What was the first lighthouse you can remember that you climb?

What was one of the most interesting climb you have had?

My first was Old Cape Henry.

Interesting climb was Sullivan's Island, S.C. in part because it is the only lighthouse with an elevator and it was not working. Also saw the original RED color of the lighthouse on the inside. (It was Red and White but the locals did not like the Red so that part was changed to Black. Once I got to the top I realized the balcony is only on two side, therefore, one can not walk aroung the outside of the lantern room, just side to side.

The first lighthouse that John and I climbed was Pigeon Point, CA . We were there for the 125th Anniversary in Nov. 1997. I loved seeing the huge First Order Fresnel lens.

I think the most unusual climb we have had was at New Point Loma, CA . This lighthouse is not very easy to get access to climb the tower since it is on an active Coast Guard station. It has a beautiful view over the Pacific Ocean from the top of the tower.

First climb was my first light, St. Simon's Island, GA. I'm writing an article about it right now for my oft-delayed website (2 YEARS now), but it's a good retrospective.

Most interesting...well, I've never had special access or anything...but OCH was cool for me, too. It was a HOT August day. The climb up the tower was long without landings. Then, we had to get through the two small hatches, which was not fun, especially for my dad (he's not overweight or anything, but they were NOT designed for full-grown people). Then we got to sweat to death in the lantern room - the photos, if I could ever find them, would probably show the sweat after just a few minutes.

Other than that...not much too interesting.

Another question - what light have you climbed the MOST? For me, it'd be Sea Girt, since I volunteer there a few times a year, a job that requires a lot of running up and down. I'd have to say I've climbed it about 200 times.

The first I can remember is Ponce Inlet. That is such a wonderful complex - lots to see and learn.

As far as most unusual, I was really thrilled to be able to go through Point Lookout. It was such an eerie feeling walking through the entire house and tower of what some consider to be the most haunted lighthouse in America.

I have also visited Point Lookout and you right it is eerie.I also was at London Ledge Light which also has a ghost named Ernie.I was looking forward to meeting Ernie but he was a no show.A bit disappointed I was.

Linda

The first lighthouse I climbed was Portland Head Light and then Pemaguid Light.Now many lighthouses later my favorite is Pemaquid,the cliffs there are awesome.Visit it every year.
Linda

The first lighthouse I climbed was Cape Hatteras (before the move)....I was not told until after I came down that it was the tallest lighthouse.

The most interesting was Old Cape Henry...it was a tight climb and I was too nervous to go up to the top level, but I did look out the window of the next to the top level.

The lighthouse I climbed the most is Bodie Island...I volunteered for a few years so was able to go up a couple times a year as a perk....(not open to the public).

My 1st lighthouse that I climbed was the new Cape Henry. The old one was being worked on in the early 70's.

The most interesting was Cape Canaveral during the middle 70's when I was working on the electronics installed inside the lighthouse for the Coast Guard. What a fantastic view from the top.

I believe my first climb was Horton Point.

My most interesting had to be climbing Fire Island in my wedding dress (we were married at the lighthouse).

The lighthouse I've climbed the most...Fire Island.

The first lighthouse that I have ever climbed is Barnegat Light, NJ. It is also the one that I have climbed the most, since anytime that I am there I have to climb it.

I think my most interesting climb was Liston Rear Range lighthouse in Delaware. It was a hot day and the inside of the tower was very dusty, but I was surprised to learn that the inside of the cast iron tower was lined with wood!

My first light ws also Barnegat. Not being in shap I thought I was going to dye. It was amazing that I got to the top and the veiw well what can I say.

First light was Cape Hatteras in 1979. Most often climbed light is Anclote Keys. Most interesting is Sullivan's Island like the other Eric stated. The last third of the tower is straight up an open ladder(not for the faint of heart).

Charlotte-Genesee in New York. Not very high, but it's the highest I can go. My fear does limit me but I have been up in 3 now.

Our first was at Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island. We were alittle disappointed that it wasn't a "real" lighthouse. So we went to Tybee Island but it was raining VERY slightly and they wouldn't let us climb it. So we went to Hunting Island and climbed it. Cape Hatteras was the first "active" lighthouse that we climbed and the one we've climbed the most.
Don't know the number that we have climbed.... but I know we're not done yet
We're hitting the Ohio state shore line on Lake Erie in June on our way up to Niagara Falls so I hope to add a few to the list....

The first lighthouse I climbed was Old Cape Henry.

I've been able to climb a few that are not generally accessible to the public, and Old Point Comfort was the biggest delight for me in that catagory because I had been visiting the lh for years, never dreaming I would go inside.

The lighthouse I have actually climbed the most times is Bodie Island. One of those climbs was with John Gaskill, the son of the last keeper there. That has to be my best, most interesting lh climb experience...ever, because he was relating his own childhood experiences at the top!

