Re: Beaches n Such

[Guest guest]

Donna Berg wrote:

> Take care, donna P.S. your so right, the only beach is the ocean.

I've rested my weary body on the beaches of three oceans and they were lovely.

But, the fine white sand beaches of the huge lakes of the far north are my

favourites.

Those northern lakes like Athabasca, Great Slave, Lac La Ronge, Reindeer etc.

are so big that when sitting on a beach, you can see nothing but water and more

water. The other side is miles and miles and miles away. The lakes are clear

blue -- like someone painted the bottoms of them or something. The lakes have

islands dotted about in them, some with high rock cliffs covered with stands of

dark green pine.

Actually, I think my preference has blessed little to do with the water or with

the beaches either. I think it has everything to do with the smells in the air.

Oceans smell like oceans and the salty sea breeze feels good on the skin.

Northern lakes smell like clean, cold water and the breeze is filled with the

smell of pungent northern pine, mosses, and no pollutants. The people population

is sparse, so with very little effort you can often claim a little beach cove

for yourself for the day.

I think everyone should have a chance to experience both an ocean and a far

northern lake. Both have their charms and their charms are very different.

Oh yes -- at different times, D. and I both lived near a little lake that

is saltier than the Dead Sea. Actually, my house was on the beach front. To my

knowledge, no one has ever drowned in that little lake. Floating effortlessly

around on it is quite an experience and it is said that the water has healing

qualities.

But its beaches are lousy. <grin>

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Hi Lyndi,

You know you are right, I never really thought much about it but we lived in

ton, Ill. for a short time and Lake Michigan was awsome. Of course when I

was there in 67-68 it was so polluted you really souldn't go into the water. If

you went one foot out you couldn't see your foot. And there was dead alewives

all over the place.

Are you in Minnisota? That is the state of lakes, isn't it. Here even our

sound is polluted. Man is not too kind to our environment. Makes me so mad but

helpless to do anything but recycle and pick up others junk.

Take care and keep in touch. Have a good day, donna

YOur right the smell and feel are different. I love the way I feel when I get

out of a good clean lake. Vermont is a good place.

[Guest guest]

Donna Berg wrote:

> You know you are right, I never really thought much about it but we lived in

ton, Ill. for a short time and Lake Michigan was awsome. Of course when I

was there in 67-68 it was so polluted you really souldn't go into the water. If

you went one foot out you couldn't see your foot. And there was dead alewives

all over the place.

The Great Lakes are nice to look at, but humans sure wrecked them by dumping all

those pollutants in them. They must have been really something before " modern "

technology came along.

> Are you in Minnisota? That is the state of lakes, isn't it.

Actually I was talking about the lakes in the Northwest Territories and other

places in north-western Canada.

The lakes in Minnesota are puddles by comparison.

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

I'm not convinced there is anyone else from Minnesota in this group

because I never get replies from Minnesotans when I ask about doctors

and resources/help in Minnesota, so I feel I must take a stand for my

state. I am not against anything anyone else here said about

wonderful lakes or oceans or beaches elsewhere (I've seen a lot of

them in other states and they are wonderful - I've been to almost all

the states in the U.S.), but would appreciate it if people wouldn't

put down other lakes, beaches, or states.

I was born in Minnesota and aside from 4 years of college in a suburb

of Chicago, IL, I've lived in Minnesota my whole life (mostly in the

Twin Cities - including now, but a few years in farming communities

and have relatives that are farmers). So, I'll state right up front

that I love Minnesota and am partial to it. I've also loved

travelling other places, especially before my pain got so bad. But I

always love coming home to Minnesota.

Minnesota is called the " Land of 10,000 Lakes " although we actually

have more than 10,000. The lakes are very beautiful and come in a

large variety of sizes. Minnesota has more shoreline than

California, because of all our lakes. We also border the Great Lakes

with shoreline on Lake Superior. We call it the North Shore, and

many people here love to go " Up North " on weekends and vacations.

