Michigan Lighthouse Circle Tour

This past weekend we set out to see as many of the 124 lighthouses that are still in existence, according to the state of Michigan, along its huge lakes.  I have to admit it was a very sad attempt.  My best guess is we saw 21.  The weather was insanely cold, windy, and raining for the first couple of days.  At several of the sites they had barriers up blocking you from walking out on the break wall.  Due to those unforeseen events, I will have to confess that three of my photos are stolen from the internet.  Good luck guessing which ones... I'm not telling!

Our Lake Michigan Circle Tour began early Thursday morning with a two-hour drive across the state to start in St. Joseph.  That is where we spotted our 1st lighthouse that is listed on the Lighthouse Circle Tour.  Needless to say, we were not dressed for the wind.  Crazy us, thinking that it's June so it's got to be hot!  We quickly figured out we weren't in the South anymore.  Along our 1,500 miles, (Yes, you read that correct, 1,500 miles in 4 days!) we went through a lot of cute, small towns along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Here are just a few of them: Holland, Grand Haven, Ludington, Manistee,  St. Joseph, South Haven, and Traverse City.

Manistee

Traverse City

South Haven

Holland

St Joseph

Grand Haven

Mackinac Island

By late Friday, we had made it all the way up to St. Ignace, which is located on the UP side of the Mackinac Bridge.  On Saturday we headed over to Mackinac Island via a ferry to spend a few hours.  I really regret that we didn't have more time to hang out there but at least I got the most important thing done, buying fudge!  As a matter of fact, we bought eight different kinds.  I am now set for life!  Come to find out, the island is known for great fudge, horse & buggy rides, and bicycles!  They do not allow cars on the island except for emergency and police departments.  Next time, we will definitely rent bikes and cruise around the island.  On the ferry back, a local told us that in the winter, when Lake Huron freezes over, the full-timers on the island take snowmobiles between the UP and the island.  They line up donated Christmas trees on the lake as markers to create a temporary "road" on the ice.  Now that's crazy talk as far as this Southern girl is concerned.  You can not possibly get me on a lake in a snowmobile in the dead of winter or ever, as far as that goes.

Round Lighthouse	Fort Mackinaw

I think we found Chet from the Weird Science movie!	Fort Mackinac Park & Waterfront	Fort Mackinac

Fudge!!! Need I say more?

Pictured Rocks in Munising

After the 20-minute ferry ride back to the Upper Peninsula (UP), we threw the fudge in the hotel room and got back on the road.  We had a 2-1/2-hour drive across the UP to Munising where we would be going on a 2-hour cruise on Lake Superior to see the pictured rocks.  It was so worth the trip, folks!  I just wish the weather had been warm enough for us to sit on the top deck of the boat.  However, the view from below was still awesome.  Here are some pictures from that day.

Lovers Leap	Spray Falls
		Indian Head
Painted Coves

Lake Huron lighthouses

On Sunday we headed south along Lake Huron and stopped in on a few more lighthouses before finishing up our journey with a visit with some dear sweet friends that happened to be state-side visiting with their family.  It was a crazy 4 days but worth every minute on these Michigan roads.  Next time we will make sure Dennis is able to take more time off so we can spend some time in a few of the towns we sped through.

Cheboygan
Sturgeon Point	Forty Point Lighthouse	Tawas Point  Lighthouse

Visiting with Jesse and Mukadam

We were greeted by Jesse, his mother, and his wife Mukaddam holding their new baby, Jasmina, who is just as adorable as her big sister.  As we stepped inside, little Emerance came running around the corner and just leaped into my arms.  I could not believe how big she had gotten.  We happened to arrive at dinner time (perfect timing if I do say so myself) and were invited to join them.  We instantly felt like part of the family and totally enjoyed our short visit.  Dennis definitely enjoyed the venison.  He said it was the best venison he had ever had.  Shout out to Jesse' nephew on doing such a great job cooking it.

It was so wonderful seeing them again. I could not believe it had been two years since we last hung out with them and, sadly, it will be another two before we see them again.  We wish them well as they travel back to the mission field and will continue to keep them in our prayers.




This weekend, which will be our last full weekend in Michigan, we set out to visit Frankenmuth with the Ridlers!