Grand Haven Pier Watercolor

My watercolor of the pier in Grand Haven.  The tree is not there any more but the rip rap is.  Jumping off the pier is dangerous.  Walking the pier is dangerous on days when the waves are high.  People have been washed off the pier when an unexpected rogue wave hits them.  Today is warm for February and many people are enjoying a walk on the pier with no high waves.

Catwalk Coming Down Soon

The Grand Haven Pier needs to be repaired and so the catwalk will come down so the repairs may be done.  Many people enjoy walking the pier but the uneven cement makes it hazardous.  I tripped once when I was not paying attention.

Today the waves are high so it is best to stay off of the pier.  Many unwitting tourists have been washed into the river or the lake.

A Walk on the Grand Haven Pier

The pier is at the confluence of the Grand River and Lake Michigan.  We saw fishermen, joggers and strollers.  The fishing was not too good that day.

Read more about the Great Lakes in The Dynamic Great Lakes.

National Geographic Link to New Information

National Geographic maps of Great Lakes Threats 
 Click on the link above.

Nothing Stays the Same

The sunsets are lovely over Lake Michigan.  Last night just after the sun went down we could see Venus, Mercury and Saturn in the nw.  They formed a triangle in the evening sky and then a dark cloud covered the planets.

I painted this picture of the pier in Grand Haven a few years ago.  Now the tree is gone and the pier, battered by the lake's powerful waves, is showing its age.  The light still shines at night but the fog horn no longer blows its mournful sound.  People use other navigation systems now. Nothing stays the same.

Grand Haven's Pier Needs Repairs

The pier in Grand Haven needs repairs.  People like to fish from it and some can be seen doing just that.  I took this photo that shows fishing boats in the channel of the Grand River and out in Lake Michigan.  Pictured is the cat walk and its shadow with the lighthouse showing through the metal structure.