8 Jun - Hunting Island State Park and Lighthouse

 

This morning we headed south of Charleston to Hunting Island State Park and Lighthouse.  The drive was just shy of 100 miles (one way) and with one pit stop, took us right at two hours. 

As we approached Beaufort SC, Merritt Field came into view.  This is also known as Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.  They fly primarily F/A 18 Hornets.   

On display (not necessarily in my mediocre picture), an F/A-18 Hornet, an F-4N Phantom II, an F-8C Crusader, an A-4C Skyhawk, and an F-J3 Fury

We passed through Beaufort SC and there is obviously some sightseeing that could happen here.  Unfortunately we have no extra time at this stop on our trip, but the town looks neat.  As we drove on through, before we got to Hunting Island we passed over what appeared to be a brand new bridge between Butchers Island and Harbor Island.  This very tall bridge would allow ships to pass underneath it.  We can only assume the bridge this is replacing might have been a draw bridge.

Soon we arrived at Hunting Island and the state park. There was a nominal admission charge and we were on our way.  

Luckily the roads are one-ways as they were very narrow and would not support two vehicles.  I certain areas they barely supported mine with the mirrors out!

Parking near the lighthouse was plentiful and after a short walk the lighthouse came into view.  

The lighthouse from a distance

As the story goes, the Hunting Island Lighthouse is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina. There are 167 steps to reach the top The original 95 ft tall brick and stone lighthouse was built in 1859.  It was destroyed during the Civil War and they rebuilt it in 1875.  In 1889 it was relocated inland to it's current site because erosion compromised the site. During World War I (and during World War II) the Army Air Corps used the lighthouse as a radio station and in 1933 the lighthouse was decommissioned.  In 2005 the lighthouse reopened after extensive rehabilitation.  

Because of the length of drive today I had "doggie duty"  I watched Liberty while Doreen checked out the lighthouse.  We were disappointed she was unable to climb it as you have to sign up for reservations in advance and they are sold out for the entire month!

In addition to not being able to it, the gift shop was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but luckily the lady at the entrance to the lighthouse holds the passport stamp, so Doreen was able to get her passport stamped and she took her picture at the entrance.  

Doreen toured the grounds and Liberty and I watched as no dogs were allowed inside the fence.  

A wide-angled, distorted  view of the lighthouse from outside the fence

The cistern building where the lightkeeper would access drinking water captured in storage tanks

An archeological dig recently uncovered the foundation of the lightkeeper's house

A building full of lighthouse displays

Various SC lighthouses on display comparing size and details

Doreen in front of the lighthouse

After touring the lighthouse area, we made our way towards the beach.  There is an opening in the sand dunes that leads to the beach.  There were many beach-goers there today.  I watched Liberty as Doreen walked through the opening in the dunes and headed out onto the beach.  

A long distance between the dunes and the water.

Tomorrow we head downtown Charleston to tour around there.  It should be a busy but great day.  We will use the trolley but also walk approximately 2-1/2 miles.