| In October 2003, Janet Carpenter visited me in South Bend for three weeks or so. We had a wonderful time touring the area but I took very few pictures. The best of her pictures are shown below. |
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Michigan is known for it's many and varied lighthouses. Here's the lighthouse from Grand Haven State Park. The colorful worm-looking things at the right are kites being flown from the breakwater across the channel from where we were. |
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This is the Big Sable Lighthouse at Ludington State Park. Volunteers man the lighthouse and giftshop. Two retired couples live in the keepers quarters for a week at a time. (or was it a month -- Janet?) They are responsible for repairs, upkeep, inventory, and tourist management. They seem to enjoy it and make visitors feel very welcome. |
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The lightkeepers quarters have been restored and turned into a museum and gift shop. After sitting through the required 15 minute video describing its history, we got to pass through the sacred doors to the inside of the lighthouse itself. |
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We climbed the spiral metal staircase all the way to the top of the Big Sable lighthouse -- all 214 steps or whatever it was-- and looked WAY down on the dunes below. |
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Almost looks tropical, doesn't it? Well, at 38 degrees and a 20MPH wind it was anything but tropical. It was pretty, though. |
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We picked a cold, rainy, blustery day to visit Mackinac Island. Shepler's ferries travel between the mainland and the island despite the weather, and so did we. |
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Armed with our trusty ponchos and a stiff upper lip, we were off to play tourist. On arrival, we took a horse-drawn "carriage" tour (for 50) around the town of Mackinac. That kept us out of the rain for awhile and allowed us to see and hear tell of a lot of sights we would have missed otherwise. As we were squished 4-abreast on the bench seats, Janet and I used the far reaches of our ponchos to cover the old folks sitting next to us. The LOM sitting next to me was shivering so hard he almost dislodged me from my seat! |
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We splashed around in the cold and wet for several hours playing tourist. The fudge was fantastic, the souvenir shops full of delights and great sales! Most shops closed for the winter the next week. Adaptability. That's what one needs when travelling. And the ability to use available resources. Janet found the plastic ponchos which truly saved the day. I made good use of the available resources. Here I am drying my soaked shoes with the nice warm dry restroom hand-dryer. I also dried my socks. Ahhhh that felt good! |
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We came here looking for fall colors and found some rich greens and yellows, but we were too early for most of the bright reds that Janet appreciates so much. Oh well, it was a wonderful walk. |
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Matthiessen State Park again. |
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No trip to South Bend is complete without a tour of the University of Notre Dame. The marble ball in this fountain floats and spins on a thin layer of water. It can be found in the recently opened Coleman-Morse Center. |
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It was a cold and windy day at Petosky. Janet braved the elements to snap a picture or two, but I had more sense and stayed in the nice warm car. |
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To the left of the lighthouse is a shallow shelf of water. Lots of waves on Lake Michigan today. Other days, it is positively glassy-smooth with hardly a ripple touching the shoreline. |
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I know the picture is too large. Sorry. It's too beautiful to reduce smaller. This part of Russ Forest is within a half-mile of the Collins family farm where Will and I spent 4 years living in the coach parked behind the barn. The forest, adjoining the farm, is too majestic for words. As much as I love the Sierras, this place has a peace and tranquility all its own. Beautiful picture, Janet. |
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Another part of Russ Forest. There are about 8 miles of trails winding to and fro through the Forest and adjacent Newton Woods. |
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One of my favorite things about the midwest is the lush green vegetation throughout the summer. I never tire of looking at it. |
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Dowagiac Creek meanders through Russ Forest. Foot bridges cross the creek at two points -- this is one of them. It is great fun to watch horseback riders try to convince their trusty steeds to cross this narrow bridge. Some horses have to be blindfolded and led across while others plod across without a fuss. |
Sault Ste. Marie, MI & Ontario
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On a cold, sleety October day, we took a 2-hour boat ride from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario through the American Soo Locks, down the St. Mary's River, then back through the Canadian Soo Locks. This freighter is going from Lake Heron to Lake Superior, a lift of 21 feet. The American side has two locks and can accommodate traffic going both directions simultaneously. |
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Here we are pretty much at the bottom of the acquatic elevator ride. Still on the American side. |
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The colorful flags are flying in a pretty stiff breeze! |
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The white tent-looking structure is a covered multiple purpose outdoor pavilion. The day we were there, they held floor hockey games with each team sporting outlandish costumes. One team of ladies wore t-shirts with bathing beauty-bodies airbrushed front and back. It looked like a lot of fun on a cold day! |
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Our trusty ponchos kept us warm and dry. |
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The lighthouse at South Haven, MI. |
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Great photographer that I am, another shot of the same lighthouse. Sorry for the shadow across your face, Janet. |
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Seagulls at Warren Dunes #1. That's Lake Michigan in the background, one of three great lakes we saw on in our travels this month. |
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Seagulls at Warren Dunes #2 |
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Now you can see some of the Dunes. They extend much higher to the right of the car. |
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Janet's favorite red leaves. Beautiful picture, Janet. |
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More subtle colors. |