Hi Gang,

Mariann had the inspiration to visit several East-coast lighthouses en route from west TN to central NJ for the holidays. Assateague was a must, but it quickly became apparent that you can't get there from here (I'm not kidding... look at a map!). So a 16-hour trip becomes an odyssey...

Day 1.

Click here to go to maps (Like color in The Wizard of Oz, there are no maps until we come to the lighthouses.) :-D

Departed Jackson, TN at 5:00 a.m. with yours truly at the wheel. Headed Eastbound on I-40. Past Knoxville we took I-81 North into VA. Headed East on I-64, and stopped for the night in Charlottesville, VA. 12-1/2 hours on the road, including stops for breakfast & lunch. In the car the kids played Monopoly, Mariann slept, I grew a beard. Nothing yet that is reminiscent of lighthouses, except for plenty of cows (the VTer connection), some radio transmission towers (skeleton type, some painted with alternating red and white bars), and occasionally an abandoned farm silo missing it's dome. Some of these, especially the unpainted red brick variety, would look just dandy sporting copper lantern rooms and Fresnel lenses. Oooh yeah, and lots and lots of fog (Eat your heart out, JTimothyA!) Boy, lighthouse hunting from a West Tennessee base sure isn't easy! But things are looking up for the next two days. And Charlottesville can't be all that bad. After all, Thomas Jefferson made this his home here in Monticello. He was a pretty smart guy by most accounts. We'll keep you posted as the journey progresses (please be patient... there will be lighthouse content here eventually... I hope.) We embark at 8:00 tomorrow for a tour of Montecello, then back on the road. It's lunch on the coast with Cape Henry or bust!

Reporting live on location from Charlottesville, VA,

-Jimmy Olsen, cub reporter

[This message has been edited by Art (edited 01-23-99).]

[This message has been edited by Art (edited 01-23-99).]

Yo Artbob,

What? No See Rock City signs?

If you go near Jonesboro on the way home, wave at my mom's family. They're in Telford. Have a safe trip.

Carry me back...
__
/im

Actually Tim, yes. Plenty of "See Rock City" signs, as usual on this journey through TN. Thanks for the safe trip wishes. We'll wave to the folks for ya!

For those who don't know what Tim is talking about, here's a link to one of the ubiquitous southern barns sporting "See Rock City" and related advertising for the attraction:
http://www.seerockcity.com/barn.jpeg

-Artbob

[This message has been edited by Art (edited 01-10-99).]

Art and family, you are truly devoted LH lovers. Can you smell the ocean yet?

Day 2. The epic continues...

We visited Monticello as planned, first thing. There were no big lines at the entrance and we caught the first shuttle bus up to the mountaintop. We had a great guide, very knowledgeable. We spent way too much time in the visitors' center afterward, though. That set us back a bit time-wise, but it was certainly worthwhile.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287778&p=10913406[/img]

Click here for another view of Monticello

For more information about Monticello, click on this link:

www.monticello.org/

We headed back out on I-64E, then took I-295 around Richmond (we can almost smell the ocean now!), ate lunch, and continued on I-64 beyond the city. Since we plan to return to VA Beach on vacation next spring, we bypassed an opportunity to see the lightship Portsmouth and proceeded on down I-64E to exit 284. There we picked up the VA Beach - Norfolk Expressway (VA Route 44) headed East into VA Beach. A few blocks inland from the waterfront, we turned left (north) onto Pacific. That turns into U.S. 60 and leads right up to the Fort Story entrance. We were a bit concerned that access to the base might be controlled due to the present activity in the Persian Gulf. The guard at the gate stopped us briefly, asked about our reason for being there, and allowed us to pass onto the base without further incident.

Making our way along the main road the first lights of our trip, Cape Henry (old & "new") came into view as we rounded a bend in the road.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=282978&p=10913347[/img]

The two towers flank the road, Henry I to the west and Henry II to the east. We found the parking convenient (and ample... ours was the only car there. YMMV if you go during the summer months). Henry II is an impressive tower, tall, with its unique alternating black and white vertical bars. Very distinguished looking, like a gentleman in black tie. Here are two photos of "New" Cape Henry (click on each link):

Cape Henry II

another shot of Cape Henry II

In this next photo you can see the shadow of Old Cape Henry on the side of New Cape Henry:

In the Shadow of His Father

HL captured this one beautifully! Henry I looks rather like the antique that it is.

