Old Field Point Lighthouse

Old Field Point Lighthouse, February 2009
First Lit: 1868
Discontinued: 1933

Lighthouse Friends (map)
Long Island Lighthouses (interior tower photos)
Birds And Beacons
Lighthouses Of Long Island
Village Of Old Field

What a Great Winter

When you live in the woods, and have a winter like this one, how can you not help but think what a great season it is. Look at all this snow....

I love to see the thick covering on the rooftops. Of course, this means that some roofs have needed shoveling. Fortunately, we had kids around to help with that. I'm not very good with heights. In years past, I would get up on a roof if I really needed to, but tend to avoid it now if someone else is willing.

I'd rather be on the ground, seeing things at this level. Recently, I had the opportunity to go out with Greg when he was grooming the ski trails. The Pisten Bully groomer does an amazing job of smoothing out the trail and leaving new tracks.

Doesn't it just make you want to get out the skis and poles?

Looks like we are in for a cold night, but then a bit of a warm-up. We got a few inches of fresh snow a day or so ago, so the trails will be in terrific shape this weekend. Snowshoeing is prime right now, too. So much snow, so many options for fun!

Steel Point Oyster Fleet

Any of you who have followed the Steel Point soap opera in Bridgeport, know that the Pequonnock Yacht Club and Tallmadge Brothers Shellfish Company have been at the center of the eminent domain debate. Both parties were ordered to be relocated, to make way for a large residential and retail complex on this former industrial site in Bridgeport Harbor. Last week, the Steel Point project was scaled back, with residential housing no longer included in the plans.
Last month, I visited the Tallmadge Brothers, Norwalk location that includes a replica of a 19th century oyster house. The Bridgeport fleet is located in a much more industrial area with chain link fences and barbed wire everywhere. I could not get as close to this fleet, and was forced to photograph the boats through a broken link in the fencing.
I remember reading a story about urban renewal disasters that highlighted the city of Niagara Falls, NY. Portions of the town were demolished to make way for new shopping and amusement attractions. The buildings were torn down, but the money ran out before the new structures could be built. The business district was left with vacant lots, partially completed buildings, and empty pits. "There was a great plan for tearing everything down, but not a good plan for building things up."
It does not appear that the Steel Point project will be happening anytime soon. Nonetheless, the yacht club and oyster boats are scheduled to be off the property later this year.

STEEL POINT: Aerial Photos
Map

How Do You Understand Tourism?

What picture appears in your mind when you say "tourism"?
I found these very beautiful photos and they represent the image of tourism I have in my head.
Do you like this tourism too or you prefere to visit cities and sleep in a good bed when you travel?


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Aigir in Ural


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Luang Prabang in Laos

AGM Today

Thanks to all the brave souls who made it to the AGM today despite snow-drifts and blizzards! And special thanks to Liz for an extra-special cake with a musical candle that played Happy Birthday :-) Congratulations to new President Joan, and new committe members Alan and Karen. Looking forward to a great year for the association in 2009.

Pardee Seawall

Earlier this decade, I spent a night on a mooring not far from this New Haven park, along Morris Cove. I had not planned on spending the night here, but daylight was disappearing, and I was tired from the long day on the water. It was an uneventful evening of leftover food, and watching the sunset reflect off the bluffs of trap rock rising from the shore.
Pardee Seawall Park is a small, attractive, neighborhood park on the eastern shore of New Haven Harbor. It consists primarily of benches, lamps, and a walkway with a wrought-iron fence that lines the water. An interesting feature along the seawall is several sets of steps that provide access to the water below. I do not know if the gates to these steps are open in the summer months, but the stonework is attractive.
The north end of the park meets a palisades-like rock cliff that is known as Forbes Bluff. From here, a trail climbs the bluff and continues north to Fort Nathan Hale Park. There are proposals to link all of the parks along the east shore of New Haven Harbor, and integrate them with the massive New England Trail, that extends to the Canadian border. My plans however, were much more modest. I climbed the bluff to take in the view of the harbor, before making my way back down the snowy slope. It was late in the day, and I was getting tired.

Map

The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls

The tide rises, the tide falls
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveler hastens towards the town
And the tide rises, the tide falls
Darkness settles on roofs and walls
The little waves with soft white hands
Efface the footprints in the sands
And the tide rises, the tide falls
The morning breaks, the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveler to the shore
And the tide rises, the tide falls

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW