Pure Michigan Travel - Lighthouses Highlights

Foggy Afternoon on the Cold Lake

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:34:14 GMT

Walking the forest path from Hurricane River to Au Sable Point on a foggy day, then hiking back via the rocky shoreline offers a spooky experience and a good way to walk off the effects of a whitefish sandwich and pale ale from Lake Superior Brewing Company in Grand Marais. This stretch of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is different from the dramatic cliff-dominated shoreline to the west, but is very dynamic and interesting. Glimpses of boulders and slabs of colored sandstone are glimpsed through the trees along the flat, 1 ½ - mile path that begins at the mouth of Hurricane River and ends directly behind Au Sable Point Lighthouse. Once at the Lighthouse, scrambling down the hillside to the beach offers a view to the east of the curving, 5-mile expanse of Grand Sable Dunes looming in the foggy distance. Heading west back toward the river mouth, the shore starts out sandy but then gives way to smooth beach stones followed by large multicolored rocks and boulders. A rock ledge separates the beach from the woods above and draining water trickles over the shelf and out from its face. Beneath the rocks are multiple layers of sandstone slabs in various red, yellow, and brown hues. Centuries of ice and crashing waves have created unusual textures in these slabs. Holes have been worn through in places creating pockets holding smaller stones. The layered rock is decorated with swirls of red and yellow, and strange round nubs stick up here and there along the otherwise smooth surface. The remains of the shipwrecked Mary Jarecki, a freighter that strayed off course in the fog and ran aground in 1883, are located along this stretch of Lake Superior. My imagination, over-stimulated from reading of horrifying tragedies along this stretch of frigid lakeshore while doing research for an essay on Great Lakes shipwrecks, pictured these remains very clearly (and irrationally). In my mind a decayed but recognizable hull rose out of the sand at a perilous angle, complete with intact weather-beaten crow’s nest (do freighters have these?) bearing the ragged skeletal structure of an ill-fated mariner. Is that too much to hope for after 125 years? Surprisingly, it turns out that no one died in this particular shipwreck and what is actually visible today are oak beams with iron pegs partially buried in the sand and underwater. At the sound of the foghorn I looked up over the misty lake and spotted another ship slowly creeping along in the murky distance. The sudden eeriness of the moment made up for any disgruntlement I had been feeling over the lack of washed-up treasure or hastily-scrawled last words carved into driftwood. If the weather had been warm and sunny, the experience would not have been nearly as perfect. For more photos: http://nasunto.blogspot.com/2008/03/foggy-afternoon-on-cold-lake.html

