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.

23 February 2012

Michigan - Muskegon South Pier Lighthouse

The Muskegon South Pier Lighthouse is located in the inner harbor of Muskegon, MI. The original lighthouse was built in 1852 and replaced by the one above. The conical bright red steel tower was completed in 1903 and stands 48 feet hight. I visited this lighthouse in 1998.

Michigan - Muskegon Breakwater Lighthouse

The Muskegon Breakwater Lighthouse is located at Muskegon, MI on the Muskegon Channel at Pere Marquette Beach Park. I visited this lighthouse in 1998, but must have been having a bad day as I gathered little information about it.

16 February 2012

Michigan - Grand Haven Lighthouses

The Grand Haven Lighthouses are located at Grand Haven, MI. The red cylindrical tower stands 52 feet tall and was first lit in 1839. Its light can be seen for 15 miles out on the lake. That tower and the deep red lighthouse are both situated on the South Pier which juts out into Lake Michigan. These lighthouses are positioned to create a range light system, which I have described in previous blog postings. I visited these lighthouses in 1998 but the public was not permitted inside. This picture is another good example of the elevated cat walks that were built to enable Lighthouse Keepers to get to the lighthouses during times of high water from storms.

Michigan - Holland Harbor South Pierhead Light

The Holland Harbor South Pierhead Lighthouse is located at Holland, MI. The original lighthouse here was built in 1872 and made of wood. It was replaced by this one in 1907 and named "Big Red".  It marks the entrance to Lake Michigan and the Holland Harbor. I remember when I took this picture in 1998, although nothing to do with the sea or mariners, the lighthouse and boats positioned as they were reminded me of a mother hen with her chicks surrounding her. You may not understand that comment if you've not been on the farm.