On August 7, 1789, the United States Congress approved an act for the “establishment and support of Lighthouse, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers.” It was two hundred years later that Congress designated August 7 as National Lighthouse Day which honors the beacon of lights found across America’s shorelines which for hundreds of years symbolized the safety for ships at sea.
National Lighthouse Day
The blizzard this weekend made it hard to see very far as well as creating large drifts. I rather see a summer storm which can hide a lighthouse and creates waves on the water since normally it is warmer weather and you are not stuck not fighting with snow for weeks.
Summer Storm
Cloudy days look better in the fall than in the winter and the view is always better when a lighthouse is in the scene. The Copper Harbor Lighthouse aided in the transport of copper from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and was built in 1866.
Light in Copper Harbor
With a temperature almost setting a high record today, it was nice to be outside but at 42 degrees, it still wasn’t as warm as a 4th of July day. So I will wait a few more months before taking a trip to explore lighthouses like Seul Choix Point.
Light at Seul Choix Point
This tired dog takes a few seconds of rest to watch the small white sailboat slip past the lighthouse before he continues to explore all the interesting things on the beach.
Dog Takes a Break
The lighthouse scene yesterday did not look this peaceful as when I took this image a week ago since the strong northeast winds caused waves measuring 20 feet to crash into the lighthouse and shore. I would have been soaked and standing in water if I stood in the same spot yesterday as the storm caused flooding and closure of roads due to large amounts of debris piled on the roadway.
Wisconsin Point Lighthouse
A boat trip on Lake Superior would have felt nice today with the cooler temperatures coming from the water surface to provide some relief from the warm day. Raspberry Island Lighthouse was ready for use by the end of 1862 but when more lighthouse assistant keepers were stationed on the island, the Lighthouse Service remodeled the building from the ground up in 1906 using parts of the older structure.
Raspberry Island Lighthouse
Some of the historical sites and parks in the area probably had more visitors on this nice Sunday day before the winter season arrives. Split Rock Lighthouse was completed in 1910 and the light shone until 1969. Now it is restored to its 1920s appearance so visitors are offered a glimpse of lighthouse life in this remote and spectacular setting.
Split Rock Lighthouse
Fathers spent Father’s Day in many different ways. Some received gifts, some received the gift of time (like my brother getting mechanical help from his children to fix his truck), and others may have just spent some time with their family doing fun activities. They may have done some fishing, hiking or visiting scenic sights like lighthouses. And if dad and the kids were brave, they might have climbed the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse tower.
Climbing Whitefish Point Tower
The wind is still blowing hard this morning but the forecast says it will start calming late this afternoon so then the waves can start to become more gentle again.
Calmer Waves