Mackinaw City; Place of History

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:08:30 GMT

I went to Mackinaw City for the historic 50th anniversary bridge walk, and discovered this area has a long and fascinating history, a destination for people since at least 650AD when Native Americans cane to the straits to fish and left remains of Hopwellian (mound builders) pottery. The story of the varied people and how they got there is told along the historical pathway that winds through the town and along the ever changing green-blue-gray waters of the straits, as well as at two better known destinations, the lighthouse and fort. The path tells tales of the first Europeans who paddled about 50 miles a day, sleeping under their canoes at night and living off lyed corn with pork and a soup of dried peas as they canoed from Montreal to the straits and beyond to obtain furs. Along the pathway you will also learn about Alexander Henry, the first Englishman in the area who awoke one morning to discover he had spent the night on a pile of human bones, and Chief WaWaTam, who befriended him because of a dream. Just west of the Mackinaw Bridge stands the restored fort, built in 1715 by the French to protect the fur trade. The fort has been occupied by the French, the British, and the Chippewa Indians. The British era of the fort is recreated today as the voices of men and a few women mix with the stomp of boots and the firing of muskets. Odors of gunpowder and open hearth cooking fill the air. British soldiers could be fugitives or convicts (but not Roman Catholics). They had to be at least 5’4”; however, sometimes shorter men were accepted if they promised to grow. They also had to have at least 4 teeth. Visitors have the chance to lie in the bunks soldiers slept in (minus the bedbugs and lice), try on a redcoat, and experience the “black hole” where prisoners were kept. There are restored quarters of officers, enlisted men (married and single), and fur traders. I was surprised to see a pink brocade sedan chair and a pool table in the commanding officers house, as well as copies of verses he wrote about his experiences. Outside, heritage plants fill the gardens. A reenactor gave us herbs to smell while she described their use. Wormwood (which stunk) was made into a tea to treat parasites, Bible leaf Plant was put in books to prevent bugs from chewing on the pages. The often turbulent water of the straits has claimed many ships, including the first steamship to try to cross the straits. Maritime history is told along the path and continued in the Mackinaw Point Lighthouse tour. Built in 1892 as a duplex, one side of the lighthouse is now furnished as it might have been around 1910, including a gramophone playing popular music of the day in the sitting room. The lighthouse keeper and his family were responsible for keeping the light lit and keeping up the property. “Utmost neatness” was demanded by the lighthouse service; there were prescribed duties for both the keeper and his wife. If all was not in order when inspectors arrived (unannounced), the keeper could be reprimanded or even dismissed. Another duty of the keeper was to be “courteous and polite” to visitors and to show them around the lighthouse. With its unusual location in a village, this lighthouse got more visitors than most. For many visitors today, the highlight of the tour is the four story, 51 step climb up the circular stairway to the top of the tower. The last eight feet of the climb are on an eleven rung ladder and through hatch. Until the light was electrified, the keeper had to carry 5 ½ oz. of kerosene up the ladder to light the 4th order Fresnel lens, which is still on display. From the tower, visitors look out to the Mackinaw Bridge who’s towers, 552 feet above the water, eliminated the need for the lighthouse. Visitors learn the impact of tourists to the area even before the bridge was built. In the 1880, Mackinaw City had nine passenger trains a day and a railroad hotel fit for the “most fastidious epicurean tourist”. During the early days of the automobile, it was a popular destination for private auto clubs. The need for a bridge over the nearly 5 miles of water between the upper and lower peninsulas existed for a long time. In the early days of automobiles, it cost $40 to one way for cars to take the railroad ferry across. By the early 1950s, during deer season there could be a ten hour wait for the auto ferries. Various ideas were put forth, including a floating tunnel and a set of causeways and bridges from Cheboygan to Bois Blanc, Round, and Mackinac Islands, ending in St. Ignace. In 1954, construction of the suspension bridge began. Using six million rivets, 750,000 tons of concrete and steel, and 42,000 miles of wire, the bridge was completed in 1957 just in time for deer season. Over 4.5 million vehicles use the bridge each year, along with cyclists during the Dal Mac ride just before Labor Day and pedestrians on the annual Labor Day walk.

Beacons Beckon

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:50:35 GMT

They're called the Sentinels of the Inland Seas and Michigan has more of them than any other state in the country. Over 115 lighthouses dot the 3,200-mile shoreline of Michigan's two peninsulas, strategically placed to serve as aids to navigation, to warn boats and ships of hazards such as reefs and shoals, as well as to indicate entries to harbors.

Tall, conical, square or octagonal in shape, lighthouses are unique in their design and to their locations, whether on a sandy shore, a breakwall, or a natural or artificial island. While some lights are still active, many of these beacons now serve as seasonal museums, bed & breakfast inns, photogenic subject matter and symbols of the past that are Pure Michigan.

Lighthouse Sampler

From the oldest light to the most recently renovated, each light has a special story to share. >more

Island Lights

Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan is dotted with islands. Many are home to lighthouses that are open to view or visit. >more

Touring the Lights Fantastic

An excellent way to take in many lights is on a tour designated for that purpose. >more

Superior Sleepovers

Fall asleep to the Pure Michigan sounds and solitude only a lighthouse can offer. >more

Volunteer Keepers

Programs are in place, at several Michigan lighthouses, for guests to become a volunteer lighthouse keeper. >more

Charity Island Dinner Cruise

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:27 GMT

My boyfriend and I took the Charity Island Dinner Cruise last summer, and I just can't stop thinking about the wonderful trip we had! The cruise to the island was perfect with very few waves and everyone on the boat was so friendly as we all got acquainted. We were served vegetables and dip, and we had brought a bottle of wine. When we arrived, the history presentation by Bob Wiltse was so informative and entertaining. The dinner was fantastic. I had the perch and my boyfriend had the beef tips. The atmosphere and the fellowship made it the most enjoyable meal. Karen Wiltse gave us all a tour of the lighthouse keeper's house and made us feel like we were all friends and family. The scenery was awe-inspiring and the host and hostess were so dear to everyone. The return trip home was timed to the sunset as we were served coffee and cheese cake. I keep telling everyone what a great trip it was and just wish everyone could experience it. I plan on returning every summer and this summer we are getting a group of our friends to go with us. This sunset dinner cruise is Michigan's best kept secret. If you do nothing else this summer, take this trip. You will absolutely love it!

