I think we were overdue for a little change in scenery when it comes to adventures. Every place we go is different than the one before, but this time we decided to mix it up a little more than usual. So we headed to…
… a lighthouse! Turkey Point Lighthouse to be exact. Located at the junction of Elk Neck River and the Chesapeake Bay, it is on the very end of a peninsula, giving you a great view of the water from all directions. It’s also located about 100 feet above water, so you are surrounded by steep drop offs while on the aforementioned peninsula. It was hard to capture just how steep the cliffs were in a photo, but the picture below is a pretty good example. Make sure you keep the kiddos away from the edges and you will be fine though!
Before we went, I scanned the website to find out the trail details so I could prepare with the correct stroller and on there, it said that the parking lot is small and fills up quickly on the weekend. When we arrived, there was not another car or person in sight! Since we are early birds and also because we have to factor in travel time to our schedule, we arrived early, around 8:30 am. On the weekends, the lighthouse is open to the public to climb, but not until 10 am.
So, we made our way out on the .8 mile trail (which is actually a road as well for the people that work at the lighthouse) and as usual, it took us way longer than the average person since the boys are in and out of the stroller every 30 seconds. There were a few hilly spots on the gravel road that took both of us to push the boys up with the double stroller. The two of them are a combined 80 pounds, so even with a good stroller it was still a workout. After awhile, we just had them get out and walk when we got to a hill. We had all of Turkey Point to ourselves which was super cool. There are port a potties and a little gift shop. but it is pretty no frills once you get to the end of the trail. We just wandered around and the boys had a picnic snack while we waited for the light keeper to arrive and open up the lighthouse.
The sign on the door said that kids under 42″ were not permitted to enter, so plan on taking turns to go to the top of the lighthouse if you have little littles with you. D was technically tall enough so I let him try to go in, but the stairs were steep and he was scared, so he went back out to wait with Grammy while I went up.
This light station is the smallest one I’ve ever been in, as I am used to the ones in the Outer Banks, but it seems as though every light house is unique and that is what is so fun about them. The view was beautiful from the top and well worth the short climb up the steps and then a little ladder. We were the first ones in it that morning, and D talked the light keeper’s ear off asking her one question after the next.
When we were wandering earlier, we found a smaller trail that loops back around to the main one, but it wasn’t wide enough to fit a stroller on, so when it was time to go we headed back the same way we came. We passed tons of families with small kids that were out enjoying nature which made my heart happy! As it turns out, they weren’t lying when they said the parking lot fills up on the weekends. By the time we left, it was almost full. If you go, make sure you plan for limited parking, and even try to beat the crowd like we did.
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