Lower Michigan Landscapes

Lower Michigan Landscapes

Light House 13 – Point Betsie Lighthouse

Our travels brought us to the colorful and charming Point Betsie Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan. Standing proudly since 1858, this lighthouse has a personality all its own—bright, welcoming, and full of history. In 2004, ownership was transferred to Benzie County, and ever since, the community has helped preserve its character and stories.

What makes Point Betsie even more unique is that it once had a bed-and-breakfast right on the property. Imagine waking up to the sound of waves and the sweep of the lighthouse beam drifting across the lake. It must have been something special.

Each lighthouse along Lake Michigan feels different, but Point Betsie has its own kind of magic—colorful, cozy, and timeless. Another little treasure tucked along the shoreline.

Light House 13

Our First Look at Lake Michigan

Short Description:
From atop the hill, we caught our very first glimpse of Lake Michigan—a shimmering stretch of blue unfolding toward the horizon. After miles of travel, the view felt like a gift, calm and inviting compared to the wild reputation of its northern sister, Lake Superior.

How much smaller is Lake Michigan than Lake Superior?
Lake Michigan is much smaller.

• Lake Superior: ~31,700 square miles
• Lake Michigan: ~22,400 square miles
  Lake Michigan is roughly 30% smaller in surface area, and Lake Superior is also deeper and holds nearly three times as much water.

Do the waves get as bad as Lake Superior?
Lake Michigan can get very rough, especially during storms, but Lake Superior is known for the worst waves on the Great Lakes. Superior’s deeper, colder water and longer fetch allow massive waves—over 20+ feet in extreme conditions.
Lake Michigan’s waves can still reach 10 to 15 feet, sometimes more during powerful storms, but they generally don’t reach the intensity or frequency of Superior’s largest waves.

When we left we drove done some backroads doing a little sight seeing and found acres of apples orchards. I have never seen apple trees shaped like this, they sure do produce plenty of apples.

Our First Look at Lake Michigan

McGulpin Point Lighthouse – This is lighthouse number 12, after crossing the 5 mile bridge we then went under it to go visit this light house on the west side of the bridge, along Lake Michigan.

This lighthouse is privately owned and they have made it into a museum. It is kept up very nicely. Lots of information of the entire area.

You can hike down the short trail to the beach where you can view the Mackinaw bridge from a different angle. It is very hard to get a five mile bridge into one photo, even from this distance and the widest angle lens I have.

Have a wonderful weekend.

When the Sun Melted Into the Lake

There are moments behind the camera when reality and imagination meet, and something inside me whispers, “Look a little closer.”
This sunset was one of those moments.

I was standing along the shore as the day softened into gold. The lake was calm, the air still, and a lone sailboat drifted quietly across the water as if it were moving through honey. The sun hung low — the exact sun you see here — glowing brighter than anything else in the world for those few last breaths of daylight.

But when I looked at it later, I didn’t just see a sun.

I saw gold.
I saw warmth spilling downward.
I saw a moment where heaven reached out and touched the water.

So I let my imagination take over — something I’ve started doing more and more when my photos spark a story. I added what I felt in my heart: the sun melting, dripping golden light into the lake like liquid fire. A surreal little daydream hidden inside a real, quiet evening.

That’s what I love about creating.
Sometimes nature gives the scene…
and imagination gives it a voice.

The other morning I looked up and saw cloud formations unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. They curled and stretched across the sky like brushstrokes from a hand far greater than mine — almost like a portal opening into another dimension. For a moment I just stood there, quiet, humbled, and amazed.

Moments like this make me aware of how vast creation really is. We live our days on solid ground, but above us is a sky layered with wonders we rarely stop to notice. And lately I’ve been reading articles where scientists are talking about the possibility of more dimensions beyond the four we’re familiar with — length, width, height, and time. They speak of patterns in physics and tiny particles reacting in ways that hint at something more than what our eyes can see.

I don’t pretend to understand how they measure or observe those things. Science has its own language, its own tools, and its own ways of exploring the world. But when I hear them speak of “more,” my heart doesn’t run to doubt — it runs to awe. Because if anyone would craft a universe with depths beyond our understanding, it would be the One who spoke it into being.

