Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park
This state park is just a few miles north along the Michigan shoreline from Ludington. There are multiple hiking trails in the park as well as beach area. It was a little too far to ride the bikes to get to it and since we were only going to be in Ludington one day, we did not visit this park.
Coming into the harbor area of Ludington there is a breakwater on both the north and south sides. The North Breakwater Light is a popular attraction. It sits out into Lake Michigan and the breakwater walk to get to the light is a half mile long. It is actually the #1 Lighthouse to visit in Michigan and was voted one of the top 10 lighthouses by the Weather Channel. It was first lit in 1871 and stood 25 feet tall at the south breakwater. In 1924 the light was moved to the north breakwater and placed in the four sided shaped house as seen today. The light was automated in 1972. It is open for people to climb to the top during the summer season. I walked out to the light Monday afternoon while Keith played golf at Hemlock Golf Club. .
Ludington North Breakwater Light
North Breakwater Light at the end of the half mile breakwater
The town of Ludington is also well known for its car ferries. Back in the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s, large ships were built to carry entire train cars back and forth across Lake Michigan between Wisconsin and Michigan. Transporting the entire train car was more profitable than having to unload the cargo from the train's cars, onto boats and across the lake to be loaded back into trains on the opposite shore. In its hay-day, Ludington had multiple car ferries as they were called; coming in and out of its harbor. Over time however, the car ferries were no longer needed and most sold for scrap. One in particular has survived and is based in Ludington. The SS Badger is the last coal-fired steam powered car ferry still sailing Lake Michigan. She was built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1951 and named in honor of the University of Wisconsin mascot. She and her sister ship the SS Spartan were the largest car ferries built at 410 feet in length with a maximum speed of 24 mph. She served her owners well, however, as the ferry business declined she was in danger of the scrap heap like so many others. Luckily private interests purchased her and today she has been restored and refitted for passenger cruise service. She can carry 620 passengers and 180 automobiles. She crosses Lake Michigan from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin and back every day from mid-May to mid-October. Inside there are lounges and staterooms as well as several options for cocktails and food. The SS Badger is a registered historic site for both Michigan and Wisconsin and she is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
SS Badger coming into Ludington past the marina Monday evening
SS Badger docked in Ludington
Tuesday I walked to the harbor park for a different angle on the Badger's approach.
Here she is passing the North Breakwater Light coming into Ludington.
SS Badger docked in Ludington
Our next stop will be Muskegon, Michgan. Weather permitting we hope to pull in there on Wednesday.
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