What is that Thing?

"Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were
making ships. "~ Charles Simic

"An escalator can never break: it can only become stairs. You should never see an Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order sign, just Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience. "
~ Mitch Hedberg

"But more wonderful than the lore of old men and the lore of books is the secret lore of ocean. "
~ H.P. Lovecraft

What in the world is that thing ???
Where is it found? What is it used for? Is it something useful? Have you ever used one? Do you recognize this?? I bet someone does..

Welcome to another of my what is it Tuesdays.. I think someone will know what this is.. someone has used this very same one many.. many times.. I have.. and I could name a few people who read this that also have..and I wouldn't be scared to say that a lot of you who will look at this have used one just like this one or at least one very similar.. so give it a good looking over.. then take a gander at what it is.. It doesn't cost a thing to guess.. Please leave me a comment with your guess and I'll be back tomorrow to post another picture and to tell everyone what it really is.. will someone guess this week? Will that someone be you?? Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Patsy..

Update~ The what is it this week was the stairs in the lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park... The picture was made from the top looking down..I have loved that lighthouse ever since I first saw it when I was a little girl.. We used to climb it over and over.. when I grew up I carried my children there to wear their little legs out climbing it.. over and over..
Now as to who got it right.. I was talking to Emily on the phone.. trying to hear her while it was beeping.. Martha calling.. Emily was saying it was the lighthouse stairs.. Martha was calling to say it was the lighthouse stairs.. I declare that yall are both right and tied...
Have a great day!!
Patsy