Tybee Island Lighthouse, Georgia: Why I Climb Lighthouses, Fear and Courage.

Recently I found a pillow for our motorhome. I saw it in a Buc-ee’s store and had to have it. Why? Because of what it said. It pretty much sums up how I climb lighthouses and is a great reminder.

“Inhale Courage, Exhale Fear.” I find that I like this pillow and this quote. It is useful to remember when climbing lighthouses.

I am afraid of heights, yet I climb lighthouses. This is a rather new thing for me which started in 2021 after we moved into our motorhome and started traveling. I began with one lighthouse in St. Augustine and by the end of the year, I’d climbed five of them. I’ve climbed the lighthouse in Daytona, which is the tallest one I have attempted, and Battery Point Lighthouse in Cresent City, CA which has a land bridge. In December 2021, I climbed the lighthouse on Tybee Island, GA.

The lighthouse on Tybee Island is 154 feet tall, the bottom 60 feet date from 1773, and the upper 94 feet from 1867. It is still in use as a beacon to guide ships.

Why do I climb lighthouses? Because they are there and they are intriguing. Also because I do not intend to let fear run or rule my life in any way. I will continue to do the things that scare me so those things will never win.

My husband tells people I am brave. I had never really thought about it much, but he’s right.

Meriam-Webster defines brave as having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty: having or showing courage.

This means that my husband is right. I am brave. I will continue to climb lighthouses, whether I am afraid to climb them or not. And the thing is, every time I master the climb, enjoy the sights, and then climb back down, I have added to my bravery column and proved to myself that I can do it. Perhaps that is the most important reason of all.

Getting ready to climb up the lighthouse. It’s a tall one.

The day is windy and cool. Perfect for climbing lighthouses.

And so we begin to climb.

Following my granddaughter is great motivation. I am a two-handed climber, hand over hand, and I hold the rail tight.

Had to let go with my right hand and turn for a picture.

My son and youngest granddaughter and I reached a window to stop and look out of.

Beautiful views from the top. If I can make it to the top I can usually look out the doorway to the views.

This is about as close to the outdoor ledge/walk-around that I get. But I have to see the view from here!

This lighthouse has a window and you can sit on the stairstep and lookout.

My oldest granddaughter is being so brave! I’m proud of her.

My youngest granddaughter is being so brave!

Found a spot where I can sit on the stair step and look out the window.

I can look out the window here as everyone else walks around outside.

Saying hi!

Of course, we had to have a picture with all who climbed. Such a fun memory I have with them! I’m glad we climbed the lighthouse together.

2021 has come to a close and this was one of the most wonderful ways to close it.

What are you afraid of doing this year in 2022 and what is stopping you? If it is something you really want to do, I’d advise you to go for it.

Thank you for reading my travel blog, and I wish you a beautiful day! Remember, “every day we are alive is a beautiful day.” – Debra Parmley, your Beautiful Day Traveler

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St. Augustine, Florida: Climbing the 1874 St. Augustine Lighthouse – All 209 Steps and 165 feet

Lighthouses. Have you ever wanted to climb one? I have. Lighthouses have always fascinated me.

On January 27th, 2021 I got the chance to climb the 1874 St. Augustine lighthouse. I was both excited and scared. Because I have a fear of heights. So climbing 209 steps to get to the top of a 165 foot lighthouse was more than a challenge for me. But still I was determined to do it.

The lighthouse in St. Augustine is painted a striking black and white with a red observation platform around the top. It’s quite distinctive.

Also on the grounds are the keepers house across from the lighthouse, and a WWII era garage which you can see in the picture above. The building at the base of the lighthouse stored the oil used to light the lanterns and other tools lighthouse keepers use. You can see the pail they used to carry the oil up. That would have been quite a workout!

Now for the climb. Inside of a lighthouse are stairs, usually of the spiral type, and the interior of the lighthouse gets more narrow the closer you get to the top. These stairs you can see through. As we begin to climb, the area is wider and then it begins to narrow. This lighthouse has windows, some of which were open for a fresh breeze.

