On the first day following our separation from the school sponsored tour, we spent the night at a hotel atop Monte Igueldo. Monte Iguelo overlooks the Basque town of San Sebastián, Spain. The views from atop the summit are spectacular and offer a panorama of the Bahía de la Concha and the surrounding coastline and mountains. During our stay we also managed to visit Faro del Monte Igueldo, the lighthouse located on the northern slope of the mountain.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
The beach of Bahía de la Concha
The beach of Bahía de la Concha
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
The beach of Bahía de la Concha
The beach of Bahía de la Concha
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
A view of Isla de Santa Clara
A view of Isla de Santa Clara
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
A view of Isla de Santa Clara
A view of Isla de Santa Clara
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
Faro del Monte Igueldo
Faro del Monte Igueldo
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
Faro del Monte Igueldo
Faro del Monte Igueldo
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
Faro del Monte Igueldo
Faro del Monte Igueldo
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
A view of the shoreline above Monte Igueldo
A view of the shoreline above Monte Igueldo
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2016 - A View From Atop Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián, Spain
Bart and Nene at Monte Igueldo
Bart and Nene at Monte Igueldo
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Lighthouses, covered bridges, and cathedrals, three things we always make time for. The Seul Choix Lighthouse, located in Gulliver, MI, is located Michigan's upper peninsula along our route to Traverse City, MI. The light went into service in 1895 and while today it contains an aircraft beacon, the light still shines. Our group was having a debate about the pronunciation of the name. According to locals in the area, the correct pronunciation is "Sis-shwa".
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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2013 - Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, MI
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The route to Traverse City, MI took us through Michigan's upper peninsula. Located on the north shore of Lake Michigan in the town of Manistique, MI, the Manistique East Breakwater Light is a symbol of the great industrial boom of the early 20th century. The light was originally built to help guide timber and iron ships into the once important harbor.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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2013 - Manistique East Breakwater Light, Manistique, MI
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During our stay in North Carolina's Outer Banks, we visited the Currituck Beach Light Station. I took the little ones to the top of the lighthouse while the others visited the grounds below.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC
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2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC
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2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC
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2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC
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2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC
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2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC
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Another destination during the 2010 New England tour was Fort Williams and the Portland Head Light lighthouse, located in Cape Elizabeth, ME. This fantastic piece of history, dating back to George Washington, is in spectacular condition and worth the visit.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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2010 - Portland Head Light, Portland, ME
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During my 2010 New England tour, one of our destinations was Provincetown, MA, located at the extreme tip of Cape Code in Massachusetts. I had the opportunity to hike the jetty across the tidal flats to the Wood End Lighthouse. This hike is not for the faint of heart. It is a three and a half mile round trip hike across a jetty constructed of granite boulders. One wrong step could spell disaster. But we all made it to the lighthouse and back in a little under three hours, which included snooping around the lighthouse and splashing in the ocean. If one does not pay attention to the tide schedule, you could be stranded at the lighthouse for several hours as the tide cycles in and out.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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2010 - Wood End Lighthouse, Provincetown, MA
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During my Great River Road adventure, it is safe to say that the highlight of the trip was the adventure that took us to the South Pass Lighthouse. Located some 35 miles south of Venice, LA, the southern most point in Louisiana, it is only accessible by boat on the Mississippi River. It is a mere half mile from the Gulf of Mexico.
While researching the area prior to our trip, I noticed a 5 star difficulty and 5 star terrain rated geocache sitting out there in the river delta not yet having been found called The Guiding Light (GC1V92T). I thought about that geocache for days half heartedly thinking to myself, it would be a blast to find this cache and possibly be the first to find it as well. In order to get to the lighthouse, chartering a boat would be necessary. After researching charter services available in the area, I initially concluded that it would not be economically feasible to pull off this adventure. But after many hours of contemplative thought and discussion, we would chalked this up as being a "once in a lifetime event" and booked the charter with Captain Dan of MLC Charters.
During the 36 mile boat ride down river, Captain Dan provided a great history of the area. He pointed out several historical locations and was explaining the geology and hydrological behavior of the river. When we approached the lighthouse, it was clear the storms over the years had removed nearly all evidence of a previous civilization I had seen in pictures. Including the dock and piers for we couldn't land the boat on shore. I had to wade through the last 15' of gator infested waters. I managed to make it to the lighthouse without being eaten alive and after a short search, I had found my 3000th geocache, and was first to find to boot.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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2009 - South Pass Lighthouse, Venice, LA
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