Flowing springs.

[hoser]

I saw an add on tv not too long ago about a huge flowing spring in Michigan's upper peninsula called Big Spring. I have been there twice and it is a sight to behold. Here is a short story of it. Kitchitikipi (Big Spring) is the largest freshwater spring in Michigan. The original name of the spring was the “Mirror of Heaven” given to it by the early Native Americans. It is an oval pool about 300 by 175 feet, and 40 feet deep. Over 10,000 gallons a minute of water rush up from cracks in the limestone floor and maintains a constant 45 degree Fahrenheit. It is about six miles west of Manistique on US Highway 2 and 12 miles north on M-149 in Thompson Township. Kitchitikipi is located within Palms Brook State Park.
Ok the thing I remember is the pull barge is open in the middle so you can see down into the spring as it bubbles out of the ground and every person I saw dropped a coin down into it where it disappeared from site. The child portion of my mind envisions piles and piles of old coins laying at the bottom never to be seen again. Then the analytical part kicks in and I remember what the surf hunters say about coins being ground down to nothing in the moving sands. with that in mind do you think the coins just drop all the way to the bottom, or are they sand tumbled to nothing. I know, I have way too much idle time on my hands right now.

 

[bottlecap4u]

Sounds like another Oak Island series for you in the U.P.!! Does remind me when I was a kid, went to Mammoth Caves in KY with my family, near the end, if I recall, was large cavern pool full of coins, I looked around, grabbed a handful and stuffed them in my pockets, They were mostly totally green and a bit crusty. Perhaps they may look like that? who knows.

 

[mudwhale]

There are no coins on the bottom. What people don't realize is there is a catch net hanging under the pull barge that gets cleaned out at the end of the day. Rumor has it they have been doing this since the 1700's and there are jars of silver coins stashed nearby.

 

[hoser]

Sounds like another Oak Island series for you in the U.P.

AKKKK! don't say that. Marty Lagina will be pounding on my door wanting a piece of the action.

there is a catch net hanging under the pull barge that gets cleaned out at the end of the day.

Oh the dirty dogs. I want my Zincolns back.

 

[DougF]

They might be like Luray Caverns - once a year they go in and scoop up all the coins from water features, and donate the proceeds to charity. Which reminds me of a video I saw (youtube?) where a guy had a business of cleaning corroded coins removed from public fountains. He used a concrete mixer to tumble them, but didn't tell what chemicals he was using. I don't think he used any abrasive.

 

[John Madill]

I visited it in the 70s. Very unique place. Was in private hands until state acquired it. Yes there should be a lot of silver coins at the bottom.

Well preserved logs at the bottom, lots of big fish too.

Would take a scuba diver to extract something and the authorities would frown on it.