Bois Blanc Island - Dillinger's Hideout | Restless Viking

[@cjw648]

I miss going to Boblo Island. But i think we are talking about 2 different islands. Boblo Island by Detroit was a great summer escape for all of us when we were kids and teens. It was the closest adventure island to us. And it didn't cost an arm and a leg like Ceder Point. It's crazy how all of our parents would let us go all on our own. No parents, no adults watching us. We were dropped b off at boat launch in the morning and picked up at night. It was great.

[@jerryselleck9934]

If you reference Boblo Island, most of Michigan will think of Boblo Island, which is an old amusement park near Detroit, complete with ferry. The confusion seems to add to the charm of the island. You need to be local to understand it, and for those who aren't local, it will remain anonymous.

[@RestlessViking]

LOL. Many non-locals will argue with passion about it. And you are right, it certainly adds to the charm of the island.

[@gimme0dis0junk0mail]

and recently, the subject of a documentary film that chronicled the amusement park there and attempts to resuscitate the passenger ferries that used to supply it

[@davidmackie2901]

The Detroit River Boblo Island is also officially Bois Blanc.

[@edwardclark4317]

@@davidmackie2901Exactly why I’m here. I could not figure out how it was only 3 miles from Mackinac Island and how you get there via a Cheboygan ferry.

[@jimsteele9261]

I believe the amusement park BobLo is actually in Canada.

[@MSUSpartanFootball]

Spent lots of time hiking Bois Blanc as a child in the 70's. My parents would put our boat in at Indian River and we would make the trek up through Mullet Lake and eventually out into Lake Huron and over to Bois Blanc. Great memories.

[@alexgutierrez9286]

One of the boys in our family found that geocache and snagged that five dollar bill!!! He says thank you for that!

[@RestlessViking]

Nice. I know a few people are disappointed because it was gone. LOL.

[@jeanhanna4945]

My parents had a cabin up there for years and we would visit every summer - some of the best times of my life. What a wonderful tribute to a hidden treasure!

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks Jean. The island is a great place.

[@biggboss82]

My mom and dad use to own "the boat house restaurant" in the 90s on this island. This is the best place to be honestly. I have seen so many beautiful sights and been at peace during the day and night here

[@zacharyliles8657]

My grandparents built a house on the island in the 70s and I've been lucky enough to get to spend summers here since I was a baby. It's truly a magnificent gem that even most Michiganders have never heard of. Thanks for showing me parts of my second home that even I had never seen!

[@dkcoats]

I spent two days of a honeymoon on Bois Blanc in 1981 resulting in loads of memories which, sadly, outlasted the marriage. We stayed at the old hotel that burned down a few years later. The north side of the island boasts a lovely sand beach that goes on forever where we spent one entire day blissfully naked and never saw another soul. I’ve watched several videos about BB and find it curious that none of them, including yours, included footage of the feature that I have to assume gave the island its name: an actual bois blanc, or white forest - an immense stand of birches extending as far as the eye can see in any direction.

[@maijaliimatta296]

I love hearing about Boblo Island. It reminds me of my field trips from school there.

[@RussellMakes]

My wife and I are headed there soon for our anniversary. Now I'm extra excited! Thanks for sharing!

[@RestlessViking]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@JeffShappell]

Awesome adventure! Just wanted to add one comment , that one of the funnest things to see on the island are the snakes!! Along all the waters edges, wherever they might pop up are Banded (harmless) watersnakes. And some REALLY BIG ones, right at the Ferry "load" and "unload" sight. They are like the unofficial greeters in times of warm weather. Thanks for the added history info! Blessings, j

[@mortsims]

there are rattlesnakes there.

[@cherriecamilleri4022]

Thanks for taking us along.

[@normsweet1710]

Popping, “ bread will work “ sounds like where I grew up in Lenawee County. the only time we had buns was grocery day. With 7 boys a pack of buns didn’t go very far 😃. Thank You folks for where y’all visit and report on in the Wolverine”

[@zacharywalters8139]

Spent many hunting seasons over there in my teens! I went to High School in Cheboygan and my favorite practice flight while training was Cheboygan to Bois Blanc back and forth to work on landings. Nothing beat flying the Straits of Mackinaw when freighters were out and about, OR flying by the Mackinaw Bridge all lit up at night!

