Here we go again!

With our last visit to Port Huron, we arrived right at dusk, so this time we wanted to come back during the daylight. It was even more beautiful during the day than at night, definitely a good call on our part. Today we were driving up to Port Huron and migrating south along the St. Clair River to Lake St. Clair, ending in Detroit.


Fort Gratiot Lighthouse...during the day.

We loved walking along this beach, there is so many interesting things to look at. The water, it is simply breath-taking! The water is very clear and blue, you are mesmerized by its motion through the rapid current. The beach is not only made of "clean" sand, but pebbles and river rock are washed up as well. We carried home two bags full of interesting rocks and fossils. Taylor wanted to take home every rock she found, another new hobby I guess.


Taylor picking up rocks on the beach at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.

While leaving the park I noticed the lighthouse was open for visitors today, but we were trying get Taylor away from the beach and rocks (we literally had to pull her away or she would never leave). Matt and I thought it was best to skip the tour this time and make it less stressful for us.


Taylor taking a moment to pose with the flowers.

Our second stop was the Huron Lightship. They too were open for tours, but the price was a bit steep for the three of us. Usually children under a certain age are free, according to the signage out front this was not the case. The sign stated our 3 year old was $5.00 and adults were $6.00! Instead we opted for some shots of the boat from the outside. None the less, it was an interesting ship with lots of history.


The Huron Lightship permanently docked on the shores of the St. Clair River.

For more information about the Museums of Port Huron, please check out their website HERE!

It was such a beautiful day. We happened to stumble onto an event taking place, the Port Huron Museum's Cemetery Walk at Lakeside Cemetery. It was such a nice day, and the locals were very courteous-- we felt very welcome.

While strolling along the riverfront and in the park, we viewed boats of all sizes cruising up the St. Clair River. None though could compare to this, a large ship heading right for us! We stood and watched as it cleverly maneuvered its way into the river. You could tell they've done this a time or two. I really wish I had purchased the book Know your ships; Guide to boats & boat watching--Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway. Maybe now I'll wait til April when the new 50Th Anniversary Collector's Edition becomes available.


Ship coming into the St. Clair River under the Blue Water Bridge.

Leaving Port Huron, we drove southward following the St. Clair River to the small village of Marine City. I have to admit, I was talking on the phone as we were going through and almost missed this lighthouse completely! As the story goes, I had handwritten the directions in -ahem- order before we left home. I had placed this light at it's original location on Peche Island.


The Peche Island Lighthouse located in Marine City Michigan.

The Peche Island Lighthouse was relocated in 1983 here in Marine City. I had this information before we left, but misplaced it sometime on our trip. Luckily for me, I happened to look over as we were passing the downtown park area. I saw a quick glimpse of the light as we were passing a side street. Matt turned around for me, and while still chatting on the phone I stood in the middle of the road and snapped. If anyone had seen me I must have really looked like a tourist. It wasn't til about an hour later when I found my directions again that I realized this WAS a light on my list. I apologize for not taking this light more serious at that time, and I vow never to let it happen again--lol!

Now were off to Harsens Island!

Stay tuned, there's more to Come...

Coming Home.

Continuing on from our last post, we were finishing up the "thumb" of Michigan. After we left the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse, we continued to travel south on Lakeshore Drive (or route 25) to the town of Harbor Beach. From their very unique (and well built) pier, we viewed the Harbor Beach Lighthouse. As I was walking up to the long pier, I couldn't help but get a picture. It really was a striking view how everything seemed to line up.


The pier @ Harbor Beach.

At the end of the pier, a distant view of the lighthouse could be seen across the harbor. I went alone to the end of the pier, Matt and Taylor were not up to the walk, so they stayed in the car for this one. At the end I met three fishermen trying to nab the catch of the day. They said,"...in the summer time the beach is packed with people lookin' at that thing." I didn't stay long since I was alone, it really isn't much fun looking at a lighthouse without sharing it with someone. The brisk walk back helped my body loosen up again from the days long car ride.


