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!!

April 8th, 2015

Ocean Frontiers II, Ocean Stewarship, Movies at Midway, Free Admission, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Film Premiere, Panel Discussion, Thursday, April 9th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Delaware Lighthouses, 2015 Sunset Cruises

“A new way of thinking, a new way of living in concert with the sea, in consideration for those yet to come.”

Ocean Frontiers II  is inviting the public to its premiere here in Delaware and then to a panel discussion.  It will take place on Thursday, 4/9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Movies at Midway, located at 18585 Coastal Highway in their Upstairs Screening Room.  The admission is free and snacks will be available.  More info?  Please visit http://www.ocean-frontiers.org/delaware.

Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse and Cape May Lewes Ferry

This film is hosted by Delaware Surfriders, Green Fire Productions, http://www.greenfireproductions.org with co hosts:  Rehoboth Beach Film Society, http://www.rehobothfilm.com, Delaware Sea Grant, http://www.deseagrant.org, American Littoral Society, http://www.littoralsociety.org, and Delaware Chapter of Sierra Club.

In a region steeped in old maritime tradition, Ocean Frontiers II tells the story of a modern wave of big ships, energy industries and a changing climate, and how people are coming together to plan for a healthy ocean off their coast.  After the film, plan to stay and join the interactive panel discussion about how we can protect wildlife, enhance recreational activities and manage commercial uses in our increasingly busy Delaware waters.

Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse

June 2013 was the day I walked in the steps of The Keeper.  Visiting the Delaware Lighthouses was an experience and thank God I went when I did because the actual tours of the lighthouses have been discontinued for now. I wrote a post on my adventure that day on June 18, 2013.  If you would like to see it (photos), please click on the date on the left hand side of the website; June of 2013 and scroll down to the 18th.  The cancellation of these tours is due to lack of transportation funds which were provided in the past by the Delaware River & Bay Authority and the state of Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse

The Harbor of Refuge has been closed for some time for repairs made necessary by severe storm damage.  This lighthouse was built in 1896.  Both of the lighthouses are off Cape Henlopen where the ocean meets the Delaware Bay, providing refuge to ships battered by storms.

The Delaware Breakwaters are engineer marvels of the 19th century.  They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere.

The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation – 2015 Lighthouse Sunset Cruises.  It is that time of the year again.  Sunsets are beautiful, more so if you are cruising the Delaware Lighthouses.  Profits of the cruises will go towards the restoration and new docking station and other projects at Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse.  For info., please visit http://www.delawarebaylights.org.

Tours will be:

Saturday, June 13th from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 25th from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 13th from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.

Meet at Anglers Fishing Center on 213 Anglers Rd. at Anglers Marina in Lewes.  Go to the end of Anglers Rd., approximately 100 yards past Irish Eyes Restaurant in Lewes.

To reserve your space, book at least one week prior to cruise date.  Call Red Moulinier, Home 302-226-3866, Cell 302-542-4432

You will be cruising up the canal, out to both Breakwater Light and Harbor of Refuge Light.  Take your camera because on many of the cruises you can spot dolphins.  This is a BYOB and snacks event.  The cost is $35/person.  Please note that registration and form of payment must be received prior to the cruise.

Making plans for Summer 2015….