Cape Henry I

The lamp and lens are long gone, but the verdigris copper lantern atop the octagonal brick tower still looks great. Tiny compared to Henry II (about 1/2 it's size), Henry I perches atop a substantial earthen mound to help increase it's reach. Both towers are very accessible for photos (of the outside). Only Henry I can be climbed by the public, but we arrived too late in the day (after 4:00) to do that. We had some great photo opportunities as the late afternoon sun illuminated the west sides of the towers. Here's a silhouette of Henry I:

Cape Henry I silhouette

Time will tell if I made anything of those opportunities. If the photos come out OK, I'll ask John to post some (Please, John?). If you go and try to photograph Henry II with "lights on", note its flashing characteristic: two short flashes followed by a relatively long one. Time your shots for the long flash, especially with a slow shutter speed. If you go during the winter months you can stay on base until after sunset (until 6:00). Take full advantage of the sunset. I spent about an hour kicking myself for not staying just a little longer than we did. Some stray clouds wandered in from the West just as the sun was going down and we were treated to a spectacular sunset. Unfortunately, we had departed about 20 minutes too soon and had to enjoy the sunset from the highway.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287768&p=10913580[/img]

I'm sure it would have made an outstanding photo backdrop for Henrys I & II.

Leaving VA Beach we took U.S.13N. That's the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/ Tunnel. That's the longest I've ever been out of sight of land while I was aboard neither plane nor boat. It's something like 17 miles long! Looking back at Cape Henry from a rest stop on the bridge, you can clearly see the Old Man Henry decked out in Christmas lights, along with the characteristic dot-dot-dash light of Henry II. Lacking both telephoto lens and fast film, I couldn't do much to capture the image, but I savored it while there. At the end of the bridge we spotted the inaccessible Cape Charles light off in the east. We continued along U.S.13N to Oak Hall, VA, then turned onto VA Route 175 to find the Assateague light. We wanted to do this since tomorrow will bring a tight schedule and we cannot afford to spend time searching then. To get there, follow 175E past the NASA Flight Center to Chincoteague. Where 175 ends, turn left onto Main St., and follow to Maddox. Make a right on Maddox and continue to the circle. Go 1/2 around the circle and continue on Maddox to the Assateague National Wildlife Refuge and Beach. From Maddox you cannot miss the lighthouse on your right. It's a beautiful sight at night from the park gates, with the light reflecting off of the water.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287742&p=10913162[/img]

After locating our quarry, we returned by reverse route to U.S.13N and continued a few more miles to Pocomoke City, MD, where we will spend this night. I would much prefer to stay in Chincoteague, but the town pretty much shuts down this time of year. Most of the hotels I checked were closed for the season. With ample advance planning and persistence (both noticeably lacking in the present adventure), one should be able to scare up a Chincoteague room even now. If I could do it again...

If you intend to travel from Cape Henry to Assateague, allow about two hours to drive and $10 for the bridge toll. Allow more of both time and money if you cannot drive past the bridge gift shop without stopping (no HLs sold in the gift shop; not worth the stop, IMHO, except for the great view of the sunset from that vantage). Here's a shot of the fishing pier on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at dusk:

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287768&p=10913270[/img]

Figure on an average speed of about 45-50 mph for U.S.13 if you're planning such an excursion. You may do better than that in daylight.

Tomorrow, it's up at dawn and back to Assateague for a photo shoot, then Northward through Maryland and Delaware to assault the beaches of South Jersey! TTFN

Live and on-location from Pocomoke City, Maryland
Your intrepid meanderer ,

-Art

[This message has been edited by Art (edited 06-21-99).]

Absolutely, Art. Looking forward to them. Here in Arizona, it's tough to see lighthouses at Christmas (or at anytime, for that matter), so I'm enjoying this vicarious trip with you.

