Home safe home

Another journey in the books. The trailer is back in its parking place and our new bear has found his new home in the hallway.

Perhaps the most nerve wracking part of our trips is the moment when I have to back the monster back into our driveway off a busy street. Today we got lucky with the traffic and I am much more confident in backing the trailer.

Lined up and backed the trailer into our narrow driveway on the first attempt. Only took a couple minor adjustments to move it into its proper place next to the garage and we were unhooked and stablized within about 15 minutes.

For our family and friends who have been looking in, we thank you for your interest and hope that maybe, just maybe, you can join us someday. Because of our travel plans to Cancun in October and a cruise in November the next big trailer excursion isn't planned until January.

If I get the chance to post some photos or comments from Cancun, I will, but not sure how "connected" I will be there.

For now, Grandmas Recess will be dark for a little while.

Mileage out: 44635

Time out: 8:56 a.m.

Mileage in: 44864

Time in: 1:05 p.m.

Historic White Pine Village, a new bear and a nice dinner out

Our last day here in Ludington was one of the best. The weather was outstanding, 65 degrees, crystal clear and no wind.

After we got up this morning we headed out to Historic White Pine Village, for those who live in the Flint area it is very similar to Crossroads Village. The folks in the local historical society have done a great job of gathering period artifacts and furnishings for all the houses and businesses moved to this beautiful site.

We ended up spending more than three hours touring the many buildings and exhibits on the site, taking way more photos than I can ever post here.

With the sun in its full glory, Joan was wearing her trademark bonnet and looked like she really belonged in this historic village.

Buildings moved here include a doctor's office, a general store, a farmhouse, a clock store, a hardware store, a trapper's cabin, a blacksmith's shop, a barn and many other historic buildings.

I really enjoyed the maritime museum that included a number of artifacts from the rich history of Ludington as the base of Michigan based car ferries. The local information said that in the 1800s, Ludington had the largest fleet of car ferries in the world. A map of Lake Michigan showed ferries criss-crossing Lake Michigan from a variety of ports north and south on the west Michigan coastline.

Only one ferry remains here in Ludington, the SS Badger, that I wrote about last night.

The print shop brought back fond memories of my high school print shop class. We had some platen presses in high school and I had to learn the layout of a California job case, which is how the old cold type was organized in the old days.

At the end of the self-guided tour we noticed a statue of a boy and girl under an umbrella that turned out to be a piece of artwork that was once in a Ludington park, but in later years suffered from vandalism. It was restored and moved to the village to save it. The young lady in the statue bears a resemblance to someone I know.

After completing our tour of the village about 1:40 p.m. (we missed "Days" today) we headed back to the Wolf's Den to pick up 'our' bear. This is a store we will definitely return to someday, hopefully with more money than we had available on this trip. There are some really unique hand crafted wood items at this store. They have some bed frames we would love to have.

Back at our trailer I had a couple hours to read my book, which is something I always look forward to.

One of our new traditions is to find a nice restaurant to eat at during our last night. Through a restaurant guide and some online research we found PM Steamers and headed there about 5:30 p.m.

It was an outstanding restaurant with moderate prices and a wonderful view overlooking the city marina. About 6:45 p.m. the hostess rang a loud bell which signalled the arrival of the SS Badger which we could watch through the window from our table.

Our stay in Ludington has been wonderful, but we look forward to heading home to family and friends tomorrow. More then.

A Blue Heron, a few salmon and one very large Badger

Today was all about wildlife, easy walks, dinner out and a really big floating Badger.

Just for fun, let’s start at the end of the day and the arrival of the Lake Michigan Carferry “The Badger” out of Ludington, Michigan. We’ve heard the Badger leave and arrive each day, but had not seen her until tonight.

Timing is everything and today was, in contrast to most other days here, very calm wind wise. So after dinner at Pizza Hut (my choice) tonight we gathered up our camera, walking shoes and made our way to the lakeshore to watch the arrival of the Badger from its trip to Wisconsin. The Lake Michigan crossing takes four hours and we plan to do that next year.

