i heart lighthouses

Everyone knows that. We're doing the Atlantic City Half Marathon in October so I thought, let's see if there is a lighthouse in AC. There is. The Abescon Light.  And it can be climbed...all 228 steps. photo from lighthousefriends.com till I get there to replace it.

Then I thought, wonder what is close by. I thought I remembered one in Brigantine. There is. But it's not a real lighthouse. It was created for tourist, just like Lucy the elephant.  Great photo op. No exercise. Okay, so what else is there?

Tucker's Island is about a half hour north is Tucker's Light which was decommissioned when Abescon was built.  Actually, this is a reproduction. The sea ate the original. Must have been hungry. Actually erosion has moved it 6 miles from it's original location. It's a little house-like lighthouse.

Another half-hour north is the Barnegat Light.  (217 steps). And about a half hour north of that is Sea Girt, another house-style light.

Five lighthouses in one trip? It is possible. Head out 78, take a right at the Garden Sate Pkwy and just keep on getting off exits. Not real practical with a 1/2 marathon too. Especially since each stop would add at least an hour to the trip. For me, Absecon and Brigantine are a sure-bet on Saturday. The boardwalk—if it's open—has limited appeal to me. (Something better be open. I want Fralinger's taffy!) We do need to go to the sports expo and pick up our bibs and swag. Perhaps Tucker's too? Might be tough. Our free pre-race dinner is at 6. Maybe on the way home we can go to Barnigate. But then again, we might be too tired.

Need to talk to the scoobies.

I just remembered the lighthouse challenge is that weekend. Basically you try to visit/climb every lighthouse. Be still my heart. One. Year.  I. Will. Do. This.

OMG. The lighthouse challenge site says Absecon has night climbs during the challenge. My heart is palpitating with excitement.