Follow the Lights ... Day 3

Starting Tripometer Reading: 549.4
Ending Tripometer Reading: 726.1
Lighthouses Viewed: 3

Day 3 was a GREAT DAY all around. The weather was almost perfect (sunny, breezy, but slightly on the cold side - at least according to Dannie). The day started out at the Old Mission Lighthouse (pictured below). This particular lighthouse was not only pretty, but sits on the 45th Parallel. The 45th parallel is exactly halfway between the North Pole and the equator. Bet you didn't know that!!

The next stop of the day was at Chateau Chantal Vineyards. We sampled several of their best wines and bought one for us to enjoy out on the deck of our condo. They have over 66 acres of grapes, and grow 10 different varieties. Dannie enjoyed the table variety grape the best - see for yourself!! I tried to get her to stomp on it and make some of her own wine, but she decided to eat it instead. We then headed to the downtown area and walked around and did some shopping (mostly window shopping). We found out that Traverse City is the cherry capital of the world, so we sampled many cherry products including cherry salsa, cherry wine, and cherry jam. We just might have to bring some home with us.

The day ended at Turtle Creek Casino. It is a brand new casino that opened just three months ago and is only 7 miles from our condo. After stuffing ourselves on their buffet, we decided to try our luck on the $5.00 blackjack tables. Dannie tried her hand at craps as well. Together we walked out of there winners of about $125!! Woo Hoo ... that's plenty of money for souvenirs!!!

The lighthouse of the day would have to be the Point Betsie Lighthouse down in Frankfort, Michigan. The cylindrical tower with attached dwelling was built on the point in 1858. In 1891, the fog signal building was added, making necessary an additional keeper at the station. The dwelling was thus enlarged to accommodate two keepers. This was also the last manned lighthouse on mainland Michigan.

Tomorrow is probably going to be another "easy" day for us since we were up late trying to gamble our kid's college fund away!! I think we are planning on visiting only one lighthouse, as well as the Sleeping Bear Dunes. That's a cool name - I just might have to get a T-shirt from there!!!