We watched as the sun traveled its predictable westerly route and the Badger its regular easterly return from the end of a pier. Cruising at a fair clip, the Badger quickly rose in height on the horizon and quickly passed through the breakwater opening heading for its mooring spot near the marina.

The water was table top smooth tonight and I shot way more pictures than anyone will ever be interested in looking at. After the Badger passed us we quickly made our way back to the truck and then drove to the Badger’s mooring to shoot more pictures and watch as the cars and trucks were unloaded.

I was curious about how big the vehicles were that traveled in the ferry thinking that next year we might cross with the truck and trailer via the ferry. First vehicle off was a semi-truck and trailer so I guess my little rig will fit. The Badger makes its last round trip of the season on Sunday (they are offering a $35 special fare, but alas we will no longer be here).

It was fun to watch the big ship smoothly and skillfully back into its spot about 7 p.m.

Now back to the beginning of the day, the next to the last of our vacation here in Ludington.

After we got up we headed back to Ludington State Park to take a new trail (I promised Joan no Dune Death March today) along the Big Sauble River and across the dam at Hamlin Lake.

The day was gorgeous and the walk was very nice. We saw a large freighter, three deer, a Blue Heron, squirrels, a herd of salmon and beautiful flora along the 1.5 mile walk.

Plenty of fishermen were doing what they could to entice a large school of salmon swimming around a bridge to take the bait, but we only saw one fish caught all morning. Apparently the salmon are more interested in procreating than masticating.

We sandwiched all this in before and after “Days of Our Lives,” which if you haven’t watched it, is full of drama and pretty ridiculous storylines.

After getting cleaned up this afternoon, I sat out in the bright sunshine reading my novel and enjoying the last great days of summer. Lots of new campers pulled into the park today.

Instead of cooking in I was in the mood for pizza and we went to a local Pizza Hut for dinner.

Today’s photos include some from the walk and the Badger, but I skipped the Pizza Hut because pretty much everyone knows what a Pizza Hut looks like.

Lions and Bears, but no Tigers today

Finally, a beautiful day with no rain or wind. Headed out early today to go to a nearby flea market, but when we got there most of the vendors had packed up and left. So we made a quick course correction and headed to an old cemetery I noticed on Thursday.

I saw a Civil War statue and I was curious if there were more Civil War veterans buried there. There were several old graves that held indicated soldiers from the Civil War. Thankfully, the local veterans' organizations have placed markers and flags at every veteran grave in the cemetery.

We spent more than a half hour walking through this historic old cemetery checking out the graves of veterans of nearly all America's wars.

After the cemetery visit we stopped at Wolf's Den, a wood working shop with wonderful hand made furniture and craft pieces. We spent a lot longer there than we had planned because of the great items they had for sale there.

Although we didn't buy anything today, we found a large carved bear that we are going back to buy Monday or Tuesday. I'll take a picture of it when we get it.

Following that little adventure we headed to Krolczyk Cellars, a new winery in Free Soil, Michigan. We missed it last week during our wine hunt because it is only open on weekends. A young couple with a background in wine-making are growing their own grapes and collecting grapes from small growers to make a small selection of wines.

One of their sparkling varieties won a bronze medal at a Michigan wine contest in East Lansing last year. Joan sampled the only two wines from last year's harvest that are not sold out and gave them both a "thumb's up." So we bought some wine for Joan and a bottle for the Family Literacy Center wine auction and headed out.

We stopped at a local Farm Market, but didn't find anything we couldn't live without. Once home we clicked on the Lions-Vikings game and watched the predictable, if unhappy result of another Lions debacle.

If you want your quarterback to get well, just play the Lions. It will cure what is ailing any faltering quarterback. I'm really tired of investing time in this horrible team.

Fortunately, we didn't see or hear how the Detroit Tigers did today. Joan whipped up a couple interesting spaghetti dishes for us tonight and we ate in.

I've included a few photos from today's adventure including some of the wooden signs (you can see I ignored the no MSU parking sign) at Wolf's Den, at the cemetery and a really cool cloud that Joan spotted while we were at the cemetery.

