Not on Vacation? Be a Tourist, Anyways

A rough analogy: Queen Elizabeth is to England what a lighthouse is to sea navigation — both have had no real authority for awhile now. And at times, both offer tours of their grounds. (Talk about rooms with a view.) This Saturday, check out a tour of the 102-year-old, historic Hillsboro Lighthouse — and remember, flip flops and open-toed shoes won’t be permissible if you want to climb the lighthouse. This is an “octagonal, pyramidal, iron skeleton tower,” and the rule is for your safety. The tour lasts roughly two to three hours, but, if you plan to picnic, the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society recommends you fill your parking meter with four dollars of change. A boat ride takes you to the lighthouse, and the tour offers 18 points of interest, including the lighthouse keeper’s grounds, inlet beach, and the statue of the “Barefoot Mailman.” That’s right: the mailman’s route was 40 miles by sandy — bare — foot, and 28 miles by small boat. Be glad they want you to wear shoes.

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More About

• Queen Elizabeth II
• Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society

The fourth tour of 2009 starts at 8:45 a.m., with the last tour boat heading to the lighthouse from the Sands Harbor Hotel’s north dock (125 N. Riverside Dr., Pompano Beach) at 2:45 p.m. Annual dues are $25 per individual and $35 for families. For more information, visit hillsborolighthouse.org, or call 954-942-2102.
Sat., July 25, 8:45 a.m., 2009