If you're at all interested in the world of Great Lakes maritime, or you just really like picturesque scenes along the shore, you should plan on seeing a few Upper Peninsula lighthouses on your next trip up.
The Crisp Point Light, featured in the time lapse video (above) is about an hour east of Deer Park Lodge. The grounds are always open, and the lighthouse itself is open mid-June to September from noon to 5:00 PM. Visit the Crisp Point Light Historical Society for more information.
Au Sable Light Station has been lighting the coast of Lake Superior since 1874, and is a fine example of a complete, totally restored light station, including auxiliary buildings. It's 12 miles west of Grand Marais, in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The light is operated by U.S.C.G. and the National Park Service. Creative Commons photo by Kelly Krupka
The Whitefish Point Light, is near the little town of Shelldrake. It was first lit in 1861 and is still in operation as an active aid to navigation. It's managed by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. NPS photo by Ralph Eshelman
This is just a short list. You could spend much of a summer visiting all the lighthouses and stations of the Great Lakes. There's plenty of information available to get you started. Here are a few excellent resources provided by the National Park Service, Russ Rowlett of the University of North Carolina (who knew), and a list of accessible lighthouses put together by michigan.org.
I said spring was here, right? Well it was 23 degrees this morning and it could get below freezing again tonight. And, there are still snow piles laying around. I couldn't take looking at the one on the side of the store so today I took some time to break it up and let the sun get to it. As if we don't have enough to do, I am still out playing in the snow! But I know it's gonna be gone soon, because our neighbors Ray and Patty have their moose rigged for summer!
Steelhead fishing has been and will continue to be outstanding. Most every group I have talked with has caught some fish. Plus, the fish we got into this past weekend were all bright and silver. The river is very fishable now that the water is going down. But, if we don't get some rain pretty soon this whole area is going to dry up. I'd bet we have had less than and 1" of rain since April 1. Our trees and the foliage sure could use a day of rain. Even with all the snow we got this past winter Muskallonge Lake is not
showing great improvement in the water level since last fall. All and all, we could really use some significant
rain sometime soon (maybe, real soon!).
The dock is in and ready to go. This weekend pike, walleye and muskie fishing opens throughout the U.P. It will be good to see a few boats out on Muskallonge Lake. The suckers in the lake have spawned already. Seems like that process went rather quick this year. The smallmouths should start setting up their beds within the next couple of weeks. The pier in Grand Marais is starting to produce some decent whitefish given the right wind conditions.
Warblers are starting to show back up in good numbers, as are a lot of the ducks in the area. If you're a birder, this is a great time to brush up on your identification skills before you head up - check out this new "Inside Birding" video series from the folks at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Our frogs in the little pond behind the store came out of hibernation last week and today were singing away in the mid-day sun. No sign of morel mushrooms yet, so if you're into 'shrooms you've still got them to look forward to.
One quick reminder of winter, before I let you go. Here's one reason why ice fishing in Michigan isn't quite as dangerous as in Alaska!
We hope everyone is having a nice spring. Even these longer days sure go by quickly.
Hope to see you up north sometime soon!!
Call (906) 658-3341 or use the email form at the top of the page to make your reservation!
