Summering in Michigan 
Vacation Cruising on Lake and Stream 
“Happy is he who has lived well enough to get the 
most out of idling on a summer’s day—head in the lap 
of nature.”—Chas. Datchel in Morchester. 
Longing for a change of scenery, and being 
prone to explore waters and forests new, I made 
some inquiries of friends in regard to suitable 
places for a summering at resorts less frequented 
than where I had hitherto been in Michigan, and 
finally narrowed the scheme down to either the 
Manistique Lakes, of Northern Peninsula, or to 
Douglas Lake, in Cheboygan county, and the 
fact that my folding canvas boat Wanderer was 
in storage at Conway, on Crooked Lake, with 
water communication a good share of the way, 
finally decided me to choose the latter locality, 
and I opened correspondence securing accom¬ 
modations at James Bryant’s “Fisherman’s Hotel,” 
later known as the Douglas Lake House. 
Leaving Cincinnati on the evening of Aug. 5 
I was speedily whirled away by the flier, reach¬ 
ing Petoskey in the morning. This city of ordi¬ 
narily about 6,000 had this season, including the 
summer population of the city and its suburbs 
of Bayview and Wequetonsing, so delightfully 
located about Little Traverse Bay, an addition 
of over 15,000, and in August was practically 
overflowed so that many had to find accommo¬ 
dations elsewhere, and Conway, Oden, Walloon 
Lake, and Charlevoix all received a portion. 
This train ride about the bay to Harbor Springs 
and back ere it pursues its northward way is 
always full of interest, the changing waters bear¬ 
ing numerous sail and ferry boats and many 
launches and rowboats in gala attire form a 
pleasing picture of which one never tires, while 
the immense number of handsome summer cot¬ 
tages about the shores represent wealth and fash¬ 
ion from various cities settled for a season of 
thorough enjoyment. 
At Round Lake the Oj ibway Indian encampment, 
known as Wayagamug, and giving their interest¬ 
ing representation of Hiawatha, has added to 
their attractions, and drew large crowds to their 
performances, and many took advantage of the 
opportunity to make canoe trips with the Indian 
paddlers through the outlet of Round into 
Crooked Lake and thence into Minnehaha River 
and other points of interest. At Conway, just 
beyond, I found the New Conway Inn had been 
erected as predicted last year, and was a very 
attractive resort. Remaining there part of two 
By J. S. WHITAKER 
days, visiting old acquaintances about the lake, 
I started Aug. 6, and with my belongings snugly 
packed in the Wanderer pulled through Crooked 
Lake past Oden and Ponshawaing, active with 
summer life, and down the tortuous windings of 
Crooked River, passing the excursion steamer 
Topinabee midway, and reaching Burt Lake in 
good time rowed over into Maple Bay, landing 
at the dock of Mr. John McGinn at 6 P. M. 
having made the pull of fifteen miles in four and 
one-half hours, but as it was the first of the 
season I felt somewhat fatigued. Having ar¬ 
ranged with Mr. McGinn to haul me across to 
Douglas Lake I bantered him for supper, lodg¬ 
ing and breakfast, as I was not in suitable array 
to tackle the fashionable Colonial Hotel. He took 
me to his commodious home, and introducng 
me to his family honored me by breaking their 
rule and taking me in. 
After supper I was glad to avail myself of an op¬ 
portunity to stretch my legs and accompanied my 
host over his large farm, comprising the most of In¬ 
dian Point, and enjoying the outlook. After a pleas¬ 
ant evening and a good night’s rest and refreshing 
breakfast we finally loaded up and started on the 
overland trip northward toward Douglas Lake. 
I was told that the big Colonial was well filled 
with guests, and that Sager’s Buckeye House, on 
the southerly shore of Burt Lake, had as many 
as they could accommodate, and that crowds 
were at Columbus Beach and Pittsburgh Land¬ 
ing club resorts further down in the vicinity of 
Indian River. Burt is a very attractive lake and 
furnishes good fishing for many people, but on 
account of its size gets quite rough during high 
winds and therefore is not so pleasant for boat- 
inf with small craft. 
The trip of six miles across the country was 
interesting. During the first few miles we passed 
an occasional small farm occupied by Indians 
whose women add to their income by making 
and selling to the resorters baskets of fine de¬ 
signs and workmanship and ornamented in colors 
and with the fragrant sweet grass that is found 
near the vicinity. Then as we came on to the 
fire-swept and sandy plains all was desolate, but 
an occasional view of the north arm of Burt 
Lake from an eminence was pleasant and re¬ 
freshing, until finally bearing somewhat west 
from north we entered the “valley road” and 
shortly thereafter came to our destination, the 
Douglas Lake House near the center of the west¬ 
erly shore in a beautiful bay, and were welcom 
by mine host Bryant. 
I was charmed at the first glance I had 
Douglas Lake, situated as it is in the heart 
a dense forest, and about two and one-half mil 
by five miles in extent, with several deep ba 
with sandy beaches, prominent points, and 
beautiful long and narrow island heavily wood 
that, beginning opposite a handsome wood 
point a short distance north from the hot 
extends easterly and then bends northward un 
it has stretched out over three-quarters of 
mile and is in no place over twenty-five ro 
in width. Its northern end is quite elevated a- 
commands a very fine view of each section 
the lake. A well defined trail winds throughc 
the island and is a most attractive walk. Up' 
the northerly third are located three cottag 
owned by officials of the railroad who have c 
cupied them for many seasons. On the bay sou 
and east from the hotel are located a few neat cc 
tages, notably those of Col. Bogardus, Mr. Zi 
Gen. McKee, and Mr. Emmons, while sevei 
tents sheltered a number of families from Pe 
ston, the postoffice and railroad town five mil 
east, and the nearest from which to reach tl 
portion of the lake. On the opposite shore 
the lake are located the Ingleside and New Don 
las hotels, as also a few cottages reached frc 
the station at Levering, although John Brya 
of the New Douglas, has a commodious laun 
to meet guests who prefer to come in from Pe 
ston. He also conveys parties on a tour abc 
the lake at a moderate charge, and the trip 
an enjoyable one. Beyond the Bogardus poi 
and Emmons cottage is a pretty bay in the cent 
of which is a favorite fishing resort known 
the Black Hole at which boats can be seen eve 
day, and beyond this around a prominent poi 
is Bogardus Bay still larger. Then comes Sto 
Point, a bass ground, beyond which is pret 
Grapevine Bay, whose hiph woodlands contin 
about Grapevine Point; which is the most pron 
nent in the lake, after passing which a sharp tu 
to the south brings one into the deep bay so w 
known as the South Fishtail, quite the favon 
bass ground and covering much area; wh 
opposite, and of equal extent, is the North Fis 
tail, also a famous fishing place. The point opp 
site Grapevine, that separates North Fishtail B 
from the main water, is known as Schemmt 
home, and is quite pretty. From this poi 
