2006 WILD Lighthouse Cruise

Here is tentative information regarding the 2006 WILD Lake Superior Lighthouse Cruise

What do you think? Plans aren't definite yet, so if you have any ideas, let me know. This cruise provides a good opportunity to see lighthouses that one cannot see from land especially Stannard Rock, Huron Island, Granite Island, Manitou Island, Gull Rock, and Grand Island. Au Sable and Big Bay from the water are good lighthouse viewing opportunities too.

WISCONSIN LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT
THREE DAY CRUISE on Lake Superior - AUGUST 7, 8, 9, 2006
View Lighthouses of the Keweenaw Peninsula and Islands on Lake Superior, plus view the scenic Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

DAY 1 - MONDAY AUGUST 7th - leave Houghton, Michigan aboard the Keweenaw Star, see lights below, overnight in Marquette, Michigan. View the following:
1. Keweenaw Upper Entry
2. Sand Hills Light
3. Eagle River Light
4. Eagle Harbor Light
5. Copper Harbor Light
6. Gull Rock Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=730
7. Manitou Island Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=731
8. Stannard Rock Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=728
9. Granite Island Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=727
10. Marquette Upper Harbor Breakwater Light
11. Marquette Harbor Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=572
12. Marquette Lower Harbor Breakwater Light

DAY 2 TUESDAY AUGUST 8th - leave Marquette, Michigan on the way out to AuSable we would pass on the outside of Grand Island, and on the way back we would be visiting the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We will overnight in Marquette. View the following:
1. Marquette Lower Harbor Light
2. Grand Island North (Old North) Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/grandnorth1.jpg http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=725
3. Au Sable Point Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=724
4. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
5. Grand Island East Channel (South) Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=726
6. Munising Front and Rear Range Lights http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=569
7. Grand Island Harbor Front and Rear Range Lights http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=570

DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9th - leave Marquette, Michigan view lights listed below, return to Houghton, Michigan. View the following:
1. Marquette Lower Harbor Breakwater Light
2. Marquette Harbor Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=572
3. Marquette Upper Harbor Breakwater Light
4. Granite Island Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=727
5. Big Bay Point Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=574
6. Huron Islands Light http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=729
7. Jacobsville Light
8. Keweenaw Lower Entry Light

Just for giggles, how's this for a brainstorm - eliminate that first day around the Keweenaw, since it was done in 2004, and turn the three day trip into a Lake Superior shoreline trip (probably more like four days), going all the way to Sault St. Marie. Then, you could hit Crisp Point, Whitefish, Iriquois, the St. Mary's River lights, etc. with one overnight in Sault St. Marie and one in Marquette. Now I'm just pulling this out of my hat, now knowing if all that could be done in three days. To me, it seems like there is a lot of repeat lights here, with all the trips in and out of Marquette. What do you think?

Suzanne, with your current itinerary, since you are talking about going all the way to Au Sable, what about getting Crisp Point in there as well? Or is that too far? Will there be time for a land tour of the Marquette Harbor Light (red one)? Also, I understand that North Point (Grand Island) is not very visible from the water due to the high bluff it sits on...?

Pictured Rocks will be nice if it's not raining (last time I was there it downpoured!).

Things are a lot further by water than by land. Crisp Point might just be too far, but I will check into it.

Some people asked about cutting this to two days, but I think the reason we are repeating the Keweenaw lights is because of Stannard Rock. (If we need to travel up the coast we might as well see lights). It is possible if we cut out day one that we will miss Stannard Rock. I am not sure and am checking on that.

There will be time for a Marquette land tour. When one travels by 100 foot boat, one needs to stay overnight somewhere in which a large boat can dock. That does limit where we can overnight.

It does look like a lot of repeat lights on day 1, though I would like to see Stannard Rock Light. But can that be added on day 3 when we go by Granite Island?

We're looking forward to this trip!

Tammy

I agree there are to many repeats, but I too would like to see Stannard Rock etc. Jen's "brainstorm" sounds great if thats all possible. I too am looking forward to this trip ands seeing everyone again.

I found out that we do need 3 days to get as far as Au Sable Light and the pictured rocks. On those days we will be starting out from Marquette, not Houghton. We won't be able to make this loop otherwise in only two days. I will be compiling a list of questions for Jason on Sunday, so let me know if you have any other questions.

Also remember that each year we do get new people on the trip who haven't seen the Keweenaw lights.

I will include Jen's brainstorm in my list of questions. Thanks.

Stannard Rock is closer to Manitou Island than to Huron Island.

Hello to all

Meg and myself hope to be joining you all on the cruise! Can't wait! I'm not partial either way! I'm looking for whatever lights I can get!

Thanks

Jeff

I was thinking of doing this trip and have not seen any of those lights. I hope I can make it. I will keep checking with the CF for details.

Suzanne, we enjoyed last year's trip so much, that we've marked our calendar and Robert and I will be there is at all possible. We've not seen all of those lights.

Joyce

Fran, I've made the trip the last 2 years and they just keep getting better. Its a good time. Hope to see you there.

Here are a couple of photos I took last summer from land on the proposed trip. We should get a better view of Marquette from the water this year. The is just no way to get a good photo of the long walkway to the point except from the water.


Hopefully, the Marquette lighthouse will be back to its customary red instead of the pink of last summer.


Miner's Castle from the overlook at Painted Rocks.

Suzanne, one thing to consider is that people new to the cruise would likely be seeing everything for the first time anyway, but new additions would be welcomed by those who have made the trip before. How much did the total trip cost in the past? I would love to do another Great Lakes trip but don't know if I can afford it this year. All depends on Dave and what kind of deal he gets us in Virginia!

Does anyone happen to know about how much it will be?

Thanks

Jeff

Grace and Jeff, here is the information on last year's cruise:
2005 WILD trip

I think the one from 2004, that was a two-day trip, was around $250 per person. However, with the spike in fuel costs we've had this year, it's tough to say how much it will be.

Thanks, Jen. I'll bet the info is in one of The Beacon issues - didn't think about that until now.

Grace,
Just wondering if you saw Jen's link to the 2005 WILD trip? That would be your source of information for Suzannes previous trip. It isn't in the Beacon.


Pam

Suzanne,

Just a thought ..... in my experience the Pictured Rocks are more colorful and photogenic in a late afternoon light. Don't know if that would be possible or not!?

Dan

Thanks, Pam, I did. If the costs are comparable this year, it's a very reasonable trip. I would love to go but have to see what happens with the Virginia trip first.

Does anyone have any idea about the cost of the rooms?

I am working on group reservations at the hotels and will get that info to you as soon as it is finalized. I am working on the final brochure also which will list the price.

Dan - I believe I have written this above for Day 2: "leave Marquette, Michigan on the way out to AuSable we would pass on the outside of Grand Island, and on the way back we would be visiting the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore."

This says we will be doing the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore on the way back, in other words in the afternoon.

Suzanne I posted in the other topic, and thought I'd also post here. Robert and I have marked our calendars and are anxiously awaiting the final word and cost on this trip. We don't plan to miss it, we had so much fun last year. You do a great job putting these trips together, along with Judy and Pam.

Joyce

Suzanne, anymore info,yet? Fran and I will arrive in the area early and will be driving east starting noonish, Friday, Aug. 4.
We want to see as many lights as possible on land. We will be posting an itinerary as soon as we have finalized it, but we do have Au Sable at Pictured Rocks, Crisp, Whitefish, Iroquois, Seul Choix, and Manistique on the list for the first day or so and another bunch on the west for Sun. If anyone else is doing something like this or if you are interested in joining us, please let us know.

We might do some land tours with anyone interested from the group but it will probably on the days after the boat trip.

Just keep us posted, Suzanne. That might be a more economical way to go. Thanks!

I sent out the trip flyer and registration form via email tonight. If you didn't get it and want the information, please contact me at wis.lightkeeper@verizon.net

I realize I haven't posted the answers to everyone's questions above, I will try to do that tomorrow.

Thanks, Suzanne, I got mine. Do let us know if side bus trips materialize.

