Saturday, January 21, 2012

A Winter Lighthouse


 A few weeks ago my sweet friend Marie from Sally Lee by the Sea posted this photo on her blog.


I immediately recognized the photo because it is the lighthouse in Grand Haven, MI, which is about 15 minutes away from me.  I told her that I drive out there almost every day and I have seen the lighthouse look like this through out the years.
Unfortunately, this winter has been very mild so it doesn't quite look like this.

BUT, 
 This morning the sun was finally shining and it was a balmy 18 degrees out so I drug the kids to Starbucks and off we went to take some photos.

Let me first say that Grand Haven is very special to me, it was where my mom was born and raised and where my Grammy and Papa lived until the day my Papa passed away in his home 16 years ago.  We would go often, like every week and it was more or less my second home.
I think that I have told you that my Papa would love to take a loop (or two) around the beach, he LOVED watching the waves crash (must be where I get it from) and the best thing is is that the cemetery they are buried in is actually just up the hill from the beach. :)

This is the channel that comes out to Lake Michigan, it was beautiful, calm and full of pastels this morning.



As you come around a curve you begin to see the mouth of the channel and the red lighthouse.

 

There is a small parking area that you can park and get out and walk the pier.  
It is so beautiful during the summer watching all the boats coming and going to and from the the big lake.



This morning was pretty sparse, but there were a few brave souls.
No one on the pier because as you can see, there is ice out there and one wrong move would not be good.


The sun shone brightly and the ice just sparkled.


This is looking back into the channel, you can see all the ice on the hand railings from the storms that we just had.  
Waves come washing in and over them.



Below we parked in the city beach and snapped a few from that angle.


Lighthouses are so much a part of Michigan and over the years groups have been formed to save and preserve these beautiful structures, Grand Haven being one of them.
Large boats still come in through the channel.
The catwalk is no longer open but was used when lighthouse keepers would have to avoid the large waves as they headed out to their post during storms.


It really is a beautiful site any time of the year.



Photobucket

47 comments:

SOMMERWHITE said...

Wow that is beautiful !! and stunning photos you have taken :)
Making me missing the snow that we never get here in Auckland. Only rain ! Loving the music on your blog, who is it by? Love it !
Gaby xo

Calypso In The Country said...

Michelle, that is so beautiful! What amazing pictures! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
-Shelley

Unknown said...

That is so beautiful! I've never seen anything like that. Wow!

Brandi said...

you're pictures are amazing Michelle! i bet it feels nice to live close to something so beautiful. keep warm and enjoy the rest of your night!

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

What a beautiful place even in the winter. You have tons of talent with your photo compositions. I love all of your photos you post. Thanks for sharing your special place.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

WOW. I thought we got a lot of snow! But you have that upper lake effect and it is STUNNING DEAR ONE! Oh Michelle, thank you for your visit. It sure is good to see you dear. ENJOY! Anita

Low Tide High Style said...

Wow Michelle, that ice is amazing! And that first photo makes me wonder how any lighthouse keeper ever survived working there, much less with a family in tow. I've had the chance to interview a number of old lighthouse keepers and/or their children over the years. The tales they tell of working and growing up in a lighthouse really makes you appreciate the sacrifices they make for that sort of work! And I bet your Papa was with you and the kids today as you snapped these gorgeous photos!

Kat :)

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Your pictures are so beautiful.
the picture of the lighthouse covered in ice...looks so mysterious.
We don't get quite so much frozen splashes of water...but occassionally if the wind and temps are just right...the edges of the beach (when the water is up) are covered in crystals and the trees sparkle all frozen over. I don't think we've seen anything like that this year; as the water is down too far due to the drought and the temps just haven't gotten cold enough.
I always enjoy the old stories, of Gramma's and Papa's...and how some place is endeared to us because of the past.
Thanks for sharing!
Pat

NanaDiana said...

GREAT shots, Michelle. That is sooo similiar to the Lighthouse in Algoma..across the peninsula from us. It is gorgeous! I am always drawn to its beauty at all times of the year. xo Diana

Deborah said...

Michelle...what you've captured here is stunning.
Michigan is so beautiful...
The ice looks so pretty!
I'll bet it was so nice to get out and enjoy these sights on a winters day!
Hope you had a hot drink after (or during) and then a cozy fire at home when you returned! :)
Love you!

Deborah xoxoxoxoxo

Allie said...

These images are beautiful! The contrast of the red lighthouse against the blue sky is awesome. Those icicles hanging from the railings are really neat too.

Pamela said...

Lovely photos. I enjoyed this, such a contrast to our views of tall pines and cedars. Been snowing here today, a taste of winter after a long dry and warm spell.

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

The ice is so amazing. I have only been to Grand Haven in the summer. It is always so enjoyable. I grew up on a lake so I really love being by the water. So peaceful.

