February 7, 2007

Muskegon, Michigan

Photographer states :: The Grand Haven south pier lighthouse.

The beauty of this picture is it's 'functionability.' This is a lighthouse as noted by the windows atop the building. It is on a lake or waterway of some kind marking dangerous land structures to the shipping in the area. This structure is prepared to function in extreme weather.

To begin there is all to obvious realization of the direction of which the wind normally blows. The icecycles provide that insight. The stucture is equipped with a door in the only place that a person can exit in extreme weather. The 'opposite' side of the normal wind direction. Why? Because to step out in a subzero storm with a wind chill that will freeze your breath to your face is not a good idea. The exit of the structure is protected by a cage. That cage provides the 'first' place to start digging out from the storm. There is no snow or ice on the stairs due to the ability of the structure to stop the accumlation in the first place. The cage is open so the inhabitants made it out safely to take this photograph of appreciation, POST STORM.