The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GEOGRAPHY

CURIOUSLY, WHEN ONE IS HEADED NORTH ON LAKE MICHIGAN, ONE IS "DOWN-
WARD," AND HEADED SOUTHWARD TO CHICAGO, ONE IS "UPBOUND." THIS OCCURS
ONLY ON LAKE MICHIGAN. THE NAVIGATIONAL AND MARITIME TRADITION WHICH
DEFINES THE CONCEPTS "UPBOUND"AND "DOWNBOUND" IS THAT "DOWNBOUND" IS
ALWAYS "SEAWARD TO THE HEAD OF NAVIGATION." HENCE, ON THE GREAT LAKES
"DOWNWARD" IS THE DIRECTION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY FROM THE
LAKES. YET, ON LAKE ERIE, SAILORS DO NOT DESIGNATE DIRECTION BY
"UPBOUND" OR "DOWNBOUND" BUT "EASTBOUND" OR "WESTBOUND"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Date learned: 02-21-1970