Kayaking from Rockport to the North

[@Justfollowthecrumbs]

That was lovely, so serene, just what’s needed in these strange and desperate times. The colour of the water and those beautiful rocks takes my breath away, thank you for a wonderful trip in my armchair. Portsmouth 🇬🇧

[@MichiganRocks]

Next time, grab a broom and you can paddle along with me. My seat probably as comfortable as your armchair though.

[@SapphireMoon962]

So clear, peaceful. Rocks are beautiful. This was so therapeutic. Water just had a rhythmic, calming effect. I saved this video.

[@MichiganRocks]

My wife had to stop watching it because she was about to throw up. I like your reaction much better.

[@SapphireMoon962]

😂

[@juliesnider7556]

Isn't it great, first time out after a Michigan winter. Lovely video.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yep, I raked out a garden today and that was a thrill too.

[@juliesnider7556]

Oh I wish. Still buried under ice and snow in the UP.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@juliesnider7556 We had a little snow in the woods behind the house just yesterday or the day before. Today I noticed that it's all gone. Happy day!

[@jshilohshea381]

nice work out nice scenery..n whoa ! that's a huge puddingstone ! thanks for taking us along !! be happy be safe be healthy !

[@MichiganRocks]

So far, we're staying happy, safe, and healthy. You do the same, ok?

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

That was a beautiful trip. Clear water, pretty rocks, interesting snow features, and a little bit of excitement! Thanks for taking us along.

[@MichiganRocks]

Turns out there was nothing to be excited about this time, but that ice is powerful. I grew up on an inland lake near here. The ice usually piled up on the other side of the lake, but one time it blew onto our beach. We were just finishing up dinner when we heard a sound outside. We went out to watch the ice piling up on the beach. When a sheet of ice blows across the lake, it has a LOT of momentum. It's slow, but powerful. Every year, docks and hoists would get mangled if they weren't pulled far enough away from the lake.

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

@@MichiganRocks Water in all its forms is something to be respected. Sometimes people don't realize that and then there's trouble. You were wise to be cautious.

[@davidhile5363]

Michigan Rocks Some guy happened to catch that on video about a year ago. I think it was in New York. It was incredible!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@davidhile5363 It's one thing to see the ice all piled up after it's over, but to see it in motion is a whole different thing.

[@sherryjohnson4090]

Absolutely stunning! Thank you for another great adventure. I’m so grateful to have found this channel. Peace to you and your family.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you found it too. Peace right back at you!

[@heatherm2324]

Love your trip. Our water up her in the north is still covered in snow and ice. So soothing to listen to the water. Thanks Heather

[@MichiganRocks]

After a winter of snow and ice, it's always good to get back on the water. You should be melting out soon.

[@Abpgsetiloincawdyubkolmbrs]

The water is so clear! Such beautiful rocks! Thanks

[@MichiganRocks]

It'a a really pretty place. It was a beautiful day for a ride.

[@AgateDad]

Really enjoyed the kayak ride and loved how calm it was, really enjoyed it! Would love to see more! And huge puddingstones, dang!!

[@MichiganRocks]

Next time it's calm and not completely cloudy, I'm going to get some more video. I really enjoyed that day.

[@patriciahartless2095]

Thanks for taking me on your video tour. I love rocks. The water is so clear. You and family stay well and safe.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, you stay safe too. I feel pretty safe in the kayak. No germs out there.

[@malinda8668]

Thank you for the wonderful kayak ride across the beautiful, clear water. Very enjoyable.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@thinkcivil1627]

I learned the hard way that you must be aware of wind changes this time of year when the pack ice is still thick and near shore. About 30 years ago, we were paying too much attention to the fishing and we ended up having to take out at another harbor about 20 miles West. The pack ice blew in between us and the harbor and our only option was to take a long boat ride and hitch our way back to the truck and trailer at the port where we put in. Lesson learned. Keep an eye out for deadhead logs this time of year as well. Especially on a calm day when the waves are not bobbing an end up and down on the surface. They can be very dangerous. For people with recreational boats, keep your head on a swivel and slow down this time of year on the Great Lakes.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm pretty cautious about going out on the big lake any time of the year. I knew that there was still ice some places on the Great Lakes, but it looked good here. I don't think the ice was really moving. As soon as I started paddling away I could tell that it was either moving slow or not at all. It's really remote, thick swamp for the approximately four miles I had paddled. For a minute, I considered taking the boat out where I was because I was close to a place called Besser Natural Area. I could have called my wife and had her drive me back to the car with the kayak rack, basically what you did by going to the other harbor.

