one thing that made this lighthouse weekend crazy is that the lights were all pretty densely packed into a small area. on our nc trip, and even the md lighthouse challenge, most of the lights were spread out a little bit, some even by a few hours. that gave us time to figure out where we were going, get our things together, eat, etc. these lights were all clumped and close, just minutes apart, most of them.
run, forrest, run!
i cannot say enough good things about this cute little light and the "mount loretto unique area" surrounding it. the fall colors were beautiful as we hiked up the hill to the light.
it was breathtaking, pictures don't even touch how pretty it was! this light is on a bluff on the south eastern side of staten island overlooking the raritan bay.
we were in a rush from the get go. we were already behind and barely on our second stop of the day. and we had this nice size hill to hike up. then the lighthouse was behind a fence because it's ny state environmental conservation property.
as we were hiking, we spotted two workers on a cart working. because we are already crazy, middle aged lighthousers, and have no dignity to lose, we waved them down like frantic crazy ladies. when we spot a chance to see a lighthouse, we don't let that chance pass us by.
they introduced themselves as "curly" and brian. they wouldn't give us a ride in their truck, but they did, after a few minutes of making small talk and pleading in our special way, open the gate and let us walk around on the grounds.
to say we were excited would be an understatement! there is a state employee that actually lives in the lighthouse, so we couldn't go inside it, (but don't think we wouldn't have asked if the resident had come out!) but we were able to walk all around and admire. :) it was gorgeous up there!!!
can't believe we got them to open the gate!!!
part of the reason the top of the bluff is off limits is that the cliff is being lost. it's pretty dangerous and probably won't survive the next few big storms. and this cute light will be lost. :(
breathtaking.
could have stayed there all day.
it makes me so sad to think this won't be here someday. i'm so glad we were able to see it and walk around with the gate open. tender mercies.
yes, i could live here. uh-huh, not a problem.
from the top of the hill looking across was this amazing church. curly and brian asked if we'd seen the godfather to which shelly said she had. i was thinking, wow shell! so many things i didn't know about her. she had told us earlier that day about how she'd been a biker (think harley davidson, not schwin) during her college days with her moped. that's pretty bad action and i have to say i was impressed! anyways, this church was featured in the godfather. later, when we left shelly told us that she'd lied about seeing the movie. and i loved her even more! such fun adventures we have. :)
here's what we said about this light:
s - gorgeous colors, water, Godfather church, i totally lied about that!"
m - wild foliage
l - vistas, breathtaking, reminds me of oregon coast."
so.cute.
laura loved the motorcycle too.
lucky ladies to be able to get so close to this beauty!
hi, my name is michelle and i am addicted to lighthouse doors.
the land this light was on used to be an orphanage for over 1700 kids. our guide friends talked about it like it was a good place, and the spirit there was so calm and peaceful that i think it was.
we envisioned the kids working and learning on the land, and being happy. the light is also known as the "john cardinal o'conner lighthouse" for the work he did providing the beautiful "unique area" as a public park. thankful he did!
we stayed much longer than we should have and found ourselves even further behind schedule.
stress!
and it's really stinky feeling stressed when you are doing something you love so much and that is so beautiful.
there were two paths to the light, one paved, and one unpaved. we took the rural route on the way up, and then the paved route on the way down. both were breathtaking.
hurrying fast!
laura has me paying special attention to trees too. and it's official, i am in love.
we hustled to our car to be on our way and found ourselves behind this guy. i just had to take a picture for my car loving hubby.
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