Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse






In keeping with the posts I have been making about standing on a cement dock at the ocean, this is the view to the north.

This lighthouse is in New Castle, which is also in Portsmouth Harbor.

It is called the Portsmouth Harbor Light, and it is part of the Coast Guard Station that is just off to the left of the tower.

This lighthouse dates back to before the American Revolution, and it includes the remains of a fort that was used during that time.

There are underground caverns and tunnels that are constructed with iron bars and hatches that are all hand wrought.

These forts are situated on both sides of the river - all hidden by the granite ledges, trees, and grassy knolls along the coast of the harbor.

Sad to say, they are no longer accessible to the public - too much trash, vandalism, and abuse has made them a hazard and unsafe to visit.

Peering into the darkness through the barred open windows gives one the creeps, and you can almost feel the ghosts. Dank, dark, and spooky.

I'll stay outside in the bright sun and enjoy the lighthouse view and salt air as it breezes against my face.

ABC Wednesday - F is for Firing Range

F is for Firing Range.............







It was right before hunting season started, and the boys needed to sight in their rifles.

We live in the country - but it isn't rural enough anymore that we can just set up a target in the backyard.

So, upon calling the local police, we discovered that the recycling center for our town had the outdoor facilities for the state and local police to train and practice.

We just had to fit ourselves in around their schedules, get the correct signed permissions, and we use it.

They really had quite a set-up down away from the where the public goes to drop off their trash and recycling.

Aside from these stationary targets, there were a couple of buildings and blinds that were also used.

Off to one side, there was a whole course with jumps, fences, and tubes set up for training the police dogs.

It was really kind of cool to see all this set up.

The boys accomplished their sightings while I combed the area with my camera.

I got some strange looks from some of the locals visiting the dump since it isn't the most prime spot for taking photos, but the stock photographer in me couldn't have cared less at the time.

The boys were having fun, I was having a ball, and we were all cleaned up and out of there before the next round of troopers arrived.




This is the fourth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Flowing Seaweed for Green Thumb Sunday

Flowing Seaweed for Green Thumb Sunday







Green Thumb Sunday Blogroll

How to join Green Thumb Sunday


My last Green Thumb Sunday post was about a piece of abandoned seaweed on the beach in the sand.

This week the seaweed is still in the water. It is attached to all the rocks underneath it, and as the tide comes in, it begins to float and wave back and forth in the ocean's currents.

All the little ocean creatures that were hiding under it during low tide also begin to move around and scramble for a new hiding place.

Next week I will show you what they are hiding from.

Whaleback Light House

Whaleback Lighthouse






This isn't the best photo that I have of this lighthouse, but it is the only one of it that I have taken with my digital camera.

This lighthouse station dates back to 1830, and the present structure was rebuilt in 1872 after the first one was demolished in a powerful northeaster that this region is known for.

It is the Whaleback Lighthouse and it is constructed of solid granite blocks.

It stands in Portsmouth harbor, and is included in the border between Maine and New Hampshire.

It has been automated since the mid 1960's and it's light shines strongly every 10 seconds. The fog horn lets off a blast about every 30 seconds.

I posted a couple of days ago about standing on a cement dock and showing the view to the south.

This photo was taken from the same dock, and this was the view to the east.

I was lucky enough to catch a lobster boat at work with a flock of seagulls overhead, waiting for their daily share of the haul.

Between the lighthouse and the boat there is a red harbor marker that helps guide the boats in and out of the harbor. When the wind blows through it - which is pretty much all the time - it makes a low, groaning sound that is just about as loud as those fog horn blasts.

This old sentinel has always been one of my favorites - standing tall and sturdy in the harbor with it's classic shape outlined against the sea and sky.

ABC Wednesday - E is for Exhaust Pipe

E is for Exhaust Pipe.............







A shiny exhaust pipe on our motorcycle - so clean it is reflecting the green grass in the yard and the blue sky above.

We live on a dirt road, so keeping it in this condition is not easy.

The paved road can also do a number on it - and since it gets so hot, the dirt sometimes get baked right on there.

And speaking of hot - these pipes can be downright nasty.

It only took one time, many years ago, to learn that lesson - the burn mark on my calf lasted all season.

Now, no matter the temperature, the legs are covered with pants - and no sandals on the feet either.

So anxious for all this snow to go away - should be about May before the ice block of a driveway melts and the mud season that follows it has dried up.

Can't wait!!






This is the fourth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Cove in the Autumn

Cove in the Autumn






The day was chilly, and the wind was blowing in from the ocean.

It was about mid-morning and the sun sparkles on the water were so pretty - but even they had a cold look to them.

I was standing on an old cement dock that was jutting out into the harbor - this was the view to the south.

After snapping this photo, I tucked myself into a space between some giant boulders. The sun soon warmed me back up enough to continue my walk along this beautiful spot.

The coastline of northern New England is rugged but it has such unique beauty in every season.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day






Hugs around the world to all my Valentine friends!