December: New Kayak Fun! 12.13.12

Well, obviously we haven't been "lighthouse-ing" lately with all the holiday effects going on around us.  Apparently, I created a new verb for the English language. (Light-House-Ing)

But, last weekend at Brandie's (our) grandpa's Christmas party, Eric & Dianne got her a kayak!  I actually helped pick it up, but they picked it out and she was very surprised by it all.. it was a great gift to her.  She loves it.

Now, we can take it with us when we go lighthousing!

That season will start back up in April.  I do love the winter, but I am not going to fight it out on the lakeshores surrounding us.  Nah. I'll wait to swim. :)

So we took a couple pics with it and can't wait to use it for the summer!

We are also busy trying on the possibility of purchasing a new home on a lake somewhere around Grand Rapids.  That search is in the midst currently.

Things are going well with us - staying busy and Brandie is hard at work making community events for her visitors at Lululemon- Grand Rapids.

Work is going well for me and our families are safe and happy.. so this winter is a good one... but can't wait to get back on the lighthouse trail.

Til then,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

-Mark

8.25-26.12

No Lighthousing this last weekend.  :(

the great thing is, we had a wonderful weekend...

on Saturday, I traveled to Jackson, MI where my cousin Mary was married to young dude named Tommy... there we met my cousins Brent & Matt, Matt's new baby Alana -- my mom and step-dad Richie P, along with my brother and Jenny and my two little guys. We had a lot of fun playing all day.... the kids were great.

on Sunday, we celebrated my Dad's 67th at the lake.  My brother and Jenny drove from AA to meet Brandie and me there around 4pm and we had a gas. Before that though, we met up with Brandie's old HS friend Justin, who had been going through some tough times as of late.  A great guy!

So we enjoyed our time, but unfortunately didnt do any lighthousing.

I promised myself that we'd go over Labor Day weekend up to Manistee...   but I believe it is our Friend Chris' 30th birthday and there is a big party on sat/sun.  perhaps Monday we can take a day trip up to crystal lake....

I knew this adventure would take some years!!!

8.11.12 - Stayed Home with the pets

8/11/12-
Today I elected to chill.  I am super excited though to head up to Little Sable Lighthouse which is in Silver Lake State Park (can't wait to spend a day there!) and the Pentwater Piers next Sunday. Stay Tuned!  For now, I shall go mow the lawn......... enjoy your weekend everyone!

For the future -
8.19.12 - Brandie and I will be headed up to little sable point and pentwater.  Another tall light .... that's probably it though.

Really looking toward late September after we get home from Costa Rica to jump up to Manistee North Pierhead Light as well as the Frankfort North Breakwater Light..

Beyond that lies one of the coolest lighthouses in Michigan: POINT BETSIE LIGHTHOUSE!  Who knows if I'll get to see it this year or not. Going to try!

This is in-between Crystal Lake & Lake MI.... a truly beautiful light.  that will be a special day... which will take us north of Frankfort but just south of Glen Arbor.  Truly one of the most amazing places in the world... and definitely Michigan.


So long,
Mark

8.5.12 - The Michigan Lighthouse Chronicles: Ludington!

8.5.12 - 


Big Sable Point Lighthouse: #12 

Today Brandie and I continued our fun...... up in Ludington!  13 miles north of the city, there is a very special place in Michigan..... 

 

there is a 1.5 mile hike to the Lighthouse from the state park beach 

We spent the day up at the 11th & 12th Lighthouses along our journey; visiting Big Sable Point Lighthouse and Ludington Breakwater Pier Light. Above is the Big Sable Lighthouse, built in 1867.

Top of Big Sable Tower

Big Sable Point has a tower that is 112 Feet tall!  It is the most amazing view of Lake Michigan I've ever seen, except Pyramid Point up in Sleeping Bear Dunes (Pyramid Point pictured down and to the right)

Pyramid Point 

Brandie preparing to namaste to the wind 

The view at the top speaks for itself.  Here are a few pics for you: It was very windy today and you can tell by the whitecaps... it was SO much fun to go swimming in though. We really had a blast. 

