Lighthousing with Bob and Mary Ann

July 5^th - We left Orient Point for New London on the ferry and passed the usual suspects - Long Beach Bar (Bug Light), Orient Point (Coffee Pot), Plum Island, Little Gull, Race Rock, New London Ledge, New London Harbor, Avery Point so were already off to a good start. We pull onto 95 and within two exits heading east are several exits for Stonington. Using the revised Kochel book we get in the vicinity and finally get down to the beach parking lot. The lighthouse was not open but you could roam the grounds. Stonington was in worst shape then expected. I guess I have this romantic view of all the lighthouses that I haven’t seen through the Harbour Lights piece. I was able to see another lighthouse in the harbor from the parking lot. Then we’re off to Newport passing a rusty old abandoned caisson LH (Plum Beach per Dennis Whelan) under the Jamestown Bridge and Rose Island on the way into Newport. We hit the visitor’s center for a pit stop and then we’re off to the Breakers. After the mansion we travel down to the Castle Hill Hotel and Resort for lunch and a quick visit to the lighthouse on the path out of the back of their parking lot. Lunch in the restaurant or on the patio provides an awesome view of the bay. After the late lunch we check into the Marriott, which is right on the water adjacent to Goat Island. I can see the Newport Harbor Light from my room next to the Hyatt (formerly the Doubletree.) Dinner at the restaurant in the Marriott ‘JT Grill" was a lobster dinner. Mmmmmm.

July 6^th - We drove down the main drag and stopped at a small shop for a breakfast bagel and juice. Parked and ate right on the street. Then it was back to the mansions in the morning -Astor’s Beltree and Belmont Castle. Then late lunch at the Oceanfront Resort which is next to the Castle Hill Resort on Ocean Drive. This is an even better view of the bay and the menu is much better. We then took the full tour on Ocean Drive looking at the spectacular homes on the water and the local park, and then ending in the Mansion Area. Back to the Marriott, with the rest of the afternoon spent by the pool and dinner again at ‘JTs Grill’ for lobster again. This time we ordered stuffed. When our meal arrived we discovered the center of our lobster tail generously covered with delicious shrimp and scallops. Mmmm After dinner we strolled the harbor and found a sail cruise for the following day.

July 7^th - We breakfasted on the dock with some sumptuous chocolate cookies at a outdoor coffee shop while waiting for our 3 masted schooner "The Madeline" to set sail in the harbor. At 10 am, we took a 2½ hour tour of the harbor sailing out to Castle Hill LH for a great picture as the Captain tacked directly at the light. "Was that close enough", he asked me. We also saw both Beavertail and Rose Island in the distance. Lots of former America Cup ‘J Boats’ in the bay racing around. After the sail it was back to the Oceanfront Resort for a last lunch and view of the bay, passing Ida Lewis (you have to walk out on the adjacent cement dock to get any view of what left of the LH, now a yaght club). Then off to Taunton, Mass to visit my daughter.

July 8^th - Into Boston to Quincy Market. We drove into Quincy Adams and too the T into Boston. After roaming around I conveniently headed for the aquarium so maybe we could do a harbor tour but everything left for the day. Next time!

July 9^th - Kerri wants to visit Plymouth Pebble. Sounds good - two lighthouses in the area. First we visit Plymouth Rock and then go on board the Mayflower. Then to Plymouth Plantation which is quite unique the first time but this is the 3^rd time for me. Before going to the Plantation, I stop at the beach across from the entrance to view the Plymouth LH from the beach. You can also see it from inside the Plymouth Colony at the top of the hill by the Fort and at the bottom of the hill by the fence. Now off to find Duxbury Pier (what pier?) so we travel north of Plymouth and find a beach to view it, and then back to Plymouth for lunch on the pier. Oh what’s that over the breakwater, it’s Duxbury Pier from a different angle.

