Hurricane Katrina was hammering the Gulf Coast.

1300 miles to the north I was on Mackinac Island getting ready for the Harbor Lights Collectors Reunion that was to take place the next day. Some of the participants were already arriving on site, eager to get things going. By the end of the next day (29th) we would have about 400 collectors on the island for 3 days of fun, including some great meals and some fantastic lighthouse viewing trips to both the east and the west. Capt Shepler noted that the two days our group were on the water were perhaps part of just a handful of times he could remember the water being as smooth as it was for 2 consecutive days. What a great time was had by all in attendance.

There is a whole forum dedicated to the 2005 Collectors Reunion on Mackinac Island. Lots of great memories there.