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.

07 May 2015

A Rhode Island Beauty - Newport Harbor (Goat Island) Lighthouse

The Newport Harbor Lighthouse is located on the breakwater at the north end of Goat Island, RI. The island acquired its name from the early residents of Newport, as they used the island to graze their goats. This is the second lighthouse built at Newport Harbor to aid ships entering the harbor.

 The first lighthouse was built in 1823 at the entrance of Newport Harbor. Its tower was made of stone and stood 20-feet tall, plus the lantern room, with a keepers house nearby. Due to several ship wrecks, officials later determined the lighthouse was in the wrong location.

A new lighthouse was constructed off the northern end of Goat Island. Its tower, pictured above, built of granite is 29-feet tall and with the lantern room it stands 35-feet. The light was first lit in 1842, and then in 1864 a new keepers house was built next to the tower on the breakwater. The old keepers house was torn down in 1868. The beacon was converted to electric power in 1922. After the keepers house was severely damaged by a submarine, eventually it had to be torn down. The lighthouse was automated in 1963. At the time of my visit here in 2001, this lighthouse continued to serve as a navigational aid with its light visible for 11 miles.



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