Category: Lighthouse

Lights along Lake Erie’s South Shore

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 30, 2009
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To complete my navigation of the U.S. side of Lake Erie I needed to drive from Detroit to Erie (perviously I’ve driven the Erie to Buffalo stretch). However, I woke up in Ann Arbor and there was no way I wasn’t going to tour the University of Michigan, visit the Ford Library, and go shirt-shopping for my girls. Since bed that night was south of Pittsburg I needed an early start and many hours behind the wheel. I’m homeward bound!

Lights along Lake Erie Since age 16 when I worked on the Ford for President campaign I’ve been a fan. Three day earlier I had visited his President Museum in Lancing and was very impressed. It’s very well done. While there I learned of the Library in Ann Arbor so I made it my first stop. It’s much smaller, not nearly so well done, but equally supportive and respectful of President Ford. My favorite part was the corner he used for his personal office till the end.

As for the lighthouses, they’re below. You look, I’ve got lots of driving to do!

Bridge Lake Lighthouse Road Travel

Two Days of Lighthouse Hunting

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 28, 2009
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Why do I chase these things? Why are most people intrigued by lighthouses? They’re usually remote and always isolated. Most structures are unique if only by variation on a theme. Lighthouses are always near the water and usually in distinct settings. They serve an exotic purpose, guiding ships away from danger. The lifestyle of keepers was one of loneliness and monotony, yet in the worst of weather their commitment to duty was most important. The fact that theirs is a disappearing way of life only adds to make the mix a big draw. Somewhere in all this is why I chase lighthouses.

So around Lake Michigan I went hunting. Not fixated on numbers this time, I just enjoyed getting to those that I could and paying particular attention to the noteworthy. Along 3/5th of Lake Michigan’s coastline I visited 24 of the 118 total lights. It was fun.

Falls Lake Lighthouse River Road Travel

Across the U.P. to Canada

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 26, 2009
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Upper Peninsula to Canada — Sought out the lighthouse, found lots of bird activity, decided to combine the two in one picture. Many, many shots later I was able to realize my vision. Good results often come only after much persistence.

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan was just about the last place I’d ever get to. It wasn’t on the way to anywhere; it’s not near where I live; I don’t know anyone who lives there. This was my chance! My plan was to follow the coast of Lake Michigan with only two detours: 1) Whitefish Point Lighthouse and 2) Sault St. Marie in Canada. That night I’d rest my head near the Macinack Bridge which connects the two great peninsulas of Michigan.

Just as I entered Michigan I picked-up a map and guide to all of Michigan’s 118 lighthouses at the Visitors Welcome Center. Did you catch that? 118! Unlike other lighthouse trips to Maine and Oregon and Prince Edward Isle, I wasn’t going to try and see them all. This trip was my UP experience and time was limited. I was going to focus on the easy and the interesting lights. <fix>

Lake Lighthouse Road Travel

Wisconsin has a Thumb!

Wisconsin Thumb — Atop a tower built in 1932 which stood 225 feet above water level I had a commanding view of the surroundings. The sun was perfect, the air was clear, and, but for the fact I was freezing, it was perfect.

I spent the day learning the basics of Wisconsin and Green Bay then shooting up the Door Peninsula to visit Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, Cana Island Lighthouse, up to Northport where ferries depart to near by islands. This peninsula protrudes east into Lake Michigan, as if Wisconsin’s thumb.

In Green Bay I visited the Railroad Museum and Neville Public Museum where I focused to learn local history. Everyone knows Wisconsin is all about cheese making, brewing, and lumber but who knew that Green Bay was once very big in ice farming!? Football was big in Green Bay where the legacy of Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers lives on to the present.

Historical Lake Lighthouse Museum Road Travel

Taste of Chicago

Chicago - 0 — Cloud Gate is a giant jellybean of highly polished steel. In its reflection you can see the Chicago skyline along Michigan Avenue. It’s hard not to walk around it an be amazed.

Last year while returning home via the Lincoln Highway, our nation’s first transcontinental road which ran from Manhattan to San Francisco, I stayed in Chicago just as “Taste of Chicago” was winding down. “Wow!” I thought “I’ve got to get back to see this next year!” And so I did.

“Taste of Chicago” is a nine-day food and performing arts festival which takes place in Grant Park along Chicago’s waterfront. This is a big deal! All the music concerts are free and included such acts as Hootie and the Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies, Buddy Guy, and much more. To get a sense of scale, take a look a the map below. For food alone there were 56 restaurants!

Lighthouse Road Travel

Lighthouses of Maine

Maine Lighthouse — Big sky and big sea can add to a light’s lure, especially when it’s perched up high as Owl Head lighthouse was. In Maine the variety is great but it can be a challenge finding a good view of the lights!

Maine’s coast is rocky and littered with little islands. It’s easy to understand why 82 lighthouses were needed to keep water traffic safe. This density of lights is what drew me to Maine’s coast, along with the promise of a visit to Acadia National Park. What wasn’t expected was the outlandish side trip to Prince Edward Island in Canada.

Bridge Lighthouse Road Travel

Lights of Prince Edward Island

Post author By TravisGood
Post date May 15, 2009
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PEI Bridge — Until 1998, the only way to get to Prince Edward Isle was by ferry. Now, the Confederation Bridge will get you across the seven mile gap for the small fee of $37. Ouch!

The bridge took me across to Canada’s smallest province. A beautiful island of rolling hills. The setting of House of Green Gables. A land of lighthouses aplenty. On my last visit to PEI charmed me so from my Maine trip I was motivated to make this mad-dash for a quick visit.

What did I do? Why shoot lighthouses of course!

Lighthouse Road Travel

Oregon Trek

Crescent City Lighthouse — Lighthouses sure hold a special appeal for me. Along the coast I saw 15 different lighthouses and most had a unique charm all its own. Here you can see the Crescent City lighthouse at dawn.

My trip started with the celebration of my mother’s 70th birthday, it continued with a slew of visits and day trips, this was followed by a nine-day 3,000-mile drive around Oregon, and finished with a micro-reunion of high school classmates. I came away with a renewed appreciation for Oregon, its diversity of beauty, and its history. It really is an impressive State.

If you’re curious to know more then you can check out my trip site here.