September 20th, 2018

The Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, Lewes, Delaware, Tours, Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation, Delaware Breakwater, Walk in The Steps of The Lightkeeper, Delaware Beaches, Delaware Bay, Southern Delaware

In June of 2013 I got curious about the 2 lighthouses located between Lewes, Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey.  Writing a blog about the Delaware Beaches and beyond gives me so much information.  Information that I can pass on to you.  The Delaware Beaches are year round resorts and there is plenty to do if you choose to do so, or nothing at all if you just want to relax.  I went on a tour this summer with the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation.  This organization is dedicated to the preservation of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse.  When I first visited you could not step out off the boat and go inside the lighthouse.  We actually then went inside the East End Lightouse. More about that one in another post. Since then there has been a lot of restoration to the Harbor of Refuge, and this summer they opened it for tours.

The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation can be contacted by calling 302-644-7046.  The website is http://www.delawarebaylights.org/

My friend, Sharon, who is a true local, and very proud of it, had never visited the lighthouses but always wanted to.  We arrived at the Cape-May Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes.  That’s is where we would be picked up.  Arriving a little early we decided to have something to eat at the outdoor bar/restaurant called On the Rocks.  Best view and great burgers, as well.

Finally, the boat arrived and Sharon and I were ready.

The Cape-May Lewes Ferry was just coming in but our main goal was to get to the historic and iconic Harbor of Refuge.

It was one of those beautiful days in Delmarva and Cape Henlopen looked awesome.

The keeper of this lonely offshore lighthouse.  It was hard work.  Storms were relentless and waves would reach all the way up the lighthouse.  We first passed the East End Lighthouse.  But, we had to continue to our destination.

The Delaware Breakwater along with the lighthouses are engineer marvels of the 19th century.  They were the first strucures of the kind built in the Western Hemisphere.  In 1976, the Delaware Breakwater, the East End Lighthouse and the Harbor of Refuge Light Station were inducted into the National Register of Historic Places as the Nation’s first offshore Historic District.

The imposing Harbor of Refuge was in front of us.  We got off the boat and climbed the stairs to the different levels where the Keeper lived.  Docents are able to give you all the information you need.  The most important thing is the feeling you get of what would be like to “walk in the steps of the Lightkeeper”.

The Harbor of Refuge’s dock has been restored.  So much work in raising funds to maintain this historic lighthouse.  The dock has been dedicated to Red Moulinier, President of the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation for his time and efforts.  The lighthouse still has more renovations on the way along with maintenance.  It has been painted and it looks beautiful.

From the top of the lighthouse the views are unbelievable as you can imagine.  At times, dolphins and mantas pass by.

By visiting the website above mentioned you will be able to see what tours they will have next year. Also check the sunset tours. You will not go inside the lighthouses but will circle around them for those Kodak moments.  Tours book quickly and, of course, it also depends on the weather.  This weekend they have tours on Saturday, but they are already sold out.  For more info. you may call Red at 302-226-3866.  There is also a button on the website for donations.  Every little bit helps.

If you would like to see my other posts on these lighthouses, with photos, please visit my website at http://www.aboutmybeaches.com.

Have a great time this weekend.  The beginning of Fall!!

By the way, lots of locals on this tour.  We had fun!!