[@RestlessViking]

Probably the best place to learn to fly!

[@zacharywalters8139]

@@RestlessViking Couldn't agree more! 😆

[@jerryterrell4077]

@@zacharywalters8139 great place to learn how to do short field soft field take off in two feet of snow because i did it many times in my PA 28 .

[@tommyg5729]

pretty cool, you need a weekly show on PBS

[@melissareid640]

loved the old amusement park and remember it from my childhood, thank goodness for those memories.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

The amusement park of Boblo is not this island. This island is Bois Blanc near Mackinac Island and pronounced “Boblo”.

[@brianjohnson5144]

North end of the island there's a tombstone from the McRae family a buddy of mine family has a place on the island. I was fortunate enough to spend alot of time there growing up. Its been about 50 years since my first time I was there.

[@michellefarell5256]

We have a cottage in Cheboygan (technically Beaugrand Township) and see Bois Blanc across the straits and we are determined to visit this coming summer. You’ve given us inspiration!

[@richardbossler7379]

amazing and informative thanks for all the hard work and love in each episode

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidross5169]

What a informative vidio,love it,

[@xxrice]

I remember back in the 1960's the Detroit area travel TV program The 'George Pierrot Presents' show would have a commercial about buying real estate on Bois Blanc Island.

[@billsjapanlife8387]

That was a nice tour! Thank you. I grew up in MI but never made it to Bois Blanc (AKA: Boblo 😆)

[@Vbluevital]

Thanks for the tour and thank you Vincent.

[@penar4987]

I was stationed on the old cutter Mackinaw, that was a nice shot of the new buoy tender with the same name. I remember when we would pull out of Cheboygan I always wondered what was on that island.

[@virginiapaddler4857]

Great video!!! I purchased a small lot there and plan to camp on occasion. Your video helped a lot to get me familiar with the island layout.

[@Rattles02]

We went to BBI for 3 days back in 2010. It was a relaxing time for sure. We went to the old state park on the north side with a really neat view of Mackinac Island at night and popped the rooftop tent (yes, we had one way back then, haha). Met Sheriff Graham too but I believe it was his last summer on the island. He was quite a character! We trekked out to the lighthouse also. The owners were there for the first time for the season luckily. We talked to them a bit and they let us wander around. If I recall, there is a gravesite for one of the old lighkeepers there. Toured the museum too. Some cool stuff about the freighter Cedarville that sank nearby. Thanks for the video! I think you are in one of the FB offroad groups I am in. Been enjoying several of you and Poppins videos for sure.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks! We are in a couple of overland groups on FB, maybe we will see you on the trail.

[@Rattles02]

@@RestlessViking I go on Michigan Overland mostly. I've been overlanding for so many years I went back to just calling it car camping. Haha

[@kathycooper5225]

@@Rattles02Sheriff Graham Whipple is my dad. He indeed was sheriff on the island in 2010 but didn’t retire for another 5 yrs after that. Our family has had a cabin on the island since the 1930’s and we go up every summer. We’ve always pronounced it Boise Blanc.

[@Rattles02]

I really enjoyed talking with him. I remember him telling us about a few “liberties “ we could use on the island followed with a “Just don’t do anything stupid.” We happened to be up by the main south shore road later that day. Some young girls in a Chevy Tracker took a corner coming up to the road too fast and spun out. He looked over at us since we weren’t too far behind them and mouthed the words “Like that.” 😂

[@Rattles02]

One of the engineers where I work has had a cabin on the island for a while.

[@indivermike]

Wow easier to pronounce than I ever thought it would be! Great adventure

[@RestlessViking]

LOL. INDEED.

[@pattiscott5549]

Nice if you began with where you leave on the ferry from to get to the island. It helps to give a little more info in the beginning to keep us informed and interested on if it's even feasible to go to and help us to continue to watch. But thank you for all your work and interest in keeping Michigan alive !!!