[@thinkcivil1627]

@@MichiganRocks A buddy and I were chasing cohos about 20 years ago on Superior in April. It was the maiden voyage for his new boat and the lake was flat calm. We ended up several miles away from the harbor and he wanted to make sure that everything was working on the boat. On the way back to the harbor, he pushed it a little bit and we hit a large tree that had been just under the surface. Deadheads float vertically and it hit on the passenger side, but luckily it was more of a glancing blow. When we loaded the boat back at the ramp, there was dent large enough for a softball to fit in. It was an aluminium boat with a double hull, so the damage was fixed (as best as they could) at the dealership. But, it still had the scar when he sold it a few years ago. I know you are very careful, so I tell these stories for the safety of others. Right after ice out is when smaller boats can fish in shallow water where the fish are chasing the smelt. It's a good reminder for me as well. Take care and thank you for the great videos. You are a good teacher and I've learned the names of some of the other minerals that I find when looking for agates and jasper.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@thinkcivil1627 There's not too much danger in a kayak, but I did run up onto a couple rocks when I wasn't paying attention. I used to duck hunt a lot with a friend of mine. We were hunting in a place called Fletcher Floodwaters, which is a shallow lake that was formed by damming a river. There are stumps and logs everywhere. I was pretty nervous when he was running his 14 foot boat pretty fast through there in late fall in the dark. We just sort of bounced off a few logs along the way. I'm not sure how the motor survived.

[@AgateDad]

Its Poseidon!! Okay I'll keep watching lol great beard sir!

[@MichiganRocks]

I hope not!

[@wyomingadventures]

Wow all those big pudding stones! I really liked the first rock and the last fossil rock was amazing! What a great way to spend the day. Love the kayak on the water. You sure have a beautiful lake there Rob.

[@MichiganRocks]

I've never gone kayaking this early with ice still around. Having this channel has gotten me out more often pushing myself to do things I wouldn't have normally done.

[@themobleys]

Its so beautiful out there. Nice calm water makes for great kayaking!

[@MichiganRocks]

It sure does. I watch the weather pretty closely and try to get out on calm days. I paddled into a light wind on the way back.

[@mary-anneswanson9931]

Another wonderful video :) The sound of the water and the paddle going through it nearly put me to sleep:) That is a good thing by the way as I have been very anxious today . Once again thank you for a very relaxing beautiful trip on the lake and along the shore :) I'm glad you can get out and away from all the hub-bub the virus is causing. If I didn't have my cats , I'd be tempted to go out to my brother's place. It's about a mile walk down to the lake-shore from there and has a very tiny populous . Take care :)

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad it relaxed you. It sure relaxed me.

[@weeu1]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful blue sky day. Perfect weather, clear water, a lot of fossilized rocks. Snow and ice piled up on the shoreline. What else can one ask for? I've always dreamed of seeing the great lakes. So vast and unexplored in a lot of areas. You make it possible for me to live that dream , I wouldn't get to experience otherwise.

[@MichiganRocks]

The only thing in that list that I could ask for is the snow and ice to go away. It finally has, so it would be even better there now. Snow is fun for a while, but it tends to hang on a bit too long around here.

[@christopher-tipstrumleslie6307]

I guess if I lived up that way, I'd drive around with a trunk full of rocks. Nothing is better for immune systems than fresh air and sunshine. It's nice that mother nature started the tumbling long ago with melting glaciers. The water is so clear and clean. Snow on the beach, I was wondering about the gloves. Whenever I want to clear my mind, I come to this station. Great show Michigan!

[@MichiganRocks]

You'd get better traction in the winter with your trunk full of rocks (assuming you have rear wheel drive, I guess).

[@charlottesayles]

That water is so clear!! I love it!

[@MichiganRocks]

It really is!

[@susanmarkleyschmitt1314]

Just want to Thank you for the lovely trip on Lake Michigan. Your rocks are so interesting. I live in California. Most rocks I see and get are in the desert. But again Thank you very much. Sure enjoyed that trip.

[@deannahext]

Susan MarkleySchmitt Thats on Lake Huron. We call it the sunrise side.

[@MichiganRocks]

I think it's fun to see how people in other parts of the world collect rocks. For a lot of people, it means going to the desert. My experience is about as different from that as you can get. By the way, I have never done a video on Lake Michigan. This is Lake Huron, on the east side of the state of Michigan. I also have some videos from Lake Superior.

[@MichiganRocks]

Oops, I missed your comment Hoppe's 9. Thanks for clarifying which lake this is.

[@Larastranquiltortoises]

Just found your channel, that was lovely. With the sounds of you walking through the water and kayaking it was so calming, I closed my eyes and thought I was there! Great rocks as well!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. There are plenty more with the sound of waves if you have trouble sleeping on other nights.

[@elizabethharttley4073]

Once again you've given the perfect glimpse of the shore. Rocks doing what rocks do best. I appreciate the uploads even more nowadays. Peace

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you liked it. Peace to you too!

[@susanmatako8469]

You weren't kidding about paddling fast. Your a true Olympian. Loved the adventure, very tranquil just what I like.😁

[@MichiganRocks]

Not bad for skinny math teacher arms, huh?

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

Mother Nature sure can make some cool things out of snow and ice. That water is so clear. Looked like a nice ride. That death plate rock was awesome and huge. Was fun to watch. Great video

[@MichiganRocks]

There are some really cool fossils at Rockport. The snow and ice just added to the fun things to see there.

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

That water is so amazingly clear but I bet achingly cold. I would have happily have kept that small petoskey Stone. Not too many of them in eastern Ontario! That orange striped stone was beautiful! Not sure what it is, but stunning. I loved the hyper speed paddle back! I want that fossil so much. Another strumming piece, sigh....

