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.

17 August 2018

History Preserved in The Door County Maritime Museum


Built in 1869, the Cana Island Lighthouse is located at Bailey's Harbor, WI. The lighthouse sets on a rocky Lake Michigan outcropping. To reach the lighthouse, one has to wade across a rocky causeway to the island. The light is an active navigational aid and since 1944 has operated via automation. The Coast Guard transferred responsibility for the grounds, keepers' dwelling, and lighthouse to Door County. In the keepers house, the county operates and maintains the Door County Maritime Museum which is open to the public. Visitors are permitted to also climb to the top of the lighthouse and from the lantern room enjoy the fantastic view . 


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03 August 2018

Oldest Existing Lighthouse on The West Coast


Point Pinos Lighthouse, built in 1855, is located at Pacific Grove, California. This light is the oldest existing lighthouse on the West Coast and still an active light. Its tower and dwelling survived the same earthquake that leveled San Francisco in 1906, but the tower was severely shaken. To strengthen the weakened structure, the original granite facade was coated with reinforced concrete.


In 1975, the U.S. Coast Guard automated the lighthouse. They continue to maintain the light itself, but in 2006 they transferred responsibility for the buildings to the city of Pacific Grove. With the help of the Adobe Chapter of the Questers, the city restored the lighthouse and opened the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum which is open to the public.
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