Fire Island Lighthouse, NY’s Robert Moses State Park to Reopen after ‘Sandy’

The Fire Island Lighthouse, closed since “Super Storm Sandy” along with Robert Moses State Park, is expected to reopen May 25, if the state park also opens.

Upcoming events

May                      25           The Lighthouse re-opens after the “Super Storm”

                                             Reduced Tower Tours on Memorial Day Weekend

June

Saturday         15        Sunset & Starlight Lighthouse Cruise

                                    Special Fundraiser – 6 pm – 10 pm aboard the Lauren Kristy.

The Lauren Kristy is a 65 foot turn-of-the-century style riverboat.  It sails from the Bay Shore Marina located at the end of Clinton Avenue in Bay Shore.  Cruise around the Bay while dancing and dining.   Reservations required-limited to 100 people.  $65 for FILPS members and $75 for the general public.

Friday              28        12^th Annual Benefit Art Show-through July 19

Local artists display their nautical artwork in the Keepers Quarters at the Lighthouse.  Opening reception will be held on June 27- 6pm – 9pm (take a shuttle bus from Field #5 RMSP).  All artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Lighthouse by the artist.  Admission free.

July

All Saturdays              Lighthouse is open late – 8 pm

Enjoy the early evening at the Lighthouse.  Beat the parking fee after 6pm. Tower tours are available until 7:30 pm at regular fee. Weather permitting please call ahead

(631) 661-4876.   Every Saturday in July.

Wednesday    10        “Jr. Lighthouse Rangers” Summer Program

Six week program that meets Wednesday mornings from 10am until noon, July 10 through August 14, 2013.  A fun & informative experience of children ages 7 – 14 years old.  Learn about life on a barrier beach in the days of sailing ships.  Climb the lighthouse!  Participate in a mock US Life Saving Service rescue.  Seining in the Great South Bay offers children an opportunity to explore the myriad of marine life.  Nautical crafts round out the program.  Call for an application.  $85 per child.

Saturday         13        Light Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour

9 am – Follow one of our present day Lighthouse Keepers on his rounds.  This bottom to top tour takes you from the auxiliary generator and the Light Keepers workshop in the basement of the Keeper’s Quarters to the beacon in the lantern room of the lighthouse tower. Learn how lighthouse Keepers in the 1860’s to 2013 maintained the light.   Includes a tour of the Lens Building which houses our original first order Fresnel Lens.  $20 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

The Lighthouse and museum is open all year round.  Tower tours 10am to 5pm.  All parking is in Field #5 of the Robert Moses State Park. Tower tours are $7 adults, $4 seniors & Children under 12 (children must be 42” tall to climb).  Foot ware is required to climb.

The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, 4640 Captree Island, Captree Island, NY 11702,  www.fireislandlighthouse.com, 631-661-4876.

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Getaway With Surprises to Red Bank on the New Jersey Shore

We just discovered a fabulous getaway destination a mere 1½ hours south of Manhattan: Red Bank on the New Jersey shore. We found one of the most fabulous 7-mile biking trails on Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Park, that is so scenic and so interesting, and even more so because of a long history as a fort (you can see battlements that were revolutionary in their day, from 1890s and buildings that housed soldiers) that spanned the eras from the mid-1800s, through World War II, the Cold War and the Missile Age. It also has Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse, dating from 1764, not to mention gorgeous sandy beaches, water on both sides, and a popular destination for fishermen and birdwatchers.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse dates from 1764 - just one of many surprises on the Sandy Hook bike trail (c) 2009 Karen Rubin/News&PhotoFeatures

After biking, we went into historic Highlands, enjoyed a delightful lunch on the water at the Inlet Café, before exploring Twin Lights, a phenomenal lighthouse which turns out to be the first place where Fresnel’s lens was used (and after that, Congress made it the standard illumination for all lighthouses). It’s also where Marconi demonstrated his wireless invention. The structure is fascinating, and you can climb to the top for an amazing view – in fact, it is the highest point (we are told), on the Eastern shore – and for that reason, has been an observation post for military and commercial reasons since Colonial times.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the riverfront Oyster Point Hotel – recently renovated and thoroughly contemporary and charming. We especially loved the patio with plush sofas and pillows, where we could enjoy morning coffee and croissant. It also has a fitness center, beautiful lounge. The views of the river (especially from our room, 510, on the highest floor), are just glorious (www.mollypitcher-oysterpoint.com).

 

Its sister property, the Molly Pitcher Inn, just around the corner, is completely different in style – it dates from 1928 and is very traditional, but shares the same quality of excellent service and elegant guest amenities. It also has an outdoor swimming pool (in season).

 

The village of Red Bank is charming with red brick sidewalks, planters, and whole blocks of Victorian buildings dating from the second half of the 1800s, and lovely cafes with outdoor dining. We were surprised to see two music shops – Jack’s Music Shoppe, and a guitar store and all sorts of boutiques, not to mention various and sundry investment banks and brokerages that are very telling about who lives in the neighborhood (hint: Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi).

 

What is more, you can reach Red Bank and the Atlantic Highlands without a car – take a ferry from Manhattan (www.seastreak.com), or by North Jersey Coastline train from Penn Station (www.njtransit.com).

 Check out the full story and photos at http://www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate.