USA - Block (Fog) Island

Today I took the high speed ferry from New London to Block Island which is a journey of 1.25 hours - Block Island is just over the border in the state of Rhode Island. For the first time in 6.5 weeks though the weather just wasn't going to play ball, it was foggy when I left New London this morning and out on Block Island apart from a brief couple of hours early in the afternoon, the fog did not lift at all.

The main reason for going out there was to visit two lighthouses. The first one was the North Lighthouse on the far northern tip (of course). For those readers from South Foreland, we shouldn't moan about our access road as the volunteers have to use a track across the beach - 4x4's only! I had a great time there and spent an hour chatting to the two volunteers on duty. This one is ground floor only access, so you can't go up to the lamp room.

Block Island - North Lighthouse

The road to the North Lighthouse!

However, I spent so much time up at the north of the island that it was a race to get to the Southeast Lighthouse at the other end. So by the time I got there I was a five to fiver i.e. expecting a full tour 5 minutes before closing! The guide was very good and took me and a large group of latecomers round but obviously there was not as much chat! The large house like building behind the tower accommodated all three keepers and their families. The mist had returned at this point and there was really no view at all from the lamp room which was accessed by a cast iron stairway. This one is still operational and has a flashing signal but it's all electronic - unlike the UK, here the mercury baths have to be removed before the buildings are handed over to the preservationists. The volunteers then look after the cleaning etc of the lamp on behalf of the US Coastguard.

Block Island - Southeast Lighthouse

The cast iron stairway in the Southeast Light

I should be able to show you some great photo's of blue skies, blue sea and golden beaches but alas it was not to be. The foggy weather though gave an interesting gloomy sunset.

There is a sign in the middle of the main settlement which for some reason has chosen Stonehenge as the UK landmark to show the distance to. So if you have ever wondered Stonehenge is  3287 miles from Block Island.