Well, the pictures are back and the trip is still fresh in my mind. Time to put it to virtual paper.

Day 1: 6/14/00

We left home this fine morning for Traverse City State Park (Michigan). The forecast for the trip was questionable, but we have never let the weather stop us from having a good time before. Taking the indirect route: US10 to M115 to M55 allowed us to stop at both the Manistee and Frankfort lights on the way to the campground.

We arrived at the Manistee Pier Light around 2pm. It was sunny and breezy. I think the town of Manistee decided to repair every road this summer because we almost didn't find our way to the light due to all of the closed roads. There is a very nice park located next to the light.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6944792&p=23408847[/img]

View my Manistee photos at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6944792

Moving on, we followed M22 up to Frankfort to visit the Frankfort Breakwater Light. This town welcomes visitors with two giant replica lighthouses on either side of the main road into town, connected with a sign. It is pretty cool.

By now, the skies were starting to cloud up and rain could be seen in the distance. This lighthouse has an interesting look. I think it would make a nice addition to the Harbour Lights line someday. I finished taking my pictures and we left for Traverse City hoping to beat the rain setting up our tent.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6945110&p=23409462[/img]

My Frankfort Breakwater photos: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6945110

We arrived at Traverse City State Park around 5pm and set up camp. No sooner did we finish, the skies opened up and the rain came down! Perfect timing. Total day 1 miles: 235

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=337168&p=23492012[/img]

Day 2: 6/15/00

This day started with a visit to Old Mission Point. Following US31 then M37 North to the end of the Peninsula, arrived at the lighthouse park. The drive out is extrememly scenic, worth the drive itself. The Old Mission Point Lighthouse is simple but beautiful IMHO. It is hard to beliveve how far out the water is. From where the shoreline is supposed to be, the water is almost 200 yards out! This lighthouse is a private residence so there are no tours of the structure.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6864626&p=23372780[/img]

Old Mission Point photos: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6864626

After our visit we headed back to the campground for a little R&R (Rain and Relaxation) Miles traveled for the day: 50

Day 3: 6/16/00

Today is the day we backtracked to Pt. Betsie. We skipped the light the first day even though we were about 6 miles away. Glad we did because we beat the rain setting up camp.

Following M72 West from T.C., we made a side trip to the Robert H. Manning Memorial Light in Empire. It is a cute little light and a nice memorial.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6964919&p=23489674[/img]

View more photos at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6964919

The wind today was gale force. Sand was drifting across the parking lot and the waves were about 5 footers crashing onto shore.

Heading for Pt. Betsie following M22 South, it is easy to miss the road back to the lighthouse as there are no signs directing you back. Point Betsie used to be a residence for U.S.C.G. Personnel, but they have since vacated and the lighthouse is starting to get run down. (Thanks Paul)

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6864610&p=23487881[/img]

More Pt. Betsie at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6864610

The wind was blowing so hard here that you can see in some of my photos the shingles on the roof being lifted.

We finished up here and headed back to the campground. Tomorrow will be a big day traveling to the Manitou Islands. Miles traveled for the day: 99

Day 4: 6/17/00

Marla and I decided to take the ferry to South Manitou Island for the day. It is a one and a half hour ferry ride to the island. Once there, you have five hours of free time, then the hour and a half back. The ferry departs at 10am and returns back to the dock at 6pm. They stay on schedule, so don't be late. You will be left behind! The Manitou Island Transit Co. charges $22 for adults. I believe it was $13 for children and seniors. There is also a $7 National Park Service charge for a park permit. Reservations are recommended at least a week in advance as the ferry is booked most days. Their # is (616)256-9061.

We were lucky as the gale from the previous day had blew itself out and the waves were down to 1 to 2 feet. M.I.T. employees told us that the day before was dubbed the barf cruise because of the sea conditions.

