National Lighthouse Day

August 7th was National Lighthouse Day! Paying homage to these beautiful rustic structures of by gone days,

I wanted to share a few of the lighthouses I have photographed over the years from my travels around the Eastern United States.

Lighthouses are very much like old barns. They are aged by time, cherished by all and photographed by many.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Down East Maine, Mt. Desert Island, Maine

Big Red Lighthouse, Lake Michigan, Holland, Michigan

Hooper Straight Lighthouse, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, Maryland

Pumpkin Island Lighthouse, Eggmoggin Reach, Little Deer Isle, Maine

Point Betsie Lighthouse, Lake Michigan, Frankfurt, Michigan

Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket Harbor, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

Assateague Light, Assateague National Seashore, Chincoteague Island, Virginia

Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Light, Lake Michigan, Grand Haven, Michigan

Did you know Lake Michigan is dotted with lighthouses far and wide. What a discovery as I visited many of the quaint little towns that dot the landscape along western Michigan's lake shore.

On another trip, I visited beautiful Cape Cod, where I took a ferry ride to Nantucket Island. Needless to say, I happened upon two lighthouses. My favorite was Brant Point Lighthouse which greets you as you enter Nantucket Harbor.

On a week long trek hob knobbing around Mid Coast and Down East Maine, in beautiful New England, I was fortunate enough to capture a few images of the famous, and oft photographed, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. This beautiful lighthouse sits on the tip of Mt. Desert Island in Down East Maine.

It bears mentioning I came upon several beautiful lighthouse on a trip to two national seashores in Maryland and Virginia. On Chesapeake Bay, the maritime museum was so amazing as I walked around the grounds taking in old artifacts from days gone by. But the real highlight was capturing the Hooper Straight Lighthouse which sits on the museum's grounds next to the bay. I had seen this unusual lighthouse displayed in numerous tourism brochures. Yet, I never thought I would ever get to photograph it. But on this particular day it was right there for the snapping.

I truly love photographing lighthouses. I hope you enjoyed this trip back in time and I can't help but wonder if you have a favorite of all the lighthouses I have captured. Do tell. ENJOY!

Michigan, My Journey

My recent journey throughout Michigan's lower peninsula, along the western shore of Lake Michigan, has not been documented in its entirety, as I will write more posts over the coming weeks.

However, a quick peek back at where I've taken you was in order. Perhaps, you will find a new image or two to feast your eyes upon. I seldom call my outings a trip, but prefer to speak of them as a trek or even a journey, because after all it is a place and time not yet traveled nor spent, and if for no other reason than the newness of it, I consider it an adventure. ENJOY!

Beautiful Point Betsie Lighthouse

Lighthouses, in general, are very popular landmarks. On a beautiful sunny day a few weeks ago, with the most gorgeous blue sky, and just the slightest breeze in the air, I decided to drive down to Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfurt, Michigan.

I had just finished hiking Empire Bluffs Trail and wanted to see the lighthouse as I knew I would be heading home the next day. The lighthouse sits just south of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a mere twenty minute drive. Only a handful of people were at the lighthouse as I drove into the parking lot as it had already closed for the day.

I was actually glad it was closed. That meant I could have this place virtually to myself. A wide path led down to the beach and as I walked along the shore farther away from the lighthouse, I turned and looked back. I knew this would be the best perspective to capture a few images of this old lighthouse and I was right.

I also snapped a few images closer to the lighthouse as I walked up the hillside from the beach.

I read that Point Betsie is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. The lighthouse dates back to 1858. You should know that if you take a hankering, you can rent the two bedroom keepers quarters for a weekly rental fee. Considering where the lighthouse is situated along the lakeshore with Sleeping Bear Dunes close by, not to mention the beautiful lakes and quaint artist's towns right down the road, and add to that Lake Michigan's beaches, it seems the perfect spot to spend a week. ENJOY!