Grace, It would more likely be a caravan of cars for the land tours rather than a bus. In 2004 there were 14 to 17 cars that toured the Keweenaw Peninsula Lights and east to Marquette. This was a lot easier on the winding roads than a big bus. Hope this helps.

In case anyone missed this I wanted to bring this back to the top.

I am posting here just in case my email doesn't get to the proper person. I did not get any info on the hotel to get a reservation. I sent my deposit I hope you got it. Suzanne are you the person to email? I booked my flight and I am ready to go. (To bad I have to wait 6 mos.)

Suzanne and Pam are in the frozen, snowy Upper Peninsula finalizing arrangements. Hopefully, they are getting some great winter photos of the lighthouses we'll visit this summer. They have reported about 20 inches of snow in Houghton.

I'm sorry I took so long to answer many of the questions about this cruise. We are doing three days because that is what is necessary to make it to Au Sable and back. If we cut the trip to two days we would not be able to get to Au Sable or the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We are doing the lights on the Keweenaw Peninsula because we need to get that far north to see Stannard's Rock Light, so we might as well view lights in doing so. Plus many people have not seen the Keweenaw lights. As to Jen's questions- going all the way to Sault Ste Marie would take would take a 4 day trip. Crisp Point is also too far.

Seeing Stannard's Rock, Granite Island, Huron Islands, Grand Island North and East, and Au Sable lights should really make this trip worthwhile.

Just booked my hotel room and can't wait. I am comming in for the weekend to do some lights. Is anyone going to be near Crisp Point on The Sat before the ride and would like to go to Crisp Point?

This sounds like a great trip. As I have never been to that part of the country would love to do it one year. Sorry it won't be this year, due to prior comitments.
HCS

Fran,

Stan and I are in the planning stages of working up an intinerary before and after the WILD cruise. I'll let you know where we'll be on Saturday. Is Sunday doable for you in case we don't get there until Sunday?

Sandy

I won't be able to make it this year -- made it the last two -- but I have the chance to go to Ireland in Sept. so I have to pass up some "local" trips this year. Hope to continue the UP trips next year but it looks like Hawaii MIGHT be calling me back. Oh, I hope so!!

Sandy I am comming in on Thursday night and doing Au Sable on Friday. Crisp point, Whitefish Point, Point Iroquois, Seul Choix on Sat (hopefully) and staying in a hotel in Marquette. Sunday I plan on Big Bay and Ontonagon. Then limp into Houghton and return my car. I don't know how many lights I can do. I will try as many as possible. If you guys get in earlier and want to share a car let me know. I am flying into Marquette Thursday night and going home from the Houghton airport.

Fran and I were going to do this weekend together - boo hoo!!

I arrive in Marquette on Thursday night and plan to head east to see Crisp Point, Whitefish Bay, Au Sable, ETC on Friday and Saturday. If anyone wants to join up for the run to Crisp Point et al let me know. Maybe we can convoy.

Eric

Eric I am staying at the Holiday inn on Thurs night maybe we can share a car. Are you comming in alone. Is anyone else comming in on Thurs. Grace I hope you can come up with the funds last min and come.

Eric are you going to be in VA we could meet there.

Fran, yes I will be in VA at the tidewater event. I haven't gotten the specifics figured out yet for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the Wild trip, but hey if there is a Holiday inn in the area I am so there as I get points (which add up to free stays) when I stay at Holiday Inns. I too hope Grace can round up the funds to join the WILD event.

There is a Holiday inn in Marquette I get points also. There is one in Houghton also but I wanted to be with everyone. I am stay in the same Marquette Hotel on Sat after doing the east lights. Sunday I plan on some more before I get to the Hotel on Sunday.

Thanks for the good wishes, guys! Fran, you don't have much more to go to make Super Wacko!!

I just jumped into this and relived that trip. Glen and I had gone on Suzanne's '04, '05, and '06 cruises. Loved the shot of the cove above the Painted Rocks.

Ellie

Hey Ellie...thanks for the flashback...I hope you're doing okay!

Fun trips and great memories! Thanks Ellie.

We went on the 2005 trip. It was fabulous and we highly recommend the WILD trips. Suzanne and company do a great job.

Judy and Bill