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

[dansangel]

Dansy, I've been privileged to get to read it a chapter or two at a time via FR mail, and it is full of intrigue and romance and several unexpected twists.

That was apparent to me even with just a few "teaser" paragraphs. He'll just have to bring us *more* to whet our appetites!

[dutchess]

[dansangel]

Still early and already one day ruined. The day's off to a good start for me. :-)

We know it's what you live for...."gloating" is #2 on your list! :-)

[dutchess]

oops...the watercolor above is by our resident artist, Iceskater!

[iceskater]

Thanks so much for your help!

[iceskater]

Thank you for the compliment. I wish I had more time to paint. You know, that work thing....

I think I come by it naturally - several people in my family are very artistically talented.

[dansangel]

Beautiful photo ((((((DD))))))) even if you did "borrow" it! LOL!

I've heard there are some wonderful lighthouses up on the Pacific northwest.

[dansangel]

...here's a pic of the Master Lighthouse...and, no passive beacon, He...I hear tell He's heavy into search and rescue, too...and that standing next to Him, you can see Forever.

And we must never lose sight of that (((((((jwfiv))))))). Thank you for those lovely words of inspiration. The Lord is the Master Lightkeeper!

[dansangel]

Several lighthouses have had to be moved over the course of their lives due to shore erosion. It's amazing what can be accomplished when there's a will and a need! :-)

[dansangel]

Beautiful photo of a Great Lakes lighthouse. Have you ever heard of the one at Presque Isle? It's supposed to be haunted - it has been documented to light up even though there is no power or fuel source!

[dansangel]

What an exquisite painting, iceskater! (Thank you dutchess!) We definitely have some wonderful talent among our ranks here at the Finest!

[iceskater]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it. I'm glad I scanned it before I gave it away.

Have you ever seen that photograph of the lighthouse that is completely surrounded by water and the waves are crashing all around? It looks like that lighthouse couldn't survive such waves and the waves are about as tall as the lighthouse itself. I think it's in France. I know, France ptooie, but it's a cool photo. I couldn't imagine being the keeper with surf like that crashing all around.

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful painting Iceskater!

[Aquamarine]

I hear tell He's heavy into search and rescue, too...and that standing next to Him, you can see Forever.

Amen!

[firebrand]

Fire Island Lighthouse

This is a lighthouse that used to be on the southwestern tip of Fire Island, but now, because the sand keeps shifting southwest, it is nowhere near the tip.

Fire Island supposedly got its name because people used to build huge bonfires on the shore, northeast of the lighthouse, to make ships think it was the lighthouse. Then the ships would try to make a right into the inlet and end up destroyed in the surf--with all the valuables on board washing to shore.

Many are the hikes we took to this lighthouse. That was before people realized that they could sunbathe nude on the public beaches that lie between the private communities and the lighthouse. You'd have to be crazy to let your kids hike down there now.

[Aeronaut]

Have you ever heard of the one at Presque Isle?

This one...

[Aeronaut]

Thomas Kincade did a painting of Split Rock Lighthouse. It hangs in our bedroom.

[dansangel]

Have you ever seen that photograph of the lighthouse that is completely surrounded by water and the waves are crashing all around?

I have. I didn't realize it was in France. It's amazing what some of these lighthouses have endured successfully!

[dansangel]

You'd have to be crazy to let your kids hike down there now.

What a shame. It truly lends meaning to the words "Things just aren't like they used to be in the old days."

Thank you for the history lesson and lovely photo (((((firebrand))))

[Mama_Bear]

G'Morning, dansy!

I am enjoying your post today on lighthouses as well as all the pictures being posted. There is something romantic about them, isn't there?

JK and I saw this pretty lighthouse during our ferry tour of Sydney Harbor last week. He took several photographs of it, but I haven't seen them yet, so I am posting this one that I found on google. I had no idea what the name of it was, but did a search for Sydney Harbor lighthouses and recognized it when I found it.......Hornby Lighthouse, New South Wales.

Good morning, sistahs and friends....wishing you and all of our Finest visitors a good day.

(Gail, sorry to hear about your fall. You take care now.)