Hey Rich (Medicman) Good to see you back after a couple of years hiatus from the Collector Forums!!!

The first light I climbed was Old Cape Henry and that was almost 40 years ago. All I remember is that it seemed like forever to reach the top (afraid of heights back then) and when I did it was hotter than I ever expected. I think it took longer to get down.

Tom,

Depending upon how you do it, getting back down could possibly take no time at all.

bobo

First climb was Split Rock. Not much of a climb, 40 steps, I believe.

First big climb was Seul Choix, 99 steps.

Most interesting - Pt. Reyes at night. Night walks are the only time the public can get into the lens room. There are only 12 steps to get to the lantern room. Then they light up the First Order lens while you are standing right next to it. After it has been lit for a moment, the shut off the twin DCB-224 Aerobeacons and start the motor that rotates the big lens. It is truly an awesome sight.

I totally do not remember what the first lighthouse I climbed was. I could tell you which ones I did NOT climb better than the ones that I did.

I'm not afraid of heights (although for a couple of years I've had vertigo periodically) but my knees won't take it anymore. This dates back to 1969 when I climbed the fire tower at Valley Forge and the tower at Washington's Crossing and maybe a couple of other things in one week, and was so crippled afterwards that I couldn't even look under the bed for my shoes. At the time I had three children, including one in diapers, and we lived in a row house where the bathroom was on the 2nd floor and the washer and dryer were in the basement.

Recently (within the last 3 or 4 years, I have visited, but did not climb Ponce, or Currituck and I didn't even go into St. Augustine. I have climbed the one in Key West, and the Cape Florida Light (in Bill Baggs State Park). I've also gone into Gasparilla Light, but that's a little short one.

I've gone up into Drum Point at the Solomons Museum, but I've not managed to get to Cove Point because when I've been at the museum, the tours have not been running for whatever reason. I trited to go up Piney Point, but there was such a crowd that I got tired of waiting (I have back problems and cannot stand for very long).

The first light that I climbed was Eagle Bluff. It was quite a feat for me as I have a fear of heights. The guide was very gracious and let us wait until the rest of the group left-so that I could take my time and my husband could help me. I was so proud to make it up! NO problem coming down. My biggest climb was Seul Choix. The only problem that I had was when I got into the lantern room...I made the mistake of looking down. Wrong thing to do!! I couldn't move, got dizzy and the only thing I could find to hold onto were the thin metal strips between the panes of glass. I must have looked like a fly that had gotten squashed on the window. I have climbed the tower again with out any problems and even walked all around the lens room. My most interesting so far was climbing Potawatomi Light in my stocking feet at the rededication ceremony!

Debbie,

I don't climb for all the reasons you describe. Stan does the climbing and I have many pictures of him waving from the walkway if there was a safe one on the tower. Wonderful that you've overcome that fear.

Sandy

My first memories and climb of a lighthouse is from when I was about three. It is St. Mary's in the north of England. I have some black and white photos (my dad took) from that time of me at the lighthouse. As for favorite light, I have to say I am partial to the English lights although I love all lighthouses. There is no end to the variety, as they seem to come in all different shapes, colours and sizes here in the US, in England and in other countries (Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, France, Finland, Holland, Islands of the Carribean, to name a few I have been to and seen lights).
HCS

Sandy, I have several fears - of heights, small places, flying, etc. I have forced myself to do many of the things I fear - I would have missed too many wonderful opportunities, otherwise. It has gotten easier throughout the years - to the point where I don't even think about it anymore - well, not frequently, anyway. I guess I've been very lucky. The only one I still can't handle at all is the "elevator" feeling, so I explore or sit while everyone goes on the rides in those types of places.

Debbie, Potawatomi is certainly the only lighthouse I've been in without shoes too! It was neat seeing all those shoes lined up outside that day.

Yes it was! I thought they were joking when they said that we had to remove them, but it was fun running them over and getting back in line so that we didn't miss the boat...which by the way we almost did!! We were the last ones back on board. I took pictures of the shoes all lined up from the tower. Turned out to be a neat photo. I was disappointed that none of the local stations did any coverage of the ceremony. Beautiful day and the eagles soaring overhead and around the tower made it an even more special event!

Sandy- I had to overcome my fear- my husband takes lousy pictures!!!

Good reason to get over it, Debbie!

The first lighthouse I climbed was Cape Florida--a looooong time ago! It was still the red brick at that time.

The most interesting was Point Bonita. Even though it wasn't tall the view was spectacular!
Another was Pemiquid.

My first was Old Point Loma which wasn't much of a climb and the most interesting was La Coruna in Spain.

Judy

The first light we ever climbed was in a state of disrepair and had been neglected for a considerable period of time. The door was wide open and there was plenty of evidence (beer cans) that indicated some local "yutes" (youths) had claimed the place as their clubhouse.