Lighthouses of Michigan

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:25:10 GMT

Lighthouses of Michigan I have taken three trips to Michigan in the past five years. My favorite was an Elderhostel sponsored by the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Bob and Pat Hogan. It was a Lighthouse Tour where we visited 22 Lighthouses. We met in Muskegon where we stayed the first two days. We traveled by bus going to Petoskey for the next two nights, and then to Cheboygan for a night. We then returned to Muskegon for another night. Of course, along the way, we visited many Lighthouses and had presentations by a number of experts. The places where we stayed were: Holiday Inn Muskegon harbor; Perry Hotel, Petoskey; Best Western River Terrace, Cheboygan. Some of the great meals we enjoyed were at Boondocks in Glen Arbor, Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and a great dinner at the Perry hotel in Petoskey. It would take too long to tell of all the Lighthouses we visited or the details of all we saw. Just to tell of one lighthouse, Old Mission Point near Traverse City, is on the 45th parallel that is halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. It was built in 1870 and deactivated in 1933, and is pictured here.

South Manitou Island

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:09:23 GMT

We took the Manitou Transit Ferry from Leland (Fishtown) out to the South Manitou Island, located in Lake Michigan. The water was very calm that day, there and back. We did the day trip. White feathered clouds filled the beautiful blue skies and made great reflections on the water. From the dock on the Island, we hiked the shore line to the Lighthouse. From my picture, you can see it is very well maintained. It still sits on the shoreline guiding ships and inviting folks to come visit the simpler days that have gone by. The next trip to the Island, we will be staying a few days to explore more of the gifts it has to offer and experience the rustic life.

Wonderful Summers Up North in Michigan

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:08:35 GMT

I am an Ohio girl and my husband is a Michigan boy. We met in Texas and immediately after we were transferred to Grand Rapids Michigan. I was excited about starting a new life in Michigan, but not at all ready for everything it had to offer. Grand Rapids was a beautiful city with so many things to do. Then my husband took me up north. That was all it took. I have been in love with the U.P of Michigan since then. We have been to Mackinac Island several times and we have always enjoyed it. We have also been to Whitefish Point and the beautiful lighthouse they have. We have walked along the beach area they have and brought home a few rocks that washed up on the shore. We were lucky enough to spend our 23rd wedding anniversary on Mackinac Island this past August. We took our children along and spent two lovely nights there. Our children are so in love with Michigan, they look forward to our visits there. Our youngest that is 10 years old says, “It’s not summer until we go up north.” I tend to agree. Look for us this summer….see you there.

Beyond the race

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Written by Julie Royce with permission from Michigan BLUE Magazine.

Hosted by Detroit-based Bayview Yacht Club, the now 85-year-old Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race tempts thousands of visitors to Port Huron’s shores come July--yet reasons to venture here begin long before the starting cannon’s crack and continue long after the showy sails are but specks on the horizon. Here on Michigan’s Sunrise Side, visitors will find they can shoehorn a summer’s worth of activity into a long weekend.

Ever since the Sauk and Ojibwa canoed the connected waterways of Lake Huron and her rivers, the water has demanded center stage. Today utility melds with pleasure. While ocean-bound freighters the length of two football fields navigate their heavy cargos through the St. Clair River beneath the soaring Blue Water Bridges connecting Michigan to Ontario, the picturesque Huron Lady II offers narrated charter cruises, including one to the starting line on race day. And while shipwrecks beckon bold divers from below, dropping a fishing line from above over the side of a small boat remains as popular today as a century ago.

The Great Lakes Maritime Center, at the juncture of the Black and St. Clair rivers and heart of the globe’s largest inland shipping route, attracts freighter watchers with coffee, doughnuts, comfortable chairs and panoramic views of river traffic; fans can also listen in here to what’s happening via onboard radios. Outside, indulge in a salty snack from the French Fry Truck, a frosty concoction from the Ice Cream Trailer, or fresh flowers and produce during farm market hours.

