at the lighthouse

it was an incredibly clear day. you could see connecticut and block island in the distance. the space in which you stood upon outside was quite small. i stood behind m and c as there was no room next to them. i felt dizzy being above the flag pole. downstairs in the exhibit there was so much to see that i never got a chance to walk over to the concession stand and check if the harbor seals were on their rock all the way around the point (northwest, along the shore to the left of the parking lot).
with all the technology available to ships these days, most lighthouses are not needed. the current light in the montauk lighthouse is only a 50 watt bulb and though they say on the website it can be seen 19 nautical miles out to sea, the tour guide said it really only shines out 8 miles. we used to always be able to see it from my parents' house. i could stand at their bedroom window and watch the light flash and 8 seconds flash again. but now when i stand there . . i see only the lights of the town . . and not the lighthouse.