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All Aboard Kids Cruise
Learn
some sailor talk (the good kind!), rope work, a few pirate skills,
anchor haulin’, deck swabbing, and depth sounding. You’ll even get a
chance to pull up some of the finest bottom muck you’ve ever laid eyes
on. Aye, it’s a fun and educational journey through time and place
(parents are welcome - if they behave).
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Eagle's Eye Nature Cruises
Take
a naturalist's tour of the lower Detroit River to discover the rich
variety of plant and animal life living here in this area, now a part
of the new International Wildlife Refuge. The river is host to a wide
variety of habitats from submerged plant beds and shoals to coastal
marshes. And yes, we know where the Bald Eagle nests are!
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ROV Adventures
Come
aboard and join Captain Gary Longton, who will lead us in an
exploration of the underwater world offshore of Lake Erie Metropark
using “Little Ricky,” DTE Energy’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
What do you think we'll see beneath the waves? You may be in for a
surprise!
See: Schedule
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Shipping Out
Sign
on for a voyage into the world of Great Lakes shipping with former
sailor and ancient mariner Patrick Livingston, author of the Library of
Michigan award winning Eight Steamboats-Sailing Through the Sixties,
As the E/V Clinton cruises through the channels of the lower Detroit
River, you will learn about lakers and salties, legendary sailors and
Lake Erie shipwrecks. With some luck, you might even get up close and
personal to a thousand-footer or two along the way. Wear your Old Spice!
See: Schedule
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Great Lakes Science for Teachers
This
cruise for teachers – teachers only please – will focus on the Great
Lakes from a science education perspective. Learn how to relate
biology, chemistry, geology and physics to the Great Lakes that define
Michigan. This “research cruise” is designed to help you share the
Great Lakes with your K-12 students. Also find out about opportunities
for additional professional development which come with participant
stipends and/or scholarships.
See: Schedule
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River of Time Island Cruises
Cruising among the lower Detroit River Islands we search for the
geologic past of the river and tell the human stories that shaped the
history of her waters. This look at a living riverscape will cover the
span of human history from Native American, French and British to
rumrunners, soldiers and sailors. Flowered shirts, straw hats and
Bermuda shorts are optional on this island cruise!
See: Schedule
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The Living River
The
health of the water of the Detroit River and Great Lakes is directly
linked to our own quality of life. On this cruise we will get down and
dirty as we explore key biological, physical and chemical indicators of
water quality among the islands and bays of the Lower Detroit River.
Get to know the plankton in your neighborhood!
See: Schedule
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Whiskey River
During
National Prohibition the Detroit River was better known as the "Whiskey
River" due to the incredible amount of illegal hootch that crossed over
it from Canada. Let's re-visit the bad old days when rum-runners
ruled and dry laws were meant to be broken. We'll look at the lower
river through the eyes of a bootlegger and spin a few yarns sure to put
your truth meter on alert.
See: Schedule
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Fish-story Cruise
Since
pre-history, the lower Detroit River has been known as a rich fishing
ground. Because fishermen tend to embellish the truth about “the one
that got away,” this river has also spawned some pretty good fish
stories over the centuries. Join us for an all around look at
fish ecology, commercial fishing history, and the re-telling of a few
“whoppers” (some actually true). We'll peek at prime fish habitats with
the underwater cam, take a close look at some fish specimens and
historic artifacts/photos along the way.
See: Schedule
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Bob-Lo Island History Cruise
Award
winning author Patrick Livingston will lead this tour around Bob-lo
Island - Detroit's island playground of the Twentieth Century. Cruise
participants will explore the critical role the island played in the
lives of Native Americans and Canadians, French coureurs de bois,
British military, Detroit's upper class and the millions of people who
escaped to Bob-lo's amusement park for a one day holiday for almost one
hundred years. Livingston will share island anecdotes and illustrations
from his Summer Dreams - The Story of Bob-lo Island,
recognized by the library of Michigan as a Notable Book of 2009. Feel
free to bring along your own Bob-lo stories and souvenirs as we cruise
back in time to The Greatest Spot On Earth.
See: Schedule |
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Big River Meander
Enjoy
an extended four-hour cruise to explore the natural and cultural
history of the Lower Detroit River and its islands. Our journey around
the north end of Grosse Ile and into Canadian waters will provide ample
opportunities to view manmade structures such as the swing bridges,
navigation lights, and passing ships as well as observe bird life,
discuss aquatic ecology, and explain why the Detroit River is not
really a river at all. Along the way, we’ll meet up with Mama Juda and
find out who put the “Fight” into Fighting Island. This one has it all.
Note: This cruise has an additional cost of $5 per participant.
See: Schedule |
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Lower Lighthouse Lore ("Triple-L on the D")
Join
us as we enlighten you with the Lighthouse Lore of the Lower Detroit
River. Our journey out into the storied waters of the river mouth will
take take us alongside the scenic Detroit River Light to learn about
the daily life of the old-time keepers, and cruise past the picturesque
Grosse Ile Light. If we're lucky, we'll find out what happened to Mama
Juda and avoid hitting the Rock of Gibraltar!
See: Schedule |
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