A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-11-03....Lighthouses

dansangel

[dansangel]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear

There is something inherently romantic about lighthouses. Whether it is the folk tales that often accompany the lighthouse or just the majestic beauty of the tower standing watch over the ocean's sailors, the appeal that these silent giants have is widespread and deep. There are many organizations throughout the United States that have taken on the task of preserving and protecting these beautiful monuments so that generations to come may enjoy them.



.45MAN and I decided several years back that we would pick the destination of our yearly vacations based on whether or not a lighthouse was nearby that we could visit. In October of 2000, we embarked on the first of what was to become an annual event by selecting Savannah, GA as our vacation spot. Nearby is the Tybee Island Lighthouse.

Lighthouse at Tybee Island, GA

From The Tybee Lighthouse Website:

"Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732, the Tybee Island Light Station has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years. The Tybee Island Light Station is one of America's most intact having all of its historic support buildings on its five-acre site. Rebuilt several times the current lightstation displays its 1916 day mark with 178 stairs and a First Order Fresnel lens (nine feet tall)."



The following year, October 2001, we decided on Beaufort, S.C. as our vacation destination. We stayed in a lovely bed and breakfast called "The Rhett House" in the historic area of Beaufort. Nearby is the home of another wonderful, non-working yet completely preserved lighthouse known as The Hunting Island Lighthouse.

Lighthouse at Hunting Island, SC

From The Hunting Island Lighthouse Website:

"The historic Hunting Island lighthouse was originally constructed in 1859 and rebuilt in 1875 after is was destroyed during the Civil War. This is the only lighthouse in the state of South Carolina open to the public. From the top platform, for those who are adventurous enough to climb the spiral staircase, one can get a birds eye view of the Atlantic Ocean, the park and surrounding marshes from about 132 feet above the ground. The park collects a 50¢ fee to climb the 167 steps in the lighthouse, but the view is definitely worth it. The Hunting Island lighthouse provided safe passage for ships until it was deactivated in June of 1933."



Finally, in October of last year, we were privileged to visit St. Simons Island. It's beauty and serenity was so wonderful that we hope to be able to visit again. The St. Simons Lighthouse proved to be the smallest of those we have visited, but what it lacked in height, it made up in elegance.

Lighthouse at St. Simons Island, GA

dansangel shooting a picture of .45MAN shooting a picture
(via telephoto lens) of dansangel atop the lighthouse!

Front view of Lighthouse at St. Simons Island, GA

From The St. Simons Lighthouse Website:

"The first St. Simons Lighthouse was constructed in 1807 by James Gould on Couper's Point. The present lighthouse was reconstructed in 1872 on the same site to replace the original which was destroyed by retreating Confederate forces in 1862. The U.S. Government ordered the construction of a second lighthouse that was placed west of the first. The 104-foot tower, which has a 129 step cast iron spiral staircase and an adjacent keeper's house, were designed by one of Georgia's most noted architects, Charles Cluskey."



So many lighthouses, so little time! What will this year bring for a lighthouse visit? That decision hasn't been made yet, but there are many possibilities. It's comforting to know that so many of these grand structures still exist, some even still in use, for us and others like us to enjoy.

If you wish to learn more about lighthouses, the following Website is a gateway to the many sites available on the Internet offering photos and descriptions:

The Lighthouse Depot Explorer

Enjoy!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-09-03 Military Monday 06-10-03 FReeper Pets - Smokie and Sylvie

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

God Bless Our Military

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Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

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We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LadyX....................grandson LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty The Mayor................niece fawn796..................nephew

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........nephew gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover...........nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort...........2 daughters Darheel..................niece dixie sass.............nephew BeAllYouCanBe.........son AgThorn.............2 sons kneezles...........son MozartLover...........son homeschool mama......nephew

[WVNan]

Specially when the girl in question is so darn cute.

[LadyX]

My ISP was indeed off from yesterday evening after I sent your e-mail, Nan, until just a while ago.
A call to their '800' number verified our area was not functioning, rather than it being a problem with our computer.
Slightly reassuring, but very frustrating!

Have to admit I've been able to do a lot of work outside, and this evening, inside!
Catching up on laundering linens and towels and cleaning crooks and nannies....oops - nooks and crannies..:))

Always did love to fool the little boys, didn't we, Nan?!
It was fun to beat 'em at marbles and steal their steelies...and always could beat 'em at pick-up-sticks, with our nerves and hands of steel - the latter shrouded in little velvet gloves, of course, jw, Southern style..:))

[WVNan]

Ah yes. I do recall beating the boys at marbles and I was the champeen pickup sticker. I could also outrun my brothers. I think I just had more "want to" than they did.

[jwfiv]

Velvet gloves, Southern style...yes, that pretty much sums it up....)

And I am helpless, outnumbered, unarmed...ever the Fool...)))

[WVNan]

Southern ladies=steel magnolias. Sistah and I are real, honest-to-goodness Southern Belles.

[jwfiv]

What a wonderful pic...that's the two of you, for certain...no wonder I'm so addle-pated...)

[WVNan]

Don't you know that we are going to have a fine time when we finally get together? All we have to do is start a sentence and the other will finish it.

[LadyX]

"ever the Fool...)))"

No, jw - you are, indeed, a gentleman and a scholar.
Your agile mind is enhanced by your charm....
and you surely do have a way with words..:))

[LadyX]

It is certainly going to be a marathon of talk!
LOL

[WVNan]

Let's demonstrate. I will start a sentence and you finish it.

I have a mason jar and it has a lid with holes punched in it. I think it will perfect for......

[LadyX]

Catching lightning bugs - - -

[WVNan]

Right. My favorite thing is sitting on the front porch in the evening and ........

[jwfiv]

Whatta grand thought, the two of you having tea together, visitng away the morning...

[jwfiv]

...to suddenly find yourselves in the middle of the afternoon with so much left unsaid, but it's time to go and your carraiges await to take you back to your keyboards, to pick up the conversation there.

Yes, a grand thought indeed.

This 'gentleman' wishes you ladies a very good night, with rest and good dreams to refresh you for the coming day...)

[jwfiv]

Whoops...'scuse me for interrupting...)

[WVNan]

Sokay. Nighty night jw.

[LadyX]

Good night, Johnny Mac - - so glad you were here this evening...

[LadyX]

...Watching the stars come out and the moon rise, honeysuckle scent wafting in the air.....

[WVNan]

Ha!!!! I knew you would get it. That's awesome. And now we are about to say, "it's bedtime." So goodnight Sistah. God love your heart.

[LadyX]

Good night, Nan....may your dreams be peaceful and your rest easy....
God bless you and Jack.