John [who had to check the thesaurus for 'vicarious' - substituted, pretended, delegated, deputed]

Hey Art. I'm really impressed by your portable electronic reporting of your journey. I look foward to your daily installments.
I've been close to your same location by Cape Henry but was rushed to get to a destination - so I missed it. Your log will definitely get me to plan these stops next time I'm in the area.
Have fun and drive safely.



[This message has been edited by rscroope (edited 12-23-98).]

Art-
Thanks to you and Mariann for sharing your adventures with all of us. It sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time. I, for one, am envious of your lighthouse-hopping.

BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Wish I was tagging along, Art. Lighthouse hopping adventures take a back seat up here on the north coast in the Winter time...not much enjoyment to casually strolling down beaches in double digit temperatures and 30 mph winds. Hope you safely bypass the cold spell down there! Keep the travelogs coming.

---

-RodW
[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 12-23-98).]

"Lighthouse hopping" is at its best this time of the year in New England. If you dress properly you won't be cold. The best part is there are no crowds and in most cases nobody to get in your way when you're taking pictures. Plus no problem parking and no traffic jams to contend with during the off season.

That's the word from the East Coast!.

Day 3.

We broke camp at Pocomoke City, MD at 6:40. Arrived back at Assateague light at 7:10. Thought we'd get some really great shots with the lantern lighted, but the light went out just as I got out of the car and had her in the camera's viewfinder (the story of my life). Temperature really dropped overnight. We left Jackson a couple of days ago at 5:00 a.m. and it was 65ºF. This morning it was 20ºF! Got some good shots anyway, even with the dark lantern.

Looking up at Assateague Light

Assateague Light framed by deciduous trees

Assateague Light framed by pine boughs

Assateague Light between pine trunks

Hard to take a bad photo of this one! My son Daniel loves it (both the real thing and the HL). He spontaneously gave the tower a hug before we left (really!)
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287742&p=10913243[/img]

My other son David and Daniel both spent about 1/2 hour looking for the seahorse. When they learned there wasn't one to be found, they complained that the tower wasn't very realistic since it did not match the HL in every respect (not serious -- they said this all with VBGs)! I think we can look forward to a secure future of witty BB posts from these two! We left Assateague at 7:30 because we couldn't stand the cold (didn't dress for it -- I told you this endeavor lacked planning!) Besides, we had a ferry to catch. Headed back up U.S.13N to U.S.113 just past Pocomoke City. Crossed into Delaware by 8:40 and made a quick (10-minute) fast-food stop (to eat in the car) before continuing. We took 113 to 24E (following signs to the Lewes-Cape May Ferry), but 24E was a slow ride, averaging about 40-45 mph. I think that continuing on 113 to U.S.9 might have been a better way. Another option would be to take 113 to MD Route 90E to 528N, then Route 1N to Lewes. I can't say which might be best, but I wasn't completely satisfied by the route marked by signs. We arrived at Lewes Ferry terminal at 9:28. We planned to arrive early for the 10:20 departure because I was afraid that there might be a big crowd there due to the holidays, but my fear was unfounded.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287771&p=10913335[/img]

If you plan to go, call ahead for ferry schedules (800)275-4278.

www.jerseyseashore.com/ferry.htm

The crossing cost us $31.50 and took about 75 minutes. We enjoyed calm seas for the crossing. The ferry brings us within shooting distance of three lighthouses: Delaware Breakwater, Harbor of Refuge

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287771&p=10913336[/img]

and Cape May. Bring a telephoto or zoom lens and fast film (to minimize the effect of ferry rocking on the photos). You can also see the wreck of the Atlantis, an experimental concrete ship that sank off of western Cape May.

We disembarked at 11:35, about 5 minutes later than scheduled. Taking U.S. Route 9N, we connected with Cape May County 626S about 10 minutes after the ferry docked. Turned right onto County 606W (Sunset Blvd.), then left onto County 629S (Lighthouse Road). Can't miss the tall tan tower with the red hat from there.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287770&p=10913274[/img]

It takes only about 20 minutes to reach from the time of docking of the ferry.