[@josephrodwell6643]

We visited there in 2004. We took ATVs . Yep Kristen D was the ferry

[@windnwood]

Love Bois Blanc island! First visited in 1974 and have been many times since. Did you find the grave markers of some of the original inhabitants? The townsfolk won’t tell you where it is, but we found it years ago. Thanks again for taking us on your adventures!!

[@locoj7036]

This was a great way to start the day. Thank you

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for watching!

[@robjohnston5292]

Great job! I enjoyed the commentary. Come back again, there's plenty more to explore.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks Rob, I think we'll be back

[@2bigbufords]

Great video , tks for the tour

[@jodyrewa688]

I sure enjoyed meeting Vincent! Your grub made me hungry 😋. The lighthouse and marker were so cool! 😎🤓

[@Hexydes]

This was a really cool video, thanks for the tour. I've been to Mackinac a dozen times, but never Bois Blanc. I always wonder why the island hasn't developed out more, seems like there's a lot of potential, it's a very pretty location!

[@RestlessViking]

It is a great place with great views for sure!

[@monkeysbusiness]

Nice Jeep set up

[@caboogie]

This is magnificent! What a wonderful tribute. Please come back again.

[@larryblock7866]

That tin shingle at 20:16 in the video Bob at Charity island will tell you was designed to funnel rain water and condensation off the rooves and into sisterns.

[@Honkins]

Nice Rubicon!

[@tylerlanning4849]

"a geo-cache or a bomb" lmao I thought the same thing when I found one hiking. That or some kind of drug I shouldn't be touching. Was a little trippy at first. Crazy part is I found it on my birthday and the last person that found it in the log had also found it on my birthday. Crazy I forgot all about that til now lol. Thanks for the video and the memory trigger! xD

[@donnie-luv2fish]

Excellent video, I understand it is very remote, just one question other than tents. Is there any place to stay?

[@RestlessViking]

Yes. We actually stayed a night in a BnB - The Hide-a-Way and I think there are a couple of AirBnBs too.

[@davidmcallister9018]

Great video

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks!

[@tonytherf-mb3dg]

Great video. I enjoyed exploring with you guys. I just stumbled on your channel and subscribed. 👍

[@RestlessViking]

Welcome aboard!

[@cinzo7238]

Same! 😊

[@mrspock2al]

Several years ago, we attempted to tour the island by bicycle. Made it about half way before we had a tire go flat. Spent hours walking back until a friendly local gave us a pickup ride back to the ferry landing. We had lunch at a small restaurant then returned back to Cheboygan. Quite an adventure that we haven't forgotten. Never heard the Dillinger story.

[@darryljohnson3341]

We're planning a camping trip up there this spring. I like your rig! I have a 2018 JLU with a soft top, and I need to figure out some cargo add-ons.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks Man. I used to have one of those "exo skeleton racks" for overhead cargo. Pricey and they rusted after a few years. I am happy with the rear cargo rack on the gate, I just needed to upgrade to the stronger hinges. Cargo space is a premium in JLU/JKUs for sure. JLU has a little more I think.

[@Myself-tg2je]

🧰 That is one hell of nice camping chest.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks. Just a cheap Harbor Freight tool box. . On sale. Modified with a couple screwdrivers and hammer.

[@SadlyKaren]

Thanks for the tour.... I wonder if you can take a small tab trailer over on the ferry and camp.....

[@RestlessViking]

Yes you can. Just call Plant Transportation to reserve your spot with a trailer

[@SadlyKaren]

@@RestlessViking the k you for answering so fast!!!

[@mattshannon4578]

I have a place on Bob Lo and I know all of those spots very well. Only 1 question for you …. Did anyone warn you about the RATTLESNAKES !!!!! I cringed every time you stepped over something. Love your channel

[@ForkInTheRoad33]

Say hello to Mr bronkema for me

[@Jay_Hall]

Very nice, thanks! :)

[@RestlessViking]

Thank you too!

