When I saw the title of this book, The Lighthouse and Me, I was hooked. After all, my great grandfather was the keeper at the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse for 32 years, and Linda and I love that very beautiful and special place in Lubec.
Jeffrey Burke fell in love with the lighthouse on Isle au Haut when he and his wife visited there, and he knew, immediately, that this place should be his home. They purchased the keeper’s house and turned it into an inn. And later, they led a drive to save the lighthouse.
Jeffrey’s book, published by Maine Authors Publishing, tells us the interesting history of Isle au Haut and the lighthouse, but the section I liked best is full of stories about their experiences there, including some great stories about their most memorable guests. I particularly enjoyed the story about the guests who got lost on a hike around the island.
Jeff and his wife Judi learned a lot over the years, and he tells about that too. I was very impressed with their passion for the island, and their commitment to it.
Eventually they retired and sold the inn, spending winters in Arizona and summers on Isle au Haut where Jeff paints portraits and repairs houses. Sounds like an ideal life to me!