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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.

07 July 2016

Lighthouse Beauties On Stamps




The West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Lubec, ME, stands on the easternmost mainland point in the U.S. At certain times of the year, it is also the first spot in the country to see the morning sun. West Quoddy Head forms the western entrance to Cobscook Bay and the St. Croix River.  In 1808 a 49-foot rubble masonry tower was constructed. It was as tall as any tower built in Maine prior to 1850, except for the one at Portland Head. Fifty years later, 1858, the original tower was torn down and replaced by this cast-iron structure, overlaid with brick, pictured above. Its white flashing automated light beams from 83-feet above the water, as the lighthouse sets on a cliff. At the time of my visit here in 2001, this was an active light.

This lighthouse is one of five lighthouses chosen in 1990 for image on a postage stamp to honor the U.S. Coast Guard and the Lighthouse Service. The other four lighthouses are: The well known Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, NC; American Shoals Lighthouse, FL; Sandy Hook Lighthouse, NJ; and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, WA.  Each of these lighthouses represented a main region of the coast line of the U.S. The United States Post Office sold the stamps for 25 cents as was printed on the stamp.

I feel fortunate to have visited all of these lighthouses, except one, the American Shoals Lighthouse. Although I've photographed all those I visited, I'm using The West Quoddy Head Lighthouse as an example for this post. Each of the lighthouses mentioned above has its own unique design and history, but since 1990, these share a like history of being selected to pay honor to the U.S. Coast Guard and Lighthouse Service on a postage stamp. (Below picture similar to that on postage stamp.)

2 comments:

Judy Watters said...

Always an interesting read, Al. These structures are all so quaint and, to me, peaceful symbols of safety. Thanks, Al.

Al said...

Hi Judy. Glad you enjoy the lighthouses. I sincerely appreciate your comments which gives inspiration to keep on blogging about lighthouses.
Blessings.
Al Bates