Petoskey stones and a lighthouse beach wedding today were the big topics of conversation.  Over 200 people signed the guest book and we know another 75 probably slipped by without signing.  The afternoon closed with a beautiful, formal wedding on the beach.  Non-stop tourist traffic from 9:45 am until 5:00 pm...and people are still out on the beach and on the grounds watching the last of the sunset.  We finally feel we have a good tag-team system for running/balancing the gift shop, site maintenance and dramatically directing tours;-)  No lie...it's work and we feel our aches at the end of the day, I will tell you that! 

   

Michigan sunsets are spectacular.  A huge red freighter was gliding across the horizon as my friend Janet and I walked along her beach, overlooking Sleeping Bear Dunes in Glen Arbor last night.  I snapped a quick shot to remember the moment.   She KNOWS how to find Petoskey stones and I filled a tumbler full.  Never, ever found so many.  Since I had to be at the lighthouse by noon today, it was wonderful to have a restful moment with friends nearby the night before.  This morning I drove through leafy, hilly roads and wound around lakefront scenery, tempted by roadside stands and ended up in the bustling Traverse City Cherry Festival tourist scene for a quick stop before taking the scenic wine-country route to the lighthouse.    Met up with Jane and we spent the next few hours getting a crash course of the duties from our happy, but weary predecessors so they could hit the road home to Grand Rapids.  I was happy to see so many people on the grounds snapping pictures, making rock cairns, walking the grounds, stopping in the lighthouse to shop or tour.  More action than December, for sure.   Jane and I launched into tour guide mode, making up answers to the crazy questions asked about the lowered water levels, the presences of ghosts, the reason for glacial shifts, coral turned into Petoskey stones, the best wineries to hit and if babies were ever born in the lighthouse.  Visitors signed the book from Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Colorado, Rhode Island, Poland, Florida, and more States I can't remember right now because I'm tired!  Jane is updating our lighthouse keepers daily journal in bed but I think she fell asleep.  We worked hard today, but were able to end it with a good dinner (after cleaning the lighthouse top to bottom...and balancing the gift shop receipts) with a lovely sunset over the stone cairns.  When the skies darkened I noticed that my timers are still working on the lighthouse from December!  The museum has changed a bit, and we hear there are plans for more improvements, which will be welcome.   The weather was sunny and high 70s today....much nicer than down-State we heard. Gotta quit because it will be busier tomorrow!

Glen Arbor/Sleeping Bear Dunes Freighter Glide

Eastern View Winery Overlook

Lighthouse Ladies

Sand everywhere!

This is why we are here....

Back for More!!!

Heading back up to the 1860'a lighthouse life in two days with my plucky good friend Jane of Petoskey!  Jack thinks she'll never speak to me again after these next few weeks, but WE know better, don't we Jane?  We're packing our bags, food, bug spray and anything else we can think of for our stint.   Unlike December....the last week of June will be full of tourists and HOT!  It's Michigan's State-wide LOG CABIN DAYS with lots of festivities in the historic Hessler Cabin on park property.  All a benefit to the lighthouse.  Great fun.  Not sure what to expect....mouse-catching, for sure (we know where they are....see below)....but raising the flags at sunrise, checking the perimeter, gardening,  sweeping the ever-drifting sand off the decks and carpets, running the shop and tours, chasing bugs out of the lens room....and maybe playing a part in a surprise wedding proposal!  We got wind of some out-of-State friends who might be choosing the lighthouse in early July to pop the question...so stay tuned for pictures of the moment.  Our vintage costumes are ready (along with old clothes for lighthouse drudge work).....so come along on a virtual tour with us to see what happens!  Stay tuned...

Checking for mice in the basement last year..