5 Sep - Mission Point Lighthouse, Farmers Market, Music on the Beach

This morning we woke to temps in the low 50's.  Quite a change from the hot and humid conditions we had at Elkhart IN just a week or so ago.  

Looks like frost on the truck but just heavy, cold dew.

Fireplace looking good and pumping out the heat this morning

Liberty all snuggled up in her blanket!

After breakfast we took off northbound up the Old Mission Peninsula with the goal of exploring the Mission Point Lighthouse. On the way we deviated east a bit into the village of Old Mission. This area dates back into the 1800's and includes the Old Mission General Store. There are many antique shops in the area and the general store in itself is considered an antique and is full of antiques. It was apparently the first retail store between Fort Way and Mackinac (then a wig-wam). Notably, this is where Henry Ford installed the state's second ever gas station. Unfortunately with the Labor Day holiday weekend it was not open today.

The Old Mission General Store

On down the street is the Old Mission Inn which was built in 1869 and has hosted many dignitaries such as baseball great Babe Ruth and boxing champ Joe Louis.  Given more time it would have been neat to visit the Inn and have a look around.

The Old Mission Inn

Up the road a few miles is the Mission Point Lighthouse.  It is located on the very north end of the peninsula.  We arrived to find probably twenty cars in the parking lot and several bicycles there also.  The place was busy!

The Mission Point Lighthouse

Just to the west of the lighthouse is the Hessler Log Home.  It was built in the 1854-1856 timeframe in the lower part of the Old Mission peninsula by Mary and Joseph Hessler.  The logs where hewn from local pine trees and the corners dove-tailed together.  In the 1992-1997 timeframe the log home was salvaged and moved to this location.

The Hessler Log Home

The Mission Point Lighthouse was built in 1870 and was active until 1933.  This lighthouse is open so we walked there next.  Like other lighthouses in this area, the lighthouse is integral with the keeper's quarters.    

On the lower floor was the visitor center and the keeper's office.  Other rooms on the lower floor were closed to visitors as they are used for an active keeper's program.  For a fee you can sign up to be a lighthouse keeper and live right in the keeper's quarters!  If this interests you, read more here:  https://www.missionpointlighthouse.com/keeper-program.html

Doreen getting her passport stamped.

The historic keeper's office

There is a stairway to the upper level and then a steep climb up to the top where the light used to be.  37 steps total!  

The first ascent up the stairway to the second level.

On the second level there is some historical information about the female keeper, Sarah Lane.  Sarah was married to Captain John Lane, the first lighthouse keeper to live at Mission Point Lighthouse.  Sarah was appointed assistant keeper and John was the primary keeper.  John passed away in 1906 and Sarah then became the primary keeper, serving about 25 years total. 

Some of Sarah's clothes on display.

The second ascent up the steep stairway to the light area.

Doreen looking down from the light area

A panoramic view from the top.  

The well house

The oil house

Doreen at the main entrance.  

After departing the lighthouse we drove past the Old Mission Tavern and had the timing been different we might have stopped for a cold one and to take in a bit more history!

On the way back to the campground we stopped by a local farmer's market and Doreen picked up some fresh fruits and vegetables.  There were handicrafts for sale, some local wines, and various other things.

The local farmer's market.

Fresh peaches.  We actually bought double this.

Tomatoes

Peppers

Sweetcorn

Back at the campground, this evening we joined our Alliance friends Bob and Jill Junco, and our campground hosts (and Alliance owners) Steve and Kelley Cerny for "Music on the Beach".  They hired a local guitarist Larz Cabot for a couple hours of music and enjoyment!  Kelley, Steve and the other campground owners are working hard to make improvements here and this is an example.  

Early before the concert started.  This entire area filled with campers.

A look out on the beach this evening

Larz Cabot playing a mix of tunes.

L-R Bob & Jill Junco, Ed and Doreen, Kelley and Steve Cerny

It was a fun day.  Tomorrow morning the Junco's depart for St Ignace and we travel north in search of some of the Petoskey stones!  We will also prepare for departure later as we leave here Tuesday morning also for St Ignace.