who does underwater photography around NE WI? I’m looking into that now!