"It’s not about the lighthouses, it’s about where they take me."
JUSTICE FORTHE DINK
What is a dink? A dink is an understated, underwhelming iteration of the lighthouse that serves just as much purpose as the more notable behemoths of the world (Montauk Point, Portland Head, etc.). The dink, when encountered in the wild after a long, arduous journey can often feel frustrating. The last thing you want to see after piloting your rental car through the most remote parts of Michigan is a Portage River staring you right in the face. But I’ve come to see the dink as a symbol of presence. The dink reminds me to have fun, laugh at the mishaps, and not take life—and myself, for that matter—so seriously. In that, the dink does a lot of heavy lifting, bringing me back to the journey when I’ve gotten too focused on the prize.
What, other than laugh, can one be expected to do when they see this:
Trinidad Head Memorial Lighthouse in Trinidad, CA. 2021
Trinidad Head Memorial Lighthouse in Trinidad, CA. 2025
15 Lessons I learned so you don’t have to:
1.
Anacapa Island is best seen from the water. If you must go on land, might I suggest you avoid hatching season.
2.
Michigan is basically closed from November through April.
3.
No, you don’t want to visit Tybee Island during the fourth of July
4.
Trinidad Head Lighthouse is only open the first Saturday of every month from 10-12.
5.
There is absolutely no way to see Point San Luis Lighthouse unless you’re prepared to kayak in the open sea or take the randomly-timed tour.
6.
To see Santa Barbara’s lighthouse, trespassing is required.
7.
You can only see the Point Conception Lighthouse from the Coast Starlight train with binoculars.
8.
More often than not, a walk or hike is required to reach a lighthouse. Plan accordingly.
9.
When chartering private boats, negotiate a price PRIOR to the outing.
10.
La Canadienne has the best water-proof boots for lighthouse hunting.
11.
Bring an umbrella.
12.
Bring snacks.
13.
Not my best medical advice, but bathrooms are hard to come by when you’re in the middle of nowhere: I recommend rationing water.
14.
Bookend your trips with extra time. You never know what can go awry.
15.
It’s not worth it if it’s not fun.
MISHAPS ALONG THE WAY
Rental Cars Rented – 28
Rental Cars Damaged – 3
MOST RECENTMISHAP:
On my way out to see Old Baldy in North Carolina on January 16th, my boat captain and I were boarded by the coast guard for thirty minutes of paperwork. Yee-haw.
Who will see the most lighthouses with me?
Eric's (partner) current tally: 68
Aly's (best friend) current tally:88
Hopsin's (mother) current tally:62
The lighthouse bathroom
The most coveted room in the house with lighthouse memorabilia from hundreds of the world’s lighthouses.My only rule for the lighthouse bathroom is that for a lighthouse to be featured, I need to have seen it in real life.
Notable mementos from the lighthouse bathroom:
Iceland Candle
molded to look like the Holmsberg Lighthouse
Shell Vessel
featuring shells from lighthouse beaches all over the world
Rock Sink
featuring rocks from lighthouse beaches all over the world
Edmund Fitzgerald Figurine
Purchased at the annual beacon lighting at Split Rock in honor of the wreck’s 50th anniversary
The Horses of Assateague
Genderless Banana Slug with Boobs
at my final lighthouse on the west coast, many banana slugs crossed my path. I found this at a local gallery in Trinidad, CA
Ship's Bell
Yooper Lite
Yooperlites from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – ultraviolet light causes the fluorescent sodalite in syenite rocks to glow (for more information: https://makeitmqt.com/what-is-a-yooperlite/)
Collection of Authentic Lighthouse Bricks
from the old foundations of the Port Austin and Cape San Blas Lighthouses
Rock with Orange Paint
from the Sau∂anes Lighthouse in Iceland
Authentic New Orleans Limoges Box
filled with my pressed penny and coin collection
Authentic New Orleans Limoges Box
pressed penny collection inside vessel
Pressed Penny and Coin Collection
pressed at various lighthouses
Long Island-Shaped Epoxy Resin
depiction of montauk point
Lighthouse Library
filled with books from lighthouses on lighthouses
Lighthouse light switch cover
Lighthouses of Normandy
Iceland Candle
molded to look like the Holmsberg Lighthouse
Shell Vessel
featuring shells from lighthouse beaches all over the world
Rock Sink
featuring rocks from lighthouse beaches all over the world
