Great Lakes Earth

[JohnWDaileyGLE]

Let us say that, in the future, some scientists have created satellites capable of something that seems science fiction for now — punching the walls of the universe to study an alternate reality. By that scenario, some hundreds of "alternate Earths" from hundreds of alternate universes would already have been discovered and meticulously studied. As much as half of them would still be ruled by humans, unfolded by events that turned out differently. One universe, for example, had an Earth where 9/11 never happened, or where the outcome of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars ended up differently.

One of the most interesting to note was a planet that scientists call "Alternate Earth 111", known to the public as "Great Lakes Earth".

Why?

Because at first glance, it seemed that almost every continent is dominated by lakes, even those larger than the Great Lakes that we have in North America. What is its history? What points of divergence would we expect to see in this particular variation?

This proved to be a long, backbreaking investigation because when our alt-satellites picked up Great Lakes Earth, it has discovered traces of civilization — traces roughly 100,000 years old. However, after years of picking up the pieces and speculating on the rest, we believe that we have mapped the entire geography and the best of the history of Great Lakes Earth.

Geography

Solar System

The Cause is set. Now to investigate the Effects these changes have on climate, weather, landscape, ocean current circulation, nightscape and Milankovitch Cycles.

[Pareidollhouse]

Your hyperlinks are all goofed up, boss.

[JohnWDaileyGLE]

How do I fix them?

[O Senhor Leetz]

The inhabitants of the coast exist upon an economy of catering to inland tourists, who pay way too much for fish that's not even that good. The locals say that there are 9 months of winter and 3 months of tourists. During the long, dark, cold winters, the locals drink copious amounts of alcohol, partake in winter sports, and play a strange card game called euchre. During this time of the year, the beverage of choice is Pabts Blue Ribbon, a sub-par local-ish beer ironically adopted by fashionable inlanders, and Hot Damn, a sweet, spicy, cinnamon-flavored liquor.

During the short, beautiful summers, the locals are normally working their fingers to the bone, accommodating tourists, seducing inlanders, and spending the long, bright evenings on boats and beaches. During this time of the year, the locals also drink copious amounts of alcohol, again being mostly Pabst Blue Ribbon and Jim Beam bourbon.

Spring and fall are also brutal seasons, being composed primarily of rain and a never-ending front of clouds and wind. During these times of the year, locals also drink copious amounts of alcohol. In the fall, it is mostly Pabst Blue Ribbon and a foreign, herbal aperitif called, in its native land, Jaegermeister. In the spring, it is gin and tonic, which is ironic because there is no malaria to be had.

Sports are of the utmost importance to the folk of the Greak Lakes, which changes according to the season. There is also a legend among the lake folk that speaks of the Green Flash, a mystical spirit that appears for a split second when the sun sets over the lakes. The lake folk are a strange folk indeed.

[JohnWDaileyGLE]

Um...what's this got to do with geography or astronomy?

[O Senhor Leetz]

I grew up on the northern coast of Lake Michigan. Just being sassy.

But seriously, lake-effect weather will be a big part of your world. Lots of clouds, very wet, relatively mild seasons.

[JohnWDaileyGLE]

I recall writing a lot more detail than that.

[O Senhor Leetz]

Ok.