THE LIGHTHOUSE

Although this one's at Nova Scotia, a more famous one may be at Hilton Head because of a golf tournament.

Like many, I've always been intrigued by the lighthouse. The views atop them are usually spectacular, but I think it's more than that. It's the seclusion one imagines as a watchman at the lighthouse.

First, the responsibility and value are huge. Your beacon lights the way for ships. So you know you are providing a valuable service.

Second, the isolation. What do you do when on guard for an eight or twelve hour shift? You must pay attention, but there's all that time of quiet. Of desolation. Of reflection. Of plans for the future. Of suspense. What was that noise? Ray Bradbury has a short story about a lighthouse and a rat that gets in. In Skeleton Key the rat becomes as large as a panther when the lighthouse watchman fights him.

Third, the intrigue. How many people have ever met a lighthouse watchman? How romantic is his job? Does he have visitors at night to help him out, or do people visit him while he's at work? Does he live there when he's off duty?

Lots of questions for the first lighthouse watchman you meet. I'm gonna ask how often he has to change the bulb.