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.

04 December 2014

A Michigan Beauty - Big Sable Point Lighthouse

The Big Sable Point Lighthouse is located in Ludington State Park, Ludington, MI. The 112-foot tower and original keepers dwelling were built in 1867, which includes a 14-foot enclosed walkway between the tower and dwelling. Eight circular windows were built into the tower for light and observation.The lantern room housed a third-order Fresnel lens. Brick was used to construct the tower but later erosion set in and the brick was covered with steel plates in 1900 to stop the erosion. In 1906 an addition was built onto the keepers dwelling, enabling it to house the families of the head keeper and two assistant keepers. A fog signal was installed in 1908. Due to shore erosion and encroachment of the water toward the lighthouse, a sea-wall was built in 1943. The lighthouse was electrified in 1949. After the lighthouse/light station was automated in 1968 it was no longer manned.

At the time of my visit here in 1998, this beautiful lighthouse was open to the public after a one and a half mile hike back to its location.

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