There was no electricity so the place was quite dark inside. We worked our way up the rickety stairs and eventually made it to the Lantern Room. The hatch to the outside area was open so we walked outside and enjoyed the 360 degree view.

This took place back in the early eighties. The light I speak of is North Light, Block Island. Today the light is amazingly well kept and all those who performed the magic to restore this light should be very proud.

Bob

Judy, some day I hope to see La Coruna, too; it's such a beautiful light!

Bob, you were courageous to go up; I would have done it, too, but I would have worried that the stairs might collapse from our weight.

Grace,

If we get it together and remember how to post photos we might post some from La Coruna. It's a really incredible light when you think about when it was first constructed.

Judy

My first was Highland Light on Cape Cod. The most memorable might be a tie... Ponce and St Auggy! I am hoping to give St Auggy another shot next month!

I'm pretty sure my first climb was Bald Head Island Lighthouse. It was not a secure LH in 1998. As I remember it had a wooden door that was ajar, and I walked in and climbed the winding stairs with no rails. A little scary but quite a rewarding view. Later that summer, I remember a report that during a hurricane several residents took refuge there. I remembering thinking how desperate they had to be to go there.

Most interesting was Oak Island.

Most climbs are at Montauk, Long Beach Bar, and Fire Island.

Major dilema - do I take the obvious cheap shot or just let it go........

Easy Krukky :p

Bob, we need to stick together. We'll shave Dave in his sleep in Portland.

Can't remember my first climb.

Most memorable climb would be Alcatraz or Point Conception or Piedras Blancas. Can't make up my mind these days.

Ken

Did not know one could climb Alcatraz, was this by special arrangement?
HCS

All 3 of those are by special arrangement and not normally available.

Don't push your luck, Ken.......

My most memorable climb would have to be when I climbed out on the outside platform around the lanternroom of Block Island Southeast Light to shoot pictures of how much it was in need of restoration for the presentation at the Baltimore Reunion..

That memory will be with me always!

OK - so who does one contact to climb Alcatraz?
HCS

WAXING Gebby! We'll need a whole barrel of hot wax but ...
Just from the neck down.

The warden many years ago...

Derith the pixie these days!!

Funny, Ha! Ha!

St. George Reef is my next climb quest.

Ken

The first lighthouse we climbed was Big Sable.

The most interesting was Point Judith. This is why it is our most interesting and memborable one. We were on vacation on the east coast and decided to drive to Point Judith to take some pictures. We got there and it is on a active Coast Guard Base. We took some pictures over and through the fence and were getting ready to leave when a van pulled up to the gate. I walked over and ask if we could come on base to take some pictues of the tower. They said yes. So here we go to get a little closer to the tower for pictures. As we were walking around taking pictures two Coasties were going over to the tower to do some work. Being the shy person that I am, I ask if we could take a picture inside the tower. They said sure, do want to climg to the lantern room. Needless to say we said yes, and the rest is history.

Cape Hatteras, 1960. It wasn't that close to the beach back then. My parents stayed below.

Man! Do I wanna climb that one too! One of my favorite lighthouses.

St. Augustine on Feb.12,2005 and Ponce de Leon on Feb.16, 2005. It was a little scary and my knees hurt for a week, but it was great and well worth it. My husband made me stand next to the rail at Ponce de Leon for a picture because he said noone at home would believe I clibmed to the top.
Cyndi

Cindi, you climbed the 4th highest lighthouse in the USA which is also the tallest in Florida (Ponce). St. Augustine is about 10 feet shorter.

Eric, Are you involves in saving Cape St. George. If so I would like to recieve some info as to how I can help.
Cyndi

He sure is! Maybe you can come for the Brick Party in November - he can tell you all about it. I just ran into someone whose husband proposed to her in the lantern room at Ponce. That is so romantic!

Cyndi, first you can go to http://www.stgeorgelight.org/ to our website. There is a lot of info there.

Second go to Lighthouse Preservation & Fund Raising part of the forums then go to Cape St. George - Restoration for the Brick Party information. Would love to have you come down and help. Also lapel pins and patches will be available early October (presently a sticker, T-shirt and limited edition print is available on the website).

Also feel free to email me at ericlighthouse@yahoo.com

Thanks. I would like to come down and help. I am trying to figure out if I have any vacation time left this year. I did go to the website and plan on joining.
Cyndi

The Point Loma light will never be climbed again (unless someone finds some cash to do major repairs). Not even the coasties who look after it are allowed up the tower these days! We went in March to see it I wrote about it ...

The first lighthouse I climbed was The Lizzard Lighthouse on the south coast of England.

I can't decide which was the most impressive. Warnemünde on the German Baltic Coast which is a handsome tower with enthusiastic people, the Kiel lighthouse, which is very modern or maybe Point Fermin, CA which has had very impressive restaurtion
They are all impressive in different ways.