Duluth (closest Lake Superior harbor) is about 2 hours from the Twin

Cities. You can drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior from

Duluth following the lakeshore all the way up into Canada in one

day. Many people here love going to cabins. We also have a bunch of

beautiful waterfalls here in Minnesota. The Mississippi River also

starts " Up North " in Minnesota.

We have many lakes and parks including in the middle of the Twin

Cities (Minneapolis, St. , and suburbs). We really value our

lakes and parks here. There are many lakes with nice paved walking

paths, biking paths, and rollerblading paths. Most people, even in

the cities, live very close to lakes they can enjoy. People swim

in the lakes, go boating, fishing, waterskiing, tubing, jetskiing,

sailing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, you name it. It is very

lush and green here in the warmer weather. There is also, ice

skating, ice fishing, and downhill and cross country skiing in the

winter, too.

I grew up 6 blocks from a lake and a swimming beach. To me, growing

up, " the beach " usually meant that beach on the nearby lake. I loved

walking or riding bike down there and going on the separate

walking/running paths or the separate bike paths. I also loved

rollerskating around it. It was about 3 miles around the lake, but

the paths from that lake also connected to paths for 2 other nearby

lakes, so you could go further when you wanted to. I loved going

swimming at the beach with friends/relatives on hot summer days.

As an adult, I've lived in 2 townhomes on lakes, and the land behind

my current house backs to a lake and beautiful woods, although I

can't really see the lake well from inside my house. My next door

neighbors can. As an additional benefit of living near lakes, you

often see birds and wildlife. I've enjoyed seeing the ducks,

Canadian geese, and all the little birds - robins, finches,

bluejays,.... I've had 3 deer and many rabbits and other critters in

my backyard. Anyway, as my name on yahoo suggests, I am a lake

lover! I love lakes, oceans, ponds, rivers, waterfalls, basically

all bodies of water and enjoy them everywhere I have seen them -

throughout the U.S., Canada, and other countries.

Just a little input from a Minnesota lake lover!

Mara

lakelover125

[Guest guest]

Lake Superior is so beautiful to sit on the beach/rocks and look out

at the water. From many places, when you look out, you can't see any

land on the other side, so it reminds me of the ocean. But you're

right, it does have a different smell than the ocean, too. I love

that fresh smell. It's so peaceful. I also love that fresh smell

and peacefulness sitting by a waterfalls in Northern Minnesota at any

number of state parks. I just love the peaceful quiet sound and

smell and breeze, being by lakes and waterfalls. I found some more

information about lakes in Minnesota.

" How many lakes are there in the land of 10,000 lakes?

According to the Department of Natural Resources there are over

11,800 lakes (10 acres or larger) in Minnesota. Minnesota's lakes and

rivers provide more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii

combined. "

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1513/784086.html

" Explore Minnesota Tourism's database includes more than 1100

lakeside/riverside resorts, ranging from simple cabins to large, full-

service resorts with every service and amenity you can imagine. "

http://www.exploreminnesota.com/

There are also a lot of campgrounds in Minnesota. Have a wonderful

peaceful day!

Mara

lakelover125

[Guest guest]

lakelover125 wrote:

> I've been to almost all the states in the U.S.), but would appreciate it

> if people wouldn't put down other lakes, beaches, or states.

Hi Mara

It wasn't meant as a put down at all. I expect it is just that we do not use

the same vernacular when discussing the great outdoors.

What I meant when I answered Donna about the lakes and beaches, was that there

are very little lakes and then there are big lakes. Northern folks call small

lakes " puddles " and we call our pontoon planes " puddle jumpers. " There is

nothing demeaning in the term. For those of us who spent most of our childhood

in the Great White North, any lake under about 250 square miles is called a

" puddle. " Lots of lakes everywhere, including northern Canada and Minnesota,

fit the " puddle " criteria perfectly.

Unlike the area around the lakes in southern Canada and the US mainland, the

people population in Canada's northwest is still minimal, so " going to the lake "

can be an amazing and private adventure. That's why one of my favourite lakes

is Great Slave Lake in the North West Territories.

