Archive for the ‘Lighthouses’ Category
Posted by Jody on April 22, 2013
Looking up at the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast:
Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon
Gazing up 92 feet:
Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon
Peering up inside the Yaquina Head Lighthouse tower – 114 stairs to the watch room:
Inside Yaquina Head Lighthouse Tower
When the lighthouse was constructed in 1872, the children of lighthouse keepers and lighthouse visitors were not permitted to climb the 114 stairs in the tower to the watch room because the US Lighthouse Service feared they would trip and fall on the steep stairs or squeeze between the posts of the handrails. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse retains its historic stairs and handrails and thus the safety of children climbing the stairs is still a concern. Today, children must be at least 42 inches tall to climb the stairs of the tower. Additionally, adults must accompany and assist children ascending the lighthouse tower.
Source: Bureau of Land Management
I will vouch for that justifiable feeling of fear on the part of the US Lighthouse Service! On our last visit to this splendid lighthouse and the surrounding Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, our 5 year old grandson was “tall enough” to climb the 114 stairs to the top of the tower. I confess to being the big sissy of the group. The little guy waited patiently with my understanding hubby and quizzical son-in-law as I whizzed by them to climb to the top and back by myself. My very prudent and proper “respect” for heights seems to quickly blossom into a full blown scardey-cattedness when I’m with little ones (I know I’m not alone in this*)!
Come on up!
Glancing up at the first order Fresnel lens, manufactured in Paris in 1868 by Barbier & Fenestres:
Yaquina Head Lighthouse Lens
About the light:
The light has been active since Head Keeper Fayette Crosby walked up the 114 steps, to light the wicks on the evening of August 20, 1873. At that time the oil burning fixed white light was displayed from sunset to sunrise. Today, the fully automated first order Fresnel lens runs on commercial power and flashes its unique pattern of 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off, 24 hours a day. The oil burning wicks have been replaced with a 1000 watt globe.
Source: Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses
Looking north from the top of Yaquina Head Lighthouse toward the beautiful beaches of the Oregon Coast
It was a “Great Day for UP!”
*My case in point: The Coastal Path, 36c – Kingsdown to St Margarets at Cliffe
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WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Up
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Posted in Lighthouses, Monday Miscellaneous, Pacific Coast Beaches | Tagged: beach, Newport Oregon, Oregon Coast lighthouse, postaday, up, Weekly Photo Challenge, Yaquina Head Lighthouse Newport Oregon | 20 Comments »
Posted by Jody on April 5, 2013
Color ~ The Old Point Loma Lighthouse Lens
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse – Illuminating the Past
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. At dusk on November 15, 1855, the light keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the light for the first time. What seemed to be a good location 422 feet above sea level, however, had a serious flaw. Fog and low clouds often obscured the light. On March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and the keeper moved to a new lighthouse location closer to the water at the tip of the Point.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, California
Today, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse still stands watch over San Diego, sentinel to a vanished past. The National Park Service has refurbished the interior to its historic 1880s appearance – a reminder of a bygone era. Ranger-led talks, displays, and brochures are available to explain the lighthouse’s interesting past.
Source: National Park Service
About the light: The original Old Point Loma lighthouse lens was hand crafted by Frenchman Henry-Lepaute. His beautiful master work was constructed with polished brass and several hundred hand-ground crystal prisms. Classified as a 3rd Order Fresnel lens, and weighing in at 1985 pounds, the light measures 5’2″ in height. When in operation, the beacon could be seen from more than 20 miles out to sea.
The beautifully maintained Old Point Loma Lighthouse is still quite a lovely sight to see!
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Related link: A Visit to the Tide Pools at Cabrillo National Monument
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Color
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Posted in Lighthouses | Tagged: beach, beach photography, Cabrillo National Monument, color, Point Loma Lighthouse, postaday, San Diego coast, Weekly Photo Challenge | 9 Comments »
Posted by Jody on March 11, 2013
Cape Meares Lighthouse, Tillamook County, Oregon
The Cape Meares Lighthouse was built in 1889. Commissioned on January 1, 1890, the tower is the shortest lighthouse on Oregon’s Pacific coast. It stands only 38 feet high! That’s because this beacon is situated on a headland that rises 200 feet above the ocean. It’s a bit of a drive from Tillamook to Cape Meares but it’s well worth the time. The views from the lighthouse are outstanding!
