Recent Activity 2010
April 2010
New membership pamphlets printed.
Received last 3 lighthouse passport stamps, we now have all 6. Link to Passport Page
Florida Lighthouse Day was April 24th and the FKRLF decided to have two information tables at two ends of the state. The first was at Cape Florida in Bill Baggs State Park. Joyce and Mike Hager were there all day.
To the north at Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island in the panhandle of the state were Al King III, Susan and Eric S. Martin. Cape St. George Lighthouse was one of four lighthouses to have the first ever Forgotten Coast Lighthouse Challenge. Since this was a two day event we stayed both days.
At both locations we promoted the Florida Lighthouse specialty tag as well as memberships in both FKRLF and FLA. At Cape St. George Lighthouse we were allowed to sell items and take donations we raised $345.
Florida Lighthouse Day banner to the left and Forgotten Coast Lighthouse Challenge to the right on the replica keepers house by Cape St. George Lighthouse. (Note FKRLF banner was never put up due to high winds both days.)
Al King III talking with Susan Martin. The table and tent were provided by the St. George Lighthouse Association. Susan stamped a lot of lighthouse passport stamps in two days.
December 2010
On Saturday December 4 and Sunday December 5th we took boat trips. Most everyone signed up for both days. We had one person from Pennsylvania and one from South Carolina, the rest were from Florida as far north as Jacksonville.
The first trip was to Sombrero Key Lighthouse, near Marathon. Before we even left the marina we realized a private aid to navigation was near by, so we ask the Captain to swing by, on the way out. This private lighthouse marks the harbor, it is currently closed. It is called Faro Blanco and was built in 1950 and originally had a blue light, that was replaced in 1989 after the light failed, after that it was a white light. It has survived all the hurricanes since it was built including Hurricane Donna (1960). As you can see the docks were damaged last time by Hurricane Wilma.
Faro Blanco with damaged docks.
Close up of Faro Blanco. At one time you could rent rooms in the tower.
We then head out to sea to view Sombrero Key Lighthouse. Sombrero it the tallest of the reef lighthouses at 156 feet (from the sea bottom). Built in 1858. Five lighthouse keepers died in service at this lighthouse station.
Sombrero Key Lighthouse.
Close up shows rust and areas that need paint.
The lighthouse lovers. Susan Martin took the picture.
Sunset at Mallory square, Key West.
The second day took us to American Shoal Lighthouse. We were surprised to see the doors and at least one window open. All reef lighthouses at this time do NOT allow climbing. We called the Key West Sector of the USCG to report the break in. It had not been reported yet. We found this happens at this lighthouse about every 3 or 4 months. The FKRLF will be looking for solutions to reduce this from happening. Even if they did not damage the property they opened it up to damage by rain, birds etc..
This is the last reef lighthouse to be built. Even so it is 130 years old this year. It is the only reef lighthouse to be on a United States postage stamp, so far.
WHO broke into American Shoals Lighthouse and why couldn't they at least close the doors and windows? Notice rust inside lantern room.
Bottom door open too! Notice paint is needed even though it was only 6 years ago it was painted.
Lighthouse Lovers with boat in background.