[@MichiganRocks]

The water wasn't bad with waders. Somehow, I stay pretty warm. That Petoskey was pretty nice, but I have plenty. I didn't bring a single rock home.

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

Michigan Rocks I had guessed that you held off acquiring any. I am just envious of your ability to find some of the rocks, especially the petoskey stones. Just nothing like those around here. I love fossils etc. I once brought a rock home from a trip to Chautauqua , NY that I had found. I was doing the kid thing of flipping over rocks by the edge of a stream and saw that it had fossil shell impressions in it. I brought it home after that trip and my parents were so impressed with it. My love of rocks and fossils was set after that experience when I was about 8 years old. It hasn’t abated now that I am 56! lol

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

Nice to get the kayak out. Oh my that pudding stone was amazing at 3:55 ! This was so relaxing to watch. Love the crinoid stem fossil at the end, it was truly amazing !! Enjoyed much :)

[@MichiganRocks]

I find crinoid stems and I find coral fossils in black matrix like that, but I never found one with both together.

[@gator83261]

We would pick up crinoid fossils at my grandparents farm in Kentucky along the creek. We thought they were fossilized plants, I still have a handful of them :)

[@MichiganRocks]

@@gator83261 My daughter made a bracelet out of the discs. She's married now and I think she still has it.

[@martinl.7949]

Nice place and well made. I enjoyed it, thank you.

[@MichiganRocks]

The place was well made? That's God's work. He does good work.

[@martinl.7949]

Sorry I meant the video was well made. Sorry for my bad english sir.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@martinl.7949 Thanks! No need to apologize about your English. I only know one language, so I can't criticize.

[@chuckkowalski6360]

Great video and tour along Rockport shoreline. Thanks for sharing

[@chuckkowalski6360]

Good place for social distancing during these tough times...

[@MichiganRocks]

That's what I was thinking. Seemed to work.

[@LadyYoop]

Way cool cruise! Thank you for the adventure! I'm out of breath..what a ride!!

[@lindaburkett8943]

such clear water

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes it is. I like it that way. I'm always surprised at how muddy the water is in the south, at least the places I've been.

[@SouthernOntarioSasquatch]

Aaaaah, LOVED THIS! So refreshing, peaceful......what a beautiful day for you to get out. I was mesmerized looking at all the rocks you were paddling over. Thank you for taking us along on your journey. Take care, and I hope you and your family stay healthy and strong. And, that fossil at the end was pretty epic. :)

[@MichiganRocks]

So far, we've avoided the bug. And being cold outside, there were no bugs on my kayak ride.

[@markreetz1001]

Who could wear a necklace that heavy? lol! That is about the coolest fossil I've ever seen. I still think it looks like the bottom of a desk drawer!

[@MichiganRocks]

I thought the same thing after I said I'd like to make a necklace out of it. What I should have said is, "I'd like to make 783 necklaces out of it. But that seems like a lot of work.

[@markreetz1001]

@@MichiganRocks Or "I'd like to make some necklaces out of that."

[@MichiganRocks]

@@markreetz1001 well, sure I suppose that would work. :)

[@deniseview4253]

This spot looks like a "happy place" my sisters and I would enjoy. The sound of the water ad it went under the ice on the beach. Thank you for sharing. Glad your safe! To bad that fossil was so big. That was cool to see.

[@MichiganRocks]

You and your sisters should make a road trip!

[@deniseview4253]

Michigan Rocks We would love to make a road trip. Maybe when we do our sister time. Hoping that will be this summer.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@deniseview4253 I have (had) a lot of trips planned too. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[@travissmith9488]

Love the views! Adding to my kayak list!

[@MichiganRocks]

I wondered how long it was going to take you to comment. Next time, I'm going to try to paddle to at least Morris Bay. It's about five miles in the other direction. This trip was beautiful.

[@travissmith9488]

Michigan Rocks hopefully you can soon! And don’t forget, South Nine Mile Point :)

[@MichiganRocks]

@@travissmith9488 I'll see what I can do.

[@merlinjones6485]

You're lucky the water was so calm. Made for great underwater viewing. Good thing you couldn't bring that eight hundred pound Pudding Stone back. Trying to polish that would have been a real nightmare. It was a nice day and I'm glad you took the effort to show it to us.

[@MichiganRocks]

It's not luck, I watch the weather forecast really closely and get out when the weather is good. Those days don't come along that often, so it's important to jump on them when you have the chance. It was a great day.

[@gayle8153]

Boy, It makes my arms sore just imagining all that paddling, but I'm sure you're used to it. Thanks for taking us with you on that relaxing trip over the water and telling us about the stones and natural occurrences from around the lake. Beautiful scenery!

[@MichiganRocks]

They're not at all used to it this time of year. That was my first time out since last fall. My arms don't usually get that sore, but my lower back does. The seats in my kayaks are not great.

[@cvx2dog549]

A perfect day for kayaking along the shore!

[@MichiganRocks]

Sure was!

[@mikelouis9389]

Boy, you can really paddle fast when you want to! That huge puddingstone would probably look great in your front yard! Thank you for taking us along!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm speedy!

