Are you the sort of person who likes chasing sunrises?
I never thought I would be one of those persons but here I was, momentarily confused about my whereabouts as my alarm shattered the stillness of the pre-dawn hours. Then I remembered. I was spending the night at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in order catch the sunrise at the lighthouse. I bundled up, and drove the short distance to the other side of the park before following the narrow trail to the shore of Lake Superior. As I approached the beach I felt the coolness of the lake and heard the lapping of the water on the shore. Even in the pre-dawn darkness I knew I had arrived at pebble beach by the crunch beneath my feet.
At the beach, I discovered I was not alone. In the distance I could see someone out for a morning walk while nearby, a camper was enjoying his morning coffee while gazing at the lake. As I strolled the shore to find the best vantage point we exchanged nods, a silent camaraderie of the early risers, each drawn here for our own reasons but united by the shared beauty.
I set up my tripod where Ellington Island framed the scene to my right, its silhouette stark against the still-dark waters. To the left, Split Rock Lighthouse stood proudly atop the rugged cliff, its stoic form waiting for the first rays to set it aglow. Between them, the horizon blushed, the sun preparing to make its grand entrance.
Even before the sun peaked over the horizon, the sky was on fire with an orange glow. As the likely path of the sun became clearer, I shifted my position to better frame the fiery orb and catch the reflection on the water. Little Two Harbors came into focus, its slightly rippled water reflecting the burgeoning sunrise, creating streaks of black and orange. The faint hum of waves and the occasional call of a distant gull layered the soundtrack of the morning.
Every shot of Split Rock Lighthouse feels like capturing a living thing—no two are ever alike. The shifting clouds, the mood of the lake, the angle of light—all weave a new story each time I return. As the sun climbed higher, painting the scene in ever-changing hues, I smiled. Chasing sunrises never feels like a race; it feels like a gift.
