Summer vacation time 1999 became a chance to visit 7 new lighthouses, including a lightship. Jim and Stacy traveled to an area they hadn't visited before, the "thumb" of Michigan. As you drive around the coast, which would be the Lake Huron Circle Tour, the first lighthouse is Port Austin, and it is located at the tip of the thumb. An interesting fact to note: from the shores at Port Austin a visitor can view the sunrise and come back later to view the sunset.
We followed the shoreline south and came to the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse. This was the only one on the trip (besides the Lightship) that had a museum and gift shop. In fact, there were several other visitors besides Jim and I, so the Lighthouse opened early. The tower was not stable enough to climb, but you could look up the staircase. The ladies running the gift shop were very nice, and I chatted with one of them for awhile about other lighthouses we had each visited. She and her husband make trips around lighthouses, too. I now own a pin that is a replica of this lighthouse.
Here was another lighthouse that was too far off the shore to access by foot, and almost too far to get a good photo.
By the time we made it to Port Sanilac we were at our day's destination of Port Huron. This was one of three in the area to see. The lighthouse is a private residence, so we could not get a close-up view. The water was behind me when I shot the photo. We walked part-way down a pier to get a good glimpse of the entire lighthouse.
We were almost under the Blue Water Bridge, which connects to Canada. The Fort Gratiot lighthouse was not only still active, but it was fenced off, too. At least this one was close enough to get some good photographs. As we walked around, we noticed many sailboats. It turned out the Port Huron to Mackinaw race was the same day. I found many interesting photos to take of the sailboats, too.
When there wasn't enough funds for a full fledged lighthouse, sometimes a lightship was used instead. I boarded the lightship and looked around at the sleeping and eating quarters, then went on deck. There was a bell to ring (but just once!) up there. The lightship was not in the water, and has been retired since 1971.
We left from the motel to drive through fog as we continued South. This time we were on the way to Marine City and the final lighthouse of the trip. It used to be on Peche Island, at the entrance to the Detroit River. Now it is displayed (having been replaced) at the Marine City National Park on the shores of the St. Clair River.