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.

19 December 2013

Florida - Cape Canaveral Lighthouse

The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is located on the NASA Space Center property at Cape Canaveral, FL. Its tower stands 134-feet tall and the lantern room was originally fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens. This lighthouse was built in 1868 and is made of metal plates lined with brick.

The original Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, built in 1848, was located about a mile from the one pictured above. That lighthouse was made of brick and stood 65-feet tall. Its light was provided by a series of lamps and reflectors. Years later officials determined the lighthouse was not tall enough and did not provide adequate navigational aid to mariners.

In 1868 this new lighthouse, one above, was built close by the original. After several years, due to erosion by the ocean, officials feared the newer lighthouse would eventually be destroyed. So, it was moved to its current location (pictured above) in 1894. The lighthouse was automated in 1967. The first-order Fresnel lens was removed in 1993 due to being damaged by the vibration from rockets launching. The lens was replaced by a beacon.

At the time of my visit here in 2001 this was an active light.

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