[@silkeeberle8484]

You did turn around at Bell Beach. That big black Rock used to be a dry unsplit spot to sit. Thanks for paddling all the way!♥️

[@MichiganRocks]

I knew I was in the area, but thanks for verifying it. I think that next bay was where the Bell River is, right? Next time, I'm going the other way.

[@rosalindhendricks6337]

Did you see any decks and docks float by. I hear the rise in the lake has taken many of them away on your side. On my side, many houses have fallen off the dunes. It was pleasurable to journey with you today.

[@MichiganRocks]

Nothing floating, but the water is really high. On the last hunt, I saw a dock that was bent at about a 90 degree angle. I think the ice won.

[@brendapotter2061]

I absolutely love watching your videos. I love the UP so much and miss it tremendously, I can't wait for our yearly trip to lake superior again. Thanks for bringing us all along to live vicariously through you!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for coming along! Just in case you're confused, this is in Lake Huron about two hours south of the bridge. I love the U.P. too, but we've got some pretty nice scenery here too.

[@Rocktwister]

I love this video! Just the inspiration I needed! All your videos are great! But this one I'll watch over and over! Thank you!

[@MichiganRocks]

Watch all you want!

[@patriciawilliams4314]

Very relaxing, for us, probably not you. We have a couple kayaks.

[@MichiganRocks]

It was relaxing for me too. I was tired after paddling constantly for most of the way back, probably about four miles into a light wind.

[@sunqwest1]

Nice calm day topped off with a rock hunt.... thanks

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you liked it!

[@davidhile5363]

Wow that was GREAT !!! When we arrived in Mi. on Sunday the little lakes were still frozen over but were open when we left today (Fri). You mentioned about the water level being high, I can remember I guess about 30 years ago when the level was extremely low and some people couldn’t even park their boats at the docks. My wife and daughters were in Petoskey on Thursday and said the bay was still frozen over. We got plenty of rocks and won’t need any for a long time but it’s so much fun to go do that and I know we will. The scoops worked great and I think I could have sold a couple if I’d had any extra ones. Do you do anything to clean your stones when you get them home ? If so what’s your method ? Thanks for taking us along again, always enjoy your excursions !!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I just rinse my rocks off. Most of the places I hunt don't have a lot of gunk on the rocks. If you're trying to see the pattern in a Petoskey Stone that's covered in algae, you could tumble them for a couple days. It's difficult to tumble Petoskey Stones completely, but the first two stages are no problem. In a six or twelve pound barrel, I'd add no more than a tablespoon of grit, and extra water. They are soft and produce a lot of rock dust so the slurry gets really thick if you don't increase the water. Completely cover the rocks. Then run for three days and do a clean out. You'll get a really good idea of what the finished rock will look like at that point. You can run them for one more day in 220 and then finish them by hand sanding.

[@AgateAngler]

I actually really enjoyed watching the rocks pass by. Man that water is crystal clear. Thanks for sharing the adventure. I'm very much considering adding a kayak to my rockhounding arsenal for the summer. You get so much more access.

[@MichiganRocks]

And you can throw your rocks in it and the boat does all the work.

[@AgateAngler]

@@MichiganRocks That is certainly another major plus

[@MichiganRocks]

@@AgateAngler Oops, I just realizes that there was an auto-corrected typo in there. I meant to say, "the BOAT does all the work."

[@CityRockhounding]

There has to be a way to get that massive pudding stone home! Great video, water is amazing and beautiful.

[@jenjencannon3224]

Wow... beautiful clear water and gorgeous scenery. Thank you so much for recording and posting this. March 2020 - you sure were setting yourself up for some positive experiences - rather than sitting at home stressing like most of the world. :)

[@MichiganRocks]

I felt like this was a pretty safe place to go. Fewer people than in my own house.

[@CplSkiUSMC]

When you said you were gonna paddle fast you really meant it! You must have been doing 30 knots!! I guess you didn't want to hit an iceberg and sink like the Titanic. And if you made a necklace out of that rock, I'd like to see the woman who could wear it!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

When I get nervous, I paddle faster. You should see me go if I hear banjos! Yes, that necklace would be good for King Kong. I was actually imagining not using quite the whole rock. I knew I said that wrong, I'm not sure why I didn't redo it. I guess I was tired from all the paddling.

[@CplSkiUSMC]

@@MichiganRocks I like the idea of using the whole rock better... just imagine what it would weigh with the gold chain!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@CplSkiUSMC I guess I'll have to do a lot more panning for gold!

[@debbielucas7792]

Yes, you really paddled fast going home!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I didn't want that ice to get me! I don't think it was actually moving, but it was hard to tell.

[@martian_sam]

those crinoid stems at the end were the icing on the rocks! I hope that boulder is still there.

[@MichiganRocks]

I was there a few days ago trying to get some drone shots. It ended up being too windy. I should have checked on that crinoid rock, but I didn't even think about it. Maybe next time.

[@martian_sam]

@@MichiganRocks I was there yesterday, it may have been farther in the water! Very beautiful area, did some video of the quarry as well. Drone shots would be amazing!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@martian_sam I was there last week trying to get drone shots, but the drone kept complaining about high winds. I have been watching the weather trying to get there to get some fall colors from the drone, but it's always too windy. My drone can only fly in a bit over 5 mph winds. I'll keep trying.