There are dunes surrounding the house, the whole way up to it and beyond.....  This is definitely one of the best beaches in Michigan, and definitely tied for 1st place in Michigan's Coolest Lighthouses with Grand Traverse.  This one definitely wins in the "view" category...

But Bring your hiking boots! it's a walk! 

 We went swimming for a LOoonng time in the lake. The winds were incredible making the waves the best conditions for a great swim!  We fought the waves and kicked ass. Time to go camping ......

B rabbit walking fearlessly into the abyss....

Ludington Breakwater Pier Light: #11 

 From there, on the way back down we stopped at the Ludington Breakwater Pier Light.  It was so windy, the caution gate was up on the pier. Nobody allowed to walk the pier... too dangerous.  Oh well, it's a really cool light and we'll be back to go inside soon. Gotta get my stamp!

Ludington Breakwater Pier Light - closed today due to high winds 

Just hanging out and loved how the sun was shining bright onto the water.... how nice. An awesome beach. 

7.24.12 - Grand Traverse Lighthouse & Museum

7.24.12:

Grand Traverse Lighthouse 
Leelanau Peninsula, Northport, MI. 

Awesome time.  Brandie and I were on our 1st wedding anniversary vacation up in Sutton's Bay and decided to take a little stroll on up to the GT Lighthouse. This was actually Lighthouse Numbero Uno of the Michigan Lighthouse Chronicles, and where the idea was actually brought to fruition. I am very thankful to this place, because the keepers were very nice and went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of.  I got a nice little northern Michigan lighthouse painting/picture that is really cool and a nice postcard to add to the lighthouse postcard collection.  The ground that this lovely house was built on is right along the water and is exquisite.  People travel from all over the country to the point where the house that was built in 1858 stands today.

We toured the inside which was lived in by several people with more history here that I care to type about - you'll have to see for yourself... and make sure you've got a Michigan Parks pass on your license plate as I do, otherwise the game gon' cost a fee.  It's in the Leelanau State Park.  $4 to get in and parking is prevalent.

The organ pictured above in-between us has been to more countries than most people have.  It went all over the place, sold, kept, resold - and finally, the grandson of Captain McCormick, the keeper that lived here for over 17 years found it and bought it and donated to the museum. 


For Michiganders, this is truly a place you'll want to be at some point.  After going up the tower and checking out the amazing panoramic display, we took a "walk" on the rocky beach where there were funny little stone mountings so b-rabbit broke out the half moon pose, coming out of "utthita trikonasana" 

Anyhow, the GT Lighthouse boasts epic history - there are another few houses on the grounds, plus a cool gift shop where you can get more acquainted with the fun ways to remember your visit. Enjoy! The drive up there is fun, too. I can't wait to go back....


~Mark & Brandie
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 

7.29.12 - Lighthouse Passport Acquisition; Muskegon & White River Breakwater Lights!

7.29.12 : 

Today was a very special day in the Michigan Lighthouse Chronicles. I got my Lighthouse Passport!  Provided by the United States Lighthouse Society, which is simply awesome.
Basically, each lighthouse you go to, you get a "stamp" in your passport... if you get 60 stamps, the U.S. Lighthouse Society sends you a patch.  The patch reads, "I've seen the Light" ....
120 stamps/Lighthouses - you receive a Silver Star Patch
180 stamps/Lighthouses - you receive a Gold Star Level Stamp... and if you are a boss, and you get to 240 stamps over 4 passport books - you receive a Platinum Circle Patch.  This patch is for the real O.G.'z.

I've got 1 stamp. However, not all lighthouses are in operation and give stamps... so what do I do then?  The USLHS encourages you to print your pic and date it.  this also counts. I'm at 7, then. phew.
I paid my dues and I am now officially a member of the USLHS (www.uslhs.org).

So today Brandie and I decided to head out just after Noontime from Grand Rapids to the next two wonderful places along our journey.... 

1. ) White River Light Station: 2:30pm. 

