Traveling Lighthouses

Start in your own backyard.  I waited the last minute to visit this lighthouse to wrap up my 50 lighthouses. It's a nice historical lighthouse . . . a drive away from my own place.  St. John's River Light is located on the grounds of Naval Station Mayport. She is tall and stands 85 feet. Her old beacon has served as a guide for many years. Her beauty may have been faded, but she still holds her pride, power, and dignity.  The lighthouse was constructed in 1858 and first lit in 1859. It was the third lighthouse erected at the mouth of St. Johns River and was designed specifically to overcome the previous lights' problems.  The first lighthouse was demolished, and the second was abandoned and enveloped by the river.  After 70 years of service, the light was decommissioned and replaced by St. Johns Lightship. It is moored 8 miles offshore from the river's mouth. It would be nice to see this Lightship one day.  Also known a...

Dublin, Ireland, was one of those spontaneous trips I've had. I tell you why.  This was my 49th birthday trip.  I've been planning to go somewhere, a short trip to celebrate an equally important year before I turn 50.  My bag was packed for an overnight, but not specifically to Dublin.  After having a nice dinner sponsored by my kids, I headed back to the airport to catch a flight to Jacksonville.  I lost track of time spending it with them, so I missed the flight.  Hence, my spontaneous decision to go to Dublin happened.  My fate brought me here.  Thanks for the comfortable Delta One seat.  It was an easy decision for me to pursue this travel. It was a good birthday treat. Most of the time, I do hop on and off bus tours to maximize my trip.  I did it this time again.  The bus took us to this town called "Howth" in the countryside. It is a small fishing village located in the outer suburb of Dublin....

The evolution of Ms. Liberty. Most people know that the Statue of Liberty is one of the iconic places in New York and a symbol of America's promise.  Bu t not too many people are aware that the Statue of Liberty was once a lighthouse.  The lighted torch in Lady Liberty's right hand was used as a navigational aid for ships entering New York Harbor. It is a piece of information that is good to know. The statue was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. It is made of copper and has a height of 151 feet from ground level to the torch.  The record says that "it was first illuminated at 7:35 PM on November 1, 1886. On November 7, 1886, the statue went dark for 2 weeks.  The "World" reported, "The torch of the Goddess of Liberty is suffering from an attack of red tape." President Cleveland then gave the executive order to continue the lighting. Since November 22, 1886, the Statue of Liberty became operationa...

Theodore ride and the lighthouse. I was excited to make my work trip to Halifax,  Nova Scotia, because I wanted to explore another lighthouse to finish my journey of visiting 50 lighthouses. I am almost there.  Yes, I did join the kids onboard the "Theodore" boat.  The weather was a little chilly and cloudy, yet a beautiful day to sail the harbor. History says that “the  original lighthouse on George Island was built in 1876. A second tower was built in 1903 but was destroyed by fire.  This current tower was built in 1917 and was first lit in 1919.” A lightkeeper's house remains standing next to it, which projects a historic lighthouse's typical image . It’s a beautiful image. There is no access to the island, and the only way to see the lighthouse up close is via sailboat.  St. George Island Lighthouse is an icon on this island. She's been a guiding star for many years.  A picturesque guiding star. Our tour guide to...

A  vintage ride and a fortress.  Riding a vintage car to see a lighthouse was a fancy experience. This is Cuba, and this was my grand experience! Faro Castillo del Morro was built in 1845 on the wall of the "Castillo de Los Reyes Magos del Morro," an old fortress guarding the harbor of Havana.  She is tall and has a height of 82 ft—a beautiful piece of landmark and history. This lighthouse is one of Havana's symbols and one of the most visited places by tourists and locals.  Given its popularity, it has appeared in several movies. Its history, location, and structure draw people to use it as a subject for photography and painting.  I've seen photos, and they are captivating. I was excited to climb the top and to see the view of Havana from up there. However, it was unfortunate that we came at a time that it was closed for viewing.  Nevertheless, I was happy enough to see it and touch it.  R...