For me, these discoveries don’t threaten my faith; they deepen it. Every new layer scientists uncover simply reminds me how much bigger God is than anything we’ve mapped or measured. The heavens still declare His glory, just as they always have. And maybe part of the beauty is that He allows us little glimpses — a strange cloud formation, a new discovery, a question that stirs inside us — just enough to spark wonder.

So when I look at these clouds, I don’t think of science versus faith. I think of how the Creator can use even a passing sky to remind us that His world is far more intricate, mysterious, and breathtaking than we can imagine.

And maybe that’s the point:
To be reminded that we are small, He is big, and every now and then He paints something in the sky just to lift our eyes upward.

Windows in the Sky

Picturesque

Picturesque

Have a wonderful weekend.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse where the waters meet.

There’s something timeless about the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Standing at the very tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula, it has watched over the place where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet for more than a century. I love wandering near it in the early morning, when the water is calm and the bridge is waking up in soft light.

The lighthouse feels almost like a storyteller — its brick walls holding memories of storms, ships, fog, and the steady work of guiding travelers safely through the Straits. Even on quiet days, you can almost imagine the beam sweeping across the dark waters long ago.

Every time I photograph it, the scene feels different. Some days the sky is full of drama, other days it’s peaceful and still. But the lighthouse remains the same: strong, grounded, and full of history.

Places like this remind me how small we are in the flow of time, and yet how beautiful it is to stand where so many have stood before — looking out over the straits, listening to the wind, and capturing a moment that will never look quite the same again.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Morning Views of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge – There’s something extraordinary about standing on the south side of the water, looking out toward the Mackinac Bridge. This is the place where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet—two great bodies of water blending and moving as one—and each morning brings a completely different scene.

Some days the water rests in perfect stillness, barely a ripple touching the shoreline. Other mornings, a soft blanket of fog drifts across the straits, wrapping the bridge in mystery so only its towers appear, rising out of the quiet. And then there are the crisp, clear mornings when the light catches every line of steel, turning the bridge into a silhouette against the sky.

No two days ever look the same, and that’s what keeps drawing me back with my camera in hand. The straits have a way of offering something new—new light, new colors, new emotion—every single time.

The night shots are their own kind of magic. When the sun slips away and the bridge lights glow across the water, it transforms into something peaceful and powerful all at once. Those will be coming soon, and I can’t wait to share them.

Morning Views of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge

Crossing the Mackinaw Bridge – I went across this bridge a few times back when I was about 6 years old, traveling with my grandparents.

Now, 50 some years later, I finally crossed it again. Amazing how some structures can last about a life time. I don’t remember crossing the bridge at that age, my sister says we did a few times

I have to say, as an adult, I did not like crossing the bridge. I have a bit of a fear of heights these days. That bridge is a long one and you are so close to the edge of it with a short railing on each side.

After we got to the other side, I was good, we camped at a park on the south side of the bridge and this is the view the next morning at sunrise.

Crossing the Bridge Video Link Here

Crossing the Mackinaw Bridge

Have a great weekend

A Christmas Note from My Heart

As Christmas Eve is here, I just want to take a moment to thank each of you who have followed along with me through the years. Your kind words, encouragement, and shared love for the beauty around us mean more than I can say.

My world is filled with the gifts our Father has placed before us — from breathtaking landscapes to the quiet presence of little ones like this stray cat who stopped by to rest awhile. Each moment reminds me that creation is full of wonder, both great and small.

It’s my hope that through my photos, I can share a glimpse of that beauty with those who might not be able to see it for themselves — to remind us all of the grace and joy that surround us every day.

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Christmas season, filled with warmth, love, and light.
From my heart to yours,
Sandra J

A Christmas Note from my Heart

The Ship with a Smile — Edwin H. Gott

When we visited the Soo Locks, the Edwin H. Gott was the largest ship we saw that day — a true giant of the Great Lakes. At 1,004 feet long, it moves millions of tons of iron ore each year between Lake Superior and the lower lakes.

But what caught my eye most wasn’t its size — it was its face. Through my lens, the front of the ship seemed to smile, almost as if it knew it was putting on a show for those watching along the shore. There’s something endearing about seeing such immense power softened by a touch of personality.

In that moment, the Gott wasn’t just a freighter — it was a reminder that even in industry and steel, there’s beauty and character waiting to be seen.

