At some point in everyone’s life, we will all need a beacon of light to help guide us back home where it’s safe and secure from whatever journey we may be on. For those who have chosen the ocean as either a place to make a living for their families or an escape from day to day life, it is the lighthouse on the horizon that welcomes people back at the end of the day.
The State of Maine attracts visitors from all over the world and one of the primary reasons is its rugged coastline. It is both beautiful and dangerous at the same time and to balance those two settings, the lighthouse was created. Dotted along this rugged landscape are quaint little houses with a tower that gives off a beam of light that can reach out for miles. Originally they were operated by people who were willing to work long hours in all kinds of weather to make sure travelers passing by were kept safe. Now they are automated, but that charm and reason they exist is still cherished by many.
During this Chronicle tour of lighthouses, we were fortunate enough to have JC Monahan along with us. All I can say is that if you think that JC does a great job as a Meteorologist, which she does, she is even better as a reporter. With a little luck, I will have the chance to work with JC again very soon, and I will leave it at that.
One of the great advantages of working with Chronicle is that we get to go places that most people can’t. I personally have always had an interest in lighthouses and to not only see them up close but climb them as well, was an incredible experience. Carrying the camera up spiral staircases was not the easiest thing to do but well worth the effort once I got to the top. To be able to climb outside and get a 360 degree view from the top of the tower was amazing.
During the course of the week, we visited a number of lighthouses and they all stand alone with their own individuality and appeal. Some are more well known than others. Marshall Point Light was in the movie, Forrest Gump. 
There was a scene where Tom Hanks was on a cross country run that took him from the furthest point on the west coast to the furthest point on the east coast. They chose Marshall Point Light in Maine because of the way it looked and its convenience. Anyone that has spent time up in Maine and especially those that have an interest in lighthouses knows that West Quoddy Light up in Lubec is the true furthest eastern point in the United States. Putting the facts aside, they did actually shoot in Maine and not in a sound stage in Hollywood.
A few years ago, every state in the country had to hand pick an image that would be engraved onto a special series of quarters. For the State of Maine, they chose the Pemaquid Lighthouse. If you have ever been there, you would understand why this location was chosen.
These tiny houses located at some of the most dangerous points on the coast of Maine also bring a sign of peace for many, myself included. There is something very magical about listening to that haunting sound of a fog horn during a stormy night as well as watching a beam of light coming out of a single tower trying to warn travelers of the danger that surrounds it. Every one of these lighthouses has their own story to tell and the next time you visit the State of Maine, try to visit at least one. You will not be disappointed.
