America's Inland Seas

Here's a nice article entitled American Profile: America's Inland Seas. The article covers a lot of ground. Here are a few excerpts:

“It’s something a lot of people don’t even know exists,” [Capt. Kevin Fitch of the S.S. Badger, the huge ferryboat that crosses Lake Michigan daily] says. “I’ve got cousins in Montana who, years ago, couldn’t believe that you couldn’t see across a lake. People come on the boat and can’t believe they’re out of sight of land.” ... the gargantuan Great Lakes—five massive freshwater receptacles covering 94,000 square miles (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire combined could fit in the Great Lakes), bordering on eight states and Canada: the third largest source of freshwater in the world behind the polar ice caps and Siberia’s Lake Baikal. Yet, many people don’t grasp their enormity.

Presenting that symbiotic union, through the magnificence of the Great Lakes’ attractions, to potential visitors from around the world is the job of William Anderson, director of Michigan’s Department of History, Arts & Libraries. As part of his job, Anderson is putting together driving tours linking all of the state’s maritime assets—lighthouses, underwater preserves, maritime museums, historic vessels, fish hatcheries, cruises, and the visual and performing arts rich in maritime music, stories and lore.

“You know, we covet waterfront property,” Anderson says. “It’s the most expensive real estate. In most places, it’s all developed—built up with condos, marinas and so forth. To go there, you’re almost intruding. It’s somewhat exclusive. But when I walk out there, to the big point—the Big Sable Lighthouse—I become the wealthiest person in the world. Because, it’s my world, my terrain, my vista and my experience. And I don’t have to ask anybody’s permission.

“That’s our place. That’s your place.”

Read the whole article.