posted 09-10-2000 10:22 PM            

There are only 10 lights in Virginia.

Jones Point (far up the Potomac River)
Wolf Trap Light (can only be reached by boat and off-limits to the public)
New Point Comfort Light (located on a small island surrounded by shallows and mudflats and also can be reached only by boat)
Old Point Comfort Light (a standard light closely located to Cape Henry))
Newport News Middle Ground Light (a caisson or "spark plug" light far out in the Newport Harbor)
Lightship Portsmouth (the name describes this light, a ship?!?)
Old and New Cape Henry (popular lights, both still standing, and you can climb Old Cape Henry!)
Cape Charles Light (an unusual light, it is a "skeleton or spider" light. Located on a remote island and not open to the public)
Assateague Island Light (probably one of the most striking lighthouses, a definite must see no matter how far)
Given this information I decided to go to Assateague, The Henry’s and Old Point Comfort

I knew that if I ever went Virginia that Assateague would be my first stop. I held true to my word.

About a 2 hour drive from Norfolk on the border of Delaware stands one of the most beautiful lights in the Mid-Atlantic. You can see the 142ft., red and white banded structure towering above the thick tree line as you are crossing over to the island and into the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge. A ¼ mile walk from the road to the light leads you on trails through the woods to enjoy nature and wildlife while you anticipate seeing the lighthouse. Nestled in the trees, you don’t see the tower until you are almost upon it. But when you do, you are awestruck. I went around the backside of the light and was able to capture the scene quite nicely. This light was open to climb and so I did just that. I wanted to stay longer but a two-hour drive back and three other lights were ahead of me. The sky was overcast and in the distance it looked like rain. I wanted to be on my way before bad weather could ruin my trip.

Old Cape Henry and New Cape Henry are, oddly enough, located just across the road from each other. As the story goes… A network of large cracks had begun to split the 100 year old tower. Fearing that the lighthouse would crack open and collapse the New Cape Henry was built to replace it. But both towers are still standing today! Old Cape Henry looks taller than it is. It sits atop a hill which the military uses as a storage bunker. The 90ft., brown brick tower is open to the public to climb. The $2 admission was nominal but the view was worth 100 times the price. From the top you overlooked the military base, the ocean and of course New Cape Henry. The 150ft., cast iron structure with its alternating black and white vertical stripes was very impressive. I could not resist taking pictures of it even through the glass.

The skies had begun to darken and a storm was evident. I was scurrying to take pictures and wandering all around the grounds when I found myself at the front of New Cape Henry (which was off limits). Maybe I was just busy or maybe I ignored the no trespassing sign on purpose, but I just had to have a picture of the front of Cape Henry with the ominous stormy sky behind it. Not only am I proud of this picture because of its composition but because it also proves that sometimes you must take a risk to benefit the gain.

The rain began to fall and I was on my way to Old Point Comfort. It rained all the way to Fort Monroe. Upon arriving the rain let up to a light drizzle. With camera and umbrella in hand I took some beautiful shots of the stubby, 54ft white tower and the crepe myrtles which adorned the yard and the entire Virginia countryside.

posted 09-11-2000 08:19 PM            

BTW....in addition to the lightship "Portsmouth" Virginia has 11 lights. "Thimble Shoals" is located at the mouth of the James River on the Chesapeake Bay and "Smith Point" is located at the mouth of the Potomac River.

posted 09-11-2000 11:50 PM            

Have to agree with you on the beauty of Assateague. Hard to believe they can hide a red and white striped tower in the woods like they do! Hopefully when you took pictures of New Cape Henry from the lantern room of Old you included the framing of the windows. Makes for great pictures!

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

posted 09-12-2000 11:29 PM            

Your trip certainly brings back memories for us. We traveled the state of Virginia with our boys in 1998. Saw battlefields, Shenadoah NP, Monticello and finally the coast.

The last day we stopped at Virginia Beach, of course I directed us to Cape Henry which we climbed. However, by the time we detoured to Assateague my husband & youngest were tired & cranky. So only my oldest, the college-aged one & I walked up to the light.

It is a special bond that the two of us share. When my husband later saw the photos of the light he regretted staying in the car. A LE Assateague given last Christmas to my older son, but stored in Mom's curio completes the story.

However, my husband & I saw Old Point Comfort for the first time last month on our way down to the OBX. We both thoroughly enjoyed the Casemate museum too. Guess what HL is my upcoming anniversary present? By the way, enjoy your travel commentaries. We used your previous OBX trip suggestions on our recent trip.

posted 10-01-2000 10:28 PM            

Mike

posted 10-05-2000 06:05 AM            

Nice article in the Daily Press about her light changing to red so as to stand out from the tunnel to help navigation.

At the narrow waters between Fort Monroe and Willowby Spit you again encounter rough water at a junction. At this point you leave The Hampton Roads and enter The Chesapeake Bay. If you head to sea, Thimble Shoal light will be on your starboard. If you head north, up the bay, stay out in the water or you will run aground on Poquoson flats.

If charts or military personnel differ from this, so be it. As a native of the area, this is our interpretation of these waters.

Now if I could only find Oyster Point in the water?

posted 10-05-2000 05:32 PM            

Dave