Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

Friday, January 28, 2011

(Happy Birthday Ashlyn!)

On the way to our first event of the 2011 season,

we stopped by Daytona Beach, FL.

Steve had some business to do there,

and I just heard BEACH!

We decided to go see the lighthouse.

Sophia thought it was the coolest thing ever!

Here she is peaking over the fence.
We stopped to climb on the playground next to it first.

Sophia was so excited!
She would run ahead, stop, turn around...
and yell, "Momma! White howse!"
"Come on Momma!"

Stopping to dance a little...

Outside at the base of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse,
Sophia was looking up at it with me as I snapped pictures.

When I looked down, she looked as if she had

a deep thought going through her mind.

I know.

But Sophia is no ordinary two year old.

I asked her what she was thinking...
Sophia replied, "I want crime white-howse".

It was just then that I noticed up at the top

observation deck...there were people standing.

Moving. Way up there. Idiots.

Idiots that, apparently, I would soon be joining!

She said it with such conviction...passion.
I sucked it up.

Sophia and I climbed our first lighthouse, together.

The sign said that every person has to "climb
steps themselves, and can not be carried".
I stood behind her the entire way up.

I think a little blood got through the grip

I had on BOTH of her little hands.

203 steps...one at a time.

I'm not a fan of heights...or tight spaces.
I usually enjoy the lighthouses from terra firma.

Not terror heightus.

After few minor panic attacks,

we made it to the top.

I called Steve's cell so he could wave to Soso.

Here is the close-up shot of Steve and SJ

from the top of the lighthouse.

The boys opted to see what lingered under
boats and dock across the street.

Now try to find them in the real view shot.
The lighthouse is 175 feet tall.

While I dialed Steve on the phone from my knees,
I asked that Sophia put her booty against

the wall...hands palms back.
(No one else was up there with us to see)
Repeat NOT A FAN OF HEIGHTS.

Soso on the other hand loved it up there...
She could see the ocean and everything.
(I just wanted to be back inside!)

I fought the fear, let her enjoy it.

I finally saw it through her eyes...

breathtaking. Beautiful.

Wind in my hair.

(It was very windy up there!)

More steps.
These lead to the Fresnel lenses, which was
closed off to the general public tour.

But it did have a really cool clear Plexiglas floor.

On the climb down...
I carried Sophia.

Still 203 steps.
Forget that sign.
The spiral stairs were too steep for her.
Momma bear kicked in, I overruled the rules.
After the "crime" up, I don't think Sophia minded

being carried down one bit either!

Facts about the light that I plan on reading later...

Soso in a rare pose for the camera...
looking at me moment!
I'll take it!

On the steps right outside the door.

I snicker when I think about this photo.
As I was taking it...
Soso was saying rather loudly,

"FlAGS Momma. Wook at the FlAGS!"
(We're working on the FLLLLLLLags)

Self timer shot after Sophia and I conquering the lighthouse.

After we toured the grounds, Sophia and I joined

Steve and SJ in a walk across the street to look at fish.

Steve and SJ

Checking out the fish under the boardwalk

We had a good time at what turned out to be

Florida's tallest lighthouse.

And one of the best kept too!