[@juliehynes7305]

Just beautiful I need to show this to my husband he will love it, I felt that I was with you perfect!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@DurpVonFronz]

Awesome stuff, that view of rocks from the water is stunning. Bread is looking great btw, im 7 or 8 months into mine :)

[@MichiganRocks]

If mine lasts that long, I'll have to find a new wife. I'm going to miss one of them.

[@jodihutton8269]

Thank you for your awesome videos!! I feel like I'm out there collecting rocks right along with you, and I enjoyed the scenery just as much as you did. These videos are quite relaxing for me. I am from the Alpena area and have been collecting rocks all my life. Please post a note if there are any places or shows where we can find you and your special finds. Thanks again for your tips, guidance and knowledge!! :))

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I have a kayak for sale if you need one to experience this firsthand. I don't sell too much, but I have some stone crosses and guitar picks for sale at Olivet. In the summer The Local Basket Case usually has some of my Petoskey stones.

[@fannietta]

Two things: 1. would you consider putting together a mix of 10 hours of just your kayaking? So calming. It might really help me get thru the night these days. 2. What was your concern about the ice you saw out on the water? Does ice migrate towards the shore? Is it like a giant sheet that takes over and blocks use of the kayak? Thanks in advance. And ditto on all the praise for that awesome puddingstone and fossil.

[@MichiganRocks]

A lot of people have told me how relaxing it is to watch my videos because of the water sounds. I've seriously thought about doing a video where I either just walk the beach or kayak without any talking at all. One of these days, I'll do a survey to see if more people would be interested in something like that. A sheet of ice can be blown across the water and pile up on the beach. Since ice is heavy, it can build up a huge amount of momentum with even just a little speed. Ice piles up like fifteen or twenty feet high on the shores of the Great Lakes, maybe higher in some places. Did you see the rocks piled high on the beach near the end of the video? The ice shoves them in like a bulldozer. I grew up on an inland lake. The ice usually blew to another side of the lake, but once it blew toward my house. We heard it from inside. I moved slowly, but the power of it shoving the ice onto the beach and stacking it up was incredible. Every year, docks and hoists made of steel would get mangled by the ice. I saw a dock bent at a 90 degree angle a couple weeks ago when I made last week's video. So not only would I not be able to kayak through a sheet of ice, It would crush me if I didn't get out of the way. I wasn't worried about getting crushed, but I was about four miles from my car with nothing but thick swamp on the shore. I was also wearing waders which would make walking home through a swamp very difficult. My back up plan would have been to get out of the water where I was when I saw the ice and call my wife. I was very close to another public access to the lake. Turns out, the ice wasn't moving. I paddled away from it easily. It was hard for me to tell if it was getting closer because I was moving or if it was also moving.

[@thirstfast1025]

Awesome fossil bed! Still pretty angular.. the outcrop may be close by...

[@MichiganRocks]

Probably. This is an old quarry. The place is full of fossils. I just have never found any just like this one.

[@jbolf6]

Sure was a beautiful day when you were out there. Good therapy to get out like that during these times.

[@MichiganRocks]

It sure was.

[@wouldliketosleep.2845]

Hello. How have you been ? I am trying to get caught up . Can I ask what is the most valuable stones you have found either in value or personal favorite? Keep them comin and stay safe doing it Tks

[@MichiganRocks]

Most of the rocks I find aren't particularly valuable. I don't sell rocks, so that's not really something I'm concerned with anyhow. Petoskey Stones and pudding stones both have some value, but they're also both pretty common. A week ago I found a 14.6 oz. Lake Superior agate that might be my most valuable rock, although it didn't have a great pattern on it. I really have no idea what it's worth.

[@wouldliketosleep.2845]

Right on . It's just a good thing to do and I do understand it's not always about value it's whst it all brings so I truley appreciate it . Cheers from the North Shore Lakehead .

[@HappyOne2017]

Beautiful spot 😍

[@MichiganRocks]

It sure is. There's lots to do here besides kayaking. There's a huge old quarry that's filled with fossils. Behind the quarry, there are sink holes. And then there's woods all around too. Great place to have some fun.

[@karenpacker8862]

Enjoyed the lake beach and the rocks of course. Stuck inside....its raining.

[@MichiganRocks]

Next nice day forecasted here is Tuesday. Time to make inside videos.

[@karenpacker8862]

@@MichiganRocks not sure when here in Central Mich. Need to check.

[@JLingelbach1]

Thanks so much! Fascinating.

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ridgerunner66]

Good outing. Beautiful day!

[@MichiganRocks]

It was a great day. Thanks for watching.

[@SherryAustinMcginley]

Beautiful scenery and kayak ride. 👍👍

[@MichiganRocks]

I sure enjoyed it.

Lindo local e as pedras são realmente colododas e bonitas.

[@MichiganRocks]

Tenho sorte de morar aqui.

