Do you have a question? Please e-mail your questions to Leah.
Where is Nahma?
Nahma (map) is located on Lake Michigan's Big Bay de Noc, in the south of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. "Nahma" is Ojibway, meaning, "sturgeon." As noted below, it grew up as a lumber town, possibly founded in 1856; that's when the post office was opened. Across from Nahma on the Garden Peninsula is the historic mining town of Fayette.
Why does the club dive in Nahma?
Nahma is significant for a couple of reasons. Number one is that Leah, Justin and Dayna's parents have a summer home in Nahma. Number two is that Nahma's bay on Lake Michigan holds many different treasures. At the turn of the twentieth century, Nahma was a booming lumber town. Logs were brought via railroad to the docks at Nahma and then loaded onto ships bound for lumbermills at the ports on the Great Lakes. All of this traffic in and out of Nahma left great amounts of "treasure" scattered on the lake bottom.
However, as time went on, the natural resources began to become depleted, and in 1951, the entire town of Nahma was sold. At the time of sale, Nahma had more than 750 full-time residents. That number is now estimated to be around 80, although to drive through the town, one would think that number awfully high. The whole of Nahma Township (which, incidentally, was the first township in Delta County - take that, Escanaba!) only has about 500 residents.
Every winter, the ice and waves uncover more and more treasure, and walks along the beach following summer storms often yield interesting things, too. While we haven't yet found anything of any great value, who knows what the next storm might uncover buried under the sand?
What's with the gnome?
Inspired by the success of The Roaming Gnome, Günter hitchhiked to Nahma on some of the logging trucks that drive through the Upper Peninsula. Once in Nahma, Günter was chased by one of the packs of homeless dogs that roam the town, but managed to escape into the surrounding marshes. He now lives there happily, coming out mostly at night to dive by the light of the moon on the bay. A careful listener at the night bonfire might hear the splashes he makes entering and exiting the water. Günter prefers to be a silent member of the club, leaving his treasures on the picnic table spool when everyone leaves the beach for the night.
Where can I get one of those cool club shirts?
The club shirts can be purchased online at cafepress.com/nahmadive. Please double-check all sizing before you buy.
