When Darkness Descends

 

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."*

After our visit to the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin, Al and I drove east along Lake Superior through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with a stop at Whitefish Point where we toured a shipwreck museum and lighthouse, the site of the oldest operating light station along Lake Superior.

At the museum we learned that there have been about 6,000 shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, an astonishing fact that highlights the importance of the lighthouse and fog horn buildings along their shores.  About fifteen miles off the shore of Whitefish Point lies the wreckage of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a steamer that was overcome by 30-foot waves one dark stormy night in 1975. The entire crew of 29 men was lost when the ship capsized.

A light station was established at Whitefish Point by Congress in 1849; the present tower was constructed during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. Since 1849 there has been a bright beam of light shining all night long, illuminating the dangerous waters and marking the shoreline for ships traveling past the point.

The time passed by quickly while we looked at the displays in the museum and walked around the grounds of the lighthouse station. A friend back home told us about finding beach agates along shore; so the “Rock Hound” in me was happy to be able to have a half-hour or so looking for the agates.

Then our next stop was at the Lower and Upper Tahquamenon Falls, not far out of the way, thanks to Al’s good planning. Lunchtime had long since passed and we were hungry. An ice cream cone and soft pretzel shared on the patio of the Lower Falls helped ease the hunger pains!

That ended our four days of planned sight-seeing. The rest of the trip was going to be driving south, with an overnight stay at Mackinaw (British) City along the Straits of Mackinac (French) where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet.

Once more on the freeway, we enjoyed the scenery, crossing over the Mackinac Bridge with a great view of Mackinac Island. The British and French influence in this area remain, with the two different spellings! After checking into the hotel at Mackinaw City and enjoying a late dinner, we were ready to call it a day.

However, there was a notification on the cell phone about a high probability of seeing the Northern Lights in that area. In spite of being tired, we made a spontaneous decision to drive to the nearby International Dark Sky Park in the hope of viewing them.

It was twilight when we arrived at the dark sky park. Much to our surprise, the parking lot was full. We had to park in a sandy construction zone behind it,

The only lights allowed were flashlights and headlamps with red bulbs. Drivers were encouraged to use the parking lights on their vehicles once inside the park, even though the parking lot was some distance away from the viewing area.

Al decided to stay where we had parked, but I walked over to the event center, following dim red lights along the path leading from the parking lot. People were already gathered in the outdoor seating area with telescopes, blankets and supplies to last the evening.

I was surprised to open the door of the Event Center, and see that it was brightly lit up, with a gift shop, restrooms and meeting rooms inside. From the outside it had appeared to be closed and dark.

Darkness settled in quickly once the silver of a moon had set. From our spot, we could see the Big Dipper, North Star and many other constellations. First one and then another meteor shot across the sky! Quite a treat!

Suddenly a van pulled up into a spot behind us, one where a bulldozer had piled up sand. The driver tried to accelerate to free the tires, to no avail. Three ladies got out of the van, standing in the dark and trying to figure out what to do. Call 911?

Remembering that the gift shop was open down in the Event Center, I helped direct them to the path lit with red lights. There was a possibility that a staff member might know what to do.

Sure enough, the clerk in the gift shop contacted her boss, who soon showed up at the van with a red flashlight. A tow truck was called; and we were told that we should move our car, since it was parked in the wrong place!

It was midnight when we left the Dark Sky Park and headed back to the hotel. Did we see the Northern Lights? No... however, it was still a great experience, as was the entire trip.

Light! We can't see without it, whether navigating on stormy seas, driving along country roads or walking in the dark. Jesus illuminates our spiritual darkness, helping us to see, understand and follow God's way. Truely, He is the Light of the World.

*John 8:12 NIV