I was supposed to be in Maine last week for the NELL event but several factors caused that trip to be cancelled so it allowed me to go to the NJ Lighthouse society meeting on Saturday 6-19.
It was held at Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City. We went down the night before and took in a Moody Blues Concert- the show was good, the seats were not the best but we survived.
The after concert activities were even better than the show. We went into the Casino (Tropicana) and I proceeded to do my normal thing- leave some of my money in the slot machines.
I was down about $60 when I hit a nice jackpot- $560. I played it down to $500 on the slots and cashed in and then proceeded over to the Big Wheel where I gave back most of $100 (minus the tips I gave to the lady who brought me my drink- just water- and the gentleman who brought me my money).
The next day was the NJLHS meeting and that was very nice. It was outside under a tent and while it was quite warm and humid there was a nice breeze that made it bearable. I did not see any other Forum members there. Shirin skipped the meeting due to other committments.
We did get to talk to a number of people we had not seen as we had not manged to make it to a NJLHS meeting since March 2003 due to various factors including weather, surgery and the HL Regional in FL this year.
Esther climbed the lighthouse but I passed due to the weather and other factors.
I picked up some brochures for the 5th annual NJ Lighthouse Challenge that I volunteered to deliver to a Visitor's Center on the NJ Turnpike.
We drove home on Saturday after the meeting.
Sunday I decided to drive up to the Tourist Center (about 20 miles north of me) and deliver the brochures and then go in the opposite direction to see the closest real Lighthouse to me that I had never officially gotten to- Turtle Rock in Philadelphia, PA.
It was actually a working Lighthouse for a period of time. It guided Steamboats on the Schuykill River in the late 1800's and early 1900's. It's physically part of the last Boathouse on what is termed Boathouse Row along the river in Fairmount Park right below the Art Museum.
The boathouses are used by different Rowing clubs including the Univrsity Of Pennsylvania's rowing team. There are several Regatta's on the river every year including the Dad Vail Regatta that is held on mother's Day weekend usually.
Here's a couple of photos of the Lighthouse-
This area is just across the river from the Philadelphia Zoo. They have a new attraction that allows people to go up in a very large hot air ballon. I figured it would be appropriate to add a couple of photos of this here.
We took a nice little walk along the river and then went on our merry way. I have actually driven by this point on the Schuykill Expressway many times, but I don't ever recall seeing the Lighthouse prior to Sunday. You can see it very clearly from across the river while driving west on the Schuykill Expressway.
The area around the Lighthouse is a nice part of Fairmount Park and a short walk from both the Philadekphia Art Museum and the Rodin Museum.
This was the only Lighthouse on our little trip yesterday.
Dennis
