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| USALIGHTHOUSES
OF
LAKE MICHIGAN’S SHORES by
Ken Rudine
Photographs by the author |
If
you have ever considered The Circle Lighthouse Trip around Lake Michigan
there are reference books. Half a century ago I discovered much of trip fun is
its planning. Unfortunately using lighthouse books is only helpful in deciding
on your special interest sites to see, but include little useful information on
their actual location.
Seeking simplification, logic states that lighthouses
exist at the waters edge. We decided to closely follow the shore. Starting at
St. Joseph, MI, travel north, eventually crossing the straits at Mackinaw City,
then turn west on the Upper Peninsula to Gulliver and beyond, finally turning
south at Escanaba, MI and ending the trip at Kenosha, WI. Although not a circle,
this route avoids the high traffic surrounding Chicago. |
Big
Red - Holland, MI
This
is one of the most photographed lighthouses known for its size and color. |
| Grand
Haven - Grand Haven, MI |
Point
Betsie - Frankfort, MI
On a high sandy bank created by the prevailing winds. |
Grand
Traverse Light -
Cat’s Head Point, MI
At the north end of the little finger of the “Michigan Mitten” (shape). |
Manitowoc,
WI
western ferry
landing from Ludington, MI. |
Kenosha,
WI Southport
Our
tour ending at Southport light. |
White
River South at Wabaningo
near the town of Whitehall, MI. |
Little
Sable Point
Use Shelby Road to coast, south of Silver Lake SP. |
The selected photos
are of about half the lighthouses we think are a must to see, out of the 32 we
found. Some lighthouses emphasis is on just the light while others feature the
house. Rarely is there almost perfect balance as shown in some of these photos.
Always try to include the water in your composition after all that is why the
lighthouse is there in the first place.
This
trip around Lake Michigan was about 1000 miles and represents about 25 total hours
of driving which we spread over 11 days. Notice should be taken that you can drive
to the vicinity of some lighthouses whereas others may be still a ½ mile walk
away, in loose sand. Remember you are not as invisible as you might think. Speak
to folks you meet along the way, give them your card and tell them what you are
doing. Ask for their advice, you don't have to take it. That is how I found a
Milwaukee Gothic
water standpipe. |
 |
Lake Michigan
LighthousesIf you
would like to retrace our path in order follow the cities (lighthouses in italics):
St. Joseph MI St. Joseph, South Haven South Haven, Holland Big
Red, Grand Haven Grand Haven, Muskegon Muskegon, Wabaningo White
River South, Silver Lake SP(south of), Little Sable Point, Ludington
Ludington, Manistee Manistee, Frankfort Point Betsie, Cat’s
Head Point Grand Traverse Light, Mackinaw City Old Mackinac Point,
Gulliver UP, MI Seul Choix Point, Manistique Manistique, Escanaba
Sand Point, Menominee MI Menominee, Marinette WI Sherwood Point,
Sturgeon Bay City Sturgeon Bay, Algoma Algoma, Kewaunee Kewaunee,
Two Rivers Rawley Point, Manitowoc Manitowoc, Sheboygan Sheboygan
North Point, Port Washington Port Washington, Milwaukee Milwaukee
North Point, Milwaukee Breakwater Milwaukee Breakwater, Wind Point
Village Wind Point, Racine Racine Harbor, Kenosha Kenosha Harbor,
Kenosha Southport.
Copyright Ken
Rudine
Published
June 2, 2009
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