Nautical Wind Spinners and Windchimes: Lighthouses

During daylight hours, the tower of the lighthouse is easily identified by its wide red and white horizontal stripes.  This particular tower has a classic look that many people think of when they hear the word "lighthouse."

Sometimes, this unique paint scheme is referred to as the light's daymark.  However, techniquely, a daymark is a non lighted structure that serves as an aid to navigation.  Some decommissioned lighthouses now serve this purpose.

The beauty of a wind spinner is most apparent when it spins, powered by a gentle breeze.  That's when the color and shine really comes alive.

Many of these pretty little yard decorations are designed with multiple outer rings of color.  For optimal spinning, fan out these outer rings so that your spinner can catch the wind coming from any direction.  

Then, use a swivel hook (included in many cases) to suspend it from an overhead location.  If a lower height is desired, hook the swivel to a small length of  swivel chain to extend the distance from the overhead support.

If you need extra swivel hooks or special swivel extension chains, there are some near the bottom of this page.

Here are some nice exterior views of the Assateague Light, starting with an approach via a walking trail, and then up close views.  There are even some lovely areal shots of structure here, from both farther away, and right up close.

You may be struck, as I was, at how much it looks like an tiny old red country church, with a colossal steeple

Here area two more beautiful wind spinners with lighthouse themes.

One has a colorful ocean scene, including sailboats and seagulls, on its outer rings.

The other is perfect for the outdoor space where you don't have an appropriate place for hanging something.  It's the famous Cape Hatteras Light on a garden stake, with a yellow spinner attached.

The Lighthouse on Assateague Island sits nearly at the island's south end.  Nearly -by two miles.  But, it wasn't always that way. 

Built in the 1860's to replace a shorter structure, the lighthouse was at the south shore of Assateague Island.  It didn't move.  The land grew out into the water over the ensuing 150+ years.

But, it could be said that what mother nature gives, she can just as easily take away.  That happened on another part of the island.  To the north, the water got its revenge.  

In 1933, a hurricane cut through the island, breaking it into two land masses.  The resulting channel was enforced with jetties, and is now used for navigation.

So it is that a lighthouse that once sat on the southern edge of a larger island now sits two miles in, on a smaller island.

The Lighthouse in 2007, before restoration

That beacon was first lit way back in 1867, and has been automated since 1933, the same year the hurricane cut the island in two.

It continues to be an active aid to navigation today. 

That old saying about there not being anything new under the sun is certainly true when it comes to wind chimes.  These popular little tinkling gizmos are not a recent invention.  In fact, even the Ancient Romans enjoyed bronze ones.  In Asia, they have been used in some form for a couple thousand years.  

Over the years, man has found that many different materials can be used to fashion these little ingenious little items to produce a tinkling, clanging, ringing, or even melodious sound.

Today, the Lighthouse has been restored, and is open to the public on certain days.  

It sits on the island for which it is named, in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.  You'll find the island just off the eastern coast of Virginia.  It's also near NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, which you can see from the top of the tower.

You can SEE it any day the wildlife refuge is open to visitors.  

You can go inside and climb the tower only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the months of April through October.

If you can't get there in person right now, a video tour, including a tower climb and a view from the top follows.  If you are able to turn on the audio, do so.  It fun to listen to.

How it looks as of 2015

If you've found the perfect lighthouse for your yard or patio, you might want to carry your nautical theme a little farther.  Sailboats might be just what you are looking for.