Looking up at Cape May Light

The people at the light were great; knowledgeable, pleasant, chatty. We all climbed the 199 steps

Cape May's spiral staircase

to the top of the tower for a great view of the area and enjoyed conversation with the guides. Here's a shot of the aero-beacon in current use in the Cape May tower:

Cape May's aero beacon

and one of a 1,000 watt lamp of the type currently used in that beacon at Cape May:

Cape May's 1,000 watt lamp

We departed Cape May light at about 1:20 p.m.

We next headed east along Beach Drive, and picked our way through some local streets to connect to Lafayette (Route 109) and headed north. 109 becomes the Garden State Parkway. We headed north on the parkway to Exit 4 and took 47S to New Jersey Ave. in North Wildwood, and turned left. Following NJ Ave to 1st Street, then turning right to Central lands one in the parking lot of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, which looks very much a twin to Point Fermin out in California.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287776&p=10913394[/img]

another shot of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse

Again we found the staff very knowledgeable and friendly. The quarters are decorated in period trimmings and contain an interesting photo archive. The original 4th order Fresnel lens is exhibited in the dining room

Hereford Inlet Light's 4th order Fresnel lens

(I need one of those for my dining room!) The tower now sports a parabolic reflector beacon powered by a 1,000w lamp.

Hereford Inlet Light's modern optics

The climb to the top of this one is much easier than Cape May was! (it's only about 30' up from the ground). We climbed up into the lantern room for a panoramic view of the Wildwoods. We departed Hereford Inlet Light about 3:00 and went to grab yet some more fast food (Yuck!!! The price one must pay...)

Heading north again on the Garden State Parkway, we exited at the Atlantic City Expressway (Exit 38) East into Atlantic City. At Pacific we turned left and followed it to Vermont Avenue. Here's a bit of trivia: the streets in the game Monopoly are all named for actual streets in Atlantic City. At the corner of Vermont and Pacific stands the Absecon Lighthouse.

Absecon Lighthouse

Unfortunately, arsonists burned the keeper's quarters this past year, and the light is currently inaccessible. There is current construction in evidence here, working to restore the keepers quarters.

Absecon keeper's quarters reconstruction

The tower itself is a fine, conservative-looking one, with a beige color and a wide black band in the middle. It provides an interesting contrast to the flashy casinos a block away. It stands there (here I go anthropomorphizing again), sad and lonely, the last bastion of the 19th century, hanging on to a precarious toehold on the northeast corner of Atlantic City against the onslaught of Donald Trump glitz.

We departed A.C. around dusk and headed to our host's home in central NJ. We'll take a few days' break to spend Christmas with family and friends, but look for the saga to continue in a few days. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

Reporting live and on-location from North Brunswick, NJ,

-Art [very, very tired]
[This message has been edited by Art (edited 06-21-99).]

I love it!!!(LOL) Where's the 'Seahorse'.
BY will love that story.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Art, Mariann, Daniel and David.

Art! Art! What did you do take the pledge before you left? You have by now past up at least 50 to 60 stores carrying and selling Harbour Lights. The daily routine should be to go to couple of lighthouses (one at sunrise), then 3 stores (when they finally open), then another lighthouse, then 4 stores, then another lighthouse, then 3 stores, then another lighthouse before it gets dark and then another lighthouse at sundown. One last store that stays open in a mall after dark, then drive and stay near the next lighthouse. After spending the night, you have to get up BD (before dawn) and go to the lighthouse and shoot sunrise pictures. You just repeat the procedure for at least a week, coming home a different route to get to different stores. There are not as many lighthouses, but by then you have shot 20 rolls of film. Buy an album for you pictures at one of the stores and support a HL dealer.

Paul

Great reporting Art. Really enjoyed reading about your escapades. We know each of the lights you've visited from our years in NJ. You have done them justice in your descriptions. Have a safe trip home.

Way to go Art! Your lighthouse travelog has been outstanding. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. All I can say is: "It's next best thing to being there!"

