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.

31 March 2011

Oregon - Yaquina Head Lighthouse

I visited this lighthouse in 1999 and it was an active light.  The lighthouse was built in 1873.  At 93 feet the tower is the tallest of any on the Oregon coast.  The light stands 162 feet above sea level.  It is automated and serves as an aid to navigation along the seacoast and entrance to Yaquina Bay.  The light from the first order Fresnel lens is visible for 19 miles out to sea.  The lighthouse and its site are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, while the lighthouse lantern is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
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Oregon - Cleft Of The Rock Lighthouse

This lighthouse is located at the outskirts of Yachats, Oregon and is privately owned.  The lighthouse was built by Jim Gibbs with the help of his wife, Cheri.  I photographed this lighthouse in 1999, and the Gibbs continued to operate the lighthouse.  Mr. Gibbs was once the lighthouse keeper of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.  It was very challenging to find a location from which to take this picture, as the lighthouse was protected from view by numerous bushes and trees lining the highway. 
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Oregon - Cape Meares Lighthouse

The Cape Meares Lighthouse was built in 1890.  It is located in the Cape Meares State Park, Tillamook, OR.  I visited this lighthouse in 1999 and it was an inactive light.  The light stands 217 feet above the ocean. The 38 foot tower is the shortest on the Oregon coast.  The light was replaced by an automatic beacon in 1963.  The Cape Meares light is one of only 2 eight sided lights in the U.S.  The other light is in Hawaii.
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22 March 2011

Oregon - Umpqua River Light - Rain


This picture of the Umpqua River Lighthouse was taken while it was raining.  Notice the raindrops on my camera lens.
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21 March 2011

Oregon - Umpqua River Light - Night


In this picture of the Umpqua Light, you can see the light reflecting off the pine trees behind the lighthouse.  Because the picture was taken before dark, the red in the light does not show up as well.  The little building in the foreground is used by the Coast Guard children while waiting on the bus during stormy weather. Coast Guard families live in the houses adjacent to the lighthouse.
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