The
third installment of Travel Tuesday goes back to Provincetown and the
explores Race Point Lighthouse. Located at the tip of Cape Cod Wood
End is one of three lighthouses in town.
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| Race Point Lighthouse (Christopher Setterlund c. 2014) |
This
photo was taken in May 2014 during an open house at Race Point
Lighthouse. It frames the white iron-plated lighthouse in the
doorway of the Whistle House. The photo itself is simple however it
is getting to this spot that is the challenge. There is a walking
trail located a little less than a mile north of Herring Cove Beach
on Province Lands Road. From there it is more than 1 ½ miles out to
the lighthouse, some over soft sand and the terrain changes somewhat
with the tides.
The
walk out to the lighthouse is along Hatches Harbor and passes the
Provincetown Airport. Race Point Lighthouse itself was built in
1876, replacing an old stone lighthouse that had been built in 1816.
Ironically even though Cape Cod is being ravaged by erosion in many
places Race Point is actually one where the shoreline is increasing.
Some of the sand taken from neighboring beaches is carried north to
the point increasing Race Point’s size, and thus protecting the
lighthouse when several other Cape lights (Nauset, Highland, Gay
Head) have had to be moved back from eroding cliffs.
The
wide open space of the dunes surrounding the lighthouse make for many
beautifully scenic shots besides this one. However to get this
particular shot it is important to choose a time when the grounds are
open for tours. This is the first and third Saturdays of the month
from June through October. This shot is from the entrance of the
Whistle House roughly at midday. The brick Whistle House, built in
the early 1870’s, originally housed a fog signal. It was renovated
in 1999 and was first the field station for the Center for Coastal
Studies. Currently it is available for rentals during the summer.
Even
if not able to visit Race Point Light during an open house it is
possible to walk out and enjoy the scenery at any point in the year.
It is great for sunrises and sunsets alike.
Find
Prints of This Photo at Smug Mug:
Where
to go to take this photo:
Race Point Lighthouse can be accessed by off-road vehicle, or
walking. Off-road vehicles start from Race Point Beach, walking is
easiest from a small parking area located just under a mile north of
the Herring Cove Beach parking lot.
It
is open for tours on the first and third Saturdays of the month from
June to October. Schedules are updated at their website:
https://www.racepointlighthouse.org/tours.htm
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