[@fkirby3]

I loved the kayak ride and then the sound of you wading through the water was so relaxing. I would imagine that taking the kayak kind of limited the number of rocks you could pick up because of the weight...considering if it was me, that would be one SUNK kayak! LOL

[@MichiganRocks]

No, I could put way more rocks in the kayak than I could in a five gallon bucket. It's a much easier way to transport rocks. I just don't like to bring too many home.

[@barbarap8602]

The lake is just beautiful, so peaceful and relaxing, just what we need at the moment, here in Australia it feels like we’re sitting ducks, waiting for the tsunami to hit, thanks for the distraction, stay safe Rob.X

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad it's calming so many people down. It was pretty calming for me except when I thought the ice might get me. Stay healthy!

[@lylelay]

Love the way the rocks look before the algae grows

[@MichiganRocks]

This is the best time to see them.

[@sparband]

I love all of your videos but the kayaking ones are my favorites..I’m amazed at how shallow the water is with the kayak, without it getting stuck. My second favorites are the rock hunting ones. What it is that causes the rocks to change from colorful to limestone and then to sand in certain areas? I found that interesting.

[@MichiganRocks]

I’m not a geologist, but I can tell you that limestone is the bedrock in this area. The colorful stones were deposited by glaciers. The sand is broken down rock. I think the glaciers would have done some of the grinding, but waves in the lake would also be part of that breaking down process.

[@lounisrajah5951]

I don't know why I like the hectic sea more than when it's calm, like it is here, but I still love it

[@MichiganRocks]

It's fun to see the power of the waves when it's rough, but I prefer it calm. Obviously, it's better for kayaking, but I'm also a water skier. I love it when the water is like glass.

[@onefidget]

Do those big rocks really just wash up between your visits!? They are huge!

[@MichiganRocks]

The really big rocks don't move as much, but they can move during big storms. Ice also moves rocks around sometimes.

[@jimknarr]

That was the fastest paddling I have ever seen. You must have broken the sound barrier.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm speedy.

[@EriCraftCreations]

Have you ever seen a Padosky stone that weighed a lb or more?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have seen Petoskey Stones that weigh a ton or more. Lots of them are a pound or more.

[@EriCraftCreations]

Do u have any on video? 😯🙌

[@MichiganRocks]

@@EriCraftCreations I'm sure I do, but it's hard to remember which videos. This video has some really big rocks with some Petoskey included, but the whole rock is not Petoskey: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHi2eYKwfZqHe9U There are some huge ones in this video too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/enmZXqKbo95np6s In a lot of my beach videos I run across Petoskeys that are six or eight inches across. I don't usually pick them up, because they're not usually good quality. I picked one up in our local cement plant quarry a few years ago and spent a fair amount of time polishing it. It was pretty disappointing in the end. The pattern was very washed out.

[@EriCraftCreations]

Thanks for taking the time to find and show these videos with me. Bless your heart for all the disappointed effort you put into the big one. I love what you do with the 6-8 inch ones. Because I saw them so often in your videos I thought that was about their average size. Thank you for also educating me. I love your channel ❤🙌

[@manisteerocks7092]

Such a cool video!!.. again another day of no waves!.. lucky!.. amazing pudding!...the giant crynoid in the end is awesome.there is a beach North of me that's remote. It has baseball size stones exactly like that giant one you found. Only there piled up in bunches.. hundreds of them..my wife and I spent hours looking through them..I snagged a few but there was so many..they polish great but stink to high heaven when doing the process!

[@MichiganRocks]

Why do they stink?

[@manisteerocks7092]

@@MichiganRocks I believe it's because of the millions of years of decay,..being fossils... smell just like sewage when you sand them...

[@MichiganRocks]

@@manisteerocks7092 I thought the rock may be some sort of shale. Shale contains oil. That was just my guess. Petoskey Stones are fossils and they don't stink.

[@manisteerocks7092]

@@MichiganRocks I do believe you are correct

[@kathrynion]

Forgive my ignorance but what does it mean if the ice is coming toward you? Can you get trapped or something if you stay there?

[@MichiganRocks]

Please don't ever feel bad about asking questions. The wind blows ice around the lake. It's very heavy, so it has a lot of momentum when it gets moving. I grew up on an inland lake near here. Every year in the spring, I would see places where people hadn't pulled their dock or hoist out of the water far enough and the ice blew up on the beach and mangled them. These were docks made of steel. Some may have also been aluminum, but steel docks also got all bent up. There's an amazing amount of power behind that moving ice. It piles up in huge piled on the beaches. I wasn't in any huge danger here because I would have just taken my kayak way up on the beach if that would have happened. The problem would have been that there are no roads down to the water in that area at all. I would have had to walk through some really thick swamps to get home. I also would have had to come back for my kayak later.

[@kathrynion]

@@MichiganRocks Thank you. I am from Southern California, so I had no clue. Those are some beautiful areas ya'll have up there :)

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kathrynion This might give you an idea of what I was thinking about: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZaokHRulJWUY80

[@yaimamartinez9576]

I love your kayaking videos, quick question with the fossil at the end, Can you bring a hammer and chisel and take a piece of it?

[@MichiganRocks]

I think so. There's an old quarry here and I don't think there's a problem with using a rock hammer in the quarry. I don't think the beach would be any different. If you get arrested, though, don't blame me.

[@yaimamartinez9576]

@@MichiganRocks 😆 I'm too far away from there tho

[@SimoneVilleneuve]

I was wondering if you ever polished one of those black and orange pudding stones? Did you ever think of floating that big pudding stone, sure would look nice on your lawn. I also liked that big black one,. Your video was very calming thanks for sharing. Be safe. 🐕🐾

[@MichiganRocks]

It's illegal to take a rock that big from the lake. Have I thought about how to get the big ones? Yes, I do dream of doing that, but I won't. The black puddingstones are called gowganda tillite. I have tried to tumble a couple and they didn't turn out great. I brought a small one home the other day that I'm going to try again with.

[@SimoneVilleneuve]

Thank you for answering my questions, I didn't know there was a rule about taking big rocks as most people wouldn't try. Seems sad to waste away in the waves. Also thanks for the name of the black rock good luck with polishing.🐕🐾

[@EDLaw-wo5it]

What a beautiful trip! All alone and so quiet with all God's wonders. Very nice vid. Havagudun Bud.

[@MichiganRocks]

It was nice, and it's hard not to thank God for such a beautiful place.

[@manisteerocks7092]

What is the name of the pudding stone that's not,..green with Jasper..?

[@MichiganRocks]

I’m not sure what you mean. Are you talking about gowganda tillite?

[@manisteerocks7092]

@@MichiganRocks yes sir,got it..I have a friend up your way that has wheel barrels full of pudding stone,and he found a green one,and I said I know what that is!!..thanks..hope ur well!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@manisteerocks7092 They are not usually green, but rather a dark gray or black.

[@manisteerocks7092]

@@MichiganRocks what about blue ones..he says he has blue pudding stone..have you ever seen any?

[@MichiganRocks]

@@manisteerocks7092 I think those dark rocks might vary in color and look a little different to each person. I wouldn't call them blue, but someone else might.

[@booper343]

This was so enjoyable. I loved it. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[@MichiganRocks]

I'll bet it was better being there. Too bad there wasn't room for everyone in the boat.

[@booper343]

Snow walrus on the one rock! LOL

[@booper343]

I love that clear water. I'm afraid I'd never take a kayak in deep water. Plus you wouldn't be able to the beautiful rocks. Man you're in fantastic shape. You gave great advice regarding the tumbler, I was hoping you could give me a few pointers on buying a kayak? One a short woman could get on the roof of a Ford Escape? Are they lightweight? Have you ever been charged by a bear or moose?

[@MichiganRocks]

@@booper343 Wow, that's a lot of questions. I didn't go in much deep water with the water being so cold. There's also no houses along the approximately four miles I paddled, just thick swamp. It would be really bad to fall out. I've never tipped a kayak though. I'm not in fantastic shape at all, but thanks for think that I am. I have three kayaks, and I bought them all used on Craig's List. I figure there's not much to wear out on them. My in laws also bought one for my kids. The three I bought are all 12 feet long. The one my in-laws bought was only ten feet, and I don't like it much. It's harder to go straight in it. It's also a cheap one, so maybe that's the difference. It's not all that light, when I have to pick it up over my head to put it on the car. I've pulled a muscle in my back more than once putting it up there. I did see a rack that had a slide out on it. You could slide it out, put one end up, and then pick up the other end. I'm not sure how that would work if you are short, I'm 6'2". A small trailer might be a better way to go. I'm sure someone must make a small, light kayak trailer. We don't have moose here. I've only seen one moose in my life when we went to Glacier National Park. We have black bears, but you don't see them a lot. I have never heard of anyone being attacked by one around here.

[@booper343]

@@MichiganRocks lol thank you for answering my questions. You do an excellent and detailed answer and I enjoy and respect that. I also realize I'm at my question quota for at least a month. I thought you were in the UP? I'm 5'2". And a tad out of shape butt, I'm working on it. Hard. I still need the lightest kayak possible. And maybe a wide one so I don't tip since I'm rather a dork. I'll Google the lightest ones available. Thank you for not tossing the rocks you didn't want into deep water. Thank you for everything

[@haroldhandley2640]

Is it possible to find Pudding stones and Petosky stones in Canada? I am in Barrie Ontario right now and would like to rock hound this summer with my son.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don’t know about Petoskey stones, but you can definitely find puddingstones there. St. Joseph Island, Ontario, right next to Drummond Island, Michigan is supposed to be good. I would think anywhere around that area should be good too. Please do your own research before traveling, but that should give you a good starting point.

[@dawnseward5115]

what are the rocks you keep passing bt that look like snowflake?

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not sure which rocks you mean. Much of what I'm passing is literally snowflakes. Petoskey Stones have little hexagons on them that might look like snowflakes to you. Could you give me a time on my video so I can maybe help you better?

[@arlie505]

grew up in Detroit area spent summers at Port Huron

[@MichiganRocks]

Cool!

[@marianevalverde7931]

Oooo que bueno quisiera estar como tu en un cayak pero las sircuntancia no te STA muy bien por acá pero o te del coto creo tu pasatiempo es muy bueno sigue así con tus piedras maravillosas has encontrado algo nuevo que Dios te bendiga en tu búsqueda.