If you are even a little bit afraid of heights, I recommend you do not look down. For a phobia on my level, avoiding looking up is also a good idea.

I climbed to the top, slowly, step by step, one hand gripping the right side rail and the other gripping the left. I had a death grip on those rails. Feeling with my feet where the next step was, as I could not look down, I climbed. At each landing we stopped so I could rest and get my breath under control. That helped me to avoid hyperventilating.

My husband took the pictures inside the lighthouse as I would not let go of those rails for anything! Nor could I look down! So you and I are armchair traveling together while looking at these pictures. This was not my view while inside the lighthouse. My view was the stair right in front of my eyes!

Eventually I made it to the top. I was so proud of myself! I’d made it!

But then, I could not walk out on that red platform. I could only look out the door. So this is me, looking out the door, holding on for dear life. lol

The views from the top of the lighthouse were amazing. These were my views from the top.

To see everything on the lighthouse grounds you should plan for two hours. Here are some of the lights they had on display.

I had so much fun climbing my first lighthouse that I resolved to eventually climb every lighthouse in Florida. We shall see how that goes.

Every day we are alive is a beautiful day and this was a super special one for me.

Here is the link for the lighthouse so you can learn more https://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/

Wishing you a beautiful day. Come back often to read about our RV living travel adventures here on my Beautiful Day Traveler blog and follow my links below for more!

Love,

Debra Parmley

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Imposter Syndrome, A Snarly Dog

Imposter Syndrome is a Snarly Dog. I decided it was time to write about this, after mentoring one of my author friends on Imposter Syndrome and self-doubt. I realized this is something we don’t talk about enough. If we did, writers would not view it as unique or unexpected when it happens to them.

Mention Imposter Syndrome in a room full of authors and ask them to raise their hands if they have ever encountered it and you will see almost every hand go up. It is as common as typing THE END. Think about that for a minute. Let this sink in – Imposter Syndrome is so common among writers, that almost everyone has experienced it at one time or another. I don’t know any authors who haven’t experienced it and it’s been ten years since my first novel was published and I’ve been in author circles for over twenty years. Imposter Syndrome is universal and seems to be part of the author’s journey.

I like to picture these doubts as snarling dogs because that’s what they do. They ask the question who do you think you are? And it’s always with that snarl.

I like to say Imposter Syndrome is a big snarly dog and you have to go all out alpha on it to show it who the alpha is.

Imposter Syndrome is a form of self-doubt and is fear-based. Fear of being judged as an author, fear of having your book judged, fear of being found wanting, fear of someone saying – who do you think you are to write that book? You may experience one of these or another from the same snarling dog family.

You may experience this snarly dog with your first book or your twentieth. When writing, you may experience it halfway through, in those moments when you think the good pages you wrote yesterday which you thought were such good pages now totally suck and the whole book totally sucks so much you’d like to shred it, burn it or delete it. That one is a very nasty snarly dog. You can’t let it win. You may experience a snarly dog after hitting the bestseller lists multiple times; with readers saying they love your books. Some writers experience it on book release day and don’t feel like celebrating, because that snarly dog is winning. You may experience it when being asked to read from your work or when asked to speak or to be in an interview or on a panel. So, what can you do about a snarly dog?

First, know they can pop up at any time and be ready to face one. Acknowledge it and face it. No hiding in your house, or canceling or destroying pages. No posting all over social media, wallowing in it, and being a victim of it. Tell an author friend or mentor privately if you need to talk about it, but then face that snarly dog.

Imposter Syndrome is a big snarly dog and you have to go all alpha on it to show it who the alpha is. Your words and your voice and your stories have value. When it snarls, say out loud, “I am (your full name) and my words have value. My book has value and people want to read it.”

There is power in “I am” statements. Great power.

Now go write your awesome books, never let the snarly dogs win, and boost and encourage your fellow creative friends. I’m fine with you quoting me and hope this article helps.

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