This morning we drove about an hour north to explore the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. On the way up we passed the 45th Parallel. At that location you are equidistant from the equator and the north pole! As it was chilly and rainy out today it felt like we were closer to the north pole! We crossed the 45th Parallel last year after we left the rally, just south of Alpena MI.
A awesome looking schooner just off shore in the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay
The sign along side the highway. Not a lot of room to pull off.
I inched forward but this is as close as I could get without getting run over!!
We continued on north and arrived at Leelanau State Park where the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located, There is a nominal charge to enter the park and a sign stating the campground was full. Not too surprising with it being Labor Day Weekend.
The lighthouse is a short walk from the state park parking lot, and on the way we noticed an interesting northern white cedar tree and a sign requesting you stay off of it. Looking at the branches you can see why they need a sign. The branches are low to the ground and gradually curved.
On to the way to the lighthouse we stopped by the visitor center and then on to the lighthouse which is attached to the keeper's quarters. This lighthouse, like many we have seen up here, have the lighthouse attached to the keeper's quarters. Sure makes it nice for the keeper and their family in the winter!
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse was built in 1858 by the US Lighthouse Service. In 1900 the structure was converted to a two-family dwelling. In1916 a kitchen was added and in 1952 it was modernized and electrified, and the porch wings were added. In 1972 the building was closed as an automated light tower was erected. In 1986 the museum was opened to the public.
The keeper's bedroom now displays his uniform and other memorabilia. This entire area of the peninsula was taken over by the military during World War II and used for trailing. Two vessels were purchased and turned into aircraft carriers, and they used the Great Lakes for training.
The lens had been removed so there is plenty of room in the lighthouse tower. It was overcast but on a clear day the view would be awesome!
Back on the ground I took a picture of both the fog signal building and the oil storage building. 
As you enter the keeper's quarters to walk through a porch where they take your admission and you walk into the beautifully preserved kitchen. 
Living room /dining room used for special occasions and evenings as a central gathering point for both families
Havilland China used for special occasions
The keeper's uniform and his decorations proudly displayed.
A model of one of the aircraft carriers
The assistant keeper's bedroom with his uniforms displayed
We then climbed the staircase to the second floor where much more keeper's memorabilia and nautical items were displayed. 
We then waited our turn to climb the 10 metal steps and 14 very steep wooden steps up to the top of the lighthouse
This is a mannequin of Elaine Southwell Fredrickson. Elaine served in the US Coast Guard S.P.A,R,S (Semper Paratus - Always Ready) Women's Reserve as an electronics technician. She was a founding member of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum
Various nautical items on display
The Fresnel lens from the lighthouse
Steam whistle and fog horn in the corner
Tiny access into the top
A view of the fog signal building in the distance, and the smaller oil storage building
The new light signal in the background
A panoramic view
Fog Signal Building added in 1899
Oil storage building
Doreen on the back side of the lighthouse. They have really done a nice job of preserving this structure.
On the way back to the campground we stopped at the Northern Latitudes Distillery. Our friend Steve Cerny at the campground introduced us to the Mackinac Island Fudge Chocolate Liqueur and it was awesome, so we stopped for a tasting and brought a few different bottles home! 
So that was our day. We returned to the campground and tuned in the Iowa Hawkeyes vs Indiana Hoosiers, and at the same time recorded the Cubs vs the Pirates. Tomorrow we will drive north to the Mission Point Lighthouse. On the way we plan to stop at the Mission Point General Store, and on the way back to the campground we will check out the Mission Point Tavern! Tomorrow night we are going out to eat with the Cerney's and the Junco's before they depart Monday.
No comments:
Post a Comment