Ship with a Smile Video Link Here

The Ship with a Smile — Edwin H. Gott

Have a wonderful weekend.

The Parade of Lights semi show in Mackinaw City is quite an experience. We arrived just in time for the big event and found the perfect spot that evening to set up our chairs and watch as the beautiful trucks rolled by, each one glowing brightly against the night sky.

Every year, this northern Michigan tradition brings together truckers and spectators alike. The semis cross the Mackinac Bridge and follow a parade route through town, giving everyone a chance to see an incredible variety of rigs decked out in colorful lights.

This year marked a record number of entries, and each truck shone with pride. Their polished chrome reflected the brilliant lights, creating a stunning display of color and craftsmanship. It was a wonderful celebration of dedication, community, and the spirit of the open road.

If you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it—but don’t forget to bring some earplugs! Between the sound of those beautiful horns and the occasional Jake brake symphony, it’s a noisy (and fun) experience you won’t soon forget.

Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing more from this event soon!

Parade of Lights

Saint Marys Falls Hydropower Plant – a very interesting area if you ever get up there. Lots to see from museums to ships. We loved our tour of the area.

Tucked beside the mighty Soo Locks, the Saint Marys Falls Hydropower Plant quietly channels the force of the St. Marys River into clean energy. Built in 1902, this graceful red-brick structure is one of the oldest operating hydro plants in the United States. Its 74 turbines once powered the locks and local industries, and today it still produces electricity for the region—more than a century later.

Standing along the riverbank, you can feel the deep hum of water rushing beneath the arches, where engineering and nature meet. It’s a reminder of how innovation and the Great Lakes have long worked together to move both ships and people forward.

Saint Marys Falls Hydropower Plant

Lake Superior Bay Mills Area, one can always find a variety of polished rocks along the shores of Lake superior, in all sorts of colors.

The tall building is a viewing area that has a high speed elevator in it. I did not go in it, the high speed sounds like it would turn my stomach. 🙂

The Saint Marys Falls Hydropower Plant, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a historic facility that harnesses the power of the St. Marys River as it flows between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

Lake Superior

Point Iroquois Lighthouse

Where the Waters Remember

There’s a quiet strength in the light that stands at Point Iroquois — a keeper of time where the great waters of Superior meet the flowing heart of the St. Marys. The waves whisper the stories of those who came before, of the Ojibwa who stood their ground and the Iroquois who met their fate upon these shores.

Here, history and horizon merge. The air carries the scent of pine and the sound of gulls, and the lighthouse — steadfast and weathered — still watches over the restless blue. Standing in its presence, you can almost hear the echo of canoes, the toll of ship bells, and the eternal rhythm of the Creator’s hand upon the lake.

🌅 Today

Today, Point Iroquois Lighthouse is part of the Hiawatha National Forest and serves as a museum managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Visitors can tour the keeper’s quarters, climb the 65-foot tower, and enjoy sweeping views of Whitefish Bay — where Lake Superior’s moods shift from calm beauty to fierce storms.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse

Morning on the Bay – a touch of clouds giving way to a warm sunrise over calm waters. My favorite time of day.

Morning on the Bay

Size Comparison – photos do not always relay proportion of a subject by itself. Sometimes one needs to show a comparison shot like below.

The normal size fishing boat in front of the ship helps to put the size of the ship into perspective. 🙂

Size Comparison

Ships and Tour Boats – It is December all ready, time goes so fast.

More boats and ships passing through the locks.

1. Average transit time:
   • Typically, it takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours for a ship to pass through the locks from start to finish.
2. Details of the process:
   • Ships first queue if traffic is heavy. Waiting times can be several hours to even a full day in peak shipping season.
   • Once in the lock chamber, the filling or emptying of water to match the upstream or downstream level takes roughly 15–20 minutes per lock.
   • Maneuvering in and out, securing the ship, and safety checks add additional time.
3. Factors affecting time:
   • Ship size: Larger freighters may take longer to secure.
   • Weather: Ice in winter or strong winds can slow operations.
   • Traffic volume: Summer months are the busiest, especially for iron ore and coal shipments.

So, while the actual lock passage is under 2 hours, including waiting and docking, a ship could take several hours total from approaching to leaving the locks.

