Hessel, A Stop Along The Way – Kinda
Boat house after boathouse is like this.
Sometime around noon yesterday after about 10 hrs of driving it hit me. I am only about 2 hrs from Hessel if I keep going. Got on the horn to Mr Hessel Alex Watson and by 230 I was on a 25 ft Sportsman zipping around the boat houses of Hessel.
Little Salter and Mom looking on as we set out for the trip
Now I had never been before. This is Woody Boater heaven. Its a paradise for Woodyness. To be honest, phots do not do it justice, its not the sort of place one takes photos of, its more of an “experience” one does not visit Hessel, one experiences it. To take a tour is like stepping into a place that has been on a continuum for over a hundred years. The same boats, the same boat houses. Its all there. Not like time stopped, it’s just a place, a sense of place where time is not real. It just keeps going. Maybe its because the seasons are so short, but pound for pound with light at 10:30 at night you get more vacation for your buck? Regardless, Alex has his paradise and it was a joy to be able to step into that world for a brief time.
Marion E. and Alex getting ready to go
Alex at the helm of one of his amazing Sportsman
More amazing boat houses. There are hundreds of them
Amazing homes along the way
One more just along the way
This amazing Cruiser at the docks in Hessel. I love the green.
Lets get out the iphone fish eye !
Thanks to Alex for letting me have my first ride in a 25 sportsman
Some fun homes along the way
And back at the dock to look over the fllet. Here is the little Cavalier
Not just Hessel but the entire UP!! Almost like another country. It’s beautiful.
I gotta get there one day, maybe next summer? Not sure of the point in bringing a boat, when Alex has, what, 20?
A couple weeks stay in the UP is on my bucket list….Rhapsody, now named Contango, I sold her to a friend in the ETF business, was shown many times at Hessel. I have been through in both the late spring (June) and Indian Summer (September) both of these times it was both beautiful and seasonally too cold for a native Californian. My goal is to expirence Les Cheneaux in it’s summer glory.
Is Salter trying to hide from the all seeing fisheye lens, or was he passed out from the heat?
Michigan is a great state, and if they can somehow get rid of Detroit in a bankruptcy liquidation, it could be unbeatable. Woodyboater should consider a summer HQ in MI.
Uncle Matt mixed me a kiddie-cocktail. Only, I think it was a kinda-kiddie-cocktail.
was there a few years ago and planning to go back next summer. and its just like they said above. and only 8 hrs for me as long as that pesky border is kind. I have never been in a sportsman.
Matt, it was a pleasure taking you through the channel. Glad the weather gave us a sunny window to do so. Same time next year? Different boat? Stay a while. Lots of laid-back little things to do in these parts.
Alex,
I have been in your area in the past, but never for an overnight. I will be Up North during the next two weeks and wondered if you could recommend lodging in Hessel, good for me and a nine year old girl (i.e. kids and swimming).
We will also be at the Grand Hotel for part of our stay and Harbor Springs. Unfortunately, no boat this trip; but still fun!
Hi Kevin.
E-mail me your itinerary and at agwatson2@gmail.com
I will be glad to offer my recommendations.
Did I hear that if you come you can use it? Or was that some corn field?
Next time go a little farther down the road to Cedarville and check out the Wooden Boat School.
What a fabulous detour!
Love those pictures of Salter, keep them coming.