Ludington, Michigan

On August 19 we traveled further south down the coast of Lake Michigan to the resort town of Ludington. We noticed that the leaves are already beginning to change color in Michigan.

We booked a week at the Vacation Station RV Resort - Site #100.

This resort featured two swimming pools and hot tubs. This pool was very close to our campsite. We sat in the hot tub while we washed our clothes in the almost new laundry facilities.

HISTORIC WHITE PINE VILLAGE

Thirty historic structures from the late 19th century to the early 20th century are displayed as a working village in this twelve-acre history park. The village consists of shops, homes, sawmill, courthouse, barns and even a turn of the century post office. The buildings were chocked full of vintage memorabilia. All of these original buildings were moved here from local sites with the exception of the Mason County Courthouse which was restored on its original foundation.

This Boy and Girl under an umbrella once sat in the Ludington City Park from 1890 to 1976. It was restored and moved here when the village was established.

Marchido School House 1895

One room school houses must have been a challenge for the teacher.

The courthouse contained a cellar jail, with a removable ladder to keep the prisoner below. The Judges living quarters were on the second floor.

The rustic White Pine Chapel is still used for worship regularly and also is a beautiful place for a small wedding ceremony.

This General Store dates back to 1870.

When the General Store closed, all the merchandise inside was sealed and undisturbed. The items on the shelves were the very same as the day they closed.

NORDHOUSE DUNES WILDERNESS AREA

Nordhouse Wilderness Area just north of Ludington is part of the US Forest Service. We climbed the 167 steps to the observation deck at the top, overlooking the sand dunes and Lake Michigan.

After climbing down from the observation deck, we took a path out to the sand dunes and beach area.

The beach and dunes were very quiet. We sat and watched the waves and shorebirds.

LUDINGTON NORTH BREAKWATER LIGHT

Built in 1871 this steel plated lighthouse marked the opening to the Pere Marquette Harbor at Ludington.

SS BADGER

SS (Steam Ship) Badger is the last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the United States. Its current 62-mile, four-hour, route is between the port of Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Three times each summer, the ferry offers a sunset dinner cruise from 9-11pm in which the boat takes 600 passengers with no vehicles. We were fortunate that we were staying in Ludington during the last evening cruise of the summer season on August 21.

The Badger was constructed as a rail car ferry in 1952 by the Christy Corporation of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, along with her twin SS Spartan. Both with a reinforced hull for ice breaking. They were originally used to carry railroad cars, passengers and automobiles across Lake Michigan year-round. Badger is named after the University of Wisconsin's athletic teams, the Wisconsin Badgers, the Spartan is named after the mascot of Michigan State University. The SS Spartan is now permanently docked next to the SS Badger where it is being cannibalized for spare parts.

The Badger was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2016 for its outstanding example of American ingenuity in transportation technology.

The ship is 410 feet long and sixty feet wide.

This evening's cruise left port at 9 pm. Sunset was at 8:37 pm.

View of the Bridge looking back from the bow.

It was a beautiful clear evening with an almost full moon.

Our cruise took us north to Ludington State Park and south to Silver Lake State Park. Now we are returning to the port of Ludington.

As we approached the dock the entire ship had to pivot 180 degrees so the ship could back in. The sea gate on the stern was lifted at our approach.

This sunset cruise theme was Bon Voyage to Summer.

PORT OF LUDINGTON MARITIME MUSEUM

This interactive museum is in the old 1934 Ludington Coast Guard Station.

The Maritime Museum is three stories high and packed with Great Lakes maritime history.

LITTLE SABLE POINT LIGHTHOUSE AT SILVER LAKE STATE PARK

This 1874 lighthouse still has its Third Order Fresnel lens in the top.

It was such a perfect day we took our chairs and lunch to enjoy a quiet day at the beach.

MANISTEE - SS CITY OF MILWAUKEE & USCGC ACACIA

We went to the town of Manistee for Sunday worship. While there we took a tour of a retired steam ship car ferry even older than the Badger. The 347-foot SS City of Milwaukee was built in 1930 to transport train cars across Lake Michigan. This ship traveled year-round between Muskegon and Milwaukee.

Slightly smaller and 20 years older than the SS Badger.

The guided tour took us to the Engine Room that allowed us to see the inner workings of a steam ship car ferry.

The restored passenger area and staterooms are now used as a bed and breakfast on summer weekends for those who want to experience the nostalgia of days gone by.

The combo ticket allowed entry into the USCGC Acacia. This 1944 US Coast Guard Cutter was used on the Great Lakes as a Bouy Tender, to service lighthouses and for search and rescue operations.

Manistee North Pier Lighthouse

Before we headed back to Ludington, we stopped for dinner at the Painted Lady Saloon in downtown Manistee. It has been in the same family since it was built in 1880.