Lighthouse Keepers

Happy Fourth of July!
I am back home after my vacation and thought I would share my latest adventure. I am what you would call a “lighthouse enthusiast” and had to wait 18 months for this vacation experience. (That was the earliest availability when I booked it!!!) Of course, 18 months ago I didn’t know my husband was going to have heart surgery or I was going to have foot surgery (twice) and need another surgery again this summer. That’s life!

Imagine getting to spend a memorable night in ONE of ONLY TWO offshore lighthouse towers in the WORLD available for an overnight experience as honorary Light Keepers! (I was not going to miss out on this!!!)

My daughter and I got to experience the life of the brave lighthouse keepers who lived in and maintained the Borden Flats Light from 1881 through 1963. This experience was truly one for the memory books!!

I have been enthralled with lighthouses since I was little (and watched Pete’s Dragon). I enjoy visiting lighthouses all over the US (and Canada). Spending the night in a lighthouse was a dream come true for me. My daughter enjoys visiting lighthouses too; however, she wasn’t as excited as I was to be “stranded” (off the grid) in Mount Hope Bay. It took some convincing and somehow I forgot about the boarding part… “Please be aware, all Keepers must climb the vertical steel-rung ladder to access the Lighthouse.”  Oops! Neither of us anticipated having to climb the steel rungs (during low tide) to board the 143 year old historic landmark.  We did it (me with my bandaged foot and all)!

Here are some photos from our adventure…

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Our boat ride out to the lighthouse in Mount Hope Bay
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Borden Flats Lighthouse, Massachusetts
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The steel-rung ladder we had to climb from the boat to get on the lighthouse.

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The kitchen, dining area, and bathroom were on the first level.
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We played games and enjoyed lobster rolls for dinner
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Second floor sitting area/music room/game room.
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The hand-cranked antique victrola actually worked!
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Third floor sitting area had a tv to watch dvd’s. (I was disappointed they didn’t have Pete’s Dragon! LOL) It was a cloudy day so not sure how much solar power we had. We enjoyed reading on this floor as well as outside on the deck (when it wasn’t raining).
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I loved the portholes and brick lined stairways (though not the stairways so much when I was on the top level and had to use the bathroom which was on the first level. LOL)www.juststampin.com
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We needed to use lanterns at night.
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The only bedroom was on the fourth floor and it was pretty small! The ocean breeze felt wonderful and made for a comfortable night’s sleep.
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Steps to the light from the bedroom.www.juststampin.com
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I felt like I was Alice In Wonderland climbing through “the rabbit hole” to get to the top deck.

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My assistant light keeper!
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We had so much fun experiencing this together!

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What a wonderful place to relax, unwind, and enjoy life unplugged!

“A lighthouse is a welcoming structure, a reassuring sign of steady ground ahead, an optimistic symbol of hope for all looking to move forward safely.  It is an emblem of strength located at the edge of unpredictable seas as it provides guidance and light among the darkest of nights.  Resilient and immovable, this shining beacon encourages perseverance even in the most treacherous of storms.”  -Anonymous

Do you enjoy lighthouses? Stampin’ Up! used to have some lighthouse stamp sets over the years which are now retired. I still have two “lighthouse keepers” that I bought, High Tide and Sailing Home.
Here are some cards I created with these stamp sets. I hope they inspire you!

*Click on the image to view the original post for all the details.
Stampin' Up! Sailing Home and Well Said Father's Day card idea - Jeanie Stark StampinUp
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Stampin Up Fun Fold Tunnel Card using High Tide stamp set. For directions, supplies, and inspiration visit www.juststampin.com
Click on the image below to learn how to make a tunnel fold card (and view some other lighthouses I have visited).

Stampin Up Fun Fold Tunnel Card using High Tide stamp set. For directions, supplies, and inspiration visit www.juststampin.com

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by!
Just Stampin’
Jeanie

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17 thoughts on “Lighthouse Keepers

  1. WOW! What a wonderful experience. Your pictures were like we were right there. I do like lighthouses. Our wedding cake topper was a lighthouse and it is now a Christmas tree ornament. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a blessed day. Happy July 4th.

    1. That is so cool to have your wedding topper as an ornament! You know I love Christmas as much as lighthouses!!!

  2. Thank you for taking me on a tour of this Lighthouse since that is the only way I would ever get to see anything like this. You sure have grit climbing all of those steps!! So happy for you to have finally been a lighthouse keeper for a day. Enjoy this July 4th.

    1. I believe it was pure determination that got me up that steel-rung ladder!! LOL

  3. That is one of the most interesting posts I have ever read. I share your love of lighthouses but never knew one could overnight i one. Curious aabout the bathroom part. A little hard to get a flushing toilet hooked up.. Probably something similasr to the chamber pot my great grandparents used. Thanks for shawring a once in a lifetime experience and how nice to do it with your daughter.

  4. Amazing pictures, Jeanie!! What a wonderful adventure you had! It’s gorgeous inside & I love all the pictures on the walls of the lighthouse. Congrats on being able to climb all those steps with an injured foot. And, I loved looking at the older pictures of you, your husband & Ariane at the lighthouses several years ago. You’ve created some wonderful memories!! Happy July 4th! May God Bless America!

  5. Oh wow, I bet this is a trip of a life time. I have seen a program on tv about a lighthouse you can stay in but have no idea of where it was. I am so happy for you and your daughter doing this.

    1. Hey Chris, there are other lighthouses you can stay in; however, all but 2 are on land (which would have been a whole lot easier I believe! LOL)

  6. This was a great documentation of your wonderful trip! I’m so happy that nothing deterred you from going and enjoying it! The photos are amazing and I know the memories with Ariane will be cherished always. Thanks for taking us there, too!

  7. What an enjoyable trip for you, your daughter and me. I enjoyed your photos and description. I would have love to be mouse to enjoy the adventure with you.
    Michelle

  8. What an awesome experience to celebrate with your daughter! It really was unique and something that I would love to try!!

  9. I am happy you could do this and cross it off your bucket list. Amazing experience for you both.

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