Over the years, numerous people have wandered – or attempted to wander – into the lighthouse uninvited. Many are incredulous to learn that the lighthouse is privately owned and, therefore, not freely accessible to the public. Some people have even put up quite a stink that it can’t possibly be privately owned, and they should have full and unfettered access upon demand.
One time, two brothers with nine small children between them, insisted that I give them a tour and wouldn’t leave until I did. They apparently had left their wives with infants back in the park and needed to entertain their flock. Another time, a couple of teenage boys wreaking of alcohol and carrying a large pizza, ascended the ladder expecting to nosh their pizza inside. I sent them home.
I even met a sorority sister and now friend when she came unannounced and called up to me from the beach asking if I was a member of Pi Beta Phi (I am). She had seen a sorority pillow that is displayed in a video about the lighthouse. It turns out she was in school with another good friend/sorority sister of mine from Virginia. Small, small world.
This summer I had yet another case of mistaken identity, which I found even more bizarre. Just before closing the lighthouse for the season, I was giving a tour of lighthouse. Peering out an upstairs window, I noticed a man standing down on the beach looking up at the lighthouse. A few minutes later, I looked again and he was gone from the beach, but I heard some sounds coming from the floor below.
Apparently, when I wasn’t looking, the man had helped himself up the outside staircase, through the gate, past the very clear and large Private Property/No Trespassing signs, and onto the platform heading for the door. I excused myself from the tour, went downstairs and there he was – standing in the doorway looking around.
“Can I help you,” I said? “I’d like to get a coffee,” he said. “Is this a coffee shop?” “No!” I bellowed. This is a lighthouse – and a privately owned building. It is not a coffee shop. Please leave.” I could not have been more annoyed.
Fortunately, he turned around, walked out and made his way back down to the beach. I returned to finish my tour. Please tell me what on earth about my lighthouse in the middle of a state park looks like a coffee shop? That was definitely a first.
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