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is located 10 miles west of Tillamook, Oregon on the north end of the beautiful Three Capes Scenic Route. The park is open daily, throughout the year, from 7 am to dusk with no day use fee. The trail head to the Big Spruce, Oregon’s largest Sitka Spruce, is located near the park entrance. Features within the park include Cape Meares Lighthouse, an informational kiosk, interesting viewpoints where visitors can view off-shore rocks for native birds and the annual whale migration, the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, nature trails, and the Octopus Tree, an Oregon Heritage Tree. A picnic area that can accommodate small groups is located adjacent to the parking area plus picnic tables are situated in the center of the parking circle. More information: Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse & Wildlife Refuge
Another helpful link: Oregon State Parks
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Posted in Lighthouses, Monday Miscellaneous | Tagged: beach, beach photography, Cape Meares Lighthouse, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, Oregon Coast lighthouse, Tillamook County Oregon | 8 Comments »
Posted by Jody on February 11, 2013
Hog Island Lighthouse, The Bahamas
Oh, what a beautiful mornin’
Oh, what a beautiful day.
~~~
Built in 1817, the Hog Island Lighthouse stands at the western tip of the what is now called Paradise Island, The Islands of The Bahamas. This photo was taken on a beautiful morning from the beach at Nassau on New Providence Island.
Hog Island Lighthouse details:
Paradise Island (Hog Island, Nassau Harbour)
1817. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); flash every 5 s, generally white, but the light changes to red when conditions are dangerous for entry. 19 m (63 ft) round old-style brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted red… This is the oldest and best known lighthouse in the Bahamas and the oldest surviving lighthouse in the West Indies. Located at the western end of Paradise Island (formerly Hog Island) marking the northwest entrance to Nassau Harbor. Site status unknown. Good view from cruise ships entering the harbor.
Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Lighthouses of the Bahamas)
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I’ve got a beautiful feelin’
Everything’s goin’ my way.
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ ~ Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
~~~
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Posted in Lighthouses, Monday Miscellaneous | Tagged: beach, beaches of The Bahamas, Hog Island Lighthouse, Nassau Bahamas, Paradise Island Bahamas | 4 Comments »
Posted by Jody on January 19, 2013
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
Tillamook Rock
Built on a rocky island 1.2 miles offshore of Tillamook Head, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse represents an engineering and construction feat that overcame great obstacles. From 1880 when the lamp was lit until 1957 when it was decommissioned, “Terrible Tilly” served the maritime industry. Five keepers attended the lighthouse: four on duty at the lighthouse and one onshore on leave. No families lived at the lighthouse. Rotations were every three weeks for that’s when a boat returned the man on leave and brought provisions and mail. Because of the danger and isolation, these lighthouse keepers were paid more. Giant waves battered the lighthouse often shattering the protective glass around the light. During a storm in 1896, a rock weighing 135 pounds crashed through the roof and into the kitchen of the keeper’s quarters. After decommissioning, the lighthouse was abandoned for two decades. Under private ownership in 1980, the lighthouse was renovated and converted to a columbarium cemetery. Since 1994, the rocky islet has also been designated a federal wildlife refuge filled with nesting common murres and cormorants. The lighthouse can be seen from Ecola State Park and from Highway 101 south of Cannon Beach. It is not open to the public.
Source: Oregon Coast Visitors Association
Ecola State Park, Oregon
Don’t forget your binoculars!
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Oregon Coast
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Lighthouse trivia: Today, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse serves as a columbarium. A columbarium is a vault, building, or room with niches for storing urns containing ashes of the deceased. This site no longer accepts new urns.
Here are a couple of interesting related links: Oregon History Project, Seaside, Oregon
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Posted in Lighthouses, Pacific Coast Beaches, Weekend's Rock | Tagged: beach, beach photography, Ecola State Park, history, Oregon Coast lighthouse, TerribleTilly, Tillamook Head, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse | 22 Comments »
Posted by Jody on December 20, 2012
Point Cabrillo Light Station, Mendocino County, California
Years ago Greg and I spent a few days immersed in the rich history and natural beauty of the Point Cabrillo Light Station in Northern California’s scenic Mendocino County. At that time, the head light keeper’s house was a charming little bed and breakfast with just a few guest rooms upstairs. We were fortunate enough to visit during the Christmas season when the whole house was decorated in a very tasteful holiday style. In the evenings, it was as if we had the entire coastline to ourselves. We could wander the property and enjoy the serenity that seems to encompass this portion of Northern California’s rugged coast.
Head Light Keeper’s House, Point Cabrillo Light Station
We were told by the inn keeper that if you stood in a specific spot near the lighthouse during the dark of night you could catch sight of the four beacons of its rotating light heading out in all the different directions at the same time. He was absolutely right, of course. It was a pretty amazing perspective!
Greg and I had the opportunity to explore the historic light house on a personal tour for the inn’s guests one evening, and in the daytime, we headed to the tiny, sheltered beach at Frolic Cove (aka: Pottery Cove), named for the clipper brig that lies shipwrecked just off shore. Our entire stay was one unique and fascinating experience after another!
Christmastime at the Head Light Keeper’s House
Lighthouse View from the Sitting Room, Head Light Keeper’s House
View of the Keepers’ Quarters from the Lane
Sunset at Point Cabrillo
Does the scenery look familiar to you? The point on which the lighthouse stands sentinel is the sight of the fictional town of Lawson’s welcome home celebration for Luke Trimble in The Majestic starring Jim Carry.