More than a walk in the park, a death march

Only a husband will appreciate how wrong I was today. OK, so maybe a few wives might get it too. Walking around the same old campground has gotten a little boring so I suggested that we head to Ludington State Park and walk on one of the beautiful trails there.

Joan was skeptical as she was actually looking out the window at the rain falling, while I was looking at the weather radar online, which showed no rain. “It’ll stop raining by the time we get there,” I said. (Wrong).

At the park, with the rain still falling I pointed to a small break in the clouds and insisted that the worst of the rain was behind us. (Wrong again).

Fortunately, the tree canopy shielded us from much of the rain but it was still a little damp. As we headed out on one trail I noticed another trail headed closer to the lake, which I suggested might be an easier hike. (You guessed it, wrong once again).

As we got to the end of the Lost Lake Trail, I noticed yet another trail (Island Trail) that looked like a nice walk along Hamlin Lake. Always the agreeable one, Joan agreed to go a little further. It was still raining (you’d think you could trust radar) and the trail was muddy and at some places difficult.

Island Trail ends at the north end of the park, but always one to push the envelope I saw another trail, The Ridge Trail, that I convinced Joan would be easier and a more direct return route back to our car instead of doubling back on the Island Trail. (Joan was not too happy in the photo to the right finishing yet another hill)

So off we went on Ridge Trail, still headed away from our car, but with my promise that once we made the turn it would be a straight shot back to the car. Do I need to say it again: Really wrong this time.

The Ridge Trail was an up and down (it seemed mostly up) trail along a very long, sandy dune. After about the 15th ‘up’ section I showed Joan, who was now grumbling a little bit, the map with the dotted straight line that I had relied on when taking the trail.

As a former high school science teacher she was quick to point out that my map did not show elevations, which would have made a big difference in her choice of trails had she known. But forge ahead we did until we came to a very long stairway that plunged us back down to the old path that we should have taken in the first place.

At one point Joan looked around and said: “How can we keep going up when everything around us is below us?” It was a good question, but one that I didn’t have an answer for as the very next turn of the trail showed another steep sandy incline.

For a few minutes I thought I had worked us into another trail, one that would take us far from our car, but fortunately for me, and our marriage, I did have us on the right trail, one of the few things I did right all day.

By the end of the walk Joan was referring to the day’s adventure as “The Dune Death March.”
The rain did finally stop about ¾ of the way through the hike and Joan was generally a good sport about walking more than 4 miles when we had planned originally to walk about 1.5 or 2 miles. Despite the trail difficulties, the scenery was beautiful and we did see some swans and other wildlife along the trail.

We got home in time to watch the second half of the Michigan State football game, which was pretty much a rout (35-0 in favor of MSU) by the time we got home.

Tonight we accepted an invitation from the campground to attend a complimentary end-of-the-season chili dinner in the “Roundhouse.” The chili was good and we met some folks who stay here for the season. Very nice people and we will certainly come back here next year to visit again.

As we left the dinner I asked Joan if she would like to make a lap around the park before we went back to the trailer. Her answer is unprintable.

This and that from a quiet, but windy, day

A howling wind with reported gusts over 50 mph during the early hours left Joan and me without much sleep today. The winds made even this pretty heavy trailer bounce and move like a bad carnival ride for most of the night.

Just when we would get to sleep, a branch or something would hit the side of the trailer waking us and then it would take some time to get back to sleep. Rain poured down too. Even tonight as I write this the winds are still whipping outside with gusts still hitting about 30 mph.

Finally gave up trying to sleep about 8 a.m. (Joan stuck it out until about 9:30 a.m.) and the wind and rain continued to pound this area.

With the rain ending about 10:30 a.m. Joan and I went out for a windy walk around the campground. This afternoon (again after "Days of Our Lives") we headed to downtown Ludington to pick up another peck of those delicious apples we picked up last week at the Farmer's Market.

Best apples I have ever eaten. Very sweet and crisp.

On the way downtown I shot a picture of a military jet on a pedestal (my father will let me know what it is) which we have noticed every time we went downtown. Those two helmeted men sitting in the cockpit must be pretty bored by now just sitting there 24/7.