[@peterrudy766]

So This Video Is Three Years Old?! I Have So Much Catching Up To Do Of Your Past Work! Now Two Boblo Islands In Michigan? Who Knew!? Interesting Tidbit About The Mackinaw Island People Who Died From Contagious Diseases Being Buried On Bois Blanc. Must Be A Few Semi Mass Graves Hidden There From Past Epidemics I'll Bet. That 200 Year Old Survey Marker Was A Cool Thing To Find. You Know You Should Bring A Metal Detector With You. You Never Know What A Surveyor Would Drop Out Of His Pocket Or Pack 200 Years Ago! This Island Looks Like A Nifty Explore! And How Wonderful To Know All You Need To Be Is A Young Man With An All Terrain Vehicle To Score A Costar Role In Your Video! Hurrah! WOW! Another Great Video By My Two Favorite Explorers! Another Great Job You Two!!

[@RestlessViking]

You sir. . . are too kind.

[@tylerlanning4849]

Judging by the rivet style id say a ship is a safe guess.

[@656harnish]

Great video!

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks!

[@Alex-id9pt]

You mentioned that $5,000 to build the lighthouse years, and years ago as “Cheap”. Maybe you meant “inexpensive” relative to today’s standard. In the early 1900’s buildings were designed and built to greater standards than today. Like today’s quality in a Jeep (more creature comforts), versus a Willy (no creature comforts. Padded seats) in 1930.

[@RestlessViking]

Not at all. The first lighthouse had a shoddy foundation, weak mortar and crumbling brick reported right after it was built. It collapsed a few years later in a storm. So. . . It was cheap.

[@Alex-id9pt]

@@RestlessViking thank you for that. I stand corrected. Perhaps I missed a part in the video where you mentioned that. I will rewatch it.

[@RestlessViking]

Even then, cheap doesn't necessarily mean "low quality", unless the context suggests it. I'm not sure why cheap is a problem in this context. Compared to today's standards, that isn't a lot of money. Cheap often simply means it costs less that it is worth.

[@BigHarryBalzac]

From the title Bois Blanc Island, I thought the video was about Bois Blanc Island, Michigan, less than 7 miles east of the Mackinac Bridge. That's over 300 miles/500km north of Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, Canada, downriver from Detroit. I always thought that was called Boblo Island, but that was just the name of the amusement park that used to be there.Now I see that I was right, but I never heard Bois Blanc island, MI called Bob Lowe Island.

[@celtjim994]

I never realized that Boblo Island in the Detroit River, Canadian side, was spelled the same way.

[@brucevipond2222]

Sacrifice is a little known but greatly understood daily experience on a Bois Blanc.

[@caboogie]

There is actually a special rock on the island that only the islanders know about that is called money rock. The old folks leave money there and the young folks love to go find the prize. There is an story that goes with it, but will save it for another day. :-)

[@mattbarton2375]

Been to the big rock a hundred times....never saw a dime...unless there's another big rock...

[@caboogie]

@@mattbarton2375 You are not at the right rock ;-)

[@DblIre]

My former family doctor, when he was an intern at a Chicago hospital, pronounced Dillinger dead.

[@mattypriz]

So I enjoyed this video, but there is something in your video that you mentioned when calling the island Bois Blanc, you also called it Boblo island. So Boblo island is actually near Detroit, Michigan and is on the Canadian side of the Detroit river, the Island is also called Bois Blanc which is were the confusion may lay in

[@RestlessViking]

The islanders also call it Boblo and it does get confusing with the other island.

[@lazyrrr2411]

#mattypriz Ditto - No Detroit kid never heard of Bob-lo island amusement park in the lower Detroit River ... So which one is the "imposter" ⁉

[@dragonoide124]

@@lazyrrr2411 yeah not sure on which is the imposter, and some kids heard of it but don't know where it's at

[@mr9c1driver59]

Went to Boblo Island many times as a kid. What great times back in the 70's.

