This morning our friends, Charlotte and Dean, rented a car and invited us to go with them to the Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show in Hessel, Michigan, about a half-hour away. Dean is a boat-builder and built their dinghy for Carrie Rose and has built several other wooden boats.  He's written articles for "Good Old Boat"  magazine and is very knowledgeable about boat-building.

In addition to the amazing boat show, there were numerous tents with a diverse group of artists displaying their work, while in the background, we were entertained by the exceptional  music of The Skylarks.  We also watched a demonstration on how to right a kayak that has capsized.

 

Our road trip started off with a laugh when Dean washed all the windows on the wrong car in the parking lot. Even though the day started out overcast with a smattering of rain the sun came out and it was a lovely day.  We enjoyed lunch at the Hessel Bay Inn and when we were leaving the boat show, we stopped for ice cream at the Hessel Grocery.  Thanks for including us today, Charlotte and Dean!

After washing all the windows, Dean realized this wasn't his rental car

Entrance to the boat show

Walking in downtown Hessel

One of the beautiful hand built canoes

This launch was beautifully restored

One of several boats displaying the engine

I liked this boat very much

104 boats were on display

The kayak demonstration the kayak is upright

The kayak has flipped over

The kayaker rights the kayak

This picture is made of a variety of woods all meticulously cut and fitted together -- the artist is Bill Bingham

The event was well attended -- across the water The Skylarks played oldies all day

This boat was built by students of the Great Lakes Boat Building School  The representative we talked to sad he paid the school to allow him to work on this boat.  They have $40K+ invested in just the materials.