On Friday, I made my way driving through the rain and felt a sense of relief when the lighthouse finally came into view. Even though I was in my car and not in a small boat on Lake Pontchartrain, I got a small glimpse to how ship captains must feel when they see the guiding light.

Kristi Trail, executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, met me at the door of the organization’s outreach and education center. We walked along wooden walkways toward the lighthouse, passing a large bell.
Trail explained it was the “fog bell,” used when boats couldn’t see the lighthouse light.

“We get a lot of field trips here with students,” Trail said. “They love ringing it.”

She gave me permission to ring it — a chance I couldn’t pass up.