The Lonely St. Helena Island and the Lighthouse Keepers That Keep It Alive - Michigan

Poppins and I travel to the Straits of Mackinac in Northern Michigan to visit a lonely island called St. Helena. The island was home to the St. Helena Fishing Station and St. Helena Lighthouse.
The St. Helena Lighthouse has been completely restored over the past few decades by a dedicated group of volunteers and Scouts. The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association have been responsible for the restoration and they have done a superb job.
We explore the history of the island and the challenges of keeping a 150 year old lighthouse preserved and working.

[@stephenrrose]

POPPINS, YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! "Pressed into service" that was Priceless! Great Job both of you! Glad there are people out there wanting to help preserve history, especially anything to do with a lighthouse! Thank you for sharing.

[@RestlessViking]

LOL! Nice!

[@barryyounggreen505]

Poppins ,You are truly amazing!!

[@randymoore6063]

Found your videos just yesterday and have binge watched.

[@chantalfibrohope]

“It was one of those restoring faith In humanity visits, good people doing good things…”Love that! 💕 Great job, Da Viking and Poppins!

[@RestlessViking]

😊 thank you

[@NightwingGR1]

You deserve way, way more subscribers and views. Nothing else to say about that!

[@RestlessViking]

I appreciate that!

[@curtischeeseman440]

Great little video. I have to laugh when I hear it pronounced st Helena., the old locals still call or pronounce it St Helene. To a person from Gros Cap it’s like saying Mackinack. I’ve had family members living on the island and Gros Cap where I grew up since the 1850’s, as a boat builder and cooper, to loggers who provided wood for the steamers that would stop and fisherman who provided fish for transport to the big cities. Thank you for sharing.

[@richardhill2260]

I agree, growing up in Gros cap it was a treat to picnicon st Helene. My Dad was a fisherman and wheels man on the ferries. I have been there yearly until a few yrs ago, Lightkeepers have done a wonderful job of restoring the lighthouse

[@ladyofjazz448]

Wow, didnt even know about St. Helena Island till this video. Love how you give a base history of where you go, it really makes the video stand out. Glad that this lighthouse was able to be restored! So many are just being left to rot.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks!

[@swampfoot]

I was expecting the remote island in the South Atlantic where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled. I want my money back.

[@donh01965]

I've lived in Michigan, Arizona, Florida and currently Texas, but nothing, for me, compares to Michigan. Vacations "Up North" at Grand Lake in Alpena are some of the best memories of my youth. God willing, I'll be able to spend some retirement time on Grand Lake. That's the dream.

[@RestlessViking]

I hope that dream becomes a reality for you!

[@dannewman8400]

Just started watching your videos and can't stop lol. I think you're both amazing people and keep it up

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks Dan!

[@waveranger4974]

I volunteered last year ❤.

[@TomKirkman1]

The work done to restore and preserve the property is impressive. Very much worth doing and appreciated.

[@lateonsethippie3208]

I was with the amateur radio operators from the Benton Harbor, Mi area we really enjoyed being out there with the same Scout group. Don’t remember what year we were out there.

[@PRNYCCHI]

So interested in seeing what your doing. My Great Grandfather is the one who died painting it. My Grandfather is the one that grew up with his uncle at Macinaw. So interesting. Thank you

[@pdm1942]

I just found your channel A few days ago ! Its great , I love it ! I live in Michigan and I really like your adventures ! I would love to go the places you go. Looking forward to viewing ALL your video's !

[@RestlessViking]

Awesome! Thank you! We are happy to have you here!

[@troymilks7342]

Egads, man! Never in all my years would I have foreseen you being taken by a one man press gang. (Who has even heard of a one man gang). Aye, with Poppins along, discretion was indeed the better part of valor. Forsooth! Poppins having been a teacher, she could have handled that band of brigands quite handily.

[@RestlessViking]

Ha! It's like poetry, prose and a bit of the ole jolly roger, ye is. . .

[@MrCrisRobson]

❤

[@garrettbowman5656]

Thanks guys! Poppins, great as always. It was great to revisit this place through your video!

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

AMAZING POPPINS! The undeniable rockster.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

That little bit at the beginning is interesting; showing how you store the boat and hook it up, along with showing the items stored on your Jeep.

[@nycsox987]

These bites of history are fantastic. Time to work my way through the back catalogue.

