Sailing Scheduling and Fares

Photo by Gary DeLong

Music Cruise – It’s always a treat to have Great Lakes folk singer Lee Murdock join us aboard Manitou as he brings the history, legends, and characters of the Great Lakes to life through song and story.  This one usually brings back old friends who have sailed with us in years past…..an added bonus!  Lee Murdock has uncovered a boundless body of music and stories in the Great Lakes. There is an amazing timelessness in this music. Great Lakes songs are made of hard word, hard living, ships that go down and ships that come in. The music is grounded in the work song tradition, from the rugged days of lumberjacks and wooden sailing schooners. Murdock comes alongside with ballads of contemporary commerce and revelry in the grand folk style. Lee's fans have discovered a sweetwater treasure in his songs about the Great Lakes, finding drama and inspiration in the lives of sailors and fishermen, lighthouse keepers, ghosts, shipwrecks, outlaws and everyday heroes.

"I'm interested in trying to find the life in these songs; in making music that's exciting to people today. I am looking for the songs and the interesting stories, not only for the people who already enjoy folk music, but for those who think they don't like folk music." - Lee Murdock

For more on Lee Murdock go to www.leemurdock.com

Photo by Giovanni Benintende

Astronomy Cruise – Hillsdale College professor and avid amateur astronomer Mark Nussbaum will be our guide to the moon and stars as we study the brilliant northern Michigan heavens. Charting a course just like sailors centuries before, this is a weekend for those who are awed by the vast wonders of the sky. Passengers will see how the stars rise and set, just like the sun, and appear to circle around Polaris (the North Star) as the earth rotates. Passengers may bring their own small telescope or binoculars. A telescope and half-dozen pairs of binoculars will be aboard the ship for the group to share. Nussbaum will provide star charts and discuss the distances and sizes of the stars and how it is that we are actually looking back in time as we view deeper into space.  A professor of analytical chemistry and chemistry for non-science majors, Mark has taken courses in astronomy and astrophysics and has taught astronomy at the college level. He’s also led or assisted at outdoor viewing sessions on several occasions. 

“I love astronomy and look forward to once again enjoying the beauty of the stars and planets with my fellow passengers aboard the Manitou.” – Mark Nussbaum. 

Wine Tasting Cruise – Explore the great wine regions of the world with sommelier and restaurant proprietor Amanda Danielson.  Each evening aboard the Manitou we will discuss the winemaking histories and taste the varietals of different countries.  Dinners will feature paired wines chosen by Amanda as a perfect complement to our meals. Amanda and her husband Paul moved to Traverse City in 2000 with the intention of opening a restaurant. Their dream came true in July 2004 when Trattoria Stella in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons welcomed its first guest. Amanda was raised in restaurants and driven toward hospitality education early in her career. Her passion for training took her around the world to open new restaurants and upon arrival in Northern Michigan, worked for Grand Traverse Resort and Spa first as its training manager and then as fine-dining operations at the Trillium Restaurant and management of the Resort's wine program. Amanda strongly believes in educating the community through a series of wine and service classes.  She continues to pursue her own education and more certifications in the vast field of wine.  Paul and Amanda recently co-founded the Grand Traverse Convivium of the Slow Food Movement.

“The best thing about wine is that the more you learn, the more you realize that you’re never going to know. It’s always new; it’s always fresh; and you can be rest assured that you will never get bored of learning, teaching and drinking wine.” -  Amanda Danielson

For more about Stella’s, visit www.stellatc.com 

Gourmet Chocolate and Storytelling Cruise
If you love world-class chocolate and a great story, not to mention good company, this is the trip for you.  Chocolatier Mimi Wheeler, owner of “The Grocer’s Daughter,” will guide us through daily tastings of her mouthwatering chocolates, along with enlightening discussions of the many dimensions of chocolate; its history, health benefits, production and her trip to Ecuador to study the journey of the cacao bean from rain forest to market.  Mimi is passionate about sustainable agriculture and organic practices and she brings this to her artful chocolate creations.

“My love for rich, dark chocolate and a deep connection to my garden inspired my truffles and other chocolate creations. I use fruits, edible flowers and herbs from my summer garden and from the soils and the natural beauty of northern Michigan. Travels and studies of chocolate in France and Scandinavia also helped give birth to this production.  I hope you will enjoy these handcrafted, artisan chocolates for their quality and their uniqueness.”
 – Mimi Wheeler

For more about Mimi and The Grocer’s Daughter go to:  www.grocersdaughter.com

Norm Wheeler, well-known member of the local storytelling and poetry troupe “The Beach Bards” (and also Mimi’s husband) will regale us with a host of enchanting myths, legends and poems under the stars.  What better way to spend a peaceful evening on the deck of a magnificent tall ship?