Today we watch the SS Badger head out across Lake Michigan, discover a huge water powered battery, visit four Michigan lights, and watch the sunset in Holland.
07 September 2025 – Sunday
Rose early to get photos of a sailboat and the Badger leaving Ludington Harbor.
A wooden yacht heads out past the breakwater light.
With jib and mainsail flying she heads off to the west.
Now for the main attraction, here comes all 410 feet of the SS Badger.
The Badger was launched in 1953, the last and largest coal-fired steamship built in the US. She is a National Historic Landmark that moves. Originally built as a railroad ferry, it now handles trucks, automobiles, and an occasional wind turbine. Click back to yesterday’s post to read more about Ludington and the Badger.
As usual, I took way too many pictures as the ship emerged from Ludington Harbor.
Winds and waves were high, so we elected to save the ferry adventure for another day.
Ferry Fares for summer 2026 are $114 for a camper van plus $81 per passenger for a total of $276.
Without ship traffic, the harbor entrance looks narrow.
This version of the light has been marking the north breakwater for 102 years. Today’s fun fact: It’s just called a light, not a lighthouse, because there is no keepers quarters in the building.
Goodbye to the Badger, and the convenient picnic table and camera stand. I appreciate the aluminum walkway across the sand.
How big are the propellers on the Badger?
Each blade is about the size of one old photographer.
If yo are interested, some quick math showed that it would be $186 dollars more to take the ferry than to drive around. Driving would take at least 6.5 hours, 419 miles, and 76 dollars in gas (16 mpg @ $2.90/gal) plus $13.65 in tolls. Illinois has a Tollway Trip Calculator web page if you want to see what travel around Chicago might cost.
Travel by ferry isn’t just a finiancial decison. Crossing the lake on this historic vessel remains on our “to do” list.
1025 74,089 56°F Leave Ludington Breakwater to see more of the town.
Beth photographed some of the historic old homes.
If you want to visit Ludington, the Mason County Lumber Heritage Trail is a self guided tour that provides markers sharing the history of many of the homes.
Ludington is a beautiful town with many preserved wooden homes from the region’s lumbering history. This is the second time we’ve stopped here and we hope to return in the near future.
1119 74,098 57F Energy Scenic Overlook
Yesterday, Scott mentioned that we should stop here on our way south. He was right! It’s a fascinating complex.
Water is pumped uphill at night when energy demand is low. The water flows back into Lake Michigan during the day to generate energy. It’s a water battery!
Walkways and bridges make it easy to cross from the parking area.
Here’s the company signage.
Six large turbines can be serviced by two gantry cranes capable of lifting 410 tons each.
Each turbine is bigger than a camper van. This particular one operated for 46 years before being put on display.
We moved on at 1150.
1239 74,124 Silver Lake, MI
1254 74,128 59F Little Sable Point Light Station
Made lunch here while enjoying the beach view. The only fee was $5 for those who wish to climb the lighthouse stairs.
Iron work and stone detail give the 1874 lighthouse a beautiful lookout balcony. Left at 1333.
1511 74,161 63°F
White River Light Station
We picked up some fun trivia while touring the lighthouse…
Mrs. Frances Johnson served as the lighthouse keeper here from 1949-1954. Along with being the first civilian keeper of this light, she participated and won on the TV Show “What’s My Line” in 1953.
The two-hundred foot wide White Lake Channel was built to connect White Lake to Lake Michigan. Completed in 1871, it mainly served vessels carrying lumber out of Michigan forests.
Left at 1539
1630 74,193 61°F Grand Haven, MI
Grand Haven is known as “Coast Guard City.” Plaques around town celebrate the importance of the USCG, including Admiral Linda Fagan, the first female commandant.
Beth continued her series of architecture photos as we explored the downtown.
1721 74,216 60°F Holland, MI
1737 74,217 62°F Holland State Park
Beach Campground Site 345.
AT&T 5G 2 bars
Clean restrooms and individual shower rooms.
Electric only, no full-hookups
Not any privacy between sites, but it was nicer than we expected. One couldn’t ask for a closer spot to capture photos of the channel, lighthouse, and sunset.
A short walk to the entrance channel reveals the twin gables of the 1907 Holland Harbor Lighthouse, affectionately known as “Big Red“.
Just across the channel is an impressive private home. Does anyone know the owner?
I hope you enjoy this gallery of sunset photos…
Back in the campsite we reflected on the day as the moon rose over the mainland. Good night from Holland.
Today’s Route
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