Caleb Winslow

I have seen a lot of lighthouses in my life, but I have never slept in one. This historic coastal lighthouse in New Hampshire offers exactly that experience. You can stay overnight in the original keeper’s quarters, built in 1929, right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The waves crash against the rocks below your window. The wind whistles through the old wooden frame. And at night, the light still spins, warning ships away from the shore.

You have to take a short walk across a stone breakwater to reach it. The waves crash on either side, and the salt spray hits your face. Then you are there. A hauntingly beautiful island fortress that has been guarding the coast of New Hampshire for centuries. The stone walls are thick and weathered. The cannons still point out to sea, aimed at enemies that never came. I walked through the dark tunnels and up the winding staircases, trying to imagine what it felt like to be stationed here.

I love the hunt. The feeling of walking into a huge building or field full of vendors, not knowing what you will find, hoping that today is the day you stumble onto something amazing. New Hampshire is full of massive flea markets, and I have found ten that are absolutely worth the drive. Some are indoor, some are outdoor, and some are a little bit of both. But all of them are packed with vintage finds waiting for a new home.