Big Sable Point Lighthouse
Last weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to be a lighthouse keeper for a weekend at Big Sable Point Lighthouse! Well... not exactly, but I was able to stay for the weekend in the lighthouse! This opportunity isn't available to the public, so I jumped at this chance! Long story short, I hosted a social media workshop for their board last winter... and in exchange they offered to give me a free stay at Big Sable. This lighthouse has so much meaning to me, so of course, I was thrilled. Plus, it's one of my favorite lighthouses in Michigan. I absolutely love that you have to walk two miles to get there. It's just such an adventure, and this weekend was exactly that.
I left on a Friday after work, and headed straight up to Ludington. In order to get to the lighthouse, I had to find this other lightkeeper's residence within the state park, find the little gate key, and then take the lighthouse access road to the gate, unlock the gate, and take the long dirt road back to the lighthouse. It felt like a mini adventure just getting to the road! Haha. I got back to the lighthouse, parked, and headed up. An elderly lightkeeper showed me where to go, and as soon as I stepped inside the house... I was in love. The decor was so cute, and I absolutely loved all of the lighthouse pictures, dishes, knickknacks. You name it. It's pretty much how my future house will look. Haha!
I settled into the house, made up the bed with my linens, unpacked a little bit, and then headed downtown to grab a bite to eat. I stopped to Sportsman's Restaurant & Bar, which was delicious. Their fried pickle burger is a midwestern dream. Haha! I stopped next door to The Mitten Bar for a glass of wine and a beer, checked out a live band playing, and then headed back to the lighthouse to call it an evening! Once I drove back on the dirt road, parked the car, and opened the door... I let out a gasp, because the sky was just amazing. It's so dark back there, and the only thing lit up is the lighthouse (and the few lights in the windows from the keepers), but the stars were just so insanely beautiful.
My full day on Saturday was pretty much my perfect day. I felt so content, peaceful and happy to be there. I woke up in the morning, no alarm clocks, made hazelnut coffee, and enjoyed a breakfast bake I had prepared for the trip. I sat at the dinner table with coffee, fresh fruit, breakfast, and it was perfect. I typically never sit at a dinner table to eat so it was a nice change of pace! (I actually loved that the lighthouse didn't have a TV). After breakfast, I relaxed for a while. There was this one spot on the couch, where the breeze blew in perfectly, so I pretty much lived in that spot all weekend.
I headed down the shore to have a little "beach" day since the weather was just perfect... and Lake Michigan was surprisingly (and delightfully) warm. I had no problem hopping right into the water! I just stayed out for a while, swimming in the giant waves. It was so fun. I was cracking up, and it was one of my favorite parts of the whole weekend. I could have stayed out there forever swimming in the lake. But, lunchtime called, so I headed inside to enjoy some pretzel bun sandwiches with potato salad and fresh watermelon. (And wine, of course.)
After lunch, I changed into fresh clothes, and headed to the other side of the lighthouse to climb the tower! I paid the $10 fee (all proceeds go directly to the lighthouse upkeep!) and had the little tour, which included a video and a climb all the way to the top. This lighthouse is pretty tall too! I had to climb out there by myself... and usually I'm not scared of heights, but it was so windy up there! My fists were clenched to the railing, but it was so worth it for the view. I loved it. After the climb down, I headed back inside, to take a nap in my favorite breezy spot on the couch.
After my nap, I headed down to the beach to watch the sunset. It was a bit overcast with the clouds, but it was still so pretty outside... and the warm wind just felt amazing. I decided I wanted to stay at the lighthouse that night, so I ventured out only to pick up a pizza from a local shop. I tried calling, but since cell service was so bad, I had to go into the pizza place, order, and wait the 30 minutes there. But that ended up being another one of my favorite memories... just sitting outside the local pizza place, on the back of my car with the hatch open. I got the pizza, headed back to the lighthouse, walked out on the boardwalk to take in the nighttime view again (because it was that pretty) and then headed inside to eat pizza, drink wine, and watch a movie on Netflix. (I brought the iPad... juuuust in case. 😉) Perfect, perfect weekend. I'd relive it over and over if I could.
Outfit details:
Madewell Wrap Top in Eyelet White
H&M Denim Culottes High Waist
Madewell Indio Sunglasses
A Warning Sun Hat c/o ModCloth (similar)
Madewell Boardwalk Sandals (similar)