The Harbor Beach Lighthouse from the end of the pier.

When I got back to the car, Taylor was having a normal tantrum. She had enough of the long car ride and wanted to get out and stretch her legs too. We convinced her to wait a few more miles until we got to the Port Sanilac Lighthouse. Maybe there they would have a playground she could jump around on. Playgrounds or ice cream usually helps, either one and she is content for a while longer.

Port Sanilac Lighthouse was hidden at the end of a residential area, and we almost missed it! When we arrived at the light, Matt and Taylor stayed in the parking lot and walked around looking at the trees and leaves (a new hobby she was starting--collecting leaves). I started the walk out onto a heavily overgrown breakwall/trail. It was pretty thick, but not nearly as bad as Ashtabula was (see Road Trip Part Deux! post). I couldn't see exactly where the lighthouse was, so I thought the further I walked out, the easier I would see it along the coast. So when I got out aways I just happened to turn around--voila!--there it was right behind me! Oh, but that's not the best part!


Port Sanilac Lighthouse from the breakwall.

Apparently, we parked right next to the lighthouse and no one noticed! When I returned to the Jeep, Matt asked me if I got any good photos of it and how far down the coast it was. I could hardly contain my laughter while I pointed over to an ivy covered brick building next to the parking lot! At least we both got a good laugh. Here I am thrashing through the jungle when all I had to do was turn and look next to us!


Port Sanilac Lighthouse from the..um..Jeep!

Taylor got her much needed stretch, and mom and dad had a good laugh. We were now refreshed and ready to go...last stop for the day, Port Huron Michigan.

When we arrived in Port Huron there was limiting sunlight. I hurried quickly through the park and over the sand dunes to get a couple photos of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse as well as the Huron Lightship. My body really got a workout trying to hustle through the soft sand, it was a race against the nature. My legs felt like two ton bricks when I finally made it back to flat land.


Fort Gratiot Lighthouse @ dusk.


Huron Lightship permanently docked in Port Huron @ dusk.

The water, what we could see of it, was very clear, very blue, and very turbulent! Port Huron is the southern most point of Lake Huron, the point where Lake Huron flows into the narrow St. Clair River. The water really gets pushed through this area and its amazing how fast it moves! Because it was now dark, we decided to put this on our list of places to return as well. We talked it over, when we finish the lights of Southeast Michigan, we will start from Port Huron and work our way down the St. Clair River to Lake St. Clair. We really wanted to see Port Huron during the day, guess we'll have to wait now.

Til next time...

Thumbs Up!

I wanted to take a moment and thank all of our new followers-- welcome everyone to our blog! I hope everyone can come back again and stay a while!

Now, on with our journeys...
This fall our family was given a few extra days of play than originally anticipated. Our family, working with the automotive industry for years, has felt the wrath of our weakened economy. We were hit by intermittent days off and lack of work lay-offs. So, to make our days a little brighter we planned another day trip to visit "the thumb" of Michigan. We left early on a Friday morning heading north to Bay City Michigan. It was another long car drive, but we were packed and ready to go. Boy was this going to be a long day!

Our first stop was the Saginaw River Rear Range Light. I called the day before our trip to inquire about visiting the lighthouse, but my call was never returned. What to do? With only two major highways going north into the thumb, we were going to be in the vicinity of the light anyhow. Matt and I talked it over and decided to see if we could view it from afar. Without any clear cut directions to the light, we had to use our detective skills once again. Unfortunately, there is not much to see, and we did the best we could. Access to the light is only available when the Historical Society is working on restoration. Next time we're up this way I'm going to call further in advance to see if they will be working at the light.


Our view of the Saginaw River Rear Range Light through an old factory yard.


After this disappointment, we had our sites set on traveling the coast up to the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse. Driving up the coast was very beautiful. The bright blue waters were a gorgeous backdrop for all of the beautiful cottages along the bay. With the light being offshore, it is viewable for miles along the coast. At every clearing we would peer out to see if we had a good shot yet. We lucked out when we came across a park just outside of Port Austin. Here we could walk out a long boardwalk/pier that took you offshore approximately 1/4 mile. From this we got a few pretty decent distance shots.


