visit a lighthouse

While in San Diego during the recent 4th of July holiday weekend, I visited the Old Point Loma Lighthouse at the Cabrillo National Monument. This was a functional lighthouse during the second half of the 1800’s before it was closed and replaced by a more ideally located lighthouse closer to the shore. Being situated on a hill, this particular lighthouse was often obscured from view by low clouds and fog.

I was impressed to see the giant lightbulbs and to learn something of the technology of how it all worked, but what truly impressed me was that this place really functioned as a residence and living quarters. For some reason the idea that this would be the case had never really occurred to me. I had always thought of lighthouses as being places where people went to work, perhaps in shifts, but not to live. Actually, the rooms, as preserved by the museum, present a rather liveable and cozy (albeit cramped) space. Another practicality I didn’t consider was water. There is this area right in front of the lighthouse that was designed to catch water and could store some 33,000 gallons (if I remember what the tour guide said correctly) of it. Of course, that couldn’t all be rain water since San Diego only gets about 10 inches (i.e. 25 cm) of rain per year, but it’s also where they stored water they brought in from elsewhere.

I was just thinking about what a lonely and isolated existence being a lighthouse keeper was. Although there’s no problem getting to Point Loma today, back when this lighthouse was functional, getting to town was a big ordeal. The work also seems like it could have been rough. I’m not sure this is a job I would ever have wanted to do if I lived back then…

I have been to at least two lighthouses in my life. One was in Maine (or whatever the state is that has a ton of lighthouses) and one in California, where I unfortunately live. I have been to Pt. Cabrillo at least three times for science camp (nerd). The science camp was required, so I’ve been there more than I would like, but it’s nice. I live just well, not too far…. I live in Northern California, so it’s kind of a bummer to go on a major school trip…to somewhere you have been several times before. I’m a Mendo kid, although I do not smoke marijuana (from my experience, however, that is a well-deserved stereotype).

A trip to Belize allowed me the opportunity to climb a very rusty frame of an old lighthouse. I took a picture and I still savor the moment. But, what I really want to do is visit a working lighthouse – a beacon. A beacon of hope …

MARBLEHEAD LIGHT – Open to guided tours Monday through Friday afternoons and on 2nd Saturday of month; June 1st to Labor Day.

PERRY MEMORIAL MONUMENT – Open daily; Mid May to Late October.

FAIRPORT HARBOR LIGHT – Open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday afternoons; Late May to Mid September.

The Cape Hatteras Light.

Located in the Outer Banks…

There is a Live view to be found from atop the tower here….

I visited a lighthouse in Mexico. I even got to climb to the top and look out it! Beautiful!

Every summer I visit North Head Lighthouse near Longbeach, Washington. One summer, I got to take a tour of the lighthouse, and it was so, so cool to look out from the top and see the light and see all the stairs (:
Definitely a cool goal to have.

Alis

Lighthouses are very awesome and an interesting place to aspire to visit! I live in Wisconsin and have seen several along Lake Michigan. They are beautiful and have such diverse histories! Door County (the thumb of WI) is also known as “death’s door” for how dangerous the waters are and the huge numbers of shipwrecks and deaths associated- light houses were very important!

If you live in the midwest, perhaps visiting Door County would be an easy way to make this goal!

There are some lighthouses. I wonder if people are allowed inside to tour? That would be pretty cool. Cause if we’re not allowed inside lighthouses, then I already completed this goal because I’ve been to Montauk once and seen the lighthouse.

This has been one of my goals for a decade now. I finally visited one not far from me. tHEy are a dying breed, so i am glad i got to step inside one, and learn a bit about lighthouse living back in the day.