In July 1996, the lighthouse you're standing on was jacked up and moved back from the eroding cliff to save it from falling into the ocean. Catch the 10-minute video before exiting and then take a short walk from the lighthouse to the observation deck, where you can get a closer look at the bluff, clay pounds, and wild Atlantic. The view as the sun sets, with nothing but ocean between you and Portugal, really is a one-of-a-kind experience, and that's saying something for a place that wants little for ocean views. When you've had your fill head back up the walkway toward the building on your right.

Keep in mind, as you walk back, that there are a few pieces of the landscape that are now missing from the Truro Highlands today. At one time, numerous wind-driven grist mills dotted the area. The deck house of the barge, Coleraine, which wrecked below the cliffs here in 1915, was salvaged and used as a bar until the 1950s. The Highland Life Saving Station (1872) was located by the beach, at the end of Coast Guard Road . The lifesavers from that station patrolled the beach on foot and rescued shipwreck victims in dramatic fashion with their surfboat and breeches buoy.

To find out more about all these things, the Truro Historical Society Museum, which stands just next to the lighthouse, contains seventeenth century firearms, shipwreck mementos, early fishing and whaling gear, household tools, farming implements, furniture, Sandwich glass, a pirate's chest and lots more. If you wanted to make a whole day of it the town-run Highland Links golf course, the oldest on Cape Cod, abutts this area, but if you're not golfing take note of the signage requesting that you not tresspass down the fairways. Now on to the hike.

On your left, across the golf course, you'll see our final destination- the medievel- looking Jenny Lind tower. Originally part of the Fitchburg Railway depot in Boston, it was moved here in 1927 by Henry Aldrich. It seems that Aldrich was a fan of the famous Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind, who performed in the hall above the station and is rumored to have sung from the tower to those unable to attend the concert.