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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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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