-Todd

Great job, Art! Sounds like a super trip!

Hi all,

Thanks for all the encouraging comments. The journey continues on Wednesday. Look for a travelog update Wednesday or Thursday.

Day 4.

Found/ purchased White Shoal & Rose Island, both at retail.

Christmas Eve at Mom's house.

Day 5.

Christmas Day at Mariann's brother's place.

Day 6.

Day-After bargain hunting for Christmas wrap, etc.. Also hit 3 HL retailers. No new purchases. One wanted $75 for Amelia Island, and $105 for Morris Island, now (only)! Gotta be kidding.

Paul, we'll keep you up to date on the HL finds, too! Not too much time to spend at retailers on the road, though; too many miles and not enough days!

Hope everyone had a great holiday, and that all have a great New Year!

-Art

Art, Mary Jane and I both enjoy your daily reports and want to wish you and your family a Healthy and Happy New Year and a safe trip home. We also have enjoyed the wonderful coast of NJ and it's lighthouses. We hope to get to Cape Henry someday, your reporting has been great and we envy you. "KTF"

Ron

Day 7.

Church, ice skating with the kids while Mariann shopped, Mariann's Mom's 71st birthday dinner at a great Italian restaurant. Plotted the next day's HL shopping with the aid of the HL website (priceless, John!) and a map.

Day 8.

HL shopping. Hit 5 retailers. Purchased Pemaquid Point at retail on our second stop. Between the second and third retailers we visited my aunt in Holmdel. That trip to Holmdel brought us past 3 retailers we did not expect to get to visit. I got excited at the fourth retailer we visited. As we approached the display area, we saw several retired pieces, including Sanibel, Morris Island T&N, Biloxi, Pt. Fermin, Bodie, Spectacle Reef, Tawas Pt., St. Joseph, Thirty Mile Pt., Grosse Point, Jupiter, Bald Head, Currituck, Scituate, Cape Blanco, Stonington Harbor and others. But when we checked the price: sticker shock! Not only were they not at retail, I have seen them all much cheaper elsewhere on the secondary market. Oh well. When we came to the fifth retailer my heart almost stopped. As we approached the case we saw several *large* pieces -- among them Hatteras II, Tybee, Ponce de Leon, Ocracoke, Hilton Head, Barnegat, St. Augustine, Diamond Head, Sandy Hook. They also had West Quoddy, Niagra, Admiralty Head, Buffalo, Cana Island, Boston Harbor, Portland Head, Nauset, Whaleback, SEBI, St. Georges Reef, Minot's Ledge, Portland Breakwater, Key West, St. Simons. And some of the prices looked attractive ($450 for Portland Head, $135 for Diamond Head). But close (in some cases not so close!) inspection revealed paint flaking off, chips, repairs, etc. on nearly all the pieces. Heartbreak! Returned home disappointed, but happy with our Pemaquid purchase and with our pleasant visit with my aunt.

Day 9.

Slept in. Took the kids and their cousin and grandmother to the movies to see Prince of Egypt. Dreamworks did a great job on this one. No lighthouses, though. Visited Mariann's uncle in Bloomfield. Home and to bed early (11:00 p.m.). More real lighthouses on Day 10. Keep you posted.

-Art

[This message has been edited by Art (edited 01-12-99).]

Day 10.

Departed North Brunswick at 8:30 a.m. Took Route 18S to Route 9S past Lakewood to pick up the Garden State Parkway. Stopped for breakfast and visited one HL retailer along the way. Took Exit 63 to Route 72E to Long Beach Blvd. in Ship Bottom. Headed north on Long Beach Blvd. to the Barnegat Lighthouse. If you plan to do this heading south on the Parkway, do not be tempted to take Exit 83 and head south through Seaside Park. You can't get to the lighthouse that way because of the Barnegat Inlet, which is not bridged. You must approach the light from the south.

