Weekend Visitors Part 2: Fall Corn Maze and a Lighthouse

This is part 2 of 2 in the blog about our early October visitors. In this blog, we enjoyed a large corn maze in the shape of a Chipmunk, and a visit to a famously photographed Maine Lighthouse.

THE CORN MAZE! We took a ride to the Coppal House Farm in Lee, New Hampshire to enjoy the corn maze! This was only the second time Tom and I have gone through a corn maze and it was a lot of fun. His sister Lisa and hubby, Greg visited in early October, and we thought the corn maze would be a fun thing to do.

The temperature outside was in the 60s, and it was sunny with a beautiful blue sky, making for the perfect experience.

(Tom and Rob take a wrong turn) 

THE CHIPMUNK CORN MAZE!

For the last 22 years, Coppal House Farm, in Lee, New Hampshire, owned and run by John and Carol Hutton, has proudly been “getting people lost” with their themed corn maze. And this year is no different.

Designed to look like a chipmunk with an acorn, this year's 6-acre maze boasts stalks of corn 8-9 feet high and opened on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026  

CLUES TO DIRECTIONS - The maze comes with an additional challenge in the form of trivia that can be found in mailboxes throughout the corn maze: answer correctly and you will be guided in the right direction, but answer incorrectly, you will be sent in the wrong direction. “(The trivia) works for little kids," said Hannah Bendroth, a farm manager at Coppal House Farms. "It works for the older generations, and it’s meant to help you find your way through the maze. It’s a fun way to incorporate some education into going through the corn maze.” 

WHO KNEW? Chipmunks have five dark stripes on their backs and sides, separated by lighter bands of cream or white fur

FARM INFO- Coppal House Farm 118 North River Rd, Lee, NH, Website: www.nhcornmaze.com/corn-maze-home Contact: 603-659-3572

LIGHTHOUSE AND BEACH STOP! - We drove to York, Maine and they enjoyed Long Sands Beach, and then the most photographed lighthouse in Maine, Nubble Light. For that trip, our canine kids, Jimmy, Joey and Roger came along. 

(Photo: Lisa and Greg at Nubble Light) 

ABOUT NUBBLE LIGHT - Located in scenic York, Maine, Nubble Lighthouse (formally known as Cape Neddick Light Station) is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. It sits just off the mainland on Nubble Island and can be viewed by visitors from Sohier Park. "The Nubble", as many locals refer to it, stands as an iconic symbol of Maine's maritime history.

 (Photos: Nubble Lighthouse, the most photographed Maine lighthouse, and Lisa and Tom) 

NUBBLE LIGHT'S HISTORY - In the late 1870's, the decision was made to construct a lighthouse along the rough shoreline in York after numerous boat wreckages. In 1878, Congress appropriated $15,000 to begin the construction of a lighthouse off the coast of York. By July 1, 1879, the Cape Neddick Light Station was illuminated using a fourth-order Fresnel lens.

From the moment the tower was lit for the first time, the Nubble Lighthouse played an important role in guiding ships through the perilous waters. The light itself is visible for 13 nautical miles and helped mariners navigate around the reefs and shoals.

For over a century, the Nubble was manned by 13 different lighthouse keepers and their families, who lived on the island. The keepers ensured that the light was operational and maintained the structure during harsh New England coastal conditions.

In 1985, the Nubble Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance and architectural beauty.

  (Photo: Jimmy got to ride with his aunt Lisa to the lighthouse and beach!) 

Visit #1 - Experiencing Nubble Light, Maine & Best Breakfast

 Our friend Maureen visited us for a couple of days in June and we visited the picturesque Nubble Lighthouse, and enjoyed an afternoon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

(Photo: Tom, Maureen and Rob at Nubble Lighthouse)

ABOUT NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE - The Nubble Lighthouse (officially the Cape Neddick Light Station) is an iconic, 41-foot cast-iron beacon situated on a rocky islet off the coast of York, Maine. Built in 1879, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. 

*Architecture: The white tower sits on a 2.8-acre rocky outcropping, known as a "nubble" of granite.

*Automation: It holds the distinction of being the last lighthouse in North America to be automated, which took place in 1987.

*Historic Status: It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and is one of the few remaining lights in Maine to still use its original Fresnel lens.

