I just got a flyer in the mail from HL collectors society. The new free gift will be Southwest Reef, LA and the members piece will be Boca Grande, FL. The flyer is letting you renew your membership or place an order for Boca Grande ($90) and Seven Foot Knoll ornament ($15). They look like great additions from HL. The best part is that you can order them now and not have to wait for your membership kit papers.

I hope that the mail is spreading east quickly! Maybe my flyer will arrive Monday or Tuesday. Anyone else get their flyer yet??

...thanks for the "heads-up", Lorie

Thanks for the update Lorie! Has not arrived in Cincinnati yet. Will be waiting by the mail box hoping to see it soon!

It arrived in NJ today and my reply went out the same day. If the Boca Grande looks as good as the picture seems to look I think it might qualify as a WOW. The Southwest Reef piece might have to grow on you. It is definitely a unique looking lighthouse. I'm excited because this year I'm a renewing member so I get the print.I hope to get to the real deal (Boca Grande) in October. It's just a few miles from where my Mother stays in Florida. Dennis

[This message has been edited by wheland (edited 04-11-2000).]

I received my flyer today in Wisconsin. It is interesting that the free gift is a lighthouse in Louisiana. My son leaves for Louisiana in a few hours for a trip with his High School Orchestra. I had to find where Southwest Reef is located on a map, in case he is traveling nearby. They are going to New Orleans.

Suzanne,
Southwest Reef is in Berwick, LA. just west of Morgan City.

Wheland,
The piece is very nice. We got a look at it Sunday at Louisville.

Dave

For people who wished Seven Foot Knoll had been shown in its original position in the Chesapeake Bay, you got your wish...in a small way. The SFK Christmas ornament shows the light surrounded by water.

Thanks! One of my lighthouse books said that it is near Morgan City and I found it on the map. I just don't know if my son's group will be traveling that way. Of course my son has orders to take pictures of any lighthouse he may see. Are there any viewable lighthouses between New Orleans and Biloxi?

Got our mailing yesterday. It goes back in the mail tonight. Both pieces and the ornament look wonderful.

------------------
Randall Ronne

There are several in the Greater New Orleans area but I'm not aware of any in between which can be viewed from land.

The Biloxi light is in the middle of the road down the coast line. Good thing its a divided road!

http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/maritime/gulflt.html#Mississippi

Dave

Thanks for the web link. I was able to see both the Biloxi light and Southwest Reef at this website.

Kinda on topic..... After finding out Boca Grande was the redemption piece this year I just had to re-visit. Well today was the day. My parents are in visiting, and wanted to visit the beach today, I talked them into the 2 hour drive to Gaspirila Island and we toured the Lighthouse! Last time I was there the light was closed, so this was my first time inside. All I can say is that it is a small, but very interesting display they have. The display covers the history of the island from Native Americans to its heyday as a deep-water port to today's laid back tourist economy. While one can not enter the light tower itself, which is over the second floor, (which is also closed off), one can see the Lens quite well from the grounds. While this is not my favorite lighthouse in the world, it is in a truly beautiful setting and a pleasure to photograph.

Weasel58

Glad you had a nice trip with the folks, Weasel. Get any pictures to share?

Dave

My son is back from New Orleans. They went to Biloxi Beach, but he didn't see the Biloxi Lighthouse on the way there.

Since you asked Dave....
Here are two of Boca Grande, one of the rear Range Light and one of Sanibel.
Boca 1: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/esharp/images/boca1.jpg

Boca 2: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/esharp/images/boca9.jpg

Gaspirilla Rear Range Light: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/esharp/images/gasprr1.jpg

Sanibel Island: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/esharp/images/sanibel6.jpg



[This message has been edited by Weasel58 (edited 04-20-2000).]

Nice photos, Weasel! Thanks.

Weasel... great photos! Thank you for sharing them with us.

Tim - Keeping the flame lit...

Fantastic photos!

Doc John

Great photos Weasel. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Weasel - Great photos, thanks for posting them.
Mike H

No problem folks, I'm just glad yall liked them.
When I get some time I'll upload somemore of my photos to my online storage site.

Weasel58

Thanks for sharing, Weasel. Looks like you had a really pretty day to go lighthousing! Will look forward to more pics.

Dave