On the way out, you pass the North Manitou Island Lighthouse. It is still a very important aid through the Manitou Passage. I also think this light would make a great HL.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6950848&p=23432823[/img]

More North Manitou photos: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6950848

Continuing on to South Manitou Island. You see the South Manitou Lighthouse in the distance. The ferry dock is about .6 miles from the light. On the island there are many hiking trails, beaches, picnic tables, ect... Bring your own food & drink however as only water is available on the island. It is a very natural setting. There is a daily tour/climb of the lighthouse every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day. We took the 1:30pm tour. What an amazing view of the island from the lantern room! The N.P.S. Ranger was very knowledgeable and gave an excellent presentation on the light. South Manitou was built using the same plans as Little Sable Point, Wind Point, and New Presque Isle to name a few.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6864581&p=23438776[/img]

To see more of South Manitou: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6864581

I highly recommend this visit if you have the time. It is a pretty full day however.

Arriving back at the dock right on schedule, we decided to try and make it to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse before the museum closed for the day. Traveling the 40 or so miles up to the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, we arrived just as the museum was closing. The staff there graciously allowed us to walk through, look at the exhibits and go into the lantern room. Admission is $2 per person and well worth it. The grounds are very well maintained and the lighthouse is lovingly cared for. It is a bit out of the way to get to, but well worth the trip. The lighthouse is in the Leelanau State Park. To drive in, you will need either a Michigan annual State Park Sticker ($20) or a daily ($4)

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=45392&a=6965624&p=23491803[/img]

For additional pictures: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=45392&a=6965624

By this time it was now almost 8pm and we still had to drive back to the campground. A long day to be sure, but worth every minute. Miles traveled today: 92

Days 5&6: 6/18-19/00

These days were spent just relaxing in the campground, on the beach, reading, or playing games. We also took a trip to the Turtle Creek Casino for a little gambling.

Day 7: 6/20/00

We packed up camp in the morning. the rain started, and we started for home.

All told we traveled over 620 miles, visited 8 lighthouses, and took about 10 rolls of film. Detailed directions to the lighthouses can be found in the book Traveler's Guide to 116 Michigan Lighthouses by Penrose

A great vacation!

You can view all of my lighthouse photo from this and other trips at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=45392&Auth=false

Thanks for the read!

-Todd



[This message has been edited by Todd Shorkey (edited 06-30-2000).]

Sounds like a great trip Todd. I really enjoyed the pics. Old Mission Point is especially nice.

John

Looking forward to more Todd. I like the way you tempted us with a single photo and linked to the rest.

Great pics Todd. Thanks for reporting in. I like the way you've organized the thread also. Keeps initial download time to a minimum.

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-Art

....a nice "treat", Todd....thanks for the great photos and narrative....I really enjoyed it!!

Thanks for the virtual tour Todd

Very impressive!

Tim H

Very impressive indeed, Todd. Well organized and presented. Your travels will undoubtedly help others to make a similar trip in the future.

Thanks for sharing it with us all.

Todd - I enjoyed reading about your trip. I hope the sun comes out in Michigan sometime, because the week I visited lighthouses on Michigan's western shore it also rained every day.
I traveled south to north along the Western shore of Michigan. We stayed overnight in Holland and Ludington. We ran out of time after Grand Traverse so didn't get to Old Mission Point. We had reservations in Mackinaw City and had to get cut the trip short in order to check in before midnight. For anyone else doing a similar trip, I would recommend another stayover near Grand Traverse. Grand Traverse was worth the long drive. The museum is very good. The setting is beautiful.

In regards to Point Betsie, you are right the road is not well marked. We missed the road and had to turn around and go back.

I haven't been to the Manitou Islands, but it sounds like an excellent trip. The lighthouses look very photogenic. I will put that on my "to do" list.

Thanks for the photos and day by day descriptions. Have you visited Big Sable? The view from the top of the lighthouse of the sand dunes is spectacular! And yes, I hiked the mile and a half each way in the rain. Isn't it amazing the things we do for the sake of seeing our lighthouses?

Glad you did make it out to S. Manitou Island, Todd. I thought that was a very neat area too. Sounds like everything worked out great.

When we were at Mission Point early in the day, there was a lady sitting on a lawn chair and reading the paper about 75 yards out in the "water". It was very funny! We walked out about 125 yards without even getting our feet wet.
[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 07-01-2000).]