Stories. History. Lake Life.

Hi, I'm Riva — lifelong Lake Orion resident, storyteller, and your captain aboard Tour on Orion. Fittingly enough, I was actually named after a boat, so I guess this life was always steering me toward the water.

2026 marks my 18th summer giving historical boat tours on Lake Orion, and just like a fine wine, this tour keeps getting better with age. When I first started, all I had to work with was one history book and a stack of old newspapers. Today, technology has opened up an entirely new world of research, uncovering stories I never would have found years ago.

People often ask where I find my stories. The truth is — everywhere. Libraries across Michigan, antique postcard shows, estate sales, auctions, old journals, cassette recordings, donated photographs, newspaper archives... and of course, my time machine.

Somewhere along the way, this became more than just a boat tour.

My goal isn't just to share Lake Orion's history. It's to preserve it, spark conversations, and help people leave with a deeper appreciation for the place we all love.