Sylvia said...

This is really beautiful, Michelle ! I love your photos and the sentiment.The preservation of historical structures maintains the integrity of the place and this is so grate that you and your children can enjoy these magnificent lighthouses. Thank you for visiting me ; it has always been a pleasure reading your kind words.

Completely Coastal said...

It sure looks magnificent!! Amazing how much snow and ice you get! The red lighthouse against the blue and all the white looks just gorgeous.

Pamela said...

Just beautiful Michelle!!

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Just gorgeous. I'd love to visit that area sometime.

tinajo said...

I absolutely love these pics, the colors are amazing! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :-)

beachcomber said...

so pretty!! i love your lighthouses with all the snow around. it looks so cold there.
x

sandra said...

OMG what beautiful scenery! I love the beach with the snow! These photos are absolutely gorgeous, thanks for sharing them Michelle!

xx
Sandra

Natalie @ NorthShore Days said...

Hi Michelle - your photos are amazing! Kindra sent me to visit you and Im so glad I did - Im a new follower. Take care, Nat
http://northshoredays.blogspot.com/

Claudia said...

Beautiful pictures and a precious place. It's so nice that you are able to share this special place with your kids.
Have a good Sunday!
Claudia

Jessie Saxton said...

Gorgeous! I wish we lived closer:) Starbucks and the Lake are two of my faves:) It is almost worth the cold, long winters to live in such a beautiful place.

I hope you have a WONDERFUL week...full of chai lattes and frozen beaches:)

Hugs,
Jessie

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Wow! How truly lucky you are to live near this wonderful red lighthouse!! It is so beautiful!!

Karena said...

Michelle your photography is wonderful and what a lovely scenic place to live!
I can hear the love in your voice when speaking of your parents....

xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Martina said...

So pretty, the red lifgthouse amidst the blue and white, fresh and winter-gorgeous! Great job Michelle, you captured it all so well!

Japolina said...

The first photo took my breath away.

Beth said...

I'm visiting from Abbey Style. . .
I have always been fascinated with light houses having spent part of each summer in Lakeside on Lake Erie.
When we visited northern Michigan about 12 years ago we made a point of seeing the one that has the memorial to the Edmond Fitsgerald wreck. It was a soul-touching experience.
We did not see Grand Haven, but if we ever make it back to Michigan, your photos have me determined to see the lighthouse there. Incredible photos--Wow!

Leo said...

Wow - great photos. It seems so warm and cold all at the same time. Hope your year is off to a good start. Hard to believe January is almost over!!!!

Heaven's Walk said...

Beautiful photos, Michelle! Your wintry beach walk reminds me of visiting the Port Sheldon shoreline when I was a child. My parents would bring us kids out there to look at the huge frozen waves and trudge through the deep snow covering the beach. :) It's been a long time since I saw Lake Michigan in the winter, so your pics were a treat for me today! ♥

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

Breathtaking...a movie set director could not have created a more stunning wintry coastal beauty---thanks for sharing (and stay warm!)

XOs!

Linda
Sand and Sea

Stacy CUrran said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Stacy

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

There's a geocache on the boardwalk there. :-)

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Michelle! These are some of the most beautiful landscape photos I have ever seen!!!

michele said...

holy cow, it's breathtaking, michelle! awesome photography!

michele

Tonya @ Love of Family And Home said...

What beautiful pictures!! Love the pops of red against the blue & white! Sooo pretty!

Suz said...

Beautiful photos. The first photo looks like the whole boat house and pier is covered in white chocolate.

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Beautiful shots-I'd go there daily, too.

Cathy M~(checkitoff) said...

the pics are stunning. i love your family story even more! such a gorgeous post! hugs, cathy

Seaside Style said...

Michelle, the photos are awesome! That ice is crazy. I would brave the cold to see that! XO

Rose West said...

Michelle - how gorgeous! It's funny - my first thought about Michigan doesn't generally include a beautiful lighthouse standing fast in the winter ice... but I love being surprised like this!

Pierre BOYER said...

Lovely pictures...
Greetings from France,

Pierre

Tricia said...

Oh, your photos are so beautiful, Michelle! As much as I don't like winter, those big, giant icicles sure look pretty.

Simple Home said...

I loved these photos Michelle!! Such beauty around you and you captured it so well. Thank you for sharing! Even when we get snow around here we don't have much freezing ice, so things don't look like this. How beautiful it is!
Blessings,
Marcia

badBarbara said...

That photo of the ice lighthouse is soooo awesome! It makes me want to drink cocoa :)
badbarbara.com

The Single Nester said...

Just gorgeous photos. What a dream.

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

Wow great photos. I love the icicles hanging from the railings.

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