We left Gladstone, Michigan early in the morning on Monday July 27, 2015 and we started our six-day trip home. Once again, there were no Presidential sites in northern Michigan that I knew of. As a matter of fact, I had wondered if any President had ever set foot in the Upper Peninsula, or in the north part of the Lower for that matter. I can’t say that I blamed those Chief Executives, simply because trees and deer can’t vote.
Since the words that described the remainder of the trip couldn’t compare to the beauty of the scenery, I had decided to let my photographer’s images tell our story. We began July 27th sightseeing at Pictured Rocks Lakeshore in Munising; then we cut down towards the Mackinac Bridge. Once over the bridge, we took the Lake Huron coastline down to East Tawas. The final four days of the trip were spent at Vicki’s mother’s cabin near Hale, Michigan where we rendezvoused with my companion’s children and their grandkids. So sit back and enjoy the photography!
Colorful formations at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Inside Chapel Cove, the captain shouted “Rock formations straight ahead”!
The top of Chapel Cove.
The root cause of the lone tree on Chapel Rock.
Indian Head made “cents”.
Lover’s Leap with a kayaker in the archway.
Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse on the southern tip of Grand Island.
The Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse opened in 1868 and was shut down around 1908.
The Munising Front Range Light began operations in 1905.
Nearby was its partner, the Munising Rear Range Light that was situated on a hillside.
A ghost ship on the lake the Ojibwa natives called Gitche Gumee.
The stones of Superior.
Our first glimpse of the ‘Mighty Mack’.
St. Ignace’s Wawatam Lighthouse; originally built for the Welcome Center in Monroe, Michigan. It was re-lit in St. Ignace on August 20, 2006. Mackinac Island can be seen across the water.
Iron Workers statue located at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace. It was dedicated to the workers who built the Mackinac Bridge.
Vicki relaxed with a gorgeous view of the Mackinac Bridge. Michigan’s Lower Peninsula could be seen nearly five miles away.
The Mackinac Bridge opened November 1, 1957 and is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world at 26,373 feet in length.
Vicki had some fun with the gulls at Bridge View Park.
“Houston, Tranquility Base here; the Sea Gull has landed!”
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One of the main towers of the Mackinac Bridge that rose 552 feet above the water.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, located at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
The Mackinac Bridge as seen from the Lower Peninsula.
“Hey mister, how about some spare change?”
The Cheboygan Crib Light had been in operation since 1884.
The Forty Mile Point Light located in Rogers Township near Rogers City, Michigan.
The Forty Mile Point Light had been in operation on Lake Huron since 1896.
The new Presque Isle Lighthouse had its lamp first lit in 1871.
Two freighters in Lake Huron as seen from the top of the new Presque Isle Lighthouse.
The old Presque Isle Lighthouse that began operation in 1840.
The 38-foot tall original Presque Isle Lighthouse was reputed to be haunted by George Parris, the former deceased museum caretaker.
The Fresnel lens that was at the top of the Presque Isle Lighthouse tower.
The 72-foot high Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, located in Haynes Township, was opened in 1869.
An old fishing boat sat silently in front of the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse.
Old Glory flew proudly in the breeze near the Tawas Point Lighthouse in East Tawas, Michigan.
The lamp was first lit in 1853 on the Tawas Point Lighthouse.
The sun shown brightly on the Tawas Point Lighthouse.
A military plane and a child’s kite flew high above the Tawas Point Lighthouse.
My cameraman’s ten-month old granddaughter Reese and his dog Abigail at the door of the Winter’s Jose Lake cabin near Hale, Michigan.
Tom’s ten-month old grandson Bo made a splash in Jose Lake.
Ten-month old Rory, Bo’s twin brother, with his helicopter in Jose Lake.
A female duck does her best to get airborne in Jose Lake.
A common loon does the foot waggle on Jose Lake.
In July 2015, there were two full Moons. This photo was taken on July 29th; just two days prior to the Blue Moon.
Rory relaxing after a hard day at play at Papa Jerry’s cabin.
Bo on the Jose Lake beach.
Taking a bath in the cabin’s kitchen sink had been a family tradition for many years. Reese was pictured taking one of her last baths ever at the cabin.
At 3:00pm on August 2, 2015 we arrived home after our two-week adventure that took us to seven states and a few Presidential sites. My legs were still broken, but that was okay as I was just two-weeks from the start of my “Revenge Tour”; there’s no telling what damage I might suffer then. That’s right – I was going back to Cleveland’s Lakeview Cemetery for “Round Two” with President James Garfield.
My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!
