About Me

My photo
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.

10 September 2015

A Wisconsin Beauty - Plum Island Range Lighthouse



This lighthouse is one of three lights in the Plum Island Range Light system.  They are located north of Gills Rock, WI in the middle of the treacherous Death's Door Passage. Michigan Lake links Green Bay between the end of the main Door Peninsula and Washington Island. The original Plum Island Lighthouse, built in 1848, was later moved to Pilot Island.

The Plum Island Range Lights were constructed in 1895 and are located on the southern end of the island. The rear range light, pictured above, consist of a tubular and skeletal shaped 65-foot tall tower, and is capped with a red lantern top and ventilator ball. The lantern room houses a fourth-order Fresnel lens which projects a fixed red beam of light. A spacious two story keeper's dwelling and a fog signal building stand nearby. This range light displays a metal banner with red stripes on either side of a middle white stripe, which serves as a day marker. The banner is located on the right side of the tower. Click on the picture to enlarge, making it easier to see.
 
At the time of my visit here in 2002, the Coast Guard considered the Plum Island Lights as surplus property and were considering the State would take over the island as a possible new State Park.

No comments: