Thanks to the Traverse City Optimist Club for keeping us warm and dry

Just in time for spring, we purchased five new sets of Viking heavy-duty foul weather gear for our students. Thanks to the Traverse City Optimist Club for providing the funds to make this possible.  And thanks to these Suttons Bay 8th graders who modeled the new gear just before their trip on May 19.  They were glad they had it once we got out on the bay!  --Capt. Tom

Northwestern Michigan College Tropical Water Resources Class, 5-23-11

For photos, click here!  https://picasaweb.google.com/Constanza.Hazelwood/May232011?authkey=Gv1sRgCNayrYeO_v-2zQE#

Schoolship's Departure Delayed By Fog

Friday morning dawned with thick fog on Grand Traverse Bay.  Both Schoolships, Manitou and Inland Seas, delayed their departures until the fog lifted a little.  Students from Reuther MS were aboard both vessels. 

Lead Instructor Wayne Swallow explains the plankton net dockside

153 micons.  What is a micron?

Captain Cheyenne and Dr. Bill wait out the fog.

Happy 17th Birthday Inland Seas!

Inland Seas was launched on May 18, 1994. To celebrate this event, we shared birthday cake with students from Glen Lake 7th Grade and Indian River (Inland Lakes 7th Grade).

Our Schooner Birthday Cake, made by Hansen's in Suttons Bay

Inland Lakes 7th Graders pose with the Schooner Cake

Eager Lakers await their Schooner Cake.  Stephanie is trying to keep up with demand.

Wed. May 11, 2011 - Rained Out in the Morning

This is why we cancelled our programs this morning.  Lots of rain and lightning!

GT Academy students get an on-shore lesson in the Great Lakes food web from Fred Utting.
GT Academy will sail with us on June 10. 
We will also try to reschedule TC West 6th Grade who were scheduled on Manitou this morning.

May 3rd Schoolship: Platte River Elementary (1st Day of 2011 Season)

Brrr, a cold day on the lake.  But a beautiful day, and we had a great time with the 6th graders from Platte River Elementary. 

Ready to measure the Secchi Disk depth (water transparency).  We recorded an amazing 18 meters.  Twenty years ago we were getting 6 - 8 meters.

May 5th, 2011 Schoolship with Lake Leelanau St. Mary's

St. Mary's Students Steer the Schooner

Checking out the Benthos (life on the lake bottom)

May 9, 2011 Schoolship with Platte River 6th Grade

Lots of Chara in the trawl, plus suckers, gobies, minnows, rock bass.

Mackerel scales and mare's tails make lofty ships carry low sails

Well that's the saying, but fortunately we did not have to shorten sail this week.  Just a little rain on Friday.  Technically these are Cirrus uncinus, found above 26,000 ft.  They are composed of ice crystals.  And they are beautiful.  Photo taken from the Schoolship Inland Seas, May 4, 2011. 

Inland Seas' Crew Completes CPR & AED Course

Thanks to Janice Lemak RN of the Leelanau Urgent Care for guiding our crew through the CPR and AED class.  All ISEA sailing crew have this certification. 

Inland Seas' Crew Members Practice CPR on Manikins, May 4, 2010