More maritime treasures emerge at any of Port Huron’s five intriguing museums:

Explore shipwrecks, discover how to build a schooner and step into a pilot’s house as it looked in the early 1900s in the Carnegie Center’s Marine Gallery. This must-see stop also unveils the Blue Water area’s engaging nautical legacy.
The Thomas Edison Museum showcases the life of Port Huron’s favorite son. It occupies the Fort Gratiot Depot that provided employment to 12-year-old Thomas, who hawked newspapers and snacks on the Port Huron-to-Detroit runs between 1859 and 1863 to finance the burgeoning costs of his experiments; the clever lad had marked every vial “poison” to discourage tampering. Recreation of his chemistry lab, printing shop and interactive displays await.
The Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, commissioned in 1944 at a cost of nearly $1 million, participated in “Operation Crossroads,” the first test of an atomic bomb’s effect on surface ships. The Bramble later served a distinguished career of search and rescue, icebreaking, and law enforcement throughout the Great Lakes. Decommissioned in 2003, visitors now board the Bramble at the Acheson Ventures Seaway Terminal. Here they also can board Acheson’s 154-foot topsail schooner, Highlander Sea, for learning excursions, tours, day and overnight sails.
The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, serves as sentinel for one of the busiest waterways in the world. Climb her stairs for a sweeping view of the St. Clair River’s entryway to Lake Huron.
Finally, tour the floating Huron Lightship museum, docked at Pine Grove Park. During its working days it displayed a light at the top of its mast and anchored in spots too deep, expensive or impractical to construct a stationary lighthouse.

Even Port Huron’s galleries indulge the local obsession with water: Don’t leave without a stop at Studio 1219. Started by a “Cool Cities” grant to nurture budding artists, Studio 1219 displays (for both your visual enjoyment and potential purchase) the artwork of more than 100 local artists.

Meanwhile--downtown amongst myriad boutique shops including home and garden accessory trove Weekends and memorably scented BackYard Soaps – Cap’n Jim’s Gallery focuses on maritime art and lore. By race week, Cap’n Jim Clary will unveil, in an acrylic original painting and giclee prints, a near bow-on view of the world’s only seven-masted schooner, Thomas W. Lawson, constructed in 1901.

While in town, be certain to ascend the 188 steps of the McMorran Tower to the observation platform for an aerial view of the Blue Water Bridges--as well as the race’s starting course.

Doing so will undoubtedly work up your appetite. Courses of another kind can be found high atop the Port Huron Office Center in The Fogcutter, which serves up renowned waterfront views in addition to fresh seafood, choice meat cuts and variety of other fine dining fare in a casually elegant atmosphere. Other local favorites include The Black River Café, a welcoming bistro with inventive offerings such as perch tacos, heirloom tomato trout with risotto cakes and omelet croissant sandwiches; The Vintage Tavern – Cheers meets Wolfgang Puck with a splash of Napa Valley – for flavorful items including teriyaki salmon, afternoon wine flights and unique brews served indoors or out overlooking the Black River; and the culturally, musically, culinary hip Raven Café, located in a Civil War-era building, for live entertainment and creative fare.

To learn more, visit www.bluewater.org. Michigan-based writer Julie Royce has authored "Traveling Michigan's Thumb" and "Traveling Michigan's Sunset Coast" (Thunder Bay Press).

Michigan BLUE Magazine, Michigan's Lakestyle Magazine, is published bi-monthly by Gemini Publications. Lisa Jensen is the editor.

Travel Michigan has received permission to reproduce this article.

Cruise Old Mission

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

By Christiana Schmitz with permission of MyNorth.com

A lovely, languid drive along Old Mission Peninsula; the hilly green finger of land that divides the east and west sides of Grand Traverse Bay;is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. From the base of the peninsula, follow Garfield Road north out of Traverse City, then head left on M-37, also known as Center Road. Brake for the tasting rooms of the half-dozen Old Mission wineries to pick up a bottle of vino for dinner, then swing by Fox Valley Gardens Farm Market (231-883-8337) for in-season fruits and veggies as well as honey, fresh cut flowers and maps of the peninsula. Cut across Wilson Road and cruise the coast, turning right on Nelson Road for a captivating detour: latticework branches intertwine overhead, shading a sun-speckled lane that skirts one of the peninsula’s many orchards. This hidden two-track will bring you back to M-37, and a left leads you to Peninsula Market (14111 Center Rd., 231-223-9500) for picnic provisions like sandwiches and cold almond cherry chicken salad.

