Saginaw River Rear Range Light
On our last day in the thumb, we headed over to Bay City for their Tall Ships Celebration and to tour the rare Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse. We were in Bay City three years ago, and almost exactly to the date, we tried to see this lighthouse but couldn't because it's on private property owned by a chemical company. I remember arriving to a locked gate, knowing the lighthouse was just down the dirt road, and was so mad I couldn't see it! So now I'm super happy we got to see it! They offer up tours once a year to the public (this is only the fourth time the public has seen it) and I immediately jumped on the chance.
They are in the middle of restoring the lighthouse, but it was still a beauty! The inside is completely bare bones, but it was fun to walk around and tour the inside. You could see the old peeling floral wallpaper, and where each of the rooms used to be. This lighthouse was built in 1876, replacing the old Saginaw Bay Lighthouse. Range lights are built in twos... the front range light was a smaller white crib, and the rear range (this light) was much bigger so the lighthouse keeper (a woman!) and her family could live there and maintain the lighthouse. All that remains of the front crib is a cement block it used to live on. We walked over to check that out, and waited for the bus to pick us back up!
We headed back into downtown Bay City after that. It was so busy because of the festival, and it was fun to spot a few of the tall ships! They are amazing. We also stopped to St. Laurent Brothers for ice-cream and a few homemade chocolates. Apparently, Madonna has been spotted there before because her family used to stay there when she was a child. Unfortunately we didn't spot her, but maybe next time. ;) After eating our ice-cream on the curb, we headed back to Grand Rapids! Such a great weekend. I love the thumb!
Many of you asked about this top, and I got it last year at Old Navy, and it's sold out now! They do have a few similar styles on their website like this sleeveless tank, and this navy top, which are both on sale for $19 right now. It's been HOT in Michigan lately, and I've been melting in 90º heat, but I did just place a few orders of autumn clothes! I so much prefer shopping for autumn than summer. Granted, I'm not totally ready for summer to end yet (really glad we still have a month or so left), but I'm definitely ready for autumn clothes.
I'll be back with some photos from our trip to Mackinac Island on Friday, so stay tuned! And thank you to everyone who pops in and reads SP. It honestly means so much. I just received a comment on my Instagram the other day from a reader who said she's been reading my blog from the beginning (almost 7 years now) and that I inspired her to start her own blog... and that just made my day. I'm so lucky for my readers I've had that long, and for the new ones too, of course! So thank you again for popping in. It truly means the world.
Outfit details:
Old Navy Embroidered Top (similar)
Banana Republic Medium Wash Jeans
H&M Sunglasses
Madewell The Transport Tote
Madewell Sandals (similar)