Lighthousing with Bob and Mary Ann

May 11^th, 8am ferry Port Jefferson, LI, NY to Bridgeport. Port Jeff harbor entrance is the site of Port Jefferson Breakwater Light. Leaving Port Jeff Harbor you can see Old Field Point on the west side of the Harbor. It looks very close to the edge of the cliff from this view. Halfway across on the eastside is the NY lighthouse “Middle Ground” Stratford Shoals which looks very much like Race Rock. As the ferry approaches Bridgeport you can see to the west you can see Penfield Reef Lighthouse in the sound, on land you can see Black Rock Harbor (similar to New London Harbor), and Tongue Point (dark gray) in the Bridgeport Harbor.

 Off the ferry at 9:20 am we head to I-95 to Exit 30 to see Stratford Point. [Take CT 133 to the airport; left on Oak Bluff through a rotary, it becomes Prospect Drive, take to end.] A small 3-car parking lot is there for lighthouse visitors. But beware this is a Coast Guard residence with “no trespassing” marked on the gate. We were there before 10 am and there were no other cars. The gate was not locked so I walked in looking for the front door. No windows were open so I went to my left to take some pictures, still not seeing a door. I took a few shots as Mary Ann stood just inside the gate. A moment latter a man appeared asking Mary Ann if he could help her. I went over to the man and was immediately admonished for being on the property and asked many times didn’t I see the sign. After apologizing and telling him I was looking for the door to ask permission, I was told that a new CO would be moving in June and he would not be as nice as this “DI” type person was. Boy I look forward to that! Finally I asked if I could take pictures and was told I could. So what was the reason for trying to intimidate us? Anyway the door is on the right side of the keeper’s quarters closest to the Tower. I guess find it quick and hope for the best?

 The next stop was more congenial, Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. [Take Exit 51S to Townsend Ave, follow signs to the Park to Lighthouse Road, and turn into Park Entrance.] This was a big surprise to us.  I always thought of New Haven as being urban but this southern part is a beach community. The park is huge and there’s a fee in season. We parked in the parking lot and walked to the beach. On a breakwater out in front of us was Southwest Ledge Lighthouse. It is a very different in shape LH for this area, There were two awesome sailboats (red sails and tan sails) in the area but the wouldn’t cooperate by sailing by the lighthouse for a picture. Five Mile Lighthouse is to the right of the parking lot behind the carousel. It looks very much like New London Harbor’s Tower. There’s a brick keepers house about 50 yards away. This is a very nice area to visit and even though you can’t get into the lights, the view is very good.

[Back to 95 and off at Exit 58. Take CT77 into the Guilford Center and follow the signs to the Guilford Marina. You can park in the lot at the marina] and see Faulkner’s Island in the distance (about 5 miles). Not much to see even with a telephoto lens. You can make out the tower on the island (46 feet). I was kind of disappointed not to be able to see it except in the distance. Note: find a boat cruise for the future.

Lynde Point and Saybrook Breakwater are next. [Exit 67 to Elm Street. Cross US1 to CT154. Left on 154 to Saybrook Point. At the Point there is a Marina Complex. On the right is a hotel. Bear left and towards the miniature golf course and restaurant.] We ate at the restaurant and if you sit on the right side facing the water you can see Saybrook Breakwater from your table. You can walk out on the pier and take pictures of the lighthouse. Lynde Point is a little harder to find. [When you come to the marina at Saybrook Point turn right and continue on the road over the bridge. On your left after coming off the bridge is a hidden residential golf community. You must take your first left after the bridge. If you get to the golf course entrance, you’ve gone to far.] Make you way towards the water and there are several good views of the lighthouse. These roads are easily accessible but there is a dirt private Coast Guard road with other private houses, Since the LH is not open you can get good pictures from the street parallel to the LH.

Now off to Taunton for a visit with our daughter Kerri, and to Portsmouth the next day for a wedding.

May 12^th we explored the village of Portsmouth and found a place South Street Saloon for a lobster roll and a Scuzzy (? Something like that?) Dog beer. We stayed at the Sheraton with a view of the harbor, (Mostly cranes and industrial sites.) but it was right across from the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company. We were booked to go on this ship Sunday afternoon with Kristin and Tim, who were also at the wedding.

May 13^th, after a post wedding brunch we convinced my son Rob with his fiancée Heather to join us at Cape Neddick (Nubble) Lighthouse. [So were off, north on 95 to York Beach. Exit 7 on 95 then follow the signs on Route 1 to Route 1A.] The views along the beach are great in either direction you go. At the “Nubble” you can see Cape Neddick with Boon Island (7 miles behind it) and Isle of Shoals to the south () in the distance. On the day we were there, Bill Thompson was running the gift shop. He’s the local authority on these LHs, and is the author of many lighthouse books. He’s very friendly and offered to give a lecture in the parking lot when the LI Chapter is there in June. Rob and Heather enjoyed the view and then left for home. Kristin, Tim, Kerri, MaryAnn and I headed back to Portsmouth for our cruise but first went to Fort Constitution to see the fort, Portsmouth Harbor Light and Whaleback from land. [Route 1 to State to Pleasant changes to Marcy then 1B.] The Fort is part of a Coast Guard base and you told on a sign to walk the ”blue line”. Once in the Fort you have the run of the place with views of both lighthouses. Only Kristin and I ventured out on this walk. It was pretty neat and we kidded the three that stayed in the car about what they missed. Back to the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company. They have parking there for $3 a car but we still had free parking from the Sheraton so we used that. As we walked up to get our reserve tickets a local radio station van pulled in and offered Kristin 2 free tickets as I stood on line. As I got to the front of the line, I found out that since it was Mother’s Day, all mothers cruise free. So we only had to pay for 2 of the 5 tickets –GREAT deal! The ship had outdoor decks and tables inside. We took a table inside and Kristin and I, moved outside for photo opportunities . In addition to 3 lighthouses (Portsmouth Harbor Light, Whaleback and White Island), we saw the abandoned Life Saving Station, Navy Submarine Station, etc. Trip was 2 ½ hours. The radio station had many raffles for tee shirts and gift certificates. So a day that was quite chilly turned out to be fun for all of us! After the cruise it was back to Taunton to Kerri’s, and home the next day by the New London Ferry for Conn. and LI lighthouses on the ferry home - New London Ledge, New London Harbor, Avery Point, Orient Point (Coffee Pot), Plum Island, Little Gull, Race Rock, and Long Beach Bar (Bug Light). 

Written By Bob Scroope