WHY DO YOU THINK THEY'RE CALLED "GREAT" LAKES? Part Three, Lake Huron

Welcome to Michigan's "Sunrise Side"––The shores of Lake Huron. Much quieter and just a teensy bit nicer than the heavily traveled shores of Lake Michigan––Lake Huron is where you go for true relaxation. Walk its sandy beaches for miles, enjoy a bonfire on the beach, and it begins to feel as if you have its entire 3,827 miles of coastline to yourself.

The residents like it this way, so I'd appreciate you not telling anyone about this gem of a Great Lake, please. : )

The early French explorers called this body of water La Mer Douce or Fresh Water Sea, though it was called "Lac des Hurons" on their early maps. It is 183 miles from the Michigan shore to the Canadian side. Huron carries the waters of Superior and Michigan, from the Straits of Mackinac, 206 miles south, where it suddenly narrows into the St. Clair River at Port Huron Michigan (a great place for ship watching). From there it flows into beautiful Lake St. Clair, then into the Detroit River and on into Lake Erie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Huron

Lake Huron

I could mention where this is. But then everyone would know 

Under the Blue Water Bridge to Canada, ships enter the St. Clair River at Port Huron

Lake St. Clair boat traffic for Detroit's 300th Anniversary July 2001

Sharing the channel on Lake St. Clair

On into Lake Erie

Vivian : )

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE CALLED "GREAT" LAKES? Part Two, Lake Michigan

Thanks to Dave Herholz for this photo of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline

Once again a Frenchman is credited with discovering a Great Lake. Searching for a "South Sea" to the Far East Jean Nicolet left Quebec in July of 1634 with seven Hurons paddling canoes. Lake Michigan must have seemed like an ocean to Jean, because by the time he arrived in Green Bay Wisconsin that Autumn he was convinced he was about to meet some exotic Far Eastern peoples. Trying to make an impression he dawned flowing robes and announced himself by firing pistols into the air ... but all he did was frighten a few members of the native Indian tribes. 

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/history/1600s_1700s.html

Today, twelve million people live along Lake Michigan's 1600 miles of shoreline. Because of it's many sandy beaches it's often call the nation's "third coast", attracting millions more tourists every summer. 

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/greatlk.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_michigan

Noted for vibrant sunsets, spectacular sand dunes, and the City of Chicago––Michigan is perhaps the most well known of the five Great Lakes. Stretching from the Straits of Mackinac at the tip of Michigan's mitten, more than three hundred miles south to Chicago Illinois, it is the only Great Lake contained entirely within US borders. Four states line its shores, including Wisconsin and Indiana.

Sunset at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes Michigan. Thanks to the National Park Service

Portage Indiana, Lake Michigan Shoreline

The ferry boat SS Badger departing Manitowoc Wisconsin for the 118 mile trip to Michigan

Thanks to Madmaxmarchhare@en.wikipedia

Even a colorful character like Jean Nicolet would be awed by the lake he discovered. 

Vivian