There is nothing in Minnesota (or anywhere else in North America) that's

anything like it. Great Slave is the tenth largest lake in the world. It

covers 10,980 square miles. It's 300 miles long and averages about 50 miles

across. I thought Lake Superior was deep until I took my first trip to Great

Slave. It is the deepest lake in North America. A " puddle " it isn't :-)

The water actually appears to be bright blue. The genuinely fresh air is

amazing. The large islands dotting the lake are like little worlds of their own

and contain all sorts of wildlife. It is a great lake for fishing and sun

bathing, but not so hot for swimming as the water never warms up. The

wilderness landscape is still pristine and for lack of a better word -- " breath

taking. " Laying on a blanket beside that lake with the big bowl of the sky

overhead is a feeling that I can't even describe. The solitude and the oneness

are things that have to be experienced I guess. The wild animals are not

particularly shy and often come quite close. Unfortunately, more and more

southern tourists are going there for the fishing and hunting, so it may not be

too many more years before that wonderful privacy and the safe animal habitats

go by the wayside.

The lakes in northern Canada are very different than most of the lakes in

southern Canada and the US mainland. A lot of northern lakes are so big that

even with binoculars you can't see the shore on the other side. There are also

lots of " puddles. " I prefer the big lakes. The northern lakes (big and small)

are not very warm and tend to be very clear. Because they are so far north, the

lakes have small (to no) people population bases, so it is still possible to

truly be alone.

It is normal to find a beautiful beach with no cars lined up waiting to dump

their boats in the water, no " sea doos " making a racket, no unscooped dog

droppings, no footprints in the sand, no Mc's wrappers......

One thing Minnesota lakes and northern Canadian lakes have in common is their

ability to breed huge batches of giant mosquitoes. <grin>

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Hear! Hear! Janine! (if she *does* have a spare room, will ya share

it??:-)

I did see someone post something about MN. I *have* been

there..even in your neck of the woods, Mara :-) And you are right, it

is just lovely there! I, too enjoy not only the ocean beaches near

where I live now (which is the Santa Cruz Mtns. in California, I get

the trees, mountains *and* the beaches...very blessed that way :-) But

my parents live in the Sierras where there are many cool, clear,

clean, mountain rivers and lakes to go to. Growing up, our family

shared a cabin near a lake in the high sierras...some of my most

favorite memories are from there as well. Waking early,before dawn,

going fishing with my sister and brother and father. comming back to

the cabin to the smell of breakfast, which soon after we were off back

to the lakeshore, lunches packed, to swim for the day..

They *ARE* all different, and all wonderfully healing, as nature

tends to do...For me...I am a water/nature lover I need all of it!!

LOL Not only the ocean beaches with their distinct smells, feels and

sounds, but also the clear, cool mountain lakes, and the rivers too.

In fact, I live just above the river that cut the " valley I currently

live in... In my view, what gives you happiness is healing, and nature

sure give me happiness..

Blessed be, Lori in California

[Guest guest]

Hi Lyndi!

Thanks for your nice note! Sorry, I realized later that I took

it a little too personally when others wrote that the only beach is

the ocean and then you wrote that in Minnesota we only

have " puddles " . I'm not familiar with that lingo and I just couldn't

imagine Lake Superior or many other big lakes here being referred to

as " puddles " . And having been to tons of beaches on Minnesota lakes,

in addition to tons of beaches along the oceans, I think lake beaches

are every bit as much " beaches " as ocean beaches. Different, but

still beaches. Just wanted to offer a little different perspective

on beaches from someone who lives by lakes.

Some of the lakes in the city are smaller - such as the one that is 3

miles to walk around it - or some of the smaller ones I've lived by -

you're not allowed to have power boats in these smaller lakes (some

don't allow any canoes or anything either), but we also have some

really big lakes in the cities/suburbs and outlying areas, too.

I'm sorry, I wasn't familiar with the big lakes in Canada you were

referring to. The lakes and wilderness areas you describe sound

wonderful and fabulous! I like the peacefulness and solitude,

too.