After the apple purchase we headed back down to the lakeshore park to see how the breakwater looked tonight and as we thought it was pretty much underwater from the high water breaking over it.

Then it was back home for dinner, which tonight was spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. I'm ready for a good night's sleep, if the weather will cooperate.

Favorite OnStar pronunciation of the day: For the road Pere Marquette Highway, the automated voice said: Pear Market. The French won't appreciate that.

Way out of order: The Indy trip

First let me say, never, ever buy a Chinese disposable camera. The results can be seen right here. The camera was horrible, but because I left my digital camera home for the special weekend in Indianapolis, I had little choice.

Despite my shortcomings in the camera-bringing department, the weekend had some other ups and downs as well.

Mostly it was a chance to honor the father of Patricia, Diane and Joan Uleskey, who died in July 2009. John "Red" Uleskey was a proud member of the U.S. Army's 75th Division Association and attended many of their reunions.

Each year at the reunion, the members take pause to remember those who are no longer with us here on earth. This was Red's year to be remembered at the memorial service and we wanted to be there to represent Red.

We all got to the Wyndham Hotel in Indianapolis on Friday. Joan and I by car and Denny and Diane by air. Patricia and Keane were unable to attend, but were with us in spirit.

'There was a nice dinner on Friday night that included an Elvis impersonator, which was fun. (It was obviously the 'fat' Elvis he was impersonating). The next morning it rained, but with several hours to the memorial service we decided as long as we were in Indy, we should stop by and pay homage to 'The Track."

The four of us piled into "The Beast" (the name our granddaughter calls the Tahoe) and drove over to the Indy Museum for a little sightseeing. It was there that they sold me the crummy Chinese camera for $12. That's why there are no pictures of Elvis, didn't have the camera yet.

I liked the track museum, especially after I found a mention of Ralph DePalma, a former Indy car racer I met much later in his career and very early in my life. My Dad took my picture with the race car driver who made history by leading the Indy 500, running out of gas and then pushing his car over the line to finish, but obviously not first.

The memorial service was very touching and it is sad to hear the long list of names of World War II men who have died just in the past year. They are departing us at a rapid rate. Each name is called and a member of the Association brings up a red carnation, lays it on the table and then pauses to salute.

My picture of the member saluting was so bad I can't even put it here. A real disappointment for sure.

On Saturday night there was a semi-formal dinner that included the installation of officers for the next year followed by a DJ and dancing. It was a nice day all around.

Sunday started off well with us joining other members of the Association for a farewell breakfast and a World War II medic from Buffalo, NY regaled us with tales of the Battle of the Bulge while we ate.

It was after breakfast that things went south for Joan and me. I walked out to "The Beast" to start loading luggage and when I closed the back door after putting the bags in I heard a terrible noise from the passenger side of the car.

As I rounded the side of the car I found that someone had smashed out both the passenger window and back passenger window. That ended our plans to drive Diane and Denny to the airport and started a three-hour process of calling the police, making a report and getting the windows fixed so we could get home.

When the window glass repair guys showed up in an unmarked mini-van with three sets of identical glass for the three victims of the vandalism (yes, there were two others all GM products with the identical windows) my crap detectors started to quiver.

The detectors went into high gear when I learned this is the same company that the hotel calls for glass vandalism which had spiked in the past week. No other damage to the car, the windows were relatively easy to fix, but not cheap at about $480 per window. Not accusing anyone yet, just sayin'.

Talked to a nice detective on Monday morning (Sept. 30) and relayed my suspicions. No one was hurt but it was a pretty big annoyance.

The trip home after the glass repair was uneventful, except of course for the terrible call that cost the Detroit Lions a victory in the game against the Bears. That was crime that needs to be investigated as well.

Sip happens: The best of Western Michigan wineries

The weather was marginal today. Actually it was pretty bad in the morning, but moderated in the afternoon. Tonight we are getting blown around at a pretty good clip in the trailer with high wind warnings in effect for our area.

With walking weather gone for the morning we decided to head out and start collecting unique Michigan wines for a Family Literacy Center auction basket that Joan and I are planning for the fund-raiser next spring. I'm on the Board of Directors for the Family Literacy Center of Lapeer and we raise money to teach adults how to read and children how to read better.

