Here are the tentative Lighthouse Motor Coach Tour plans. The 2001 Collectors Family Reunion will start on Thursday, October 4 with registration commencing at 4 PM.
I am making plans to provide 3 different motor coach tours of lighthouses, similar to those I arranged around the 1998 Reunion. All tours will feature a knowledgeable guide, a box lunch (limited veggie sandwiches) and 30-45 minute stops at each lighthouse. We'll be using modern coaches with on-board facilities and TV/VCRs so we can view lighthouse videos during any long stretches.
On Wednesday, October 3, an all-day tour of New Jersey lighthouses will begin about 6 AM. We'll motor to Lewes DE and take the Lewes-Cape May ferry to NJ about 8:45 AM, stopping first at Cape May lighthouse. Additional lighthouse stops will include Hereford Inlet, Barnegat, Sea Girt and Sandy Hook. Our goal will be to arrive at Sandy Hook by about 5 PM. If it is possible, we may do a stop at nearby Navesink Twin Lights. We will certainly be able to view it on the way to Sandy Hook. We'll arrange a dinner stop (cost not included) before returning to the Inner Harbor by inland route at about 10 PM. Lighthouses we might see (but not climb) could include Harbor of Refuge (Lewes DE) and Absecon (Atlantic City NJ).
On Thursday, October 4, a trip to visit Maryland lighthouses is being planned. This will start about 8 AM and return about 3 PM. We'll be visiting land lights that will not be included on any Reunion tours. More details on this one later.
On Monday, October 8, an all-day motor coach tour will depart the Inner Harbor about 6 AM with the first stop at Fenwick Island DE about 8:45 AM. Additional stops will include Assateague VA, Old & New Cape Henry VA, Old Point Comfort VA and possibly Portsmouth Lighthship in Portsmouth VA. We'll have an opportunity to view from a distance other lights which are on off-shore locations. We'll return to the Inner Harbor about 11 PM.
I do not have prices for these tours yet. I should have them within 30 days. I expect them to be comparable to the costs in 1998, with some allowance for inflation and the length of the all-day tours. Naturally, this far out, all plans outlined here are tentative and subject to change. I will post information on how to make reservations in about 30 days.
These tours are independent of Harbour Lights.
If you will be arriving in Baltimore before the reunion starts or planning to stay after the reunion ends in order to participate in the Lighthouse Motor Coach Tours, you can certainly book additional days at the Reunion Hotel or you can select another hotel.
Here are some alternative hotels selected from MS Streets & Maps 2000 The prices shown are the 'category' that each hotel falls into. You will need to contact the hotel to make reservations. I am not in a position to recommend any of these hotels as I have not visited any of these. If any of you have experience at these specific hotels or others, please let us know by posting.
Days Inn - Inner Harbor (0.4 miles from Inner Harbor)
100 Hopkins Pl
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2602
(410) 576-1000
Fax: (410) 576-9437
Facility type
Hotel
Room rate
$75-$149
Doubletree Guest Suites at Baltimore Airport (6.8 miles)
1300 Concourse Dr
Linthicum Heights, Maryland 21090-1014
(410) 850-0747
Fax: (410) 859-0816
Facility type
Hotel
Room rate
$75-$149
Brookshire Inner Harbor Suites (0.4 miles)
120 E Lombard St
Baltimore, Maryland 21202-5541
(410) 625-1300
Fax: (410) 625-0912
Facility type
Hotel
Room rate
$75-$149
Holiday Inn - Baltimore Inner Harbor (0.5 miles)
301 W Lombard St
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2507
(410) 685-3500
Fax: (410) 727-6169
Facility type
Hotel
Room rate
$75-$149
Quality Inn - Inner Harbor (1.1 miles)
1701 Russell St
Baltimore, Maryland 21230-2024
(410) 727-3400
Fax: (410) 547-0586
Facility type
Hotel
Room rate
Less than $75
Tremont Plaza Hotel (0.6 miles)
222 Saint Paul St
Baltimore, Maryland 21202-2045
(410) 727-2222
Fax: (410) 685-4216
Facility type
Hotel
Room rate
$75-$149