(Cape Neddick Lighthouse. Credit: RG)

Cape Neddick, Maine is about 50 minutes south of Portland, and is located near the southeastern part of Maine, just north of York (famous for it's beach).  North of the lighthouse,  the area draws visitors for its rugged coastal beauty, upscale seaside dining (such as at the historic Cliff House Maine), and laid-back New England charm. 

(The Maine coast looking north from Cape Neddick Lighthouse. Credit: RG)

USED THE LIGHTHOUSE AS A VIDEO BACKDROP- Because Maureen visited on June 1st, it was the same day my 15th book "Haunting of Wilson Castle" was published. So, I decided to make a video annoucing that occasion with the famous lighthouse in the background! You can see it below  (although I look better in videos where it's dark). 

FAVORITE LUNCH/BREAKFAST SPOT - The best restaurant for breakfast of lunch in the southern New Hampshire area is "Station 319" in Somersworth, NH. It's located in a building that housed a former railroad station ticket and waiting room. The food is the best, ever, so we took Maureen there and she agreed.

NEXT: EXPLORING PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

Part 1: A Fun Weekend: All About Nubble Lighthouse

Last month, over my birthday weekend, our friend Lynn visited for a couple of days and we enjoyed a number of things, including local places, a great rally, a paranormal investigation, forest walks and more. Today's blog is part one: Nubble Lighthouse. Nubble is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.  

(Photo: Rob, Tom, Lynn at Nubble Lighthouse) 

ABOUT NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE - The Nubble Lighthouse, also known as Cape Neddick Light, is  a historic and picturesque lighthouse on a small island in York, Maine. Built in 1879, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world and is visible from the mainland park, Sohier Park, though it is not accessible to the public. You can enjoy views of the lighthouse from Sohier Park, where there is also a gift shop, and during special events like the Christmas lighting ceremony.

(Photo: Nubble Lighthouse. Credit: R.G.) 

LOCATION - The lighthouse is situated on Nubble Island, about 100 yards off Cape Neddick Point in the village of York Beach. Looking at the lighthouse from the parking lot, you are facing east, so there have been many pictures of beautiful sunrises behind the lighthouse!  

(Photo: Nubble Lighthouse. Credit: R.G.) 

HISTORY -  Construction began in 1879, and the lighthouse was put into use the same year to guide ships through dangerous waters following a shipwreck. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. 

(Photo: Sign from UNH about the program at Nubble)

CONSTRUCTION - The 41-foot tall cast-iron tower was built in 1879, following an appropriation from Congress in 1874. The lighthouse has a classic New England style, with a Victorian keeper's house featuring gingerbread trim. Its grounds are decorated with miniature cast-iron lighthouses on the railing of the lantern room. 

(Photo: Lynn and Tom standing in Sohier park. Credit: R.G)

SCIENTIFIC USAGE TODAY - The waters around the lighthouse are used for research by the University of New Hampshire's (UNH) scientific diving program and other institutions. 

   UNH uses the waters around Nubble Light as as training site and has a robust diving program where students, faculty and staff use scuba to conduct underwater research experiments.

   Researchers from many institutions along the Gulf of Maine have used the Nubble waters because of the ease of shore diving and the high diversity of marine life under the surface. 

(Photo: Signage about the lighthouse and the park that faces it. Credit: R.G)

STILL ACTIVE TODAY! - Nubble Light is still an active aid to navigation, though it became automated in 1987. Ownership and maintenance: After its automation, the town of York acquired ownership of the lighthouse in 1998 and is responsible for its preservation and upkeep. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light and horn.

PUBLIC ACCESS - The lighthouse and island are not open to the public, but you can view the structure from the nearby mainland park. Viewing from land: The best views are from Sohier Park, located at the end of Nubble Road in York Beach. There is free parking available at the park, but the spaces are very limited. You may have to drive around the small lot for a while. 

(Photo: Waves crash against the rocks on the northern part of Nubble island. Credit: R.G.) 

GIFT SHOP -  A gift shop is available at Sohier Park, with proceeds benefiting the park and lighthouse. They sell tee shirts, post cards (my favorite thing), candy, taffy, puzzles, coffee mugs, stickers, and all kinds of things. 

SPECIAL EVENTS -  A popular event is the lighting of the lighthouse and buildings for Christmas, which begins at dusk on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving and lasts until early January.

 

(Photo: A look at the coast of Cape Neddick, Maine, looking north from Sohier Park. Credit: R.G)