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.

05 September 2013

South Carolina - Hilton Head Range Rear Lighthouse

This lighthouse is located on Hilton Head Island, SC. It is the remaining one-half of the range light system used as navigational aid to mariners approaching the island. Officially it is called the Hilton Head Lighthouse, and the tower is often referred to as the Leamington Light as it was originally built on the Leamington Plantation.

The first range lights built on the island in 1863 were in use for approximately 6-years before being destroyed by a severe storm. Replacement range lights were built in 1880. Originally, the front range light was set atop the keepers dwelling, but due to shifting land that light was moved multiple times to other locations. The 95-foot iron tower, pictured above, served as the rear light of the range light system. There are 112 steps to reach the top of the tower. In 1932 both range lights were decommissioned. As of the time of my visit here in 2000, the front range light no longer existed.


During WWII the island was used by the U.S. Marines for training. After they departed the island, the tower and surrounding land was later sold to Greenwood Development Corp.

During the 1980's the Palmetto Dunes Resort incorporated the lighthouse into its golf course. The lighthouse stands between the eight and ninth greens of the course. This lighthouse was restored in 1986. At the time of my visit, it was open to the public only by special permission of the management group.

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