We recently returned from the Upstate NY area, as a long awaited ‘clean-up’ trip to finish off the U.S. Lights on and around Lake Ontario. We were able to get out to Galloo and East Charity Shoal via Jon-Boy Charters out of Henderson Harbor for a very reasonable cost, and since he also operates the Captain’s Cove Motel right there on site, it was a good match.
The Lake surface was very mild, with almost no wind. Storms were forecast to be moving in that evening, so we left port at 4 PM instead of waiting until the next day, as had been the original plan. As you can see from the photo, East Charity could use a new coat of white paint, but doubtful whether the new owner from Texas will be wielding a paintbrush anytime soon. Seeing the original Vermilion light up close was pretty neat, as I was thinking about it’s lonely existence out here, now for 75 years. The waters were so calm around the light, that I could have been on a small lake.
Next, we sailed to Galloo Island, for some shots of this now-neglected outpost. I was not surprised by the deterioration that I was seeing through my lenses, but it was like seeing a light on it’s sickbed. Some of the Keeper’s Quarters windows are broken, and the wooden addition on the left is totally weathered without a speck of paint that is evident. Some of the shingles are missing, and a hole is visible on the right side of the roof. I had to use my Tamaron 500 dialed down to about 450m, as we couldn’t get that close. I was feeling a bit sad as I was shooting, for this once-proud Light that was going to ruin, unless help could be found for it soon.
We returned to port after a long ride up the NW side of Galloo Island, which was an adventure in itself. All told, we were out 4 hours and clocked about 53 miles on the waters of Lake Ontario.