Last week for Family Home Evening we read The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift. It is a story about a little lighthouse on the Hudson River that the George Washington Bridge was built over. The lighthouse was moved to that spot on the Hudson in 1921 but after the ‘GWB’ was built in the 1930s, it was decided that the lighthouse was no longer needed. So, the lighthouse was actually scheduled for demolition but largely because of this book the public fought to keep it standing. It was refurbished and is now a New York City Landmark.
So after reading about this great story, we decided we needed to set off in search of this little lighthouse. We took the opportunity on Saturday to go across the ‘GWB’ and follow the foot trail into Fort Washington Park. The kids were so excited when we caught a glimpse of the lighthouse through the trees, they were running the last bit of the trail.
[mygal=little_red]
It is an amazing sight to see this little lighthouse dwarfed by the gigantic bridge. The view is amazing and somewhat surreal as you sit on the banks of the Hudson River feeling calm and peaceful but seeing the skyline of NYC and knowing it’s ‘the city that never sleeps.’
[mygal=little_red_2]
I can’t even count the many times I have driven over the GWB and never noticed that lighthouse. I’ll have to watch for it next time.
I totally have been planning to do this very thing with my family! I was planning to take my sister and her kids when they were visiting but the visit fell through. ANyway, I’m glad you all went and that it was fun! That book is such a sweet book!