Follow the signs to the eclectic Old Mission General Store (18250 Old Mission Rd., 231-223-4310), where shafts of sunlight illuminate a happy clutter of penny candy, coon caps, antiques, toys and more. Ask owner Jim Richards about the history of this store: the first outpost between Detroit and the Straits of Mackinac. Nab a few more goodies for your picnic, then head north to Lighthouse Park at the very tip of the peninsula. Here’s the spot for a sweet sunset picnic: beach access, a lovely lighthouse and curling sand paths calling you to the water. Make your way to the old metal swing set nestled in the sand, take a seat and let the swing’s soft creaking fold into the sound of the evening waves.

MyNorth.com, the vacation site of the North, is refreshed daily by the staff of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine. Deborah Wyatt Fellows is editor-in-chief.

Bike Bois Blanc Island

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Emily Betz Tya with permission from MyNorth.com.

Start your island day on the mainland, at Cheboygan's State Street Coffee Company (211 W. State St., 231-597-9575) for a cappuccino and croissant. Buy a bag of roasted cashews for the ferry trip to Bois Blanc Island, a quiet Lake Huron hideaway only eight miles away. The Plaunt family has run their Plaunt Transportation passenger ferries out of Cheboygan for more than 75 years (412 Water St., 888-PLAUNTS). Take your car across if you wish—reservations required—or book passage for your bike. There are no rentals in Cheboygan or on the island.

On the 40-minute trip over, set your sights on the freighters plying the Straits, and a glorious view of the Mackinac Bridge.

Debark and set out: The winding dirt shore road that circles the secluded 12-by-6-mile island is a flat and easy bet for biking. The speed limit on the island is 25 miles per hour everywhere—a blessing for bikers—but still watch for cars wending around the bends.

Three miles east of the ferry docks, find Bob-Lo Tavern (231-634-7100) for chef-owner Barb Schlund's spicy dill pickle spears and a Bob-Lo Burger, topped with shredded slow-cooked ham. Before an island treat of fried ice cream anointed in Kahlua, sneak in a round of shuffleboard on the vintage board in the bar.

Another mile east, take a dip at the beach between Rosie Point and Snake Island. Locals named it Snow Beach, as it's one of the only sandy;not rocky shores on the island. Dry out in the sun before circling back the way you came past the island woods filled with chicory, ferns, Queen Anne's lace and black-eyed Susans. End up at Hawk's Landing (231-634-7375), a restaurant, gas station and general store within sight of the ferry docks. Pick up some Bois Blanc paraphernalia and a treat (owner Missy fixes fine apple pies, strawberry shortcake and banana splits to meet the whims of the islanders), then head to your ferry home. Most days the last ferry from the island leaves at 5 p.m. and the Plaunt family runs a tight ship.

MyNorth.com, the vacation site of the North, is refreshed daily by the staff of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine. Deborah Wyatt Fellows is editor-in-chief.

Bike Beaver Island

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

By Elizabeth Edwards with permission from MyNorth.com.

Whether you come by air or sea, Beaver Island's 60 square miles of beautiful terra firma beg exploring. The quiet back roads that wend out of Beaver's only hub, the village of St. James, lend themselves to mountain biking (fat tires are a must for the island's miles of clay-gravel roads). Bring your own bike, or stop by Lakesports' Paradise Bay Gifts and rent one (231-448-2166). Once your wheels are turning, set your sights on the picturesque 46-foot Beaver Head Light on the island's south end. There, you'll climb the circular wrought-iron staircase for a big blue lake vista. You might turn around before you make it the full 18 miles (remember, you'll need to ride back to St. James to catch your ride to the mainland). That's okay, the spectacular tapestry of forest, rocky shoreline and dune beaches you pass along the way are a destination unto themselves.

