Day 2 of the 2016 Opening weekend at St. Helena

While windy until afternoon, Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day.

 

 Mark Siegman arrives at the dock to check out the solar power system he helped to design. It was a good thing we managed to get the dock installed the prior day.

 

 

 Mark tells us about his trip across from the mainland. 

 

Every year we take a sample from the well to ensure that the water is potable. After pumping the well to ensure it is running clean, we have to continually pump it for 30 minutes before taking the sample - a task that was undertaken in shifts by a number of us. 

 

 The official sample is taken per instructions and sealed for delivery to the water department back in St. Ignace on our return to the mainland. Thankfully,we receive word from the water department on Monday afternoon that the water is potable, and we can safely use it again this year.

2016 opening weekend at St. Helena Island Light Station

Departure on Saturday morning was a little chilly, cold and choppy, but as you can see from people's faces, spirits were high.

The fog burned off quickly, and while it was pretty windy, Bob Brunais hoisted our flag at the top of the tower to let the world know we have returned. 

Ric and Ales Mixter share a selfie moment in the lantern.

One of our tower windows blew open during the winter storms, completely shattering the frame. It mist have happened while there was a great deal of snow was on the ground because the pane of glass was lying on the rocks below in one piece!

 

  Lots of weeds growing everywhere this year. The Boy Scouts will doubtless take care of these during Scout Week 2016 which starts this coming weekend.

 

Terry Pepper and Alex Mixter grab a bite to eat in the kitchen.

 

 Sunset Saturday over the historic St. Helena privy.

Learn about lighthouses in the Straits of Mackinac on July 18

Join our Executive Director Terry Pepper at 6:30 PM on July 18 at the Otsego County Library in Gaylord where he will give a presentation on the awesome lighthouses which guide mariners through the Straits of Mackinac. No charge for admission.

 

More from Cheboygan

A couple of today's photos by Judy and Marcia - our volunteer keepers at the Cheboyan River Front Range Light through the coming weekend. Have fun ladies. This apple tree was planted by keeper John Duffy a hundred years ago. While twisted and gnarled, and definitely showing signs of its advanced age, it still provides some wonderful shade and produces hundreds of tasty apples every fall.

 

Marcia heads back into the lighthouse after an afternoon in Mackinaw City.

 

Welcome to our first volunteer keepers for 2016

Judy and Marcia are serving as our volunteer keepers at the Cheboygan River Front Range Light over Memorial Day Weekend. They are having a great time and are enjoying taking folks through the lighthouse, sharing its history and showing the huge amount of work we still have to undertake to return the station to its original glory. 

 

This sunrise photo over the Cheboygan River was taken by Marcia from the gallery this morning. They will be back next weekend - stop by and say "hi" if you are in the area.