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!














2.) Muskegon South Pier Breakwater: 4:00pm. 


This one was a little different.  The layout here is a fantastic one. The Lighthouse and breakwater lights sit staring at each other from south to north.  You can't actually walk down the North Pier Light, because it is on grounds of the dept. of Homeland Security and is under high security. Blah.

So, we walked down the south side sidewalk by the beach, and just decided to go swimming!  We LOVE swimming in the big lake.  Right there, below- along the breakwater Pier... clean water and at a great temp - even at 5pm. Pere Marquette is most definitely a wonderful place to spend a day.

A great day... this is living!  Let me tell ya.... being with my best friend and going to places we've never been is exhilarating and fullfilling... plus we are finding really sexy real estate along the big lake. Great stuff.
Can't wait to uncover the next few on the list... Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Pentwater Pier Light, Ludington N. Breakwater Light and Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

Stamps..... here I come!

-Mark