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 May 2017

Possibly The Oldest First-order Lens In A Florida Lighthouse


  Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is located on an inlet of the same name in FL. Construction started but was delayed for two years due to a third Seminole War. This conflict was resolved in 1858 but one year later the Civil War broke out and created another delay in construction. Finally, this 108-feet high conical brick tower was completed and the light began operation on Jul 10, 1860. The tower sits on a bed of oyster shells at the top of a slight rise overlooking the ocean. This beautiful red tower, designed by George Meade, contains 105-steps leading up its spiral stairway to the lantern room. The tower is topped with its original first-order Fresnel lens and is possibly the oldest said lens in a FL lighthouse. Although very visible in the picture above, if you click on the enlarged picture below, the lens should be more visible inside the lantern. The first-order Fresnel lens, largest of the different orders, is an amazing work of engineering, and this one continues to provide navigational aid to mariners around the Jupiter Inlet of Florida. 
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