This week I visited the lighthouse in St. Augustine. We had free tickets and my husband thought it would be fun to climb to the top and enjoy the great view. I thought it would be fun too, until I walked in the lighthouse and saw the 200+ open steps.
I wasn’t afraid of a little exercise, I was afraid of falling to my death. 
I climbed up the stairs and made it about half-way when I started to feel a little sick about the whole thing. My brain said keep on going, there is nothing to be afraid of, but my heart said turn back while you can!
I decided I was going to be a big girl and make it to the top. My very gracious husband carried my big camera with the pink strap because it was bothering me as I climbed higher and higher.
We made it to the top and it was worth it.
Even on a cloudy dreary day the view was great, and it was fun to pick out the places in St. Augustine that we recognized.
Going down scared me as much as walking up, but I found another lady who was a scaredy-cat like me and we walked down together.
I realized that climbing the lighthouse was a lot like real life. Many times a job or project can seem overwhelming and we put it off because we can’t stand the thought of tackling it. But, by taking one step at a time you eventually get the job done!
What project is looming over you this year? For me it is finishing unpacking and moving in our house.
Gorgeous photos and great inspiration!
I’ve lived in Jacksonville all my life and have never been to the lighthouse.. It’s actually a very beautiful thing I have many pictures of it from Vilano beach. I should add that to my things I want to do this year.
Great pictures! We went to the top of a lighthouse in Myrtle Beach last summer. I wasn’t going to go (my weight is an issue) but I decided that I didn’t want to miss the experience. I’m glad you went up! The view is wonderful.
You are a braver girl than me… those kind of stairs keep bothering me more and more as I grow “old”er… (I’m ONLY 41 for crying out loud). I’m not sure I could have made my legs continue up. Good for you!!!!
We were stationed in Jax for 2 1/2 yrs never visited had two babies that year and hubby was deployed all that time. It is a beautiful site. The steps are like like take it one step at a time
Thank you so much for posting this! I’m going back to work on the 20th after 5 months of maternity leave, and I’m dreading not spending every day with my daughter. I know that I just have to take it one step at a time, and the first picture in this post really reminds me of that.
What a great activity & congratulations on making it to the top & back down!! TAPS investigated the St. Augustine lighthouse and got some great footage. I hope you didn’t encounter anything paranormal on those steps!!
We used to do Homeschool Days at the St. Augustine lighthouse until they put age limits on it. Don’t even know if they still do it all or not. — I’ve climbed to the top once, but could not believe how scary it was up on the platform. I never moved away from the building & scooted all the way around so we could at least see the view. I couldn’t wait to head back down the stairs.
Looming projects in 2011? Hmmm. Helping my children grow in Christ, helping them recognize & reach their individual potential, being a better wife & mother, taking our candy business to the next level (talk about step-by-step), paying off debts (paid off 7 in 2010, & will have 2 more paid by end of Jan 2011), trusting God in everything, ….and the list goes on.
I have never been to that lighthouse, but my husband & I climbed to the top of one in Michigan a couple summers ago. The view was spectacular, but I was terrified the whole time. These 4 or 5 year old children were running up and down the stairs with their bigger siblings like it was the best thing in the world–and 21-year-old-me was clinging the wall like the world was coming to an end.
Oh well… it was a nice experience, even with the terror.
love the lighthouse. We have alot where we live and I’ve climbed up a column that was almost that high in Astoria. There was a spot that said heart attack point on the steps. Yes, the view is beautiful.
My projects this year include a couple painting jobs I didn’t do last year and getting some junk spots out of my house!
We love that lighthouse. We went in 2009, the little one didn’t get to climb, she was 2 so we took turns and climbed it while someone stayed behind and played with her. We bought a book while there, about a lighthouse cat named Nini and it is one of my toddler’s all time favorite books and helps her remember the lighthouse we visited. We would love to go back this year.
Beautiful views…. my parents visited there a few years ago and the climb was to much for them. I love that you did it.
After vacationing in St Aug for almost 20 yrs, my parents finally moved just 15 minutes away. We love the lighthouse! I remember my first trip up those stairs. I was almost a teenager & I was terrified! (I’m still scared of heights.) But the view was so worth it. I can’t wait until my kids are just a little older to be able to take them too!