OCTOBER TRIPLE PLAY

In the Fall of 1997 I took my first extended solo lighthouse trip. For three days I wandered up the coast of Connecticut, through Rhode Island, around Cape Cod, and finished on Cape Ann. The Autumn of 1999 brought another excursion, this time following the Seaway Trail of New York State, touching some lights in Canada, seeing the only three lights in Pennsylvania, and making it to Fairport Harbor, Ohio. The leaves are falling again this year but circumstances won't allow a three to four day trip. I'm too far by car for anyplace that has a high concentration of lights. Also, with a first semester college student, too many initial expenses made me gunshy of spending the dollars.

The easy answer was day trips. I was able to work out a boat tour for the first time. I read about NEW JERSEY LIGHTHOUSE 2000. I always thought about the Bayshore (NJ) to New York City ferry as a way to see otherwise unviewable lights. These were the ideas I had. This was the way I chose to go.

I have read tales of the FLYING SANTA, both on line and in LIGHTHOUSE DIGEST. The "Friends of the Flying Santa" are sponsoring a boat trip out of Warren, Rhode Island on October 9. I was able to arrange my schedule to make this trip. Sixteen lights of Naragansett Bay are promised. I saw many of them this past July...others on previous trips. I NEVER have seen them from the sea. The price was right...the distance was doable...and for the first time I'll feel like I am contributing back something to a hobby that has given me so much personal enjoyment.

NEW JERSEY LIGHTHOUSE 2000 is a project of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society. During the weekend of October 14-15, eleven of NJ's lighthouses will be open to the public. Each site will issue a stamp. Those who collect all will receive a commemorative token of completion. EAST POINT was refurbished since my last visit. It's been a long time since I was at CAPE MAY. ABSECON has undergone extensive work. BARNEGAT has great memories. Having just one day, I will not be able to see all eleven...but I will be visiting seven old acquaintances this day for sure.

Reefs and shoals seem to abound in New York Harbor. Many have lights on them, lights that are too distant to view from shore. There is a commuter ferry that travels from the Bayshore of Monmouth County, NJ to Wall Street in NYC. What better way to get these shots! Also, I would be near Twin Lights (my favorite NJ light) and Sandy Hook (recently refurbished). Lastly, now having a map, I would take another stab at locating the light in Chapel Hill.

Some new lights...many old lights from new perspectives. There will be enough to do and write about this vactaion. I'm excited.

BACK AND FORTH

FLYING SANTA
LIGHTHOUSE 2000
NEW YORK HARBOR
RETURN TO INTRODUCTION