Port Austin Reef Lighthouse from a distance.

Taylor really didn't care for the catwalk, especially because she could see through it. So to keep her moving and make it not so scary for her, she got a ride from daddy.


Taylor & Daddy--the best seat in the house!

On our walk out we met a very nice couple constructing some sort of rock formation. They told us they had been working on this for a couple of hours or so, and were contemplating every move fearing it may topple. They didn't mind that we stopped and admired it for a while with them.


Here is their creation--almost 5 feet tall!


We had to let Taylor get some of her energy out from our long car ride, so a stop at the playground was mandatory. She played on the jungle gym and swings while mommy and daddy enjoyed the view. But as the saying goes...all good things must come to an end! So we hopped back in the jeep and headed off to our next stop, the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse.

The Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse is off the beaten path between the villages of Port Hope and Port Huron Michigan. Located in Lighthouse County Park, the light isn't the only attraction we encountered. There were deer were everywhere! We really needed to stay focused on our driving so a deer didn't wander out on the road. Taylor had a blast watching all of the deer standing right outside her window!


Three deer wandering around the park area.

The lighthouse itself was very picturesque. I wish I wasn't rushed. I'd love to have spent more time here and maybe take in a tour as well. (the tours were done for the day by the time we got there--what luck!)


The Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse.

Matt and I agreed with so many deer we didn't want to travel too much at dark. If we had seen this many deer now, imagine those same deer traveling at night. So we wanted to continue on before dark. We had four more lighthouses on our agenda for the day, and the daylight hours were slipping away.


The Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse from different angles.

So we continued on...

More to come...

Mackinac Island

The Grand Hotel--only $900 per night!

Beautiful gardens, crystal blue waters, warm summer breeze, creamy fudge...oh yeah, and watch out for the "road apples"! These are just a few memories that come to me while I sit here and drift back to the island.
Mackinac Island (pronounced mack-in-aw) was perfect!

We woke in the morning to catch an early ferry over to the island from St. Ignace U.P. Michigan. Well, we had good intentions of catching the 8am ferry that would take us under the "Mighty Mac"...but as usual we were getting off to a slow start. So the 8am ferry turned into the 10am ferry, and it was a photo finish!
As we were pulling into the parking lot, the last horn blew to load the ferry! Imagine four adults and a 2yr old dashing across the lot (We must have looked like O.J. hurdling obstacles in the airport). They did hold the ferry a moment so we could purchase tickets and board- whew!
The ferry ride was breathtaking. What a sight of the Mackinac Bridge.

It is a bit hard to see here, but the Mackinac Bridge is just above the picket fence.

The water, so clear! I've never see water so crystal clear and blue before. You could see all the way to the bottom! We then passed the Round Island Lighthouse and the Round Island Passage Light on our way to the island. I wish I would have gotten better shots, but I think I was too taken by the picturesque sites around me.



Yummy fudge- if you've every been to the Mackinac area you know what I'm talking about! The whole island is ONE HUGE FUDGE FACTORY! Every third shop on the island is a fudge or candy shop that gives FREE samples! Our tour guide told us if you stopped and had a sample at every fudge shop you would have eaten over a pound of fudge! Now there's a challenge I'm willing to take!


Oh, and watch out for "road apples"! There are only 3 motor vehicles permitted on the entire island; an ambulance, a firetruck, and a police vehicle. Every other mode of transportation on the island is either man-powered or horse-powered (and I mean the hairy-hay fed type, lol). Even the street sweepers are horse drawn.


The island if full gorgeous gardens filled with blooming flowers. I could sit and sway in the breeze all day!
Our day on the island was very relaxing. I definitely will be back again sometime! I felt so at-home up north, I wish I could stay longer!

Taylor playing in the sun!

More to come!