We arrived around 11:15 with the temperature in the low 20's and the wind at 40+ knots with light snow. How windy was it? Just look:

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287730&p=10913567[/img]

Not ideal beach weather, but I was able to get some good, clear shots of the light without a bunch of people I don't know in the photo. In fact, I got some shots with no people at all, since my wife and one son soon abandoned me for the warmth of the car, and there were no other humans for miles. My other son and I took photos until our fingers were too numb to manipulate the cameras any longer, which only took about 15 minutes. Living in the South for 15 years has made us soft, I guess. We found that the best photo shots of Ol' Barney were to be had from the nature trails and the beach, rather than from the concrete pier. That would probably be even more true during crowded periods, since you can use the dunes, tall grasses and snow fence to good advantage to block any unwanted view of crowds, visitors' center, etc.

Barnegat Lighthouse

The inside of Barnegat Light is closed to the public this time of year, but the view of the surrounding area is good nonetheless from this vantage point, given the flatness of the terrain and the prominent point on which the light stands.

We were back headed north on the GSP by 12:00, but quickly turned back onto Route 9N so we could hit several HL retailers along the way. We purchased Highland, MA at retail at one store. We found a Pensacola at retail, but again were disappointed by chips and damaged suede-felt and label, apparently due to price tag removal. We tried to talk several retailers out of their Point Fermins and Amelia Islands, but they all seem paranoid about selling Society pieces, even to a Society member. Other retailers seemed willing to sell to anyone, member or not. Invariably these latter retailers were asking very steep secondary prices. Younger & Associates needs to do a little education work here, IMHO, either with the retailers or with me, because we have different understandings of the rules. We headed east on Route 37 into Seaside Heights. As we crossed the Barnegat Bay we noticed substantial white caps and choppy seas, but the cloud cover began to give way to bluer skies. We traveled up Route 35 stopping at nearly all HL retailers along the way, but many were closed for the season in this resort area. Once across the Manasquan Inlet we headed north on Route 71 into Sea Girt. Turned right onto Beacon Blvd. and followed to Ocean Ave. where we had bright, sunny skies (but bitter cold and high winds) for a photo session with the Sea Girt Lighthouse.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287772&p=10913319[/img]

Arrived around 2:30 p.m. This one was closed to the public too, but was very accessible for photos from across either Ocean Ave. or Beacon Blvd. Because the light is situated on the northwest corner of this intersection, it seems that anytime there is daylight would be a good time to photograph this subject from publicly accessible areas.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287772&p=10913512[/img]

We decided to skip the remaining retailers along our path because we would soon be running out of daylight.

We headed out of Sea Girt on County Route 524 and picked up the GSP around Exit 98. Followed the GSP to Exit 105 and headed east on Route 36. From 36 you can see the Twin Lights of Navesink up on the hillside.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287779&p=10913424[/img]

Taking the bridge across the Navesink Inlet, you'll need to make a sharp right just past the bridge, then go down and under the bridge, turning right again on the other side. From there you begin your ascent to the top, following signs that are poorly positioned so as to always hide the directional arrows behind some object or another. Just keep going up and you should be OK.

The Navesink Light is open to the public and contains a small museum that is quite interesting. We climbed the octagonal North tower

Navesink Inlet Lighthouse's north tower staircase

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287779&p=10913443[/img]

(the square South tower is closed to the public).

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287779&p=10913553[/img]

Here's a view of the south tower as seen from the north tower:

South Tower, Navesink Inlet Lighthouse

From there we had a great view of New York City and of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse (about 7 miles away), but boy, was it c-c-c-c-c-cold!! (found out later that it was 16 degrees below zero with the wind chill factor.) We could also view the sixth order Fresnel lens in situ in the north tower, but had to view it through the lantern room's steel floor grating from the level below.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287779&p=10913435[/img]

A 6th order lens that once resided in the south tower can be seen in the museum that is housed between the two towers:

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287779&p=10913548[/img]

Something else that I found interesting in the museum: a model of the original twin lights of Navesink. Here's a photo of one of the two towers in the model (the other is identical):

Model of original Navesink Twin Lights tower

Wouldn't that make a dandy little HL?

