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| Advertisement for Open House/Tour. |
When my son, Richard, was little (as in elementary school age), we went to the
Stratford lighthouse and to our surprise were invited in for our own private tour. The keepers had just moved in and were delighted to have visitors. A few years later we returned to find "No Trespassing" signs all over the place.
So when I saw that there was going to be an open house, I knew we had to attend. The Coast Guard
claimed that the last time the lighthouse was open to the public was in 1973 (42 years ago). So who knows if and when we would be able to visit again. Nostalgia time!
Typically, I was not in a big rush so we didn't get there until about 2:30 p.m. I wasn't expecting a big crowd but I was shocked to discover I was wrong (this time). The streets were packed with parked cars. Richard was frustrated and suggested it was not worth our time. But, as usual, I persisted and we were able to get to the top. Little did we realize how long a wait it would cost us.
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| Waiting in line at the start. |
Fortunately, the Coast Guard were very good hosts and didn't throw us out at the time of the scheduled closing (3 p.m.). Instead, they were very polite and hospitable and went up and down the line assuring us that everyone would get a chance to see the lighthouse and go to the top.
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| We were out of this picture at the left. |
As the weather was a perfect August day (sunny and hot), I quickly returned to the car to retrieve the sunscreen. We had a nice time chatting with the others in line. In front of us was a woman and her husband. She worked at a nearby Stop & Shop and had convinced a young female colleague to come along. Unfortunately, Toria was dressed head to toe in black leggings and LS shirt (because of the cold AC in the store). While this surely was warm, it kept her protected from sunburn.
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| This gives an indication of the line. We are towards the end of line at right. |
They were selling hotdogs, burgers, soda, and bottles of water at very reasonable prices. Around 5 p.m. they sold dogs and burgers 2 for 1 and also gave away the water and soda.
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| Getting closer. This was the view from the far corner of the fence. |
The Coast Guard Commander of the Sector Long Island Sound,
Captain Ed Cubanski, walked up and down the line chatting with everyone and answering questions about the Coast Guard and the
lighthouse. He told us he lives in the adjacent keepers house.
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| Capt Cubanski chatting with visitors. |
When we reached the lighthouse, it was close to 6 p.m. and there were only a few people behind us in line.
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| These were the last in line behind us. |
At the base of the lighthouse, a Coast Guard sailor gave us an introduction. We were allowed to go up as soon as people before us came down.
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| This sign is posted at the door of the lighthouse. |
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| These are some of the stairs we had to climb. |
The spiral staircase took us to a small room just below the lamp level. There was a seven rung ladder that you had to climb in order to get to the lamp. We had to wait again until people from above descended.
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| Rules for Visitors sign posted. |
Finally, we got to the top. It really wasn't a dramatic view since the lighthouse is only 35-ft high (but about 52-ft above the water). Still, it was a nice view. Unfortunately, we could not go out on the surrounding catwalk. As you can see by comparing the pictures below with those above, the sky had clouded up by the time we reached the top.
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| View from the top (looking East towards Milford). |
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| Looking directly down (south side) at water's edge. |
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| The light. |
When we climbed down and got out, we had to wash our hands due to the lead paint "hazard." When one of Coast Guard sailors asked if the view was worth the wait, I candidly said, "not really." Actually, it was hard to believe that we waited so long but who knows when the next time we will be able to go there? The Captain said he'd like to do this annually but he is only scheduled to be stationed there another year. It will be a while before we will want to return but hopefully one day we will be able to come back (but not have to wait in line for so long).
The newspapers later reported that only about 500 or so visitors were originally anticipated. However, close to 2,300 actually went to the top of the lighthouse this time. And that included Richard and me!
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Links:
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=793
http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2577502/-Photos-Available-Coast-Guard-opens-historic-lighthouse-to-the-public-for-tours
http://www.uscg.mil/d1/sectlis/docs/bio.asp
http://www.uscg.mil/d1/antLIS/files/lights/spl.asp
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Written Wednesday 30 December 2015 (I just had to eventually get this logged).
