Awesome day today. Two lighthouses. First, the Mayport Lighthouse right here on Mayport Naval Air Station. The lighthouse is nothing spectacular, but, hey, it is a lighthouse!
From here we head down A1A to St Augustine and the St Augustine Light Station. Our drive down A1A was an experience in itself. Ok, I know, it was self inflicted, We could have chose other routes, but we thought the coastal cruise of the historic A1A would be something to behold. Yeah, um, not so much. Trying to give the Floridians the benefit of the doubt, but the candle is flickering. I'm not sure how long the drive took, but the return trip on Route 1 was exponentially shorter. Just sayin'.
So we arrived at the St Augustine Lighthouse and parking was ample. We made our way to the gift shop and paid our fee. It is nice to contribute to places like this that use the funds to maintain these beautiful facilities. Once they are gone, they are gone.
The lighthouse entrance is kind of buried in the trees. Once inside the gift shop Doreen got her passport stamped and we made our way outside to the lighthouse.
The 165 ft lighthouse construction started in 1871 and opened 15 Oct 1874. It's 219 steps to the top and we touched every one of them suckers!!
This picture does not do the height of this lighthouse justice.
So in we go. Some nice displays at the entrance including oil barrels and an interactive display on an oil can. It is weighted and you are encouraged to pick it up like the lightkeepers used to do.
Up the spiral staircase we went. All 219 steps. Fortunately there are platforms along the way as if you are headed up, you have to yield to those coming down. Well it was a nice climb but we were glad to see the top!
So down we went. At the bottom we made our way to the keeper's quarters and then towards the exit.
After returning from the lighthouse tour we grilled some burgers and then walked that off down to the beach so Doreen could seek out some more seashells. Liberty and I watched the ships heading in and out of the harbor.
Tomorrow we will seek out the St John's River Light and a highly recommended seafood restaurant nearby.
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