The last four lighthouses in this series are famous, and beloved! They have character, each with its own rich history, and each of them features on the National Register of Historic Places. I will list them here in the order that I visited them.
17. Cape Neddick Lighthouse, Nubble Island, Maine
The lighthouse stands on Nubble Island and is popularly known as Nubble Light of just The Nubble. It was first established in 1879, and was automated in 1987.
Our visit began on a very cloudy, grey and windy day. As I sat there, looking at the lighthouse, I felt a sense of calm take over me. The wind was blowing, and the gulls were calling.
At first, it was faint, then I was sure I heard strains of music. A group of young girls from a nearby school who were also visiting, had decided to practice their musical skills by the shore. A few other tourists like me sat on the rocks and watched those young women play as the waves serenaded in the background. Their friends took pictures, and so did some of us. It was an amazing impromptu concert!
The grey skies were allowing some blue to peek through, but it wasn't clearing up. I thought I wouldn't get to see The Nubble with the sun shining.
After about an hour, we decided to drive further to Ogunquit and walk along Marginal Way. Marginal Way is a walking trail along the coast with some amazing views, and interesting things were happening there as well! We even got to witness a wedding, and older ladies among the visiting tourists made sure the couple got an applause after their marriage was solemnized!
The sun was shining brightly now, a couple of hours after we had left The Nubble. We decided to go back to see if it was basking in sunshine. It was! I even got to see it in the golden hour, just before sunset, because we decided to eat a hearty lobster meal at the restaurant there.
The many moods of The Nubble!
18. Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
This is the oldest lighthouse in Maine, built in 1791. It is now automated, and is maintained by the United States Coast Guard. The keeper's house is now a maritime museum.
A very scenic spot with a coastal trail led us to view the lighthouse from another angle.
A quick Gelato indulgence completed a perfect visit to this landmark.
19. Bass Harbor Head Light, Mount Desert Island, Maine
Built in 1855, this lighthouse was automated in 1960. The keeper's house is now a private residence of a local member of the Coast Guard, and off limits to the public.
However, a short walk and a few steps lead to granite rocks that provide a beautiful view of the harbor side of the lighthouse.
A great sunset meant a lot of competition for space on the rocks!
20. Gay Head Light, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
First built in 1799, and automated in 1960, this lighthouse was built as a navigational aide to help vessels pass through the dangerous waters of Vineyard Sound near the Gay Head Cliffs.
These quietly serene clay cliffs display a brilliant array of colors and are beautiful! They are ecologically protected.
The lighthouse is a striking red brick structure with a black lantern.
Inside the lighthouse, a spiral stairway first leads to the control room, and then to the light, where it can get quite hot and the light is intense!
Lighthouses have been dear to me for many years, and it had been a long cherished dream to visit some of them. It was remarkable to visit as many lighthouses as we did. Each one now holds a special place in my memory.
17. Cape Neddick Lighthouse, Nubble Island, Maine
The lighthouse stands on Nubble Island and is popularly known as Nubble Light of just The Nubble. It was first established in 1879, and was automated in 1987.
Our visit began on a very cloudy, grey and windy day. As I sat there, looking at the lighthouse, I felt a sense of calm take over me. The wind was blowing, and the gulls were calling.
At first, it was faint, then I was sure I heard strains of music. A group of young girls from a nearby school who were also visiting, had decided to practice their musical skills by the shore. A few other tourists like me sat on the rocks and watched those young women play as the waves serenaded in the background. Their friends took pictures, and so did some of us. It was an amazing impromptu concert!
The grey skies were allowing some blue to peek through, but it wasn't clearing up. I thought I wouldn't get to see The Nubble with the sun shining.
After about an hour, we decided to drive further to Ogunquit and walk along Marginal Way. Marginal Way is a walking trail along the coast with some amazing views, and interesting things were happening there as well! We even got to witness a wedding, and older ladies among the visiting tourists made sure the couple got an applause after their marriage was solemnized!
The sun was shining brightly now, a couple of hours after we had left The Nubble. We decided to go back to see if it was basking in sunshine. It was! I even got to see it in the golden hour, just before sunset, because we decided to eat a hearty lobster meal at the restaurant there.
The many moods of The Nubble!
18. Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
This is the oldest lighthouse in Maine, built in 1791. It is now automated, and is maintained by the United States Coast Guard. The keeper's house is now a maritime museum.
A very scenic spot with a coastal trail led us to view the lighthouse from another angle.
A quick Gelato indulgence completed a perfect visit to this landmark.
19. Bass Harbor Head Light, Mount Desert Island, Maine
Built in 1855, this lighthouse was automated in 1960. The keeper's house is now a private residence of a local member of the Coast Guard, and off limits to the public.
However, a short walk and a few steps lead to granite rocks that provide a beautiful view of the harbor side of the lighthouse.
A great sunset meant a lot of competition for space on the rocks!
20. Gay Head Light, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
First built in 1799, and automated in 1960, this lighthouse was built as a navigational aide to help vessels pass through the dangerous waters of Vineyard Sound near the Gay Head Cliffs.
These quietly serene clay cliffs display a brilliant array of colors and are beautiful! They are ecologically protected.
The lighthouse is a striking red brick structure with a black lantern.
Inside the lighthouse, a spiral stairway first leads to the control room, and then to the light, where it can get quite hot and the light is intense!
The lighthouse had to be moved in 2015 due to danger from cliff erosion. They have now moved it about 180 feet from the eroding edge, where experts believe it will not be threatened for another 150 years.
From the viewing platform up in the lighthouse, the area where it stood earlier is marked by stones, beyond which are the cliffs.
The lighthouse in its present location in October 2016.
Lighthouses have been dear to me for many years, and it had been a long cherished dream to visit some of them. It was remarkable to visit as many lighthouses as we did. Each one now holds a special place in my memory.
i LOVE these posts!! such great pics and absolutely lovely anecdotes!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Sumi! Much appreciated!
Delete