Stoke up for your ride at Dalwhinnie Bakery and Deli (231-448-2736), where everything from the bread to the bear claws are homemade. Pack along a ham and cheddar on cheese bread for a beach picnic. As you head south on King's Highway, take a moment to stop into the Old Mormon Print Shop Museum (231-448-2254) to learn about this island's rich history—and why the road is called King's Highway. (Hint: Beaver Island once had a king.) Pick up Elizabeth Whitney Williams's book Child of the Sea. The author grew up at the Beaver Head Lighthouse in the 19th century. Now get pedaling. You'll want time to lounge on the beach by the lighthouse and let Williams's book make this beautiful spot come alive.

Getting to Beaver Island: The 32-mile flight over Lake Michigan from Charlevoix is less than a half hour (Island Airways, 800-524-6895; Fresh Air Aviation, 888-359-7448). The ferry the Emerald Isle takes two hours (888-446-4095), but the payoff for the extra time is freshwater spray on your face. For island lodging info contact the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce (231-448-2505).

MyNorth.com, the vacation site of the North, is refreshed daily by the staff of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine. Deborah Wyatt Fellows is editor-in-chief.

Volunteer to be a Lighthouse Keeper This Summer

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association is accepting applications from anyone interesting in living and working in either of their two lighthouses located in northern Michigan

The first opportunity is at the St. Helena Island lighthouse; which is located 8 miles west of the Mackinaw Bridge. Positions are open to singles, couples and families; however any children must be at least 8 years of age to participate. Volunteers will be transported by boat from Mackinaw City to St. Helena Island and will spend their entire tour of duty on the island before being returned to Mackinaw City. Duties run the gamut from painting, sanding, cooking, washing dishes, dusting, hand-pumping and carrying water, serving as a tour guide, and clearing brush and weeds. Volunteer keeper openings are available from mid-June through mid-August, with tours of duty ranging from a minimum of 5 days through the entire two month period, based on the volunteer’s availability. The fee for this great opportunity is $75.00 per person to cover transportation to and from the island, and $12.00 per day for food and incidentals. Housing opportunities are varied and dependent on any groups which may be scheduled on the island during your chosen volunteer period. An experienced volunteer keeper will be in residence at the lighthouse throughout your stay to provide training and direction.

According to Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association Executive Director and lighthouse historian Terry Pepper, while there are a number of lighthouses which offer volunteer keeper programs elsewhere around the Great Lakes, St. Helena offers the only opportunity to experience life on a pristine undeveloped island living life exactly as it was live at the end of the nineteenth century. No electricity, Internet or television, water pumped from a well by hand; nothing but nature's glory and star-filled skies.

The second volunteer keeper opportunity offered by the Association is at the Cheboygan River Front Range lighthouse, right in downtown Cheboygan. According to Pepper, the experience of serving as a weekend volunteer keeper at the Cheboygan River Front Range light offers a unique combination of staying in a historic riverfront lighthouse while enjoying all the amenities of a bustling downtown area. While there is a small kitchenette for the keeper's use, most of the volunteers end up eating their meals at some of the area's restaurants, a number of which are within easy walking distance of the lighthouse.

Two volunteers (couples or good friends) will share a bedroom at the lighthouse at no charge while providing an enjoyable and hospitable environment for visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Since volunteer Keepers will work in pairs, you will be free to swap between gift shop and tour duties as you see fit. Keepers will also be responsible for building and grounds maintenance throughout the day. This may include sweeping down buildings, mowing the lawn, trimming grass, changing light bulbs, etc. There will also be special projects from time to time - ranging from carpentry, light demolition, painting, etc., depending on the individual keeper's skills and abilities. There is no charge for volunteering at the Cheboygan River Front Range lighthouse, however volunteers must be GLLKA members in order to participate.

For additional information on volunteer opportunities at either the St. Helena Island lighthouse or the Cheboygan River Front Range lighthouse, call the Association at 231-436-5580 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, or by email at info@gllka.com

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association is a registered 501(c)(3) Corporation dedicated to preserving Great Lakes lighthouses, the stories of the valiant keepers who served at them and developing the next generation of preservationists.

