Day Two in St. Joseph

This blog will chronicle our (Pat and Patty Anderson's)

cruising adventures on the Great Loop!

DAY 139 - August 17, 2017

We are here for three days before we leave for New Buffalo on Saturday due to the high winds and waves from the south on Lake Michigan. Saturday looks like single digits winds and waves of one foot or less, so here we sit!

The Free Wall is along the St. Joseph River adjacent to the Margaret B. Upton Arboretum, which is really a very nice park. I am quite impressed with the City of St. Joseph's commitment to public art. Here are just a few of the pieces in the arboretum.

Sand castles

I think they are penguins!

Another statue.

There are abstract works as well, too many to photograph them all for this blog!

In the morning, I went for a fairly long walk to the Silver Beach County Park, which is on the same road as the arboretum, following the turns through several different street names. I was looking for a good spot to get a clear shot of the Lighthouse Supply Depot, which is blocked by the swing bridge from the arboretum. The swing bridge is normally open and only closes when a train approaches.

Swing bridge open

Swing bridge closed with Amtrack train

The first thing I came to was the St. Joseph Railway Depot, which I think must be an Amtrack station.

St. Joseph Railway Depot

The next thing was a very nice fountain.

Fountain near entrance to Silver Beach County Park

The Silver Beach County Park is a large park fronting on Lake Michigan on the west and the St. Joseph River on the north. There were a lot of families enjoying a sunny day at the beach! There is also a statue inside the park that is very impressive,

Statue at Silver Beach County Park

I walked along the trail in the park along the St. Joseph River hoping for a clear shot of the Lighthouse Supply Depot, but unfortunately, the trail ends at a fence in front of a condo complex with a "No trespassing" sign! So the only place for a clear shot is inaccessible!

I did walk down to the beach at Lake Michigan, and the waves were just thunderous crashing on the beach, confirming that we were correct in our decision not to brave boating on the Lake today!

Waves on Lake Michigan breaking on the beach at Silver Creek County Park

I figured the only way to get a good shot of the Lighthouse Supply Depot was to venture out in the Sea Eagle kayak, so naturally, I took Baxter with me!

Baxter with me in the kayak on the St. Joseph River.
He hasn't gone overboard yet!

The Lighthouse Supply Depot was built in 1893, and provided all the lighthouses on Lake Michigan with supplies, such as Fresnel lenses and lamp oil, until 1917, when the supply depot was moved to Milwaukee. It is a fine old building, which now houses the St, Joseph River Yacht Club. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it really is a shame that some way could not have been found to keep it in public ownership.

Lighthouse Supply Depot

I decided to explore a little way up the river, and I got this picture as we passed Daydream on our way up the river.

Daydream on the St, Joseph Free Wall from the water side!

We paddled up past the Blossomland Bridge up into the area where commercial vessels are moored. I always love pictures of tugs!

The tug Carol Ann on the St. Joseph River

 And for Rande Reed and James Bathurst who are always interested in how Lucy is doing, she is doing just fine! She does not go outside, and has only put her paws into the cockpit once or twice only to retreat immediately to her comfort zone, which is the front passenger seat!

Lucy in her comfort zone!

We thought we might try a harness and leash on this trip, and to train her, bought a training vest called a Thunder Shirt, but try as we might, when we put it on her, all she would ever do is freeze and flop! Hence, no strolls outside for this girl!