After the decision was made that it was safe to pass the inner lighthouse on the pier - it can be narrow, slippery, and dangerous to do so at times - we were greeted by the view of the outer lighthouse, covered in ice from the recent winter storms.
The waves churn up Lake Michigan, and they pound the breakwater and pier, sending water and ice chunks onto the pier and lighthouse, where it quickly freezes in -8°F weather.
Most every item on the pier is coated in thick ice; depending upon how high the waves were, and how far the winds carried the spray, the entire lighthouse was covered from top to bottom. The ice chunks thrown onto the pier actually help visitors walk in relative safety, they provide a deeply textured surface where sliding is almost impossible. The crevices accept shoes and boots perfectly, keeping them from slipping, and keeping the visitors from sliding into the freezing water. It may be a bit difficult to keep your balance with the uneven surfaces, but it's much safer to walk slower anyway.
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