If you want to help the Family Literacy Center with a cash donation or an auction donation I'd be happy to help you. We are always looking for unique items for our spring auction to raise money for this important cause. All of our programs are offered free to those who need them.

So to give some higher purpose to some of our trips we have decided to locate and put together a couple wine baskets for auction with unique and specialty wines that you can't buy in our area. It's an interesting hobby considering I don't drink at all. Joan appreciates wine so it is fun for her.

With a little online work I plotted out an itinerary that let us visit the five main wineries north and south of Ludington. We started south at the Tartan Hill Winery in New Era where Joan purchased several bottles of wine, including one she may bring to my sister in Illinois.

Our next stop was The Fox Barn in Shelby, Michigan near Silver Lake where we made some additional purchases, including a non-alcoholic sparkling bottle for me.

Because it was time for lunch we headed to the nearby Silver Lake State Campground where we found a lakeside picnic table and enjoyed a quick lunch.

Then it was off to Jomagrha Winery in Pentwater, a place we visited during our previous stay here in July. Joan had found a couple wines she really enjoyed, but apparently so did a lot of other folks because they were sold out. They will begin bottling next year's version in the spring.

She did find a couple suitable substitutes, at Jomagrha, however.

Finishing up there we headed north to Manistee and the Douglas Valley Organic Winery where Joan sampled some more wines and cider. The winery owner also gave Joan a glass to keep along with her purchase of four bottles of wine.

The next stop was not on our original schedule, but we noticed a sign for a Lineback's Grand Traverse Wine Tasting Room in a nearby town (Onekama) so we headed there for our last stop for wine tasting.

With Joan feeling pretty happy by now with the all day wine tasting, we noticed the Little River Casino and Resort north of Manistee and she decided that along with a quick pit stop she would like to make a small donation to the local Native American tribe.

We quickly deposited $40 in the casino and headed home for a dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

A long walk on a long pier (breakwater)

After a leisurely morning, Joan and I (after "Days of Our Lives," of course) headed to the lakeshore to finally take a walk along the breakwater out to the third of the local lighthouses.

We have been careful to pick a safe time to walk out there because on Sunday a fisherman drowned off the end of the breakwater and the local news reported that this was the third drowning in that vicinity this summer.

Last Thursday's attempt was aborted (before the drowning) because the winds were causing the waves on Lake Michigan to break over the top of the breakwater which we assumed would (1) get us wet and cold and (2) would not be safe.

The walk was beautiful and the lighthouse seems a fortress standing against the Lake.

Just for fun today I wore the "airplane" shirt my father sent me a couple years ago. It is very colorful and always reminds me of my "favorite" newspaper assignment many years ago on a B-24 Liberator bomber.

As I reported last week, most of the sand has been cleaned up from the park and put back on the beach. Snow fences are now in place to hold the sand on the beach where it belongs.

Back at camp we cleaned up, put down the awning and I spent a couple hours reading my latest book in the Master and Commander series. Joan fixed us bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches for dinner using our home grown tomatoes.

The weather is cooling tonight and tomorrow's plans depend on the weather.

A full day with many highlights in Manistee, Michigan

Hard to imagine that the best day of our trip so far started with doing laundry.

We woke up to howling winds that had us worried for a minute that we might be climbing out of our trailer while it was laying on its side. After thinking about it for awhile we realized it would take more than 45 mph gusts to turn over the trailer with us inside.

So far this trip has been a lot like our first one in Kentucky. We’ve used the heater, the fireplace (yes, this thing has an electric fireplace complete with logs) the air conditioner and at times we simply opened the vents and windows to let in the fresh air. Typical Michigan fall weather, a little bit of everything.

Today looks promising with temperatures expected in the low 70s and light winds and only a small chance of rain.

Anyway, back to yesterday. After finishing up the laundry, which included walks around the park while the clothes were rinsing and tumbling, we cleaned up, watched “Days of Our Lives” and then headed out to Manistee, Michigan.

We found Manistee to be a surprisingly wonderful destination, one neither of us had ever visited before.

