"I love lighthouses. The severe, uncompromising life of service lived by
lonely lighthouse keepers possesses a special dignity. Poised between the
last outcroppings of land and the vast expanse of the ocean, the lighthouse
has become a profound symbol of human life, poised as it is between the
transitory and the eternal."
"I am intrigued by lighthouses. Erected in locations of great peril, they
often stand in settings of remarkable beauty and drama as well. Where
nature is most powerful, it can also be majestic.
That is especially true of Split Rock Light erected on the towering
cliffs of Lake Superior's north shore in Minnesota to light the way for the
massive ore carriers that moved a rich treasure of iron ore through from
mines in Canada and the U.S. As I gaze on this beetling cliff, I begin to
understand the legend of the Sirens, whose wild and beautiful song drew
ships to wreck on their perilous rocks. Surely, beauty such as this might
call even a plodding barge to its ruin.
Split Rock Light was built in 1910 and continued to guide ships
through stormy waters until 1969 when the Minnesota park service took over
its management. Now it is perhaps the most visited lighthouse in the U.S.
Guests who make the long drive are rewarded by a breathtaking view of the
rugged limestone light overlooking a majestic promontory.
I've employed artistic license in an effort to capture the drama in
Split Rock Light - a romanticized moonlit portrayal of the glorious
lighthouse - so you can enjoy this unparalleled view without having to
drive the long, rural highway.