Kayaks and a King

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:45:56 GMT

I love Lake Michigan, I love history. So I jumped at the chance to go to Beaver Island, the only place in the continental US to have had a king. I ended up falling in love with both the islanders and the island. When we arrived, no one looked askance when we said we wanted to walk the mile or so to our motel. I knew this was my kind of place. A woman saw us hunched over on the ground hunched over and stopped to ask if we were alright. Yes, we told her, we just trying to identify a flower. She said the “toy lady” would know. A few minutes later she came back with the name of the flower. I don’t remember the name, but I remember the kindness. We experienced Lake Michigan in a new way, learning to sit, paddle, and steer a kayak with Ken of Inland Seas. We kayaked to a remote point on the island, ate a picnic, then held our kayaks together and Ken unfurled a big kite. The wind propelled us back to the harbor while we watched the stars come out. We rented a car to see more of this beautiful island. At the south end, visitors can climb the 209 steps of the old lighthouse. Close by there is a sandy beach and swimming in Iron Ore bay. To see how dramatically a beaver dam can affect the surrounding area, we went to Sand Bay and walked the 15 to 20 minute trail over boardwalks to yet another beautiful beach. The trail goes through a marshy land of flowers and ferns (and mud!), some of it in perpetual twilight because of the thick vegetation overhead. We found mention of King Strang throughout the island, and the historical museum has a large exhibit on him. Strang, who founded a Mormon colony here in 1846, declared himself king in 1850. According to legend, he was assassinated by two followers whom he had had horsewhipped. Their offense? Their wives had dared disobey King Strang’s dress code. “We are not sure that is the real reason for the assassination”, Joyce, the museum docent, told us, “but people think it is a good story to tell the tourists”. Whatever the reason, the assassins were regarded as heroes. However, shortly after the deed Mormons were run off Beaver Island. We spent 2 hours talking to Joyce, a wealth of information on island history. Beaver Island- a place of beauty, beaches, history, and wonderful people- we want to go back!

Tawas Point State Park 2007

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:07:00 GMT

We usually camp on the West side of the state. This time however, we tried the East side. We went to Tawas Point State park - beautiful! The facilities were CLEAN, which is one of the most important aspects to me! The water/beach was also clean and just beautiful. The lighthouse is an enjoyable walk down very nice paved trails. The playground was large enough to keep all the kids occupied and there was another on the other side of the park. We will certainly return next year!

The South Haven Experience

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:23:14 GMT

Every Father's Day Weekend, our family goes to South Haven, Michigan to celebrate family. In addition to the wonders this area naturally has, they have a festival with live bands and Dragon Boat Racing all day. We start out the day uniting with more family and enjoying a picnic lunch. Following lunch and laughter, it is time to go to the top of the South Haven Lighthouse for an overview of Lake Michigan followed by the beach for activities from sand castle building to rock skipping to wave jumping. After a day of exploring, we retire to a nearby campfire and let the night wind down.

Lighthouse Festival 2007 combined with Last 2007 Sailing of the Badger

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:55:35 GMT

I've been coming to Michigan since 1961 before I started school. My aunt migrated from Louisa, KY to Detroit in the 1940's, then went on to open Clegg's Fine Foods, a restaurant in Elk Rapids in the mid 1950's, and our first trip north was to visit them. From then on, I was hooked, and I've made 2 or more pilgrimages to all parts of Michigan every year since then. Of late, I've taken a liking to making the final crossing of the season on the SS.Badger. Its very nostalgic, and I've learned that a good deal of its passengers intentionally ride on that occasion every year. This past year I combined that trip with my first ever Lighthouse Festival visit. I've visited many of these same lighthouses before, but it was much more fun doing it in late fall, just before they closed for the season, when the weather was so crisp and beautiful, and the colors of the leaves and sky were in such bright contrast. I met the last keeper of Old Presque Isle, a lady whose husband is said to haunt it. We stood out on the pier about a mile away by a local marina and restaurant at 9:45 watching, and indeed there were eerie lights in the old lighthouse! Very strange! In addition, we met a wonderful lady at Tawas Pt. whose father had been one of the last keepers there, back in the late 1950's. Also, we toured around the Thumb, the last remaining portion of Michigan I had never previously visited. I plan to go back there and explore some more this summer! I enclose a picture of me standing with the last keeper of Old Presque Isle during the lighthouse festival. If you are able to combine a visit to the Lighthouse Festival with a last sailing of the year of the Badger, perhaps I'll see you there!

winter of lighthouse at Grand Haven State Park

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:12:39 GMT

Lighthouse at Grand Haven State Park. Bathing in sunset!