Split Rock Lighthouse got added to our list of must sees after an enthusiastic suggestion from our üCamp friends, Pam & Mike. Our excitement about it elevated to the next level when we pulled in and discovered that it is a Minnesota Historical Society site. Ever since we visited the Oliver Kelley farm we’ve been big fans of MNHS and the quality of historical interpretation they offer, so of course we signed up for the guided tour. Our guide gave us the history of the 1905 Storm of the Century that led to the building of the lighthouse and details of the equipment Of course we geeked over the clamshell shaped Fresnel lens and the fact that all the lighthouse equipment is original and in working order but we also loved the details in the keeper’s house even down to the hand stitched quilts in the bedrooms. And of course there’s the incredible views and the spectacular setting!
What a treat to pause for a BBQ lunch with the locals at Pearl Country Store and Barbecue on US-441 in Micanopy, Florida. It’s a taste of the Florida we remeber from our youth.
By deliberate choice we were in Medina for all the winter holiday festivities from Candlelight Walk in the days before Thanksgiving through A Christmas Carol and A Celtic Christmas as well as an Alex Bevan Concert and a historic house tour all the way through Medina’s 31st Ice Festival but perhaps the highlight was the town hosting hundreds of folks whose homes and lives were devasted by Hurricane Helene at the A Promise of Christmas Event the middle of January. It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing community!
The warmth we anticipated when we headed to the Caribbean in mid-January didn’t really materialize but the fun we had with our dancing friends and the great crew of the Margaritaville at Sea Islander more than made up for the not so favorable weather.
One for my bucket list. Beautiful picture!