The Assateague Lighthouse

The Assateague Lighthouse stands on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia.

The original lighthouse was constructed in 1833 at a cost of approximately $55,000. In 1867 the present taller and more powerfully illuminated brick lighthouse was completed. Assateague's lighthouse has twin rotating lights that flash one after the other from a height of 154 feet above sea level. The lights can be seen 19 miles out to sea. The lighthouse stands 142 feet high, with a base over 27 feet in diameter.

It is trademarked by circular red and white bands. But not at the present.  In need of repainting, it has been sandblasted down to the brick in preparation for repainting. After repainting it will be open again for climbing.

Before and after of the lighthouse. As it stands on the right, bare of paint, it is nearly ready for its facelift.

Memorial Day weekend roaming the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Virginia's Eastern Shore

These are Sika Deer, or Japanese Deer.  They are significantly smaller than our native Whitetail Deer, and may be closer related to elk than deer. They are often seen on Assateague Island.  They are more nocturnal than the Whitetail and best chances of seeing them might be just before dusk. 

Memorial Day - 2013

Memorial Day is the traditional day of remembrance for the men and women who died while serving the United States Armed Forces. This United States Federal Holiday occurs every year on the final Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who fell during the Civil War.

Pause to remember this weekend, and give thanks.

Hummingbirds and Mockingbirds are busy

ZOOM!

The crop dusting airplanes were out today spraying wheat fields. Presumably for protection from insect damage.

Gun from USS Missouri relocated (BB-63)

Near the southern end of the Delmarva Peninsula lies the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge at the site which was previously Cape Charles Air Force Base. The USAF ended operations at the base in 1981 when the Naval Air Station Joint Su...rveillance System at Oceana, Virginia, was established.
In April of this year, one of the 16” gun barrels from the USS Missouri (BB-63) was set in place in a bunker at the Eastern Shore National Refuge, at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Two other of the 9 guns from the USS Missouri are to be moved to Delaware and Arizona for display. The Missouri was decommissioned in 1992 and the ship is located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a museum ship. The USS Missouri was the ship which the Japanese boarded to surrender, ending World War II. The Missouri saw duty in World War II, the Korean War, and Persian Gulf, earning 11 battle stars.See More

Great look-a-like in Virginia

This is the municipal water tank for Cape Charles, Virginia that has been transformed to look like a light house. The design has won awards for this Chesapeake Bay waterfront town.