Lighthouse Keeper, ROSE ISLAND LIGHT, Dec. 2013

From the first time we were in Rhode Island, thru the subsequent times I've been there alone, Rose Island Lighthouse off the coast of Newport, had, for me, held a strong appeal. And so, having spend a week there the 2nd week of December, as the sole lighthouse keeper, was the realization of a goal long held. Having done it now begs the question, would I do it again? Yes and No. No: December was way to humid and cold. I was always very, very cold. Chilled to the bone, inside and out. I did not care for that aspect. Yes, I wanted an authentic North Atlantic Lighthouse Keeper winter experience, and I got it, but I did not enjoy constantly being so very cold. 2 nights in fact, I had no heat at all, either the pilot light went out or the apartment ran out of heating fuel. I awake to bitter cold. Yes: I enjoyed being on the island once again. And I enjoyed doing work, although menial to some, I felt my contributions were helpful in the restoration efforts of a French ally designed barracks building dating back to 1797. I really enjoyed being a part of that history, as well as finding and being in ammunition bunkers used during WWI and WWII. And, of course, it goes without saying, I really enjoyed being in Newport again. I like it there very much. Having said that, I now reflect back on these Atlantic experiences where I learned to sail the Mary Day in Maine, and raced a schooner in the Chesapeake of Rhode Island, as well as this Lighthouse Keeper experience in Rhode Island: all gave me new experiences that I would never have had if I had not risked and done them, had not spent money and done them. However, I found all of them to be, first and foremost, money-making propositions for the 3 businesses/foundation that sponsored these opportunities. Their intent was to glean money, not to insure that the optimal learning experience was had for the learner. In that regard, I would not do these things again I don't think. In all 3, I gave my very best, both physically and with a positive attitude, and so I have no regrets about my part. But I resent Captain King and his side kick Jane, on the Mary Day. They failed to give proper attention to landlubbers like me, and had, instead, a kind of Good Ol' Boys Club reunion with others that had sailing experience, those that lived near large bodies of water. That which I got the most from, i.e., sailor knots, sailing vocabulary, etc., is based upon my own efforts, not theirs. The Gilded Age of the 1900 era provided for the coal, banking, railroad Barons of New York City to build those fabulous summer "cottages" known as The Newport Mansions. I enjoyed being back inside of some of them, this time during the holiday season. It's good to learn history, to experience it. Hence, my time at seamanship related experiences of the past. Be Well. Do Good.