Family time this last weekend, very "Middle America".   After Church we took a trip to Ludington, Michigan.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludington%2C_Michigan  We visited 2 lighthouses. 

First was the Ludington Light, a 57 foot breakwater light. Built in 1924, it has been in operation since. It is at the end on the Ludington pier and an easy walk from the parking lot. 

Next, we walked up the beach to the Big Sable Point Light. This is 112 foot tall and about a 2 mile hike up the dunes.  The weather was perfect for such a walk.  About 55 degrees with a steady wind coming off the big lake.   All the kids and the dog, too, took the walk.  We got there just before they closed.  So we climbed all 130 steps to the top and got to spent about 20 minutes in fellowship with the lighthouse keeper.  He told us all about how the building was constructed, and what the life of a life keeper is like. This lighthouse has a group of volunteers that man the place all summer.  They get to stay in the lighthouse during the evening and during the day they give tours and help keep the place maintained.  So we got to hear all about the history of the house, the keepers and the like.  I love that stuff.  I am always reminded of my Dad and his work as a Docent at the museum.  During his final few years he was a fixture at the Grand Rapids Public Museum giving tours and explaining the history of our fair city.  So I guess that is where I get that history bug from. Given our close proximity to Lake Michigan, we love going to the beach with the kids.   Michigan has more shoreline than any other state in the lower 48 states, more boats per capita, and more lighthouses than any other state in the country. We have a family goal to visit every lighthouse in Michigan.  We have visited most of them in Southwestern Michigan, but we have many more to go.   I'll post some pics of the kids and the dog, as soon as I get my hands on the camera.