Six Things To Do On Belle Isle For 2010

It's cold. VERRRY cold. Maybe 10 degrees F. Plus the extra wind factor on the island. Plus the smart dog seems to have a limp. Plus I've barely recovered the feeling in my outer limbs from yesterday's excursion. So today I'm writing about some of the things I'd like to check out on the island this year, in no particular order, while we all stay inside.

1. Escape some very hot weather on the swan paddleboats. Can I borrow a small child to come along? I wonder if they'll let me take the dogs on the paddleboat? UPDATE: No paddleboats this year. No money for them.

2. Kayak the canals and Blue Heron Lagoon. I've seen people doing this. I've kayaked other places. Anyone have a kayak they'd like to sell?

3. Walk the Nature Trails in the woods, along the canal. I wonder if this is the old Detroit News Trail that I've seen photos of. UPDATE: See Bluebirds And Cardinals Stand Watch for a little of the trail.

4. Visit the Police Station, in a good way. It's one of the oldest remaining structures on the island (1895?). The fieldstone exterior is amazing. From the few reports I've seen, the interior is in decent shape.

5. Visit the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. UPDATE: Pilot Your Own Freighter At The Dossin Great Lakes Museum

6. Play the nine-hole golf course. It is really more of a pitch-and putt course. I am among the world's worst golfers, so whoever goes with will have to be a saint. I mostly look forward to the walking around and the views.

The Friends of Belle Isle website is a good spot to find out about everything the island has to offer. I hope to be back out exploring soon. See you on the island!