Before Dawn's Early Light - Day 5

Early morning, before sunrise using a 20 second exposure.
9/21/2019  dwm photo

When my attempt to photograph the lantern failed the night before, I searched for another way to get the effect I sought.

The lantern room didn't have electricity available, because the original fresnel lens used whale oil.

My battery powered flashlight didn't work.  I needed more power.  Thankfully, there were extension cords to run the vacuum.

I plugged it into an outlet on the second floor, then ran it up a narrow staircase, over a landing, and up the final 10 steps of the ladder-staircase to the floor of the lantern (the room which holds the light) where I plugged in a table lamp.

My light was not visible 13 miles away like the first lamp.
9/21/2019 dwm photo

It was too dark for a regular photo, so I experimented with the shutter speed.  Twenty seconds allowed the camera to collect enough light to create an image, which was brighter than what I saw.

Mission Point Lighthouse is surrounded by forest.  But it was built after many of the peninsula's trees were cut down to provide wood for people and progress in the young United States.  With nothing to block its powerful light, steamers and sailing ships could be warned away from the threatening rocks off the shallow point.

The light shown from 1870 to 1938, when it was replaced with an automated light about a mile off-shore.  A second generation of that replacement is still warning ships traveling around Michigan.

That's a very powerful light!
9/21/2019 (dwm)

Mission Point Lighthouse was abandoned for 15 years.  Vandals stripped it of its Mahogany wood railings and the 5th order lens.

Eventually, the Peninsula Township became owner and caretakers moved back into the house.  In 2008, it opened to the public.

That's when a long line of volunteers took turns running the house, keeping it clean, and welcoming guests.

Speaking of guests, you might see the white fence in the photo top-left.  It was put up before the end of the 19th century because the little light at the end of peninsula attracted too many tourists.

The township's Lighthouse Park, now surrounds the light.  There are miles of trail to hike and explore and a lake to enjoy.

A just-married couple posed for pictures
at the lighthouse. 9/21/19 (dwm)

The light house still attracts a crowd.

Day five was Saturday, September 21 - a warm and sunny day that attracted crowds to the sun and sand.  347 signed our guest book.

It's a special place.  It doesn't host events on a formal basis, but is a gorgeous backdrop for family pictures and couples celebrating their vows.

Two wedding parties stopped at the park after their ceremony.  This Coast Guardsman and his wife posed for me before heading to their party.

It was then our son and his wife surprised us by walking up the steps.  After we closed and cleaned the shop we went out to dinner.

Our last full day is day 6, tomorrow.