To get there we used our OnStar navigation system which sometimes results in humorous pronunciations. Yesteday is was “Loooodington” instead of Ludington. Our own city Lapeer (La – pier) comes out (La – pierre) when the automated voice gets through with it.

We arrived there about 4 p.m. and parked downtown which was pretty deserted. Online we had seen that they had a nice Riverwalk so decided to sample that.

Starting at the east end of the walk we found ourselves on the boardwalk that runs along the Manistee Riiver and its many marinas leading to the harbor opening to Lake Michigan. The walk has many historical markers with interesting information about Manistee’s past.

I love the quirky stuff like the fact that the federal government came to town in the 1880s searching for a number of prominent citizens who were making a tidy fortune harvesting trees off federal land. Some of them were fugitives for many years leaving behind businesses for family members to run while they fled from the feds.

The fishing industry was huge in Manistee and there are still a number of fishing charter companies moored here. The weather was warm and we really enjoyed our 1.5 mile walk along the river. It is obvious that this town understood and developed well its best resource to attract tourists.

By the time we finished our walk it was time for dinner and we returned to the Boathouse Grill, a downtown restaurant we had seen on our walk along the Manistee River. We were early enough to get a table on the window and Joan ordered the Smothered Chicken Dinner (smothered with shrimp). I had the “Black and Blue” sirloin which also included a Cajun style shrimp side dish. The price was reasonable and very, very tasty.

The reviews for the restaurant were mixed online, but we found our food and service very good. (View at right is from our table)

After dinner we headed for the real reason for our visit, a concert with Michigan actor/musician/songwriter Jeff Daniels. Unfortunately he is best remembered for his starring role in “Dumb and Dumber” with Jim Carrey but his list of movie accomplishments is much longer. One of my favorite Jeff Daniels’ roles was his portrayal of U.S. Army Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, in the movie “Gettysburg.” He did a great job and looks a lot like the Maine school teacher turned hero. But he has many, many more credits, including being killed by Clint Eastwood in the movie “Blood Work.”

The concert was held at the Historic Ramsdell Theatre, which includes among its credit the launching of the career of James Earl Jones. Jones started as a stage carpenter at the theater, but later performed in plays.

In his concert, Daniels sung his own work called “Dirty Harry Blues” about his experience of being a serial killer killed by Clint Eastwood in the movie. A very funny song.

The two-hour concert was filled with laughter and he sang his signature song, “My Grandfather’s Hat,” which is poignant piece.

After the concert he stayed and met with fans and I snapped a photo of Joan with him. A great, great night which ended very late for us after the 40-minute drive back to the campground.

If you get a chance to see Jeff Daniels in concert, and he sometimes performs at his own Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea, Michigan where he continues to live with his wife. From his early days in show business he made a decision not to move to New York and Los Angeles so he could give his children a normal upbringing.

It means a lot of extra travel for him, but those of us in Michigan appreciate his loyalty and down-to-earth Midwestern values. His performance at the Ramsdell Theatre was a benefit for the local community theater group and a local community college’s drama program.

Judging by the audience they should have raised a fair amount of money last night. (Photo is Jeff at our concert - best I could do with the lighting)

A tease for today's blog

It's 11 p.m. and Joan and I just got back from a wonderful day in Manistee. The high point of the day was the Jeff Daniels concert at the Historic Ramsdell Theater.

Jeff Daniels has had prominent roles in a number of big movies, but is a Michigan icon simply because he has never gone Hollywood and still lives in Michigan with his family.

He did a two-hour concert with his own musical compositions. He also plays a really wonderful guitar. A great ending to a great day.

The rest of the travelogue from today will be written tomorrow morning so this is just a tease. The photo is of Joan posing with Jeff Daniels after the concert. See you tomorrow.

A lighthouse visit and a graveyard mystery

Sick of walking laps in the campground, we decided to head out and take on a trail at Ludington State Park. When we were in Mears during July we toured Little Sable Point Lighthouse, but ran out of time to come to Ludington and take on Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

So today, we took the 1.5-mile trail to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse inside Ludington State Park. There is a dirt road, but only volunteers who live and work at the lighthouse are allowed to use it. About halfway down the trail there was a sign marker for a shipwreck site on the shore of Lake Michigan.

