Jiminy Crickets, it felt like it was 186 degrees out today. I had 3 hours to kill so I figured I'd pop put for a quick scoot around town. Because traffic is a nightmare in these parts, I sometimes try to work within a basic framework of seeing some of the local sights. It makes for a more entertaining ride than just meandering around aimlessly. When I'm in places off of this sandbar that have more elbowroom, wandering around aimlessly is often precisely what I do. This is generally referred to around the house as 'riding around in circles'.

 'Where did you go today?'
    'No place, really. I just rode around in circles.'

I pulled out of my driveway with the intention of visiting the Eaton's Neck Lighthouse. Of course, being armed with the information that the lighthouse is now closed to the public because it is a Coast Guard station might’ve been helpful before I ventured out into the oppressive haze. I believe G.I. Joe said it best,” knowing is half the battle.” So, not unlike my denial at the base of Mount Washington, so too was I so close yet so far from my goal. No dice on the lighthouse. I’m starting to get a complex.

Long Island being an island and all has quite a few lighthouses that are reachable or at least viewable from the mainland. While simmering away in my jacket with the sun on my back, thinking about the lighthouse, I remembered riding out to the Montauk Point Lighthouse back in 1999. Sure enough, I still have a pic or two tucked away in the way back photo storage machine here. It also had some pretty hokey pics of me taking myself far too seriously. :::sigh::: Youth is wasted on the young.

It one of my early morning trips to ride around in circles this past January, I stopped at the Horton’s Point lighthouse in Southold. 

I guess trying to visit the other lighthouses will give me something to do. Muffler Men, Lighthouses, giant balls of twine… so many things to see, so little time.

Horton Point Lighthouse – January 2007

This site has a nice map & personal photos of the lighthouses here on the Island as well as elsewhere if you nav up thru their pages.
http://www.birdsandbeacons.com/Lighthouses/LI_Lighthouses.htm

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I was reading the book 'Oh the Places You'll Go' by Dr. Seuss to my daughter the other night. I don't know if I was just feeling generally soft or if it was hormones or what, but I got all choked up at the profundity of the good doctor.

'…I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are…'

For as long as I can remember I've been plagued with this desire to keep moving. Wanderlust. I've found that it is a blessing and a curse at times, this restlessness in my soul. While the sun shines down and the breeze is sweet, I fall into a lull of security from the hum of the road and the company from the shadow that rides along with me.

It is in those quiet moments when the sun has gone to bed where I am alone, quiet and still just outside of the clutches of sleep, I play one of Dr. Seuss' Lonely Games with myself. I can be so utterly lonesome in having gotten exactly what I wanted. But as I slide off into dreams, there is a deeper part of myself that knows that when the sun rises tomorrow, I get another chance to shuffle the deck and see what happens next.

'...So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act...'

-Dr. Seuss

Amazon Link - Dr. Seuss - Oh the Places you'll Go

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Hope you're spending your day relaxing, reflecting and being with the people you love too.

...Maine is beautiful this time of year. More Pics

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...can i just have one more moondance with you, my love?

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I have a special talent for being awkward and dorky. If there were a thought bubble over my giant head, what do you think it would say?

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