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Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 1:10 PM

DAY TRIP DESTINATION: LES CHENEAUX

Only thirty miles northeast of St. Ignace the 36-island archipelago of Les Cheneaux is home to some of the area’s newest educational and cultural opportunities, and a world famous antique boat show
LES CHENEAUX CULINARY SCHOOL 
86 S Pickford Avenue, Hessel | www.lcculinary.org 

The Les Cheneaux Culinary School is located in the heart of the quaint village of Hessel. The 5,000 square-foot facility features a state-of-the art kitchen and a breathtaking, boathousethemed dining room and deck to accommodate eighty-plus guests, as well as a unique indoor/outdoor bar designed to service patrons in all seasons.

Open June to September 2021 

For seating times, or to make reservations, please call ahead or visit them online at the website listed above.

 

GREAT LAKES BOAT BUILDING SCHOOL 
485 S. Meridian Street, Cedarville | glbbs.edu 

Great Lakes Boat Building School is housed in an impressive 12,000 square-foot waterfront facility, east of the Mackinac Bridge along the northern shore of Lake Huron in the Les Cheneaux Islands. These thirty-six islands provide sheltered channels and bays within the Straits of Mackinac – a historic harbor area for boaters and explorers. GLBBS began in 2006, opened for classes in 2007, introduced Summer Workshops in 2008, and the Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program for 2nd-year students was initiated in 2010. Schedule a tour of GLBBS by calling 906-484-1081.

 
HESSEL SCHOOL HOUSE 
3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel | www.hesselschoolhouse.net 

The Hessel School House and Avery Arts and Nature Learning Center as the centerpiece of the Les Cheneaux Islands community for the purpose of ensuring the continued vitality and prosperity of the area and its residents. The Hessel School House was built in 1937 through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and operated as a school until 1959. A variety of classes and events are held at the Hessel School House throughout the year, and the building is available to rent for special occasions. Les Cheneaux Farmers & Artisans Market is Open 10am-2pm every Sunday through September at the Hessel School House.

 
ANTIQUE & WOODEN BOAT SHOW 
August 14, 2021 | Hessel | lciboatshow.com 

The Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show has been a major attraction since it began in 1978 and it continues to improve every year. Two seasonal residents of the Islands, Chuck Letts and Ken Horsburgh, each had beautiful antique wooden boats and felt there were more boats from early 1900 through the 1930s still used in the Islands than anywhere else because of the cold water and short boating season. Mertaugh Boat Works, which is included at the eastern end of the boat show, had the first Chris-Craft franchise in the United States and continues to thrive.

 
MARQUETTE ISLAND PRESERVES 
Marquette Island | landtrust.org 

Aldo Leopold, Sheppard-Hardy, and Catherine Seiberling Stewart Preserves have nearly 5 miles of Lake Huron frontage combined. In 1993, the northern shore of Lake Huron was designated a “Last Great Place” by The Nature Conservancy, a global leader in natural land conservation. The Les Cheneaux region is at the very heart of this natural wonder of the world. Accessible only by boat (or over the ice in winter) with the most comfortable access to the Aldo Leopold Preserve through Leopold Landing at Duck Bay. Trail signs are found for a roughly 1.25 mile trail loop close to Duck Bay. Old two tracks are available to take you further into the island, however, trails are not regularly maintained. Launch your boat from either Hessel or Cedarville to reach Marquette Island.

 
SNOWS HERITAGE PARK 
207 N. Blindline Road, Cedarville 

The Snows Heritage Park offers two softball fields, four horseshoe pits, tennis courts, playground and a covered pavilion with picnic tables and an outdoor BBQ. A great walking trail at the park makes this a perfect family friendly spot. Efforts are underway to add to the park and renovate restroom facilities.

 

DAY TRIP DESTINATION: DETOUR/DRUMMOND ISLAND

Located on scenic M-134, the eastern tip of Chippewa County Just 55 miles northeast of St. Ignace, this is a quiet little yearround village nestled on the western shore of the St. Mary's River, where this majestically blue waterway escorts freighters, and private vessels alike, navigating them from the chilly waters of Lake Superior into the wandering waters of our lower Great Lakes. The beauty of the eastern upper peninsula is ever present, from the tidy state marina beckoning boaters from the north channel, to the inland fishing lake on the back side of town. Plenty of opportunities for swimming at beaches, biking, hiking, golfing, diving, kayaking and more.

Drummmond Island: Located 66 miles away via M-134 & a ferry ride from St. Ignace 

Dubbed the "Gem of the Huron" Drummond Island is famous for both its outdoor pursuits and pristine beauty. Over 100 miles of ATV and ORV trails, the Heritage Water Trail around the island, or scuba dive to view multiple shipwrecks. Discover the wild side of the island by birdwatching, hunt for whitetail deer, bear, and small game, or fish for pike, perch, and walleye. Take a walk on the beach, soak in the sun, explore their Historical Museum and so much more.

Make sure to gas up before you head out onto the road and pack water, snacks, and clothing for all temperatures! Get out and explore the EUP!

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