Ships and Tour Boats

Light House Glass

Type of glass / lens
The glass is part of a Fresnel lens — a multi-prism, stepped glass optic used historically in lighthouses to concentrate and project light efficiently.

I looked up information for this light glass in the photo below.

It has a weight listed as ~ 3,485 pounds

White Fish Point Museum

This museum had a lot of information and a very nice display of the interior of the light house from back in the day.

The Light Station was operated exclusively by the U.S. Lighthouse Service from 1849 until 1923, when the U.S. Coast Guard established a Lifeboat Rescue Station here.

The Lighthouse Service merged with the Coast Guard in 1939; the Coast Guard closed the Lifeboat Station in 1951, and took all personnel from the site in 1970.

Light House Glass

Rainy Day at the locks today.

he main cargoes moving through the locks are bulk commodities, mostly related to industry and raw materials. The primary cargoes include:

1. Iron ore – by far the largest cargo historically and currently. Mines in Minnesota’s Mesabi Range ship iron ore through the Great Lakes to steel mills in the lower lakes.
2. Coal – used mainly for steel production and power generation.
3. Limestone – used in steelmaking and construction.
4. Grain – such as wheat, corn, and soybeans, shipped from the Midwest to export ports.
5. Salt, cement, and other bulk materials – smaller in volume but still significant.
6. Petroleum products and chemicals – some tankers pass through, though bulk dry cargo dominates.

In modern traffic, iron ore pellets are the dominant cargo, making up most of the tonnage.

Two different ships passed through on this day.

Rainy Day

Have a great weekend.

How Many Ships pass through the locks?

I think we saw 5 or 6 go through while we were here. They say Mondays are their busiest days.

How Many Ships

Soo Locks – this was on my list to visit and we finally made it this year. First you have to pass through the security gates, as this area is along the Canada border.

Gates all along the lock area.

They made a wonderful viewing platform for visitors to watch the ships come in.

• The first State Lock (on the U.S. side) was completed in 1855, to bypass the rapids of the St. Marys River.
• Before that, cargo and canoes had to be carried (portaged) around the rapids by Native Americans, explorers, and early traders.
• The Ohio government (Michigan) built the first lock, which was operated by the State; later, in 1881, the U.S. Government took over, and the locks became toll-free.

Over time, additional locks were added to accommodate larger vessels

Soo Locks

First Ship View – before we head to the Soo Locks, we went down river to a little park I found on the map where the ships go by on the way to the locks.

There is a great app called Vessel Finder, that shows most all ships and boats any where you want to look. So I pulled up the app and it showed this ship was about to be at this small park.

We went down there and here it was passing by. Love this app. It usually gives the name of the ship, how big it is and where it is headed.

This one is named the Erie Trader. My neighbors brother lives on the other side of the bay right by the water. He says the earth shakes a bit when these ships go by his yard.

First Ship View

More ships next week, have a great weekend.

Sunrise on the Bay – the next morning I walk over to the water behind all the buildings. I found a quiet place where the water is calm and the sunrise is gorgeous.

It gives way to a beautiful reflection on the horizon.

The sun is shining, time to go exploring.

Sunrise on the Bay

Sioux Ste Marie – We are staying not far from the Soo Locks at a place called Bay Mills.

We are enjoying a few days with some friends that we camp with during the winter here at Bay Mills Campground.

This is a wonderful place to visit, especially to see the ships going through the locks. Plus more historic places here that I will show over the next couple of blog post.

Sioux Ste Marie

Wide Angle Lenses

What is a wide angle lens?

Let’s start by defining what is wide angle anyway. Technically it is any lens that has a wider field of view than what the human eye sees.

What does a wide angle lens do?

Wide angle lenses distort things and enhance perspective.

What that means is that objects closer to the camera appear larger than ones farther away, even if they are the same size in reality.

When should one use a wide angle lens. Well, whenever you want to get that wow factor. I use mine for lanscapes at times.

But I love using it for animals such as the photo below.

Wide angle works great for donkeys. I just love his ears.

Where as this photo below is his normal look. Don’t forget to use your wide angle lens on your phone cameras as well. Most all phones have them. Adds a little fun to your shots.

Wide Angle Lenses

Have a great weekend.