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.

20 November 2012

Massachusetts - Derby Wharf Lighthouse

The Derby Wharf Lighthouse is located at Salem, MA.  A portion of the old Salem waterfront, encompassing a remarkable cluster of working waterfront buildings and wharves, has been designated a National Historic Maritime Site. Within that district is 18th century Derby Wharf, extending a half-mile into the South River on the northwest side of Salem's inner harbor. The earth and stone landing dates from before Revolutionary war days and is the last of some 50 wharves that once dominated the waterfront.

At the end of the pier stands the windowless Derby Wharf Lighthouse, built in 1871. It is a square squat 25-foot tall brick structure housing a fixed red light. Because the lighthouse stood in a busy urban area, the federal government saw no need to provide living quarters for a keeper. Instead, the beacon was tended by a lamplighter.

After the light was shut down in 1977, jurisdiction was conveyed to the National Park Service. For several years the derelict structure suffered from vandalism and neglect. Later it was rescued and restored by the nonprofit group "The Friends of Salem Maritime." They were also responsible for having a new solar-powered optic installed in the tower and lighted in 1983 as a private aid to navigation. At the time of my visit in 2001, this was still an active lighthouse.

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