EMMET COUNTY (WWJ) - A more than century-old lighthouse between the Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan is giving people a reason to scour beaches along the Great Lakes.
Handwritten messages in glass bottles were launched on Lake Michigan back on Sept. 4, each of which also contain free stays at the White Shoal Light as part of the lighthouse's Message in a Bottle Contest.
"Today, we are launching 4 bottles containing messages from the crib of White Shoal Light," the lighthouse's Facebook page said back at the beginning of the month. " The messages have been written by Luke, Alivia, Layla, and Julie, descendants of Keeper George Keller."
The prizes include:
• 3-night overnight stay for two people in the queen bedroom of your choice on Deck 3 or Deck 6
• 3-night overnight stay for one person in the twin bedroom - two bottles have this prize
• 3-night overnight stay for a max of five people to occupy both of our queen bedrooms and the twin bedroom.
Three nights in the twin room is worth $1,500 and three nights in one queen room is worth $3,000.
The historic, fully operational lighthouse, which was built in 1910, is located about 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge and northwest of Waugoshance Island. According to the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, White Shoal Light is the one of the first three lightship stations in the Great Lakes. It's construction was considered an extraordinary engineering feat due to it's isolated location in the middle of Lake Michigan.
The lighthouse is managed by the U.S. Coast Guard and has only recently opened to the public to help fund restoration efforts. As stated on their website, the White Shoal Light consists of 11 separate decks with a total of over 5,000 square feet of space with modern bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Adding to the intrigue are the dangerous conditions and paranormal activity reported at the lighthouse.
"There are hazards everywhere...from the time you leave the dock to the time you are safely back home," lighthouse officials We attempt to mitigate these hazards as much as humanly possible, but you will still be required to sign a lengthy waiver form and answer questions regarding your health and physical condition before access to the lighthouse will be granted."
Officials say guests will have to undergo a 90-minute trip in a Coast Guard utility boat which is not for "the faint of heart," as storms, wind and "monstrous waves can whip up at a moments notice". There are also strong currents and wind patterns throughout the Straits.
Those with seasickness are urged to plan accordingly.
Guests must be physical able to climb up a 20 foot vertical ladder from the boat to the lighthouse and traverse "1,000s of steps" during the length of their stay.
"If you have a fear of heights, this experience is not for you. Should you find yourself unable to climb the ladder once at the lighthouse, you will be transported back to shore," officials said.
Officials warn those staying at the lighthouse will have to walk up and down stairs in the dark to reach any of the bathrooms during the night.
Guests must bring their own bottled water and food for eating and drinking as all tap and shower water comes directly from Lake Michigan and is not safe for consumption. The lighthouse also has no heating or cooling, although some emergency heaters are available.
Despite these hazards and the paranormal activity reported by guests and staff at the light station, the White Shoal Light is booked out through the end of the year.
Officials said opening the light station for overnight stays has allowed "folks an opportunity to see this one-of-a-kind marvel of 1908 engineering."
For more information about White Shoals Light, visit here.
