the one where I climb a lighthouse

The first time I went to the Outer Banks in September 2001, I fell in love with the Hatteras Lighthouse. I’ve since been to the Bodie Island Lighthouse and one in Florida (Sanibel perhaps?). But I have never went inside one. That changed today.

We are in Virginia Beach this week. I had never been to the Cape Henry Lighthouse.  We decided today to go and check it out. Emmy was too short to go up so Todd stayed behind with her. There is actually two lighthouses.  The old one – which is the first lighthouse that the US built – and the new one across the street that still lights the way to the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay.

         Bean in the doorway to the lighthouse. 

 

Bean after seeing the stairs – what did we get ourselves into???

 

       

We made it to the top!

Now here’s how to get back down.  First go down this small set of spiral stairs:

Then you have this crazy ladder:

 

Stop to take a picture in the window.

 

Proceed down this crazy spiral staircase that never seems to end.

Take a second to cool off. The breeze through this window is so nice.

 

Here’s another look at the staircase that made you a little dizzy going up. It is so much fun to have to pass someone on these steps.  The trip back down is so much easier.

       

We made it back down!

              

 

Well, who would have guessed? There was a sign on the way up that Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and I think John Jay & Thomas Jefferson also were volunteer firefighters.

Bean, Emmy & Todd with the New & Old Cape Henry Lighthouses.

Here’s two things I learned today: 1. Even though they allow it, you probably shouldn’t wear flip flops while climbing up the wrought iron stairs of a lighthouse that is over 200 years old.  2. If you or anyone with you is wearing an Ohio State shirt, everyone will talk to you. And I mean everyone – from the military police checking your car for weapons (the lighthouses are on Fort Story) to the people you meet at the top of the lighthouse to that ladies sitting on the bench at the beach front playground to the people in the elevator.  Bean said that everyone seems to have an Ohio connection.  Well, duh – we are the heart of it all!  LOL