The White River Light Station is in a charming spot.  Nestled in between White Lake & Lake Michigan, it sits along the channel where the most amazing sailboats catch wind. Scenic Dr. took brought us there - north of Muskegon in Whitehall.  Free Parking and $4 adult fee to walk thru the museum and climb the tower. Well worth it! We ended up learning a lot about the ships that used to come thru, and the U.S.S. Silversides, and old WWII ship that would ferry people from the lightstation here to Chi-Town regularly.

We walked the pier on this beautifully sunny day and brandie was pretty bummed because we forgot our bathing suits, so we quickly established a few ground rules when "Light-Housing" : 1.) ALWAYS BRING A BATHING SUIT!"  2.) Beer - optional 

Overall, we got some great pics, probably about 50... I'd love to post all of them.
There's something about walking the breakwater pier during a beautiful sunny day on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Great times!

7.28.12 - St. Joseph Lights to Grand Haven Pier!

7.28.12 - 
Today I visited:

1.) St. Joseph North Pier:
Absolutely beautiful beaches surrounded this pier on a windy day that had waves crashing the sides of the pier and sprinkles of Lake MI water rained on Layla And I as we walked with the sun in our faces.  I had never been here before in my life so I loved walking to the beach by the yacht club and traveling down 63.. a very scenic drive! 
On our way down to St. Joe, I had a big gatorade and never hit the bathroom.  Right in front of the dunes leading to the lighthouse, I tried to hit the bathroom but they were locked!  So I kinda peed my pants :)  but I quickly got over it and pushed on.  The houses were a little old and rusty, but they were beautiful!

these lighthouses replaced the first ever lighthouse on Lake Michigan!  the history here is magnetic. 

 2.) South Haven South Pierhead:
...A little guy!  But perfectly layed into the foundation that is the South Haven beach.  Funny, a Gus Macker tourney was going on right in front of it and that's the product of a TON of people in a condensed area.  Futhermore, it was an absolutely glorious day and that always makes the beach the destination of the day.  South Haven is such a cute little town... easy to fall in love with.  The pier is cute too, with a cute little red short (not tall) lighthouse that serves its purpose.  A focal point, yet gets lost in the beauty of the golden coastline dazzing with whitecaps as the waves punish the shoreline. Good times!  People loved Layla... she was great all day!  Plenty of great pics!

Layla & Me @ South Haven Pier Light, she was a good doggie...

Even though it was windy, people still were boating and walking the  pier!

3.) Holland Harbor Lighthouse "BIG RED" (pictured Below):

Layla was a climbing freak! hilarious! 

First, the only way to Big Red is by a gated community (for the rich and famous apparently!).  A lovely village, but a lot of security. You cannot access Big Red from the regular beach/pier.  It's across the way and luckily, Layla and I trekked the way there through the dunes!  What a beautiful time! That dog needed some high quality H2O! Big Red is more like Big Pink these days though after all the heat we've been getting.  Lots of History here actually - at one time the Lighthouse service wanted to demolish it, but now the historical commission owns it and has it kept, there are some museum-like things inside, but alas.... it was locked like all the others.


4. Grand Haven Lights: 


honestly, I have been here 50 times before... but it was still fun. A gorgeous day and tons of people hanging out by the outer pier!  This is most definitely the most popular beach of West Michigan shorelines.  The best part was driving up Lakeshore Ave N in between Holland and Grand Haven... the most amazing homes that have the ridiculous views.  I think i'll check on some of that real estate...

Layla and I had fun though, it's a great beach... we were swangin' through the foot-traffic along the pier, and lots of "awwww's" from the women passer-bys (for layla obviously)  Everyone is so nice. I am very much looking forward to heading north to my next stop, the Muskegon South Pier Light and White River Lighthouses.

One thing I've noticed that each of these has in common:  the color red.  Perhaps it pops against the beach and water so captains can find it easier? Interesting little factoid.

The GH lights are owned by the city of Grand Haven and thus, closed to the public at this time.






The Journey Continues.................................................