[@paulharwood1281]

What a Fantastic adventure and seeing people coming together in unity to maintain history. POPPINS Great Job :)

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

What a nice lighthouse keepers place. Wow!

[@Horsewomann]

You are both awesome! Thank you for taking us along on your adventures!

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for watching!

[@jdhinckley1954]

Just wonderful and the kind of example we all need these days of the good (& good will), that so many people exhibit. Breathtaking accomplishment! It's on my list, even though I live in Vermont...but with retirement coming up, who knows? Thanks for sharing!

[@RestlessViking]

Well said!

[@spacenut58]

Thanks for the close up look. Have been looking at it for years from wilderness state park through glasses.

[@Alman7256]

you cut out most of the Cadillac boat launcher story.

[@briangee2869]

My brother, who lives on the mainland (almost) straight north of the island always told me there were a lot of snakes out there. I guess he was correct.

[@johnedward5520]

Poppins, you are amazing!!

[@maijaliimatta296]

I am so impressed by your willingness to jump in and help out. That is such a precious and valuable trait to me.

[@historyvoyager]

I worked at Colonial Michilimackinac for a few summers and met some of the Boy Scouts that worked on the light house on St. Helena Island. It's kind of cool to see the inside of the lighthouse. Thanks!

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for sharing

[@joshstarrvanhoose5335]

Poppins is awesome, do you think we were watching this channel for you and your great adventures, haha !! Great stuff man!!

[@RestlessViking]

LOL!!

[@matthewgross6958]

Poppins…. You’re amazing! 🤣

[@daleolson3506]

Great video could do without the music

[@John-R.61]

Poppins,you're so resilient 😊

[@HFarms1955]

Another great video!!! Thanks for sharing! Subbed ya yesterday, and still watching, I love the content!!

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for the sub!

[@jeannebrauher3587]

Poppins.. you are more than amazing!

[@greatnorthern706]

Go Poppins! You re amazing!

[@haldunkel4080]

Both are you guys are amazing…

[@douglasreed5685]

Poppins is AMAZING! I like the videos with her bes!

[@RestlessViking]

Agreed!

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

Grerat Job Poppins!

[@edbiernot4852]

Good people doing good things 😂 always entertaining

[@billhazard4946]

Kudos Viking,never cease to amaze, had never heard of st Helena!!! Stay safe and bless you guys👍👍👍😊

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks Bill!!

[@likewater71]

Poppins is amazing

[@brentmeg922]

Keep up the adventure and awesome videos! We have keepers at White Shoal until Labor Day this year. You two should stop out again for a longer stay this time. Still sorry I missed you in 2019!

[@RestlessViking]

Deal! I'll send a message to the FB page!

[@jordankrutsch4037]

You ever plan on checking out Gray's Reef? You've got some great videos and makes me miss being around the lakes a lot. Thanks for sharing

[@RestlessViking]

We do plan on Gray’s Reef, but only when we can also gain access inside. We have taken video passing it before on the Beaver Island video. Thanks for watching!

[@tonyg6103]

Poppins 👍🏼👍🏼 being amazing as per usual

[@judye2805]

Poppins is amazing, and all the wonderful people and Eagle Scouts! The lighthouse and grounds are beautiful. Poppins said it was Fun. I hope all of the others had fun also. ❤ See all the great things that can be accomplished when you work together.

[@billhazard4946]

Two thumbs up Chuck, great vid does anyone offer tours out there. Thanks again viking!!!👍👍

[@RestlessViking]

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keeper's Association does. www.gllka.org/events-lunch-sthelena

[@billhazard4946]

Thanks for the reply, you and poppy stay safe and have a blessed one

[@greatlakeblake]

glad to see your enjoying the lake

[@greatlakeblake]

so I can too

[@MrBradleyDavid]

Poppins is amazing!

[@MrBradleyDavid]

Thor is amazing! One ton of cargo in it per trip! We’ve heard of St Helena’s while eating pasties in St Ignace. The former Aunt Bessie’s Pasties emporium boasted of its brined fare.

[@MrBradleyDavid]

If a scout troop were to put in a scout work party, who would you contact?

[@RestlessViking]

We're not sure of the exact person anymore, but GLLKA is in charge of it's care. www.gllka.org/st-helena-island-light-station