[@BigHarryBalzac]

It will only cost me $78 in gas to drive up there to get that $5 bill. I hope it's still there when I get there.

[@xrayman7040]

Those were some slightly boring sights on the big island. I wished you'd have spent some time where the locals hang out.

[@marthahayden6021]

We wish we could have met more locals, but it had been during COVID, so everything had been closed. -Poppins

[@jimcampbell3511]

Did anyone tell you that there are rattlesnakes on Bois Blanc Island?

[@mortsims]

you are 100 percent right about that.

[@natewilson111]

It's weird they aren't anywhere else in the U.P. tho

[@lynnschaeferle-zh4go]

I have lived by the waters in Michigan my whole life and never knew anything except where it was and I always thought that it was 2 separate islands. In a few years it will be tropical and like Hawaii. Today is Oct. 8 and still no frost. Fifty years ago the leaves would all be gone. Last week we had people in the lake. Oct. 3 1969 we had a snowstorm.

[@aheike35]

So they call that island boblo island also? Only boblo island I k ow is the one down near Detroit on the Canadian side also called Bois Blanc island. It's the one that had the amusement park and the boblo boats.

[@RestlessViking]

Many islanders do, but many Michiganders say, “boys blanc”. The French pronounced it “Bo blanc” - with a nasal sound.

[@charleshanks6186]

​@@RestlessVikinga

[@michaela1655]

lol....those little bottles you like are hilarious

[@RestlessViking]

😂🤣

[@nomadnorm]

Never heard it called bologna, that is near Detroit. I have been there in the winter crossed on the ice

[@privatepilot4064]

Could it also be Robert Lo?

[@incredibleindigowaters]

Im from Detroit and immediately knew how to say that. Lol

[@jcollesano]

It's Bois Blanc ("Boys Blank") but I get that there's a small population that insists on calling it "Bob-Lo"

[@monkeyhaters9258]

I drove up from Missouri to get that $5..? it cost me $200 in gas...🤦‍♂️👈💵

[@monkeyhaters9258]

You're welcome😬👍

[@RestlessViking]

😬Wait - seriously? You came from Missouri? You deserve a RV patch and sticker too. It was an adventure though wasn't it?

[@monkeyhaters9258]

@@RestlessViking Seriously ....!!😯 that was a joke 🎭and fuck the RV patch I need some kind of metal🏅👍✨

[@monkeyhaters9258]

@@RestlessViking Sorry about my Offset humor,, my psychiatrist said I should be more careful About my sense of humor..?🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️ It's a work in progress😬

[@RestlessViking]

@@monkeyhaters9258 🤣😂

[@ohnoohyeah3205]

16:53 Anyone else perceive the sun glare on the lake as a nightmare silent tsunami??

[@markthomas3730]

You should be metal detecting ...Dillenger stashed alot of loot there. Buried in mason jars.

[@georgesmith8113]

👍👍😎

[@dfischer6993]

I’m there right now. Like this comment so I remember this summer.

[@ForkInTheRoad33]

Say hello to Mr bronkema for me

[@secretsquirrel6257]

One of my uncle who used to go black bear hunting in the UP, called the island "Boise Blank" island, or that's what it sounded like to me.

[@nickolaibuck9301]

My grandparents had a cabin between cheboygan and Rogers city and I remember everyone up there including the locals pronouncing it Boise blank

[@melodeeplath8002]

Yes, I have always heard the pronunciation as "Boise Blanc". *** Boblo island is near Detroit

[@Acein3055]

Bois Blanc is pronounced Bwa Blonk in French. The 1800 English corruption is pronounced as Boblo and it stuck.

[@Powerplay86]

So where is that boiler at?

[@RestlessViking]

North side of the island. If you go to geocaching.com, it is listed there. You can use the map feature to locate it at McRae Bay.

[@Powerplay86]

@@RestlessVikinghey thanks for the reply! Next year I’d like to overland that island. The spot where the boiler is at looks to be a nice spot to make camp

[@RestlessViking]

@@Powerplay86 It is a great spot. I believe it was National Forest land too. But there are lots of places around the island for sure.

