You all know that my happy place is just about anywhere on the shores of a Great Lake, but especially Point Betsie, a lighthouse on Lake Michigan.

It has sentimental value because it was a favorite place for my parents, who camped near it on their honeymoon back in 1952.

Though when I think about camping in a green army pup tent in October I have to wonder what my dad was thinking.

But they stayed married for more than fifty years.

This week I had the opportunity to wander the beach at Point Betsie with a friend and her two cocker spaniels. We had a beautiful day, cool for the dogs but a bit of sun for us.

I took my camera equipment including the tripod, in case it looked like we’d have stars. My friend was willing to stay up late with me while I tried to capture the Milky Way.

I don’t think she realized how late that would have to be; the Milky Way isn’t really visible until almost morning at this time of year.

But as we walked the beach the clouds rolled in and after a few hours of rock hunting, and a great lunch at a park beside the Platt River in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we decided to head home.

The next day I saw beautiful images posted on Facebook of stars and the Northern Lights, taken the night before at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Yep. I told my friend if I ever suggest we head home early she should just kick me.

Katie says it serves me right for going on an adventure without her.

Sigh.