I think there is something about this time of the year that gives me the bug to travel. Perhaps it was because as a child growing up, June marked the end of the school year and the beginging of summer camps, new summer time friends and trips to Vermont. The start of this summer has been busy and rainy! This year we have opted for day trips that can be planned around our other commitments, and the weather. This past weekend was a particularly exciting and full one, but knowing I would not have a chance to post about it for today, I decided I would share an adventure we took when the sun came out for a moment last week!
These are the Twin Lights in Highlands, NJ, all of about 1 mile or so from our home! This is an amazing lighthouse structure, one of the only ones of it's kind, sitting at the highest point on the eastern seaboard, looking more like a castle than anything else! Actually, a good friend of ours grew up in this lighthouse, as his father was the lighthouse keeper until fairly recently! I am sure that it was an incredible experience! I am only embarrassed to say that this is the fist time we have visited the lighthouses since we have lived here!
We were able to climb to the top of one of the towers, where in spite of the humid air below, there was a beautiful cool breeze and we could see the New York skyline along the horizon. Inside, there was a small museum with all kinds of interesting facts about the history of the Twin Lights. The kids were amazed and had a wonderful time, to say the least. Tobin especially has a real love for visiting museums and seeing various artifacts. We love seeing the wheels turning as he processes what life must have been like years ago when people had to make due with the tools that are behind the glass and did not have the luxury of the technology we have today.
So even if a summer vacation was not on the agenda, I urge you to explore some of the wonderful parks and landmarks that might be close to where you live. We packed a picnic lunch, drove 5 minutes up the road and managing to escape the gift shop, enjoyed a wonderful afternoon, free of charge! In truth, my kiddos could have spent the entire day just rolling down the hill infront of the Twin Lights! I am pleased to discover that the notion that one must spend alot of money on big summer vacations is not necessarily true, our children are clearly communicating to us that they will have a wonderful time exploring any part of their world, as long as we are doing it together as a family.
alison
We must plan a playdate. Elisabeth's favorite place on earth is Twin Lights. She begs to go there at least once a week! Must be a bit magical for kids.
Posted by: bylittlehands | June 29, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Yes indeed we should! It is like being in
another world!
Posted by: http://mysweetbabu.typepad.com | June 29, 2009 at 01:58 PM