[@skippes_view]

you should have autographed the $5 bill then it really would have been worth looking for ..

[@RestlessViking]

LOL. Well, some might consider it only worth 4.94 then. 😉

[@mikeyoung5211]

Also in red

[@e.t7170]

i don't believe this is actually boblo island ,because boblo island that's by detroit on the detroit river also called bois blanc

[@RestlessViking]

Believe it or not, here's more than one Bois Blanc Island (both are often pronounced the same). It's kind of like the street, "Main St". Believe it or not, there are more than one in the State.

[@e.t7170]

@@RestlessViking true and that one is not boblo island the one in Detroit is

[@RestlessViking]

But it is. . .

[@kevinquist]

i ONLY take the path less traveled. I like being out where no one goes.

[@RestlessViking]

The best path to take!

[@andy_travis]

BWAH BLANC it's not difficult

[@billkaufman1726]

Jeep jeep

[@randymoore6063]

I have drove the Kristin D

[@joedaly2362]

That's a wad he's drawing on behind his gum there.

[@chrismarsh9978]

Those were not Hashbrowns those are American Fries !!! Hashbrowns are shreded !!!

[@mortsims]

i lived there long ago. the dillinger thing is a myth. if the people there didn't know you they would make something up. it was like the hatfields and macoys there. if you like nature it was nice. they have rattlesnakes. the winter totally sucks. you can not get back and forth when the ice is forming or breaking up. if you want an adventure go for a long weekend. i still have a picture of me on the first day of spring. it was 6 below zero.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

LOL. Thanks for sharing that info.

[@colleenhall1042]

You Were on Bois Blac Island, but you were over 500 miles north of Boblo island!

[@mortsims]

it's not 500, maybe 250.

[@thekrls1]

I’m a Yooper, and there’s no way I would ever had gotten Bah Blow Island from Bois Blanc, I always said Boys Blonk Island. lol

[@RestlessViking]

LOL. Agreed.

[@thekrls1]

@ awesome videos by the way! If your ever back in the UP, should check out Pictured Rocks near Munising, and Whitefish Point and Lighthouse with the Fitzgerald shipwreck. Also along Lake Michigan there is a ghost town of Historical State Park Fayette with some awesome history of the limestone cliffs and preserved buildings of the furnaces for smelting iron ore. I believe they still do horse and buggy tours as well. There’s so much more scenic adventures of the wilderness and some rich history with all the mining stuff, of which, I’ve learned by your video that we acquired the land as the compromise to the Toledo War. :)

[@RestlessViking]

@@thekrls1 All of those places are in our videos already! Most are with unique history. Here's, for example, is an interesting story from Fayette - kzbin.info/www/bejne/habQaKp6h76IqLMsi=4fgiFFBjn-ttTrer

[@thekrls1]

@ I did some across the video of Whitefish point! But awesome, I’ll definitely watch the Fayette one! Thanks and really enjoy the videos of your adventures!

[@RestlessViking]

@@thekrls1 Thanks, appreciate it!

[@tylerlanning4849]

lol someone left a vape and a used thc cart wtf

[@Heathh49008]

Huh.. until you freaked out over the single rnd of ammo, I didn't think you were a flake.

[@RestlessViking]

Freak out??? 😂🤣

[@markshuell3198]

*

[@AdrepKeith]

Emphasis on the wrong silable

[@phillipgarrow2297]

Charlevoix is often mispronounced

[@MissouriAdventures]

You pronounce Illinois without the S, why would Michiganders have such a hard time saying Bois Blanc? Makes zero sense.

[@catfart879]

Everywhere you go in Wisconsin people say , " oh, this is where Capone hid out, or dillenger stayed here . Who cares.

[@kingtut8381]

NO LIGHTHOUSE VANDALISM ? WOW. IS THAT RARE !!!!!!!

[@mortsims]

when i lived there people owned it and used it as a summer place. i had lunch with them there.

[@LittleOneSlaysThem]

Hope that wasn't the 1920 Prohibition Old Forrester 😬😂