Descending the hill, we proceeded on to Sandy Hook. We went without lunch this day because we knew the park closes at sunset. Good thing we did, since it was now approaching 4:00 p.m. and having lunch would have found us in darkness at this juncture. Sandy Hook Light was dressed for Christmas with bows and wreath, and the late sun gave us some great footage (I hope).

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=42289&a=287781&p=10913482[/img]

another shot of Sandy Hook

Moon over Sandy Hook's keeper's quarters

Sandy Hook Lighthouse tower with moon

The wind was fierce and the cold wet air bit at my hands until I couldn't take it any more and had to retire to the vehicle. The water in the Sandy Hook Bay must have had 6-7 foot seas, with water breaking over the rocks and soaking the car as we exited the park! If I didn't know better, I'd think I was looking at the Atlantic Ocean side! It was great to "come home" to Sandy Hook, the lighthouse of my youth. I spent a lot of days fishing, swimming, diving, and just plain messing around there. As we were about to exit the park we enjoyed a beautiful view of Navesink Inlet Lighthouse with the sun setting between the two towers. But I dared not pull over for more photos: the family was ready to eat or kill by now! We stopped at a pretty good pizza joint on Route 36 to meet the immediate survival needs, then continued on 36E to County Route 516W to Route 18N back to North Brunswick, our base of operations for the past week.

It's been a great trip thus far. I'm not sure we're quite done with lighthouses yet (I'm trying to work some angles for the ride home.) In any case, I'll wrap up upon my return home to Tennessee, after ample time for reflection. Thanks for traveling along with us, and have a great New Year!

-Art
[This message has been edited by Art (edited 06-21-99).]

Thanks for a great adventure Art -- and especially for all the details. On your return, we'll take your commentary, add some of your great photos and a few maps and post it on www. HarbourLights.com.

Happy New Year to you and yours and a safe journey home to Tennessee.

John

P.S. Your Vols are in town here in the Valley of the Sun for some small football game, by the way.

Art,
Have enjoyed your travel log immensely!!!
Thanks so much to you and your family for
sharing your trip with us.
Happy New Year. Have a safe journey home.
( Where our blood runs ORANGE....GO VOLS!!)

Debbie aka tnkeeper

P.S. It's gotten cold here!!! Just thought I'd warn you
guy's. Leave the coats on!!

[This message has been edited by tnkeeper (edited 12-31-98).]

Thanks so much for your travelogue, Art. I really enjoyed it as I did the New Jersey lights the first weekend in Nov., 1998. I will be so glad to see your phots when they are posted. I too took lots of photos, but alas and alack, my camera malfunctioned and none of mine came out.

I could have used your routes before I went, but didn't meet myself too many times. Thanks for including all of us in your trip.

Derith

Sorry to hear about your camera, Derith. You must have felt awful. I take a lot of LH pics and always use two cameras, a Canon A-1 (19 years old and going strong!) and a Pentax WR-90 (Weather Resistant Automatic camera with 38-90 zoom). This way I'm assured of getting some decent pics rain or shine. If you need any photos of the MA, CT, and RI lighthouses, let me know. I would be happy to send you some.

That's the word from the East Coast.

The photos are in!

I've posted some of them into the above reports. Added some web links, too. More to come, stay tuned! Thanks again for traveling along.

-Art

Just refreshing this thread as the first anniversary of the trip approaches, so those who wish to follow may do so.

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-Art

Thanks for refreshing the link. I throughly enjoyed your trek.I've visited all of the ones you did in Nj in the last year.I did mine in the summer/fall when the weather was a bit warmer, and yes the crowds were a bit larger. I manged to get into Absecon- it had opened a couple of months earlier. It has been very nicely restored and they are working on gettin the rest restored- if the insurance company ever gives them their money. I'm in the process of planning a trek to CA LH's in the LA to San Francisco area. I hope tp post my exploits after the trip and you have given me a standard to shoot for. Thanks again. Dennis

Art

Thank you so much for the posts regarding your trip. The photos were just fantastic. You should have your own calendar made using those photos.

Joanne

Just saving a few "oldy but goody" threads from the eventual wrecking ball.