Thumb trip - day 2

Today was spent entirely in Port Huron. We got stuck at lots of drawbridges because of boat week (the Port Huron to Mac sailboat race is Saturday, and there's lots of boat traffic):



First stop was the lightship! It's a floating lighthouse that was in use 9 miles north of PH until 1970:



The light:



In the engine room:



In the ward room:



At the stern:



At the bow, with the original bell:



Peeking into the air vents:



We had an awesome tour guide who shared tons of info. I won't bore you with all of my pictures, but we learned so much!!

Next we went to the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, Fort Gratiot Light, built in 1829:



A freighter went by during our tour:



We climbed to the top:



Another freighter came from the other direction while we were up there. We had great views of the Blue Water Bridges to Canada, too:



The obligatory handstands against the lighthouse:



















We had lunch at the Maritime Center on the river, and yet another freighter came by:



We took a boat tour of Port Huron and Sarnia. Lots of sailboats in downtown Port Huron:



Girls on the boat:



It was very windy, out of the north, and it was pretty cold. The captain was apologetic that the water wasn't the usual brilliant blue. It was all churned up with sand.



Freighter repair shop in Sarnia:






Under the Blue Water Bridges:



By the lighthouse:






We passed our lightship and exchanged horn honks!



Our tour boat:



Back to the Maritime Center for fun:






Ice cream on the river:



No longer impressed with freighters:



We were on the lighthouse beach for a longggg time. These girls love to search for rocks, beach glass, flowers, bugs, etc!



Lots of sailboats came out:



I sat down by a sheltered clump of beach grass. Then I laid down to watch the clouds:



Such a pretty view from my blanket:



A tug/barge came so close!






Leaving the lighthouse park:



Then we went out for a Chinese buffet dinner. Apparently we haven't taken them to one before...they were so amazed that they could pick ANYTHING to eat! Haha!

Back to our hotel, a pretty view of the river, and another night of swimming.



Tomorrow we go up to the tip of the thumb!


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