My Favorite Lighthouses

I didn't expect to see the South Manitou Island - but
here it is, 7 miles away.  9/23/2019 dwm photo

From October 6, 2019 through last Sunday - April 12, 2020 - I've shared stories of 28 lighthouses we saw last September.

That's a quarter of all the lights we've seen since our first in 2013.

You can look through the list by checking out the "My Lighthouses" tab and click on the lights labeled new.

Most unexpected were two lights - the one on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan and the Saginaw River Rear Range Light.

Just seven miles off the mainland Michigan's majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes sits the North and South Manitou Islands.  There are lighthouses on both, but the one on the north island faces away from the Dunes so its not visible without wings or a boat.  The one of the south guides boats through the corridor between the land and island.

A new camera lens and sturdy tripod put the light within my reach, making it possible to collect the light.

A look at a light in the tower
at Mission Point. 9/21/19 (dwm)

Mission Point Lighthouse is 150 years old this year.  The schedule for volunteer keepers filled quickly.  However, the Coronavirus has put its public schedule in doubt.

Just seven months ago, it was our temporary home and workplace.  It was a bout of home-working long before the virus made it mandatory.

The top of the New Presque Isle
light. 9/16/29  (dwm)

I enjoyed the adventure at New Presque Isle quite a bit.

Looking up and looking out from the top of the New Presque Isle light was special.  It's the tallest light on the Great Lakes open to the public.  Nearby is the Old Presque Isle light and a pair of range lights, all visible from the 113 foot tower.

You can see the tower from quite a distance too, as long as there aren't trees in the way.

Saginaw River Rear Range Light
9/24/2019 dwm photo

My favorite of all the lights on the trip was the Saginaw River Rear Range light.  The opportunity to see a light usually off-limits made it special.

Its surrounded by a marsh filled with reeds waving 14 feet in the air, obscuring the light on the only road to the light.

I was thrilled to see it in the middle of private land.  It got better when we got out of my guide's truck to walk the grounds and tour the first two floors.

The icing on the cake was learning my new friend also knew a couple excellent spots that show the light's good side.

There are more lights to see on Lake Superior in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  I hope to see them, but that too may be at the mercy of COVID-19.