Traveling by waterways is certainly a unique way to travel. On the trip south so far we've seen a lot of different coastlines ranging from flat forests to hilly slopes to rocky terrain. One major man-made feature that constantly graces these coastlines and has become a sort of landmark and beacon for us is the lighthouse. Not only do they come in a variety of sizes and colours, but are an important navigational feature, marking dangerous shoals and land to keep boaters safely on course. These structures have a rich history linking back to ancient times and have remained a constant throughout history.
Although technology such as GPS and radar have become major tools in navigating on the water in modern times, the idea of the lighthouse being built to last through the harshness of weather and time gives them such a romantic feel. Whenever we spot one our minds turn to a time when lighthouse keepers and their families lived in these isolated, often harsh places, ensuring the light never went out. Since Mom always gets excited after spotting a lighthouse we've accumulated many pictures of of them, so in celebration of those tough, dedicated light keepers, here's an assortment of pictures of these striking structures.
We've certainly seen a lot of them and although their use has declined over the past few decades due to the expense of maintenance and the appearance of navigational technologies in the US and Nova Scotia there are now societies in place to preserve lighthouses for the enjoyment of future generations. Our interest in the lighthouse stems from yearly trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina where several large lighthouses are popular tourist destinations. We've visited the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse enough to understand just how big a draw these mammoth buildings can be for people intrigued by their sheer size and functionality in maritime history.
Until next time,
Nicole.
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