Whether you grew up in the late sixties when it first aired, or like most of us became a fan of Gilligan’s Island through its forty year syndication run, the show remains one of the most ludicrous yet endearing series ever to hit the airwaves. I caught an episode recently and was amazed that I actually thought the show was ever really funny. Yet strangely I still know much of the dialogue verbatim.

I also found myself wondering why we didn’t fact-check the show. A desert Isle? Seemed to have an abundance of coconut trees. A three hour tour? Why did Ginger and the Howell’s pack six years worth of wardrobe changes and accessories? We just never inquired about how some of the really cool things the crew needed to survive made it to the island.

One such item coincided with me bringing my outdoor patio furniture out of winter storage. The Beverly Hillbillies struck oil but how pray tell on a desert isle could Gilligan and company find the fuel to keep those stylish Hawaiian style Tiki Torches lit? The Professor was smart, but not that smart. It also got me to thinking about how I could enhance the atmosphere of my back yard with something like them that could be considered sustainable. Turns out there are some pretty innovative choices out there.

Three that caught my eye were the Solar Tiki Torch by Taylor Gifts, the Solar Tiki Torches found on Isabella’s Cabin, and the Solar Lamp found on Solutions.com. All are obviously Solar powered and are convenient as they recharge on their own. None use electricity, dangerous flames or burning oil so they are far safer for both the individual and the surrounding woods than traditional torches.

The Solar Lamp from Solutions.com is somewhat unique in that it comes equipped with a mosquito bug zapper (although this is not for everyone and the protection provided by this approach has proven limited). The products retail from $20 to $25 which seems like a bargain when you consider that a 2 liter (plastic) bottle of Citronella Oil is running about $7 these days. Each is made of different materials so make sure whichever you chose meets your eco-expectations. The Taylor is a polyresin while the Solar Lamp bamboo. So whether you are planning a cookout in your backyard our lua au on the beach, make like the intrepid crew of the SS Minnow and sit right back and enjoy your Tike Torches!