About Me

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After retirement, for two summers I worked as a tour guide at the Umpqua River Lighthouse in Oregon. This opportunity enabled me to learn more about that lighthouse than any of the others I've seen. Although I have personally visited and photographed over 300 lighthouses in the United States and three Provinces in Canada, the Umpqua River Lighthouse has special meaning for me. That Lighthouse inspired me to write two fictional books with the characters working, living, and enduring the challenges of lighthouse keeping. All pictures posted in this blog were taken by myself, unless noted otherwise.

Book Info.

I hope you will find time to enjoy my books. Preview the book covers below at the right side of page.

Book #1: "The Wickie and the Umpqua Lighthouse." Detail: "The Wickie and the Umpqua Lighthouse" is an 1860's story about the lighthouse keepers and their families at the Umpqua River Lighthouse. It will stir your emotions and warm your heart. Discover the challenges they met but never expected, and their determination to maintain navigational aid to mariners on the Oregon coast. (Wickie is a nickname used by the early lighthouse keepers at the Umpqua River Lighthouse in OR.)

Book #2: "Spirit of The Lighthouse" is a sequel to The Wickie. Detail: Jesse Fayette, assistant keeper at the Umpqua River Lighthouse, finds himself alone to operate and maintain an Oregon lighthouse after the accidental death of his head keeper. After notifying the Lighthouse Board and requesting help, he is surprised but must deal with an acquaintance, Red Saunders, who believes the lighthouse is haunted.

Book #3: "Unexpected Moments" has a different theme than those of Book #1 and #2. Detail: Dan and Megan, as well as their old friends Jim and Anna, experience unexpected moments of hardships and tragedies in Arizona and California. Will they survive these unexpected moments and find any hope for their futures?

All of my books are available on Amazon.

12 February 2011

Oregon - Umpqua River Light At Night

This picture was taken at night and shows the "Signature Light" of the Umpqua River Lighthouse.  It is two white flashes and one red flash.  The signature identified to the mariners they were close to the Umpqua River Lighthouse.  Maps were marked with the name and location of lighthouses.  Therefore, mariners could identify their location on the ocean with the land.  To see this light close up at night is truly a spectacular sight.  I had the privilege of also looking up into the light from inside the lantern room. At night the light is very different.  From that viewpoint you cannot see any red in the lens.  All the lens/prisms are white when viewed from inside at night.

Oregon - Location of Umpqua River Light

The Umpqua River Lighthouse is located approximately 1 mile South of Winchester Bay, OR. It sets on a hill about 1000 yards from the pacific ocean.  This picture was taken one morning before the fog was burned off by the sun.  The buildings located around the lighthouse are housing for the Coast Guard. Their station is located at the shoreline in the city of Winchester Bay.

02 February 2011

Oregon - National Register of Historic Places



This a a picture of the plaque displayed on the wall inside the Work Room of the Umpqua River Lighthouse.  As you can see, the lighthouse was constructed in 1894.

Oregon - Inside The Umpqua River Light

This is the first order Fresnel lens located atop the Umpqua River Lighthouse.  It consist of over 600 pieces and is made up of both red and white prisms.  The modern day light source is a 1000 watt light bulb.  The light shines 24 hours a day and at night it can be seen from nineteen miles out in the Pacific Ocean.