23-Jul-2003 -- In hunting for the N47 W089 confluence on July 23, 2003, I found myself on the shore of Misery Bay in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Ontonagon County historic Society speculated that Misery Bay got its name from a young man who once had to sleep on its shores. He was on a boat and had to come into shore due to an awful storm. He named the spot Misery Bay because of the miserable conditions he experiences that day. The Historic Society was not sure whether this story is fact, or legend.

Unlike its’ name, the bay today was calm, and weather balmy. 5 mph winds from the NNE with an air temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperature was approximately 57 degrees Fahrenheit. A beautiful day!!

I put in at the mouth of the Misery River, a mere one mile from the confluence. Lake Superior agates can be found on the area beaches. This is also “native” copper country, and has been mined by the Indians for thousands of years before the white man arrived to do the same. Pure copper nuggets, the size of mini-vans, have been found here.

Once at the confluence I estimate that it was 200 yards offshore. Pictures are to the west, south, and northeast. Nothing but water can be viewed looking north