Fire Island National Seashore

On Saturday, May 30, we went to Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) (http://www.nps.gov/fiis/)on Long Island with Ed and Jeanette.

I didn't know what to expect. I though a National Seashore was like a National Forest - they are everywhere and there is nothing much to it. No big entrance or exit, just a basic sign and that's about it. I was very wrong.

FINS is located on Fire Island (I know, what are the chances), a barrier island off the East (Atlantic) coast of Long Island. It has some beautiful beaches, natural dune areas, and tons of walking trails. There are huge parking lots - this place must be PACKED in the summer.

We walked on one of the boardwalks over the dunes to the Fire Island Lighthouse. This is a beautiful old lighthouse built in 1858. At its base there is an old house that has been converted into a museum / welcome center. It is a nice museum that talks a lot about this lighthouse specifically, but also a lot about aspects of light houses in general. Very interesting. For a small extra fee, you can walk up the steep spiral staircase to the top. Ed & Jeanette went 1st because they wouldn't let us take Jackson. When they came down Sarah and I went up. It was a pretty hard climb for two out of shape sacks like us, but we made it and I was glad we did. It was a beautiful and WINDY view of the whole island.

After the lighthouse we went back to the beach near the car. We wanted to dip Jackson's feet in the Atlantic Ocean for the 1st time. He wasn't so thrilled about it. I can't blame him - It was freezing.

This is a beautiful park and now I know we should definitely include National Seashores on our National Park adventures. Unfortunately, we forgot to get a picture of ourselves beside the sign as you come into the park. I'd like to come back anyway in the spring - this is a major stopover point for migratory birds on their way to Arctic breeding grounds.