Up and up and up and up, step by step, by step, by step, I’m going up to heaven. I’m ascending inside a huge lightning rod. I saw the ground wire so I know that if lightning hits and I’m up top, I’m safe.

Wind comes through the short door that leads to the circular balcony. I hesitated before stepping out. I was scared. I reached for the railing. I held my breath. I looked down, then quickly back up. I wasn’t ready for this. I had to acclimate. I stood flush against the wall and resumed breathing. Deep breaths and an outstretching landscape on all sides. I’ve had dreams of being terrified of falling. I’d be standing on a precipice looking down and very afraid. Waking up from dreams like these were a relief.

The curve of Earth was apparent. Dark blue ocean turns white at the shore. The sound of the surf was muffled. The wind up here is twice what it is on the ground and it’s cooler. Finally able to look down, I could not judge the height of shrubs. On the beach, ant-like creatures walked about. The shadow of the lighthouse is the perfect sundial. I am part of a huge sundial.

I fixed my eyes on the shadow and watched to see it change slightly after 15 minutes. Action in the bay took the form of thin, white wakes from power boats. Sail boats looked like tiny toys. I could glimpse Fire Island Inlet in one gulp. The Great South Bay is really great. Way off in seemingly another world, the mainland. The two bridges look like erector set projects. I feel like I’m flying. This may be one of the highest places in Suffolk County. The chance to gain perspective from a new elevation helps me appreciate the stuff when I’m at ground level.

Here I am, four as the crow flies miles from the house and in another world. Everything is below me. When I park at the municipal dock in Babylon, I can watch the light pass every 9 seconds.

From here, A passing ship may look half submerged because of the earth’s curvature. From the ground, however, The ship is past the horizon and out of sight. The light reaches out 22 miles.

The board walk stroll to and from the lighthouse is a nice experience. We look at clumps of switch grass, bayberry bushes, tall reed grass. The textures of various forms of vegetation form a palate of natural beauty. I enjoy the architecture of the building and the seats to sit and rest.

I can see clearly why the beaches are the finest in the world. The ocean, the sand, the sun, and the wind are constantly changing. The place is clean. From the top of the light house, there is peace and the feeling that the world is a wonderful place.