Partly correct, except the node isn't something that's created, you run a lightning node just like running a cryptocurrency node.
Some SPV wallets have their own implementation of a "light" lightning client.
To create a channel, the bitcoins will be locked through a special "funding transaction", that involves another node.

After a lightning transaction, the user may choose not to close the channel; the user can use it for more LN payments up to the channel's capacity (funds).
The channel should only be closed when the user want to claim his part into on-chain funds.

There's more to that and the info should be available in various sources like for example: The Lightning Network FAQ
And specially from this site: http://lightning.network/how-it-works/ | http://lightning.network/docs/
Lastly, it's getting off-topic, here are some documentations you will need: https://developer.bitcoin.org/