The Great Lakes

LakeSuperior

“Are you sure that this isn’t the ocean?”

“Yes, Erika, I’m positive that this isn’t the ocean. Go taste the water. It’s not salty.”

“Harumph. I think it’s the ocean. Look, you can’t see the other side. And we’re standing on a sandy beach.”

“We’re in Michigan dear…there’s no ocean.”

Fine then. I guess the Great Lakes are not the ocean. Still.. I am quite bothered by the semantic issues…

As a matter of principle, I will still insist on my definition of a lake! A lake (from the Erika dictionary): a body of water where you can stand on one shore and see the land on the other side. If you can’t see the land surely it’s an ocean. I mean if these bodies of water are considered lakes, why not call the Atlantic Ocean a lake? Sure, you can’t see the other side from Duxbury Beach, but Europe is over there- it must just be a big lake.

Oh, and the saltiness issue, let’s not even get into that! After hours of thinking during our long car rides I can’t even explain why the ocean is salty!

Erika Written by:

5 Comments

  1. June 22, 2009

    You’re so cool. 🙂

  2. Mom
    June 22, 2009

    Am impressed you have time for all this while you are driving. Impressed that you found internet connection along the way too.

    Have fun!!!

  3. June 23, 2009

    May be that’s why [for not being able to see the other side of the lake], that these Great Lake Coastlines are called the ‘Third Coast of the US’ ?

    Safe travels 🙂
    -g

  4. Susan
    June 23, 2009

    I think I remember having some of your same thoughts the first time I saw Lake Superior. Beautiful isn’t it? Have fun … safe journey.

  5. Lauren
    June 25, 2009

    Erika-
    The Great Lakes are not ocean. I went to the lake here and it was so so much worse than the ocean. No waves. dirty sand. and ALGAE! Oh was it green.
    Being from New England you must ostracize those without ocean.
    Just saying…

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