1 Sep - Lighthouse Wednesday! Muskegon South, White River and Little Sable Lighthouses

 

Today we drove north from Grand Haven stopping at three lighthouse locations.  The first was Muskegon MI and the South Breakwater Lighthouse along with the South Pierhead Lighthouse. 

Muskegon South Breakwater Lighthouse

The South Breakwater Lighthouse is located at the end of the south breakwater about a half mile from shore so we did not attempt to access it.  This lighthouse is pyramidal shaped, about 63 feet tall and painted red like many of the other lighthouses along the western Michigan shore.  It was built in 1931 and was never meant to be manned.  It is currently lit with an LED light.

Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse

The South Pierhead Lighthouse was built in 1903 and is a 48 feet tall iron-clad classically shaped lighthouse is located on a concrete pier that extends out from the Coast Guard station. It is easily accessed by walking between the Coast Guard station and the NOAA Great Lakes

The pathway from the parking lot to the concrete pier leading to the lighthouse.

 Environmental Research Laboratory.  This laboratory is actually the original lightkeeper's dwelling.

The Coast Guardmen were bust training near their facilities and then we got to watch them launch out on a mission of some sort.  

We took a left hand turn onto the pier and the lighthouse came into view.  Liberty was with us and enjoyed the walk.  

The path to the lighthouse back in the day.

The north breakwater marker

Doreen and Liberty with the South Pierhead Lighthouse

There was no visitor center or giftshop, but like many other lighthouse there is an address where you can send a self addressed stamped envelope and someone will send you a stamped paper to insert in your passport.  

Next stop was north of Muskegon a bit to Whitehall MI and the White River Lighthouse.  This is a beautifully maintained stone structure integrated into the keeper's quarters.  

The White River Lighthouse with a piece of donated shipwreck on display

This lighthouse was built in 1875 by Captain William Robinson.  The building now houses a museum of maritime artifact.  I had to dog-sit Liberty outside so Doreen went inside and returned with her passport stamped. 

Outside they have renovated the oil house and have severl items on display inside..

I was really impressed with how the main structure had been preserved.  Such a gorgeous building, I can easily imagine living here!!

We finished up here and continued north to the Little Sable Point Lighthouse.  As we approached the left-hand turn onto the lighthouse road we discovered they were applying fresh oil to the road, so we diverted behind a building and found an alternate route to the road!  The big ol' brown truck does not wear oil very well!!  Once on the road we were actually in the Silver Lake State Park that have huge white sand dunes on Lake Michigan.  Local businesses offer dune rides for visitors. 

Here you can see the massive white sand dunes behind this house.

We continued towards the lighthouse and the drive was interesting as the road is very narrow.  Had we met another vehicle on parts of the road , one or the other of us likely would have had to back up a ways.  

Soon the parking lot appeared as we had arrived at the lighthouse. It is also surrounded by the huge sand dunes. 

The top of the lighthouse is barely visible over the dunes and shrubbery

 They use an old Airstream trailer as a visitor center where you pay a nominal fee to climb the 130 steps up the lighthouse.  They also have the lighthouse passport stamp.

Doreen getting her passport stamped.

Liberty and I followed Doreen up the pathway to the lighthouse where we were greeted by volunteers dressed in period-correct costumes.  

Surrounding the lighthouse was dunes as far as you could see, and of course the shore of Lake Michigan,  

   

Doreen began her ascent as Liberty and I admired the scenery.  We stuck up a conversation with the hostess at the entrance and she showed us a painting of the lighthouse that shows the keeper's quarters in front of the lighthouse.  Apparently the house met it's demise in about 1970.  

Soon Doreen emerged at the top of the lighthouse and waved at us along with the host dressed up as a lightkeeper.

While Doreen was at the top she took a few pictures of the shoreline and Lake Michigan.  She pointed out the distinct lines of color in the water.  

Others had apparently placed markers at the top that indicated distance to other cities.  

Liberty and I waited at the bottom and soon Doreen emerged after climbing up 130 steps and then back down.  She really enjoys that!

So, great day checking out some of Michigan's lighthouses.  We returned to the campground and started our preparations to move tomorrow to Traverse City MI.  I did the normal outside stuff, we went to Meijer's and restocked the fridge and on the way back we stopped at a car wash and gave the big ol' brown truck a badly needed bath!

Tomorrow we travel north and just a bit east to Holiday Park RV Campground in Traverse City.  This campground is owned by fellow Alliance RV owners, Steve and Kelley Cerny.  We met them at the Alliance RV Rally last week.  

Next report from Traverse City!