Sturgeon Point Light House (Michigan)

What is it about a lighthouse that is so alluring? Why do people drive miles and miles to visit lighthouses? Is it to seek higher ground? To catch that awesome Birdseye view from the top of the steep and narrow staircase? Some lighthouses are said to be haunted, and there are tours offered to delve into just that aspect of these ancient stone watchtowers. Michigan is bordered by 4 of the 5 Great Lakes, giving it 3,288 miles of shoreline, and lots of lighthouses. There were as many as 247 operating lighthouses in Michigan at one time, but now less than 100 are in good condition. On one sunny day in August, Dan and I decided to take a drive to the Sturgeon Point Light Station, a lighthouse on Lake Huron in Haynes Township in northeastern Lower Michigan. Built in 1869, and established to ward mariners off a reef that extends 1.5 miles lakeward from Sturgeon Point, it is today regarded as a historic example of a Cape Cod style Great Lakes lighthouse.

Huron Sunrise Trail Bike Ride

When we get the right combination of events – good weather, a day off “work”, no other plans, and enough energy – we like to find fun places to ride our bikes. We heard about a bike path in Rogers City (about 30 miles from Hillman) called The Huron Sunrise Trail, that meanders around 8 miles of Lake Huron, through woodlands and Hoeft State Park, and ending up at Forty Mile Point Light House. This sounded great, so we headed out for a ride and a picnic. We picked a beautiful day to do this! The temperature was pleasant, the ride was easy on paved road the entire route, no climbing to speak of, and the scenery was spectacular. The lake was in view most of the ride, the park was a perfect place to stop for lunch, and the Light House was a fun place to learn a little more about the history of shipping on Lake Huron. It’s hard to fathom how big this Lake is (and all the Great Lakes, for that matter!). With the sand beaches, light houses, and sea gulls, you can almost convince yourself its really an ocean! I’ve included a few pictures we took along the ride.