Because we have so many lakes throughout the whole state, some are in

very populated areas and some are not. Many of the " bigger lakes in

the cities " (small lakes compared to some not in the cities) have

paved walking and biking paths and sometimes things like bandshells

with free evening concerts, picnic areas, or a dock the public can

use to fish from shore, sailboats, swimming beaches, and even a place

to buy ice cream and pop (restrooms with running water - always a

plus! especially in more populated areas - less populated lakes don't

have them). Those are busier lakes - always people around them

walking, running, biking, rollerblading, swimming, and people like

to drive around them in the summer with their convertible tops down

and/or windows/sunroofs open cruisin' around the lakes. Even at

those busier lakes and parks, most people are very good about not

littering and often when people come to visit here from other states,

they comment on how clean the cities and the lakes/parks here are.

Then there are smaller lakes in the cities with no paths and lots of

wildlife - the small lake by my townhouses - you can look out the

townhouse window at the lake and not see any people or houses when

you look at the lake. The view makes you feel like you're in a cabin

resort in a less populated area somewhere. And yet it is only about

10 minutes to downtown St. and 10 or less minutes to many areas

with grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, etc. Funny thing is, the

Canadian geese and ducks are so comfortable, many times they're

standing around on my yard or on my paved driveway or the paved road

by my townhouse and they don't want to move when I need to drive

somewhere.

We have many areas in Minnesota, too, some very close to the Twin

Cities and some further away, where the people population is minimal

(and also areas where there are so many lakes compared to the

population, so the number of people at the lake is minimal), so like

you said ' " going to the lake " can be an amazing and private

adventure'. That's one thing I love about the lakes - the nature,

solitude, getting away from people, and just enjoying the peaceful

quiet.

Aside from a few lakes in the cities, most lakes I've been to in

Minnesota, I've been in areas most of the time where I don't see any

other people, and many areas where I don't see any houses or signs of

people while I'm at the lake. I might see people on the way to the

lake, or when I first get there, but not in most areas of the lake.

There are also many areas by Lake Superior where you can pull off on

the side of the road and you'll be the only person there sitting

looking at the water. I love the peacefulness! I was also at a

couple different waterfalls this summer with a relative and we were

the only people there for quite a while.

You stated:

" > It is normal to find a beautiful beach with no cars lined up

waiting to dump

> their boats in the water, no " sea doos " making a racket, no

unscooped dog

> droppings, no footprints in the sand, no Mc's wrappers...... "

I would say many many lakes in Minnesota you can enjoy without the

negatives you describe. Yes, some of them are like that, but a lot

aren't.

There are even more lakes in Northern Minnesota where you seldom see

people in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (cars and power boats are

not allowed, most people hike in and bring all their supplies in

backpacks and carry their canoes between lakes).

Some areas throughout the state have lots of wildlife that are not

afraid of people. You're right, though, about the giant mosquitoes!

In Minnesota, we joke that the state bird is the mosquito. It is

really the loon. This year hasn't been a very bad year for

mosquitoes, though. I am lucky because mosquitoes don't like me very

much. They don't like my mom either. I'll be with other people

and they're getting lots of bites and I might get one bite or none.

But woodticks love me. Luckily, I'm not around them much and I'm

good at finding them while they're crawling, before they can get me.

Thanks Lyndi, for describing your wonderful lake experiences! I

just love those wonderful peaceful times at lakes and in the great

outdoors. Take care!

Mara

lakelover125

> Hi Mara

>

> It wasn't meant as a put down at all....

Northern folks call small

> lakes " puddles " and we call our pontoon planes " puddle jumpers. "

There is

> nothing demeaning in the term.

> Lyndi

[Guest guest]

I just love the water. Doesn't matter to much to me if it is a lake or the

ocean. As a matter of fact, I am kind of afraid of the ocean since seeing Jaws.

And two years ago I almost drowned at Malibu beach. Got caught in a rip.

Scary. I love Lake . Wish we still had our boat. But, that was my

accident so I am afraid of boats too.

Just wanted to let you know, I love the outside. No matter where. Wish I was

young and healthy. I would love to live in Alaska. Beautiful, heavenly place.

donna