If You Could Be Keeper-Which Lighthouse Would You Choose ?

I thought it would be interesting to hear which lighthouses people would choose and why they would choose that particular lighthouse.
I, myself would choose the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, mostly because I am invovled with its restoration and I love its location on the Hudson River with its lovely view of the Catskill Mountains off to the southwest. Also being situated in the middle of the river, one gets a close up view of all the river traffic passing by. This must have been a great station during the "heyday" of steamboat travel.
My second choice would have been Portland Head, because I can think of no finer spot anywhere considering the view of the ocean, the harbor, all of the ships and boats, and the numerous other lighthouses which one can see from there. This location is truely "lighthouse heaven"

"the lightkeeper"

You have to ask such hard questions Mike! LOL

I can't and won't choose a lighthouse that I haven't visited. It would not be fair, since I wouldn't have gotten a feeling for the area, lighthouse, ect...

So, from the ones that I have visited, I would have to choose Old Mackinac Point, MI. It is a beautiful lighthouse in a beautiful setting. The weather in the Straits is also legendary, plus the shipping traffic that passes by there is also a plus.

My second choice would be Fort Graitiot, MI. The powerful river current combined with sheer number and mix of lakers and international ships that pass each day make this another choice high on my list.

As for "legandary lighthouses" that I have not yet had to opportunity to visit, I would have to choose Boston Harbor. How can you go wrong there?

-Todd

Wow!!

This a very tough for me to answer!! I am afraid that I can't narrow it down to just one.

Topping the list would be the Old Field Light.

Number 2 would be New London Ledge.

I could go on and on because all lighthouses have their own unique qualities but I'll end with a light that has fascinated me since I got into lighthouses, Tillamook Rock.

Mike,

Your last choice is perfect for GraveDigger. It has been made into a cript and GraveDigger could handle it without having to labor with a shovel. No bones about it!

My choice would have to be Saugerties.

Moby

New London was very tempting, but, I would have to say Old Mackinac Point for the same reasons as Todd. It was a tough decision with Point Betsie coming in a close second.

Maybe I should have picked Poe Reef since it is John's favorite light.


Digger

No question. Bodie Island lightstation would be the place for me. However if I can't get her, I'll take Currituck, Ponce Inlet, or St. Simmons.

Mike, GraveDigger, St. John, Derith, Mombo, etc,

Do any of you folks have pictures of the area around Saugerites, the view one has while standing on the lighthouse property, from ground level, first floor and latern room?

I have the model, which I love, and I have seen pictures of the light itself. But what would I see if I lived there every morning or evening?

Moby

I would love to be keeper to anylight that needed one. If I had to choose I would have to say Cape Lookout.

Put me down for Horton Point. In fact, I recently tried to finagle my way into the apartment there. Unfortunately, there's a park worker living in the upstairs apartment and reportedly loves it. I have vowed to find a way to make him leave.

An added bonus would be if Mike could move in to Old Field. We then could send light signals to each other at night and talk about what a cool deal we have. :-)

Bob Muller
Stony Brook, NY
wildbird99@aol.com
www.longislandlighthouses.com

Here are a couple of Saugerties photos.
Looking out of the lantern room to the west up the Esopus Creek

Saugerties from the Hudson River



"the lightkeeper"

Thanks you LightKeeper,

That is my lighthouse. What a view. Perfect. I will go see her when I have time and retire. She is beautiful.

Moby

One more view:
Approaching the lighthouse



"the lightkeeper"

Thanks Mike,

Appreciate the shots. Do you know what the rear island is used for?

Moby

The rear island is actually the base of the first lighthouse which was built there in 1836. The present lighthouse was built in 1869. The old lighthouse was torn down in 1871-1872 and the pier was used as a public wharf. It is now used as a picnic area for the lighthouse.

"the lightkeeper'

Super. Have any winter shots? Snow, ice, etc.

Moby

That's a tough questions and very hard to narrow down to one lighthouse. Montauk Point would be my first choice hands down. Beavertail, and St. Simons would also be considered. I would have chosen Horton Pt and Old Field Pt, but I see that Mike and Long Island Bob got there first .

Of those I have seen I think Scituate would be a neat place, not remote and the tower short enought to climb without getting all worn out! Tillamook, did some one actually say Tillamook? You couldn't pay me enough to go there! Or Minot's, unless you're into cliff diving. Seguin Island is a possible too, as long as that crazy piano playing woman takes a hike. But I'd contract out cleaning that lens! While there are great lighthouses on the Great Lakes, and rivers, there is nothing like the ocean!

MOMBO

One of my favorite areas is the coast of Maine - Portland Head is a beautiful light. I could sit there for hours watching the waves crash on the rocks. Now, if you could get rid of all those people - what a place!

Kathy

[This message has been edited by Al and Kathy (edited 08-19-99).]

My vote would be Barnegat Light. LBI and Barnegat Light are special places for me, and you guys know I always vote for Old Barney whenever I get the chance.
Take care,
QC

I haven't been to any lighthouses yet, but from what I've seen, it's a toss between Key West and Montauk Point.

Joanne

[This message has been edited by Joanne (edited 08-19-99).]

I thought long and hard about this one!
My favorite lighthouse is Montauk but for a perfect location to live, I have to take Fire Island.
It's much closer to the real world than many other LHs, yet it is right on one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the world. And the views ...




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Long Island BOB




[This message has been edited by rscroope (edited 08-20-99).]

Joanne, what are you waiting for? You live in Florida! Get lighthousing, it's great!

Mombo

"haven't been to any lighthouses yet"
Joanne
This is indeed a serious matter which must be straightened out soon or we will have to consider taking away your "WACKO" status.
LOL

"the lightkeeper"




[This message has been edited by thelgtkpr (edited 08-20-99).]

When Bob speaks of "the views" at Fire Island, I can't help but wonder if he's referring to the nearby nude beach...

Bob Muller
Stony Brook, NY
wildbird99@aol.com
www.longislandlighthouses.com

It looks like we will have to assign shifts a month at a time to all the Old Mackinac keepers. Add me to the list of keepers for this location.

Another great location (okay two) would be either of the lighthouses in the Traverse City area - Grand Traverse or Old Mission.
Old Mission might be better because of fewer people most of the time.

Michigan lighthouse lover -
Jim

I would have to choose Heceta Head in Oregon. I don't think there is a more BEAUTIFUL place anywhere!!!


Lighthouse Ghost

What a great topic. I've thought long and hard about this. I'm not quite sure why I take answering so seriously, but I do.

I would have to choose Rose Island, RI or Race Point, MA because (not necessarily in this order) they seem ideally isolated to just the right degree for my taste, yet close enough to civilzation for 'socializing', supplies and emergencies. They're in a part of the U.S. I dearly love, and are in the midst of beautiful, scenic territory.

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Keepin' the flame
[This message has been edited by LamarB (edited 08-21-99).]