[@MichiganRocks]

Gracias.

[@patriciamckean4186]

Brrr...looks cold 🥶. Very soothing listening to the paddling. I mix amygdaloidal basalt and vesicular too. I google it. Lol. Does gogandatillite polish well and look nice in your opinion? Wow, that fossilized boulder is so nice.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have tried tumbling Gowganda a couple times with poor results. I haven't tried cabbing it, but it would probably do better that way. I don't bring it home anymore.

[@dandickinson1003]

Let me know if you ever want to go rocking in Kentucky. Found a great spot for crinoid fossils and geodes. Love to show them to you!

[@MichiganRocks]

If I'm ever down that way, I'll let you know. We have lots of crinoids here, but I've never found a geode.

[@thirstfast1025]

Haha! For a second I thought it said Rossport, and I thought "You *can't* kayak North from there!" LOL!

[@MichiganRocks]

I had never heard of Rossport until a minute ago. Now I’ve seen it on a map, and you’re right, you can’t kayak North from there, can you?

[@thirstfast1025]

@@MichiganRocks Hahaha nope, not unless it rains *REAL* hard! Every year though, Rossport hosts a kayak symposium. Or at least they used to. Not sure for sure they still do! But I remember working on the gov't dock, watching all those kayakers, some of whom were only mildly experienced, trek out to Wilson and Boon and Healy islands. They all made it back, as far as I know. But that big lake! She can turn on you in minutes!

[@thirstfast1025]

Vesicular means the basalt had gas bubbles captured when it solidified, amygdules are those vesicles filled. Vesicular is an adjective, amygdule is a noun.

[@MichiganRocks]

amygdaloidal is an adjective, though, right?

[@thirstfast1025]

@@MichiganRocks Yes. And it doesn't just apply to these specific formations. Essentially, it comes down to ~spheroidal secondary mineralization within an emplaced rock. In this case, it becomes difficult to differentiate between an amygdule and a nodule. But it definitely sounds cooler to say "amygdaloidal agate" than 'nodular agate". Personally, when someone says "amygdule", I imagine 2 Russian jets dukin it out.... A MiG duel.... Grooooooaaaaaan!

[@heidikortman2534]

You aren't fond of goganda tillite, but I wish I had a small one.

[@MichiganRocks]

There sure are lots here. I wouldn't say I'm not fond of them, I just don't bring them home very often. I have one in my basement now that I plan to polish.

[@debzyj376]

Thank you....Enjoyed .

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome!

[@geosobservations9496]

I'm just catching up on a bunch of your videos...if my kids and I went to the places you go...we would all need belts to hold up the weight of our pockets 😁

[@MichiganRocks]

You might consider suspenders too.

[@geosobservations9496]

@@MichiganRocks lol that's an idea...can go up a few sizes of pants with bigger pockets...😆

[@terezinhabritodasilva7077]

Este lugar e' mesmo uma maravilha

[@MichiganRocks]

Es realmente bello.

[@ronjclark7581]

What a great adventure. The black and white crinoid rock was a great specimen, it is a beauty. Too bad it was so large. Maybe some smaller chunks could have broken off that you could capture, just hit it with a hammer on the edge. I believe that rock would sell for a lot money at a rock and mineral show. Really enjoy your knowledge, narrative and photography about the rocks. What camera are you using?

[@MichiganRocks]

That rock is probably still there. I might take a hammer with me next time. I'm using a GoPro Hero 7 Black.

[@АннаПетракова-ш4ч]

Очень красивая природа. Благодарю.

[@MichiganRocks]

Добро пожаловать.

[@TinaHyde]

Whenever you say, “Now there’s a pretty one”, can you please pick the stone up out of the water and bring it close to the camera so we can have a better look? 🙏🏼

[@MichiganRocks]

Sure, that's a reasonable request. The water was cold and some of those were too big to pick up with my scoop. I'll try not to be a wimp about it next time.

[@TinaHyde]

Michigan Rocks Thank you!! Since my planned to rock hound in Michigan this summer is on hold, I need to live my rock hunting dreams through you! Thank you so much for these therapeutic videos!♥️

[@MichiganRocks]

@@TinaHyde You're welcome!

[@thirstfast1025]

I thought the camera work was really nice. There were times when I felt like a spirit over the water. Sorry it gave the misus a hard time!

[@MichiganRocks]

As far as I can she was the only one.

[@thirstfast1025]

@@MichiganRocks Well, I like your work with the camera.

[@rezakhavari7974]

Hii love from Indonesian 🇮🇩

[@MichiganRocks]

Hi! Thanks for watching.

[@rezakhavari7974]

@@MichiganRocks I always wacth your video🤩

[@okboomer6201]

I would absolutely float that pudding stone out of there.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't live on the lake, so I can't float it all the way home! That, and I'd get arrested.

[@jimnorthland2903]

I think the crinoid fossil might be a bit heavy for a necklace.

[@MichiganRocks]

You might be right.

[@irinanass7727]

Es ist sehr angenehm zu schauen mi Rausch von Wasser 🙏👍😁👍

[@MariaLucia-zn4sg]

Que maravilha lugar lindo