July 10^th - We’re off to New Bedford by way of Fall River. I pull into a dead end on the south side of the bridge to view the Borden Flats Lighthouse (caisson.) I don’t think you can get any closer by land. I think it was at the end of Water Street, next to the Borden Yacht Club? Now off to New Bedford on 195, take the south to the piers. Directions in the book become confusing but I find a semi-public pier and can see Palmer Island LH inside the harbor in the distance. Hey, what’s that on the dock next door? It’s the New Bedford Lightship. What a surprise! Now I’m looking for a better view of the lighthouse and wind my way into town hugging the water. What’s this, I find a breakwater (I latter find out a HURRICANE BREAKWATER) protecting the harbor. I’ve never seen anything like this. It come complete with a 20 foot high gate that closes the street that I’m now traveling on. We see the ferry for Martha’s Vineyard and a nice harborside restaurant that we eat lunch at latter. Then MaryAnn says there’s a LH, and there it is Butler Flats LH (caisson.) You can park right in front of someone's house and walk across the street to take a picture. After lunch we traveled east on Route 6 to Ned’s Point in a little beachside park and down a side road to a beach to view Bird Island LH from the shore.

July 11^th - Cape Cod or bust. We’re off to relive a family camping trip from about 10 years ago. We stop for a quick stop in Barnstable to see Sandy Neck LH from the town beach. Long range view even with a telephoto lens. Now off to Eastham to visit Coast Guard and Nauset LH Beaches. I made the mistake of parking at the larger parking lot for Coast Guard Beach and taking the bus about a mile to the beach. There is a small parking lot at Nauset next to the lighthouse which you can walk to Nauset LH and Three Sisters. You can park across from the LH temporarily to take pictures. Or you can do what I did and walk a mile from Coast Guard to Nauset Beach. After I did my walk, we went in the 57 degree ocean! Is this July? I drove MaryAnn up to see the lighthouse before we left and while exploring a new route back found the Three Sisters LHs. Again, no legal parking but mid week I was able to hop out and take pictures. They’re in a small little park and quite amazing in their size and simplicity. Back to the main road and found our campground and the awesome seafood restaurant next door. This is a must! I was amazed at how much was the same but the is now a couple of name hotels in the area. Now off to Highland (Cape Cod) LH and Museum. The first one I found open and was able to climb. Had a nice conversation in the gift shop and was told where the LH originally was before it was moved. Then on to Provincetown to view Race Point, Woods End and Long Point. You have to ride around from the observation area on the North Beach to get a view of Race Point. At the end of Provincetown you can see both Woods End and Long Point but you must be inventive going down side streets and see them between houses, and hotels. Leaving Provincetown I see a fairly nice hotel on the beach advertising rooms for $79 a night??? Back to my daughter’s house in 2 hours and 5 minutes. What a great location!

July 12^th - Back to New Bedford to take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. Passengers only on the ferry and there were a lot of people with the same idea. Nobska Point, West Chop, and East Chop was seen from the ship as we took an hour ½ trip. When we arrived we took the local 2 ½ hour bus tour which gave you a nice overview of the island but only got to see Gay Head on the cliffs close up. Next time I go I’ll get a day ticket on the public buses and go village to village on my own. We covered all the villages and got a nice flavor but never got near the Edgartown LH although we must have been within a stone’s throw. After the tour we tried to eat at the famous Black Dog but after waiting 40 minutes, we walked out after being seated because of terrible and expensive menu. We stopped at the NY Deli, and got corn beef sandwiches to eat on the ferry. (YUCK!) My only disappointing meal on the trip.

July 13^th - Returned to Cape Cod starting at Chatham. What a beautiful beach, lighthouse, Coast Guard Station, etc. Stage Harbor is a couple of towns over and can be seen from two beach locations. The West Dennis (Bass River) LH is part of the Lighthouse Hotel where you can eat lunch on the lawn overlooking the Ocean. The original LH looks to have a hotel extension on the side and is quite unusual. Next we go to Hyannis were the directions get wild. Your best bet is to find the JFK Memorial and make a right on the street just after you pass it. The lighthouse is part of someone’s house on the beach. I drove down the street where it was and was looking on the beach. MaryAnn looked up and said there it is looking over the hedged wall we were parked next to. I backed up and was able to take a few photos from the driveway without disturbing anyone. Two blocks over we went to the public beach and was able to see Point Gammon in the distance.

July 14^th - Our trip is coming to an end. We leave to stop at Mystic and have lunch at a restaurant next to the drawbridge in town. Then back to New London to take the ferry back. Well we are right in the middle of the Tall Ships Celebration in the Harbor. The visibility on this day is outstanding, and the ferry Captain gets very close to New London Ledge because of all the boat traffic. And I can clearly see Race Rock in the distance.

10 days of blue skies and 75-80 degree weather; 38 Lighthouses;