Monday, October 10, 2011

What Not to Wear

This is what NOT to wear
 when climbing these:
Even with good shoes, these steps are difficult to climb. They are very narrow and winding. This the top
You have to go backwards and duck to begin the climb down. You really  need to hold on tight to that handrail!  I removed the shoes on the way down (DH carried them for me).

  We had no plans to check out a new lighthouse when we left Friday night.  If we had, I would have worn sensible shoes.
Saturday night we sat with one of our concert-going friends who told us she had stopped at a place  near Mackinaw City to see a huge rock. We could not hear her very well across the dinner table  over the loud music so we did not get the exact directions.

We have been to this city a zillion times, but have never heard of this huge rock, said to be at least five times larger than Plymouth rock.  As we were driving home and crossing the Big Mac bridge, we, decided spur-of-the-moment, to drive along the shore of Lake Michigan and search for the big rock.
It did not take us long to find this:

We were not sure if the rock was here, but she did mention this lighthouse, so we turned in to explore.


The steps lead to that tower on the top, which had a nice view.


Here it is zoomed in:

While talking to a lady inside the lighthouse, she told us where to find the big rock.  We had to walk about a 1/4 mile down this path:
I love this mossy vignette:
At the end of the path, we found the giant rock. 

It is known as the McGulpin Rock and it was discovered about 400 years ago. Just like  Plymouth Rock, this one was used as an aid to navigation by French explorers and native Americans.  At one time this whole rock was under water.  It is 9 feet tall and weighs 54 tons.
Here is a pic of Plymouth rock to compare.

This whole shoreline is loaded with rocks.
It was a fun excursion on a gorgeous 80-degree autumn day!

11 comments:

  1. Oh, Yikes! I hope you didn't get blisters!
    The view seems to be worth it!?

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  2. Scary steps in those shoes! I have never heard of that rock either-WOW~ It looks like it was worth the walk to see it! xo Diana

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  3. Hi Zoey, Great lighthouse! I will be visiting a couple of lighthouses on my trip. I'll remember to wear shoes without heals. :0)
    Barb

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  4. cute shoes...but definately not stair climbing shoes...cool rock...I've never heard of it either...awesome view and photos...

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  5. I want to know who picked that rock up to weigh it.

    Love the light house!

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  6. Wow, aren't you a brave soul climbing a lighthouse! Reminds me of doing so about 3 yrs ago-in a skirt (it was long). I almost had a coronary as it was over 230 steps. It was just Sean and me as Brian isn't fond of heights.
    I have seen Plymouth Rock in person back in 1984 when Brian and me took a trip to New England.
    Your photos are breathtaking. I love this time of year, but do miss the leaves after a while.
    I was going to send you a link from Pinterest for a 3d Moroccan star. It's like quilting, but in 3d!
    Tomorrow night, Sean and I will be in historic center city Philly for the ghost tour. They said on FB to bring my camera.

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  7. Zoey, I swear if I lived just a little bit closer and it wasn't almost midnight I would have fired up the Pontiac and headed to the UP to see this big rock! I'm making a note of it, of that you can be sure....for I have to see it someday. Nothing makes my day like a big rock.

    I had so much fun reading your latest blog posts...loved the stairs on the lighthouse even if they were high heel eaters; love the hay bale bear and all the fall colors. We're spending entirely too much time in our own yard and not getting out to see the beauty all around us this fall. I'm so glad you shared the color with me!

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  8. Whoa way big rock. Can't even imagine that weight. Great photos though.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  9. Great pics Zoey, I need to get down to your neck of the woods someday and explore!

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  10. Beautiful view...especially with all the autumn colors!

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  11. Beautiful. A fun time indeed. Oh but those stairs look scarey..I don't do heights well and then such stairs!! You were a brave girl:)

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