Just sitting here at work. Its a slow day today. Daydreaming about next year. Where will my lighthousing take me? I am thinking about Northern Maine or Washington State. My third is Massachusetts. Anyone have any thoughts and have nothing to do at the moment and want to dream too.
Hey Dave Hint Hint Hint. I know its to early, just giving myself something to do right now.
By the way anyone notice Lighthousefriends has changed there maps. Really nice!

I'm thinking Nova Scotia & PEI in September.

I know about that one. You are planning some other little weekenders (Regionals)correct?
I cant do that one in September. RATS!!!!!!!!1

Not planning anything else at this point, Fran, because of the magnatude of the biggie. May come up with some easy to do type trips, whether they were HL regionals or not. I have some thoughts, but always interested in those of others.

Washington state would be another biggie, and I don't think folks would want to do two major outings in the same year. That one, however, remains on my to-do list as there are several who would like to make the trip.

You just need to think of NS and PEI as very northern Maine . . . .

I'm guessing, Fran, that you've also noticed that they're adding CANADA! Something I've been waiting for for a LONG time.

I saw that also. Its a big help for expanding the hunt for more lighthouses.

I'm thinking of going to Chicago in June.

Hot & humid in Chicago in June, but you can go east or west along Lake Michigan and catch a bunch of lights. Or, get crazy, head up one side, take the fast ferry between Milwaukee and Muskegon and come back to Chicago along the other shore.

I have 9 days booked at Heceta Head in February. Hoping for a fantastic winter storm, and for Rue NOT to show up. We should get to see all the Oregon lights and a couple Washington. Can't wait.

Good luck in Oregon & Washington. It is on my list. Dont forget to post pictures.
Fran

Still hoping for the Outer Banks soon...In April, I will be in Florida, so I should get some at that time

Wow, even with the $ situation the way it is, we all are still trying to do some traveling. I am going to Jacksonville in February for a conference and then take some time to see lighthouses along the southeast Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico, if possible. I'm looking forward to that.

I have done most of the Great Lakes and now am branching out to the oceans. Pretty exciting. Any hints? I'll have about 4 days to see any lighthouses in FL and GA that I can get to from Jacksonville and then back to that airport at the end of the four days to fly back home.

I just returned from another week's stay at New Dungeness as a keeper. Hope to post pictures this weekend.

This is a wonderful experience, to live in the Keeper's house, and be responsible for the lighthouse!

docsweetie, I can't help you with any Georgia lights, but in Florida you should be able to see Amelia Is, the river lights in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Ponce Inlet. If you can, go on one of St. Augustine's "dark of the Moon" tours. You need to have reservations ahead of time, I think it was $25 per person. The guides will go on and on about the ghosts(we didn't see anything) but the best part is standing out on the gallery in the dark with the Fresnel shining and revolving above you. Well worth the blather and the climb in the dark. At Ponce Inlet there is a beautiful museum full of Fresnels. Enjoy yourself!

From Jacksonville consider Mayport Light due east on coast,near Naval Station. In Georgia You should be able to visit St Simons and Tybee Lights. It is about 240 miles from Jacksonville to Savannah. I believe the Sapelo light is on a private Island therefore not available for a visit. Art

From JAX (Jacksonville FL airport to you non aviation folks) it's an easy drive down to St Augustine and then on to Ponce Inlet. If you only see 2 lighthouses in Florida these are the 2 to see.

I think the Pan Handle lights like St. Marks, Crooked River, Cape San Blas, St Joesph, and Cape St George are doable only if you don't mind spending the whole day in the car. It would be about a 500 mile round trip to Port St. Joe where Cape San Blas and St Joesph are located.

AZpharologist, it's only 120 miles to Savannah from JAX or are you quoting round trip? Sapelo island can be visited, I believe you are thinking of Cumberland Island light which is on a private island. Sapelo is only open certain days, this time of year I think it's only one day a month. So you should check their website. http://www.gastateparks.org/info/sapelo/

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I think your ideas will help with my planning since I'm not familiar with the area at all. Any other thoughts would be helpful.

I don't mind the drives in the car since I don't know when I'll be back to that part of Florida or Georgia. I'm assuming the Lighthousefriends website is the place to go for specific driving directions to the lights you've all mentioned, correct? Any other suggestions? Is there a book like the Michigan lighthouse book by Penrod for Georgia or Florida?

Doc, look for a copy of "Florida Lighthouse Trail" it's a little out of date as the book is now 10 years old, but a lot of the driving directions still work, Cape St. George would be the big exception as it is has been relocated. Things like open times and access issues are incorrect for most lights.

As for a guide to GA, the only thing I can think of is "Southern Lighthouses" by Ray Jones and Bruce Roberts. This book covers the more popular lights from NC's outer Banks to Cape Florida in Miami.

If you don't mind long days behind the wheel, than I would think you could visit all the lights south of JAX down to Jupiter inlet, this would be another 500 mile day. Of course Cape Canaveral can only able to be seen from a distance.

Heading north you could probably see lights up to Charleston SC. Another 500 mile day.

But when all is said and done I would print out the lighthouse friends directions and keep them with me. I like that they have the GPS location so I can plug in the Coordinates into my GPS and use that when all else fails.

"America's Atlantic Coast Lighthouses: A Traveler's Guide" may be the best single source reference for lights along the entire Atlantic coast. Not a small book, but it starts in Florida and goes all the way to Maine. A great reference book and reasonably priced. I believe it is only available thru Lighthouse Depot. Originally written by Kenneth Kochel, now updated by Jeremy D'Entremont.

Agreed on the Kochel/D'Entremont. It's guided me through many a New England roundabout. The graphics aren't great, but it is ALL information. I have the 5th edition, but I think they're on the 6th now.

But really, these days, I'm getting most of my travel info on the Internet. It's up-to-date, comprehensive, and free.

Doc, will you be traveling with a GPS? That makes a difference in how you navigate to the lights.

I'll be renting a car, so will probably get GPS since I'm unfamiliar with the area.

The Kochel/D'Entremont book sounds like a good purchase. As I said in my earlier post, I've done all the Great Lakes except for Ontario and am now moving to seeing the lights on the oceans. The other books sound good too.

Appreciate the hints, everyone. I'll start my planning now. Hoping to learn how to post my pics when I get back.... :rolleyes:

You can get everything you need at lighthousefriends.com. I copy and paste the latidude and longitude into the next light and it gives me the directions. Print it out and save the latitude and longitude it works on GPS and makes it easier to find the lighthouse. Bring a Florida map just in case. Also buy a soft sided cooler and Large zip lock bags. You can fill them with ice at the hotel and bring drinks and snacks. Sometimes you can go for a long distance and not find food or drinks and it saves time if you want to do an all day trip in the car.

Trust Fran on that one. That was the number-one advice she gave me when I did my 18-hour marathon Long Island Challenge.

Non-messy snack food is essential. I did pretzel bits. They fueled the breakneck drive from Montauk to Fire Island. Cheetos might not be a good idea for steering wheel grip. :p

Okee dokey! I think I'll be doing lots of driving! NO cheetos! Just me, the GPS, the lighthouse friends maps, cooler with water, and pretzel bits. I'm set to go!

I also realized that I still need the Sapelo Island Lighthouse...not to mention better pictures of St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and the smaller light on Mayport Naval Station...While I'm at it, maybe I should get better photos of St. Simons. lol