Hopetown Marina
14 April 2012
Stephen
The newly rebuilt Hopetown Marina was having a grand opening and offering half price slip fees, so we decided to stay a few days. This gave us the opportunity to visit the Hopetown Lighthouse for an evening tour by Sam the keeper. This is one of three remaining mechanically powered kerosene mantle lighthouses in the world, and has been operating for over 150 years. The kerosene is hand pump pressurized, the Fresnel lens stucture rides on a circular tank of mercury that keeps it absolutely level and allows it to rotate with very little friction. Every two hours the keeper or his assistant has to crank up the mechanism, like winding a grandfather clock. The kerosene mantle is like a giant Coleman lantern, generating enough light to be seen 17 miles out to sea. A unique glimpse of history.
Today we enjoyed the Hopetown museum, walked through town, and stopped to buy a loaf of freshly baked bread right out of the oven. On returning to the marina, we attended the "all you can eat" buffet at poolside. Construction is almost complete on the new Hopetown Marina Inn, which looks like it will be a first class facility. However, the internet connection is marginal, so I will have to wait until later to upload pictures
We will probably stay here another day or two, then will have to turn back northwest and await our opportunity to cross back to the U.S., probably at Fort Pierce.