We decided to make the hike over a medium sized sand dune to the shoreline so we could see the shipwreck site. Once over the dune we decided to make the rest of the trek to the lighthouse on the deserted beach. Walking in sand is never easy, but we made the trip and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

The shipwreck marker was a simple sign marking the spot where the schooner George F. Foster was lost with a load of lumber in 1872. There was no mention whether anyone died in the wreck, but a few years ago the hull of the ship was uncovered on the beach. Presumably, the ship has been excavated, but there is no mention of where it is located now.

Along the trail there are markers that point out the flora and fauna of the sand dunes, which we found very interesting.

Once at the lighthouse we rested a minute on a bench and then ventured inside the lighthouse facility for the 130-step walk to the top. I’m not a big fan of outside, high places but the view was tremendous and I can always use the exercise.

A Ferris State University video explained that the construction of the lighthouse was delayed until 1867 because of the Civil War, but was manned from that year until 1968 when the U.S. Coast Guard fully automated the facility.

At one time the exterior, like its sister lighthouse in Mears, was made of bricks. The bricks at Big Sable were made in Wisconsin and of an inferior quality which resulted in its being covered with steel plates to preserve the site. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to maintain the light for pleasure craft. Bigger ships now rely on satellite navigation and the lighthouses are not as critical as they once were.

After a sales pitch by a volunteer trying to enlist us to join their ranks we headed out for the 1.5 mile trip back to the trail head and our car. Clouds were moving in, but we never felt a drop of rain. Temperatures were in the low 60s.

There is a third lighthouse in the series, the pier end lighthouse at the beachfront City park, but the water has been treacherous (a guy drowned out there Sunday) so we have not been able to walk out and visit it yet. First calm day, we’ll give it a try. We’re not going to drown though.

We passed the Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington on our way to the State Park and I noticed a statue of a Civil War soldier and a cluster of military grave markers. On our way home I stopped and took a few photos of the military graves and Civil War statue. The markers were from veterans who served in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II and Korea. A few of the soldiers had served in more than one war.

I was intrigued by some Civil War era gravestones that were marked “Unknown U.S. soldier.” I tried doing some quick research but could not find out why “unknown” soldiers would be buried in a small cemetery in Ludington, Michigan.

I’ll keep working on it. Enjoy the photos from today’s adventures. The porthole photo is one of several I took from inside the walk up to the top of the lighthouse.

Lions for lunch, dinner at the lake

With the bed heater controls finally sorted out the night and sleep went much better. Got up in time to see the highlights of last night's Michigan State victory over Notre Dame. Can't get enough of watching that final play.

So after our morning walk we got cleaned up and planted ourselves in front of the television to watch today's Detroit Lions contest. Another frustrating day for the Lions. I know people will say they are getting better, that they are not losing as badly, but losing is losing and this team has inflicted plenty of that on this area.

Unlike others, I don't see the silver lining, I see the same mistakes, the same frustrating inability to finish and I guess I should just stop watching until they actually show some improvement. Sorry, just don't see it.

Joan said she was tired of cooking, so we found the Emerson Lake Inn in a brochure that she found at the camp office so we decided to drive there for dinner. It is in Walhalla, Michigan which is a bend in U.S. 10 about two blocks long. The restaurant is actually a mile or so east of town and was pretty deserted when we got there about 5 p.m.

Joan had the White Fish and I had the chicken special. There was enough left over that we have another meal. We had a view of Emerson Lake from our table and the waitress said even in the summer the private lake never has more than a couple boats on it.

After dinner we made a stop at the Meier store to stock up on food and pop and then came back to the trailer for, you guessed it, Sunday Night Football. As much as I love football, I started to get a little burned out on it today.

Tomorrow, with all the campers gone and the town quiet, we'll get out and do a little exploring and picture taking.

Except for the picture of the television screen and the Lions' game, the rest of the photos are from the restaurant tonight. The view of the lake was taken from our table and the waitress was nice enough to take a picture of Joan and I after dinner.