Tour of Little Traverse Lighthouse 10-18-2003

Wow! Here it is! The photos of the tour of the Little Traverse Light in Harbor Springs, Michigan. The only way to see this light previously was by boat. Yesterday, in cooperation with the Harbor Springs Historical Society and the Harbor Point Assocation, The Little Traverse Lighthouse was open by reservation only to the general public for the first time in 35 years. The lighthouse is being restored by private funding through the Harbor Point Association - yesterday's event was a fundraiser for the Harbor Springs City Hall. There were around 500 people total over the course of the day on this tour. I did not make it inside because we were also told no photos of the interior of the light - only from the view at the top - which there was a two hour wait. I decided to forego the inside portion and concentrate on photos of the outside. The lens at the top is a fourth order Fresnel.

I met up with Brighteyes (Mary and Herman), 2beacons (Mary and Jeff), and Elmer (Dan and Carol) about 2:15pm. We took the trolley out to the light and were told if any photos were taken of the cottages along the way, film and equipment would be confiscated, ticket for tresspassing would be issued, and escort given to the gate. Needless to say, there were some *very* nice homes through there!










The building is weathered but in great shape. The grounds were meticuously kept. These photos are different views as I was walking around the light.



View of the shoreline in front of the light. We couldn't take any photos with the cottages in them either.





Then after about two hours visiting, about 4pm, the sun decided to break through the clouds and man did I get snap happy! These are a couple I took when the weather changed for the better.

We had a GREAT time. What an opportunity! I'm still editing photos so I will post more later on. Mary from petoskey - I did order a shirt - if it's not too much trouble to get mine let me know and I will get my address to you.

Great Report! Great Photos! What an opportunity.

Guess those people anticipated that some secret photos might be taken of their precious 'cottages' along the way!

Did the escorts have M-16s? (reference to my experiences in Baltimore after the reunion!)

Apparently the witness protection program is headquartered in the neighborhood, The funny thing is that the self centered A holes that live near by really think the rest of the world is interested in them.

And Great photo's Jen!

First of all, Jen, thank you for taking us along on your adventure!

Second, who the heck do these people think they are to "threaten" people going on a tour. Take your camera? Over my dead body! Can you spell law suit?

Mark, get a hold of Blind Tony, and"da'boys", have posters printed and distributed to every motorcycle gang within 200 miles. Tell them it's free beer all day at the lighthouse and organize a scavenger hunt, (all articles can be found in the neighboring homes), and the winner gets a brand new Harley Davidson. Tell'em it's sponsored by "Vinnie (no last name necessary)".

Tell'em there will also be $1000 worth of free Harley Davidson accessories awarded to the person who can cut the most interesting pattern in a neighboring lawn.

Bob

Jen,

Great pictures. I gather we won't get to see too many of these with the so-called rules that were handed down. Imagine being met at the gate and escorted in. WOW! Thanks for sharing your pictures.

Bert

Nice story Jen and great pics...
Ruthie

Thanks for the nice comments. We really had a great time. I am SO glad that sun came through for some cool shots.

You know what's funny? Somewhere I have photos of those cottages from the water. I saw this light originally by private boat four years ago. What's to prevent people from taking pictures from the water? They have NO control over that. Just for giggles, I'll look tomorrow and see what I have.

We had a great time at the lighthouse on Saturday!!!! Earlier in the day it was foggy and very dreary. The sun came out while we were out there. We stayed out at the lighthouse until 5:00p.m. when we took the trolley back. We met Terry Pepper in the tower by the fresnel lens. We also talked to Wayne Sapulski while waiting to climb the tower. He asked us what was happening with Jakers since he hadn't heard about him in a while.

We went out to dinner with Mary and Herm, Dan and Carol at a restaurant called Leggs in Cross Village. While waiting for our table we could use a lens to look out at Waugoshance Light and Skillagalee Light. We wish Jennifer and her mom and aunt could have gone along with us but they had to go home yet that night. Maybe next time.

The houses that we went by on the way out are much the same as those above in Harbor Springs. The homes were constructed in a time long ago and are now passed down generation to generation. It is what we would call a gated community today. I am really glad that the association let the historical society use this as a fund raiser. Believe me if they do it next year I would love to go back.

Mary and Jeff

Is there an echo in here??

(Later the next day)
The Echo police have cleared the situation, everybody go about your business, move along people, nothing to see here.

Who actually owns the lighthouse? Does someone live in it and that's why no interior photos were allowed?

Very nice photos Jen! Sounds like it was a real treat for those of you who got to visit.