Summer of 18-#33-Lighthouses, Getting ready to leave Benzonia

Thursday August 9th, 2018

There were two lighthouses on the agenda today.  We drove south and it was pretty, as it has been most places that we have gone to up here.

Cornfields

Barn

Our first stop was Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park.  We had left this until today as it is a 1.6 mile walk to the lighthouse on a sandy road.  We knew we wouldn't be able to do a 3.2 mile roundtrip and climb the lighthouse, but luckily for us, twice a month they have a bus that takes you to the lighthouse for $5 return.  This was one of the days. 

We got our tickets for the bus and as we waited we saw these small pine cones on the tree beside us.

It was quite a ride up to the lighthouse and we were glad we weren't walking.  This is one of the four lighthouses we bought a pass for and so our entrance fee was already paid.

There was a couple playing and singing songs.  They had really good voices and it was lovely listening to them.

Lighthouse curtains.  I have some tier curtains like this. I really must put them up somewhere in the motorhome.

There was a short presentation and video before we started our ascent of the lighthouse.  As we went up, there were round portholes which gave different views out of the lighthouse.  This first one had a spider hanging on the outside.

We got to the top and took pictures of the views from up there.

The picture below shows the road/path back to the State Park that you would have to walk.  The State Park is where the trees are.  The bus dropped us off at the area by the tree in the center of the picture.

There was a lighthouse volunteer at the top and I asked him which direction the other light was that we were going to today and he showed me.  We had a chat and then he asked us if we would like our picture taken.

Back at ground level, we walked on a boardwalk down to the water.

I love just listening to the waves against the rocks.

Each slat of the boardwalk was bought by people in recognition of something, or someone.  A good idea for raising funds and getting a pathway at the same time.

We caught the bus back to where our car was parked.  The next five pictures are of our ride back on the bus.

Campground that you hike into.

State Park Campground

Our next lighthouse was Ludington North Pierhead Lighthouse.  This was the last of our four lighthouses on our pass.  The directions were not that clear but we found somewhere to park and started to take pictures.

Ludington North Pierhead Lighthouse

Harbor Light on opposite side of channel

This butterfly flew by and then just landed on the sand by us.  It was beautiful although I was a little surprised to see it, as there weren't a lot of bushes or flowers around and it was really on the beach.  I chatted away to it as I do!!!!  It's a wonder I haven't been taken away!!!  

We started to walk along the small strip of sand toward the pier for the lighthouse.  We didn't get far when we decided we were both tired and didn't know if we could make it all the way out and back to the lighthouse.  It was a little disappointing but sometimes you just have to listen to your body.  We turned around and walked back to the car.

This was the only flower I saw by the beach.

Paddleboarders

We got in the car and decided to see if we could get closer to the lighthouse from a different parking area.  We were successful and got this picture from that area.  We were still exhausted though so we didn't walk to the end.  It's a shame as I think that if we had got to this parking area first I would probably have tried the walk.  Bryan's knee is really getting worse and hopefully he will get the knee replacement he needs when we get back to Jacksonville.  He is stubborn though and sometimes pushes himself too far and suffers later. 

Bryan got out of the car and took some pictures.  These are of one of the statues at the Veterans Mall opposite the lighthouse.

Driving back through Ludington.  Lots of the towns in Michigan have a lot of flowers bordering the streets and in hanging baskets.  I love it.

We stopped and ate at Applebees, it wasn't as good as the one at Traverse City.  Menu was slightly different and no half-price drinks!!! Maybe Olive Garden will be back in my future. We had shopping to do in Walmart and eventually got home at 7.30!!!  What a busy day.

We received an e-mail today from the RV place with a revised invoice for the amount I had requested.  I am glad it has been agreed but I feel bad as they reiterated the problems they've been having, which I wouldn't wish on anyone.  I do feel this was a fair resolution for all parties though.

Friday August 10th - Saturday August 11th, 2018

We worked around the house getting ready to leave on Sunday.  Bryan washed the motorhome and the car.

After a month here, we leave tomorrow for our next campground.  We have mixed emotions about this place.  We have seen some lovely places from here, but what was supposed to be a relaxing place to recharge our batteries turned into a stressful time with the motorhome.  We've had problems from the first day we got here and we leave with still having repairs that need to be done.  Oh well, it is what it is and we aren't going to worry about the repairs until we get back to Jacksonville.