With a cityscape shrouded in mist behind it, the Belle Isle bridge looks golden in the morning sunlight, its reflection dancing on top of the Detroit River. I’m sitting on the beach with Canada to my back, facing the Michigan side of the river and feeling utterly content. Even in early September, the temperature is cool enough to wear a fleece, and I feel in my element leaning against a familiar tree and writing in my journal as I look out at the water. Swimming on Belle Isle Beach is closed for the season , the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced on Facebook Sept. 4, for reasons Matt Morris, Belle Isle Swim Club community manager, tells me have to do with lingering water quality issues after a rainstorm. This doesn’t seem to have stopped people from showing up and enjoyin

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