Today, the Point Cabrillo Light Station no longer hosts a quaint bed and breakfast. The head light keeper’s house is now available as a four-bedroom vacation home rental, instead. Two additional cottages are also available for overnight stays.
*State Park website: Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
*Here’s a wonderful reference: PointCabrillo.org
*Dillon the Docent Dog spends a lot of time at Point Cabrillo Light Station and the surrounding area. You may want to check out his personal blog!
Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
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Posted in Lighthouses, Northern California Beaches | Tagged: beach, Christmas, Christmas decorations, Frolic Cove, lighthouse bed and breakfast, Mendocino County California, Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park, Pottery Cove | 22 Comments »
Posted by Jody on December 7, 2012
Island beaches, seashells, a lighthouse and Christmas! Does it get any better than this?
The Sanibel Island Light, Sanibel Island, Florida
Christmastime ~ The Sanibel Island Light
A Merry Christmas on Sanibel Island, Florida
The striking Sanibel Island Light stands on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, Florida. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, it was built to mark the entrance to San Carlos Bay to guide the ships calling at the port of Punta Rassa (across San Carlos Bay from Sanibel Island). The surrounding grounds are open to the public, but there is no entrance to the functioning lighthouse itself.
Seashell strewn Lighthouse Beach wraps from the Gulf side of Sanibel Island around to the bay side. This area of the beach is very popular with beachcombers looking for “minis,” the teeniest-tiniest of seashells. We’ve seen folks equipped with long surgical type tweezers patiently examining nearby seashell piles.
To find Sanibel Island Light just turn left on Periwinkle Way from Causeway Road. Head all the way to the end of the road. Here you’ll also find a fishing pier and a boardwalk nature trail winding through the island’s native wetlands. Facilities include restrooms and outdoor shower, plenty of 24 hour paid parking in the large lot and fee-free bike racks. Pets must be kept on a leash around the lighthouse grounds, and on the beach.
Would you like more info on Sanibel’s world renowned shelling beaches? Here are just a few more posts on Sanibel Island:
But wait, there’s more! 
You might also want to type “Sanibel” into the search box (Treasure Hunt!) on the top left of this page.
Merry Christmas and Happy Beachcombing!
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Posted in Beach Treasures - Beachcombing, Friday Finds, Gulf of Mexico Beaches, Lighthouses, Seashells | Tagged: beach, beachcombing, Christmas, Sanibel Island Florida, Sanibel Island Florida beachcombing, Sanibel Island Light | 28 Comments »
Posted by Jody on September 26, 2012
Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon
We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does.
Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine.
~Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899), American evangelist and publisher
In observance of the International Day of Peace (Friday September 21st), blogger Ailsa of Where’s my backpack? chose “White” for this week’s travel theme.
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Posted in Lighthouses, Today's Special | Tagged: beach photography, Newport Oregon, Oregon Coast lighthouse, Travel Theme, Yaquina Head Lighthouse Newport Oregon | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jody on September 17, 2012
Today’s Featured Writers are Mary Hilgart and Linda Kolman
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida (Photo by Mary Hilgart)
I had a wonderful opportunity last week when an old friend of mine asked me to join her in Daytona Beach. We stayed in a condo in Daytona Beach Shores, which is very residential. There are many high-rise rentals and a few hotels. This area is a bit south of the touristy area of Daytona Beach proper.
Photo by Mary Hilgart
From one side we could see the Atlantic Ocean, and the other side was the Halifax River.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse (Photo by Mary Hilgart)
A short distance to the south is Lighthouse Point Park and Recreation Area. There is a nice lighthouse that you can tour for $5 per person.
Photo by Mary Hilgart
There is also a turtle refuge nearby and a jetty on the beach which attracts many surfers just waiting for the right wave.
Photo by Mary Hilgart
Oh, looks like they found one!
Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill on the Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach Shores (Photo by Mary Hilgart)
Another popular attraction to this area is Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill. This is a very large pier that stretches over the ocean. On the opposite side of this structure is a bar, restaurant, and a gift shop.
North Turn (Photo by Linda Kolman)
There are many places to eat along the shore or on the river. North Turn had a great outdoor deck with a beautiful view. We got caught in a little rain, but there is also a large covered open air space that is just as nice.
Photo by Mary Hilgart
The thing that makes Daytona Beach different from any other is that you are allowed to drive your car on the beach!
This area is a very beautiful and peaceful one. The sand on this beach is fine and packs easily, without too many shells. So, it makes it easy to walk, run, or even ride a bike!
Photo by Mary Hilgart
The best thing of all is that you can catch the most beautiful sunrises on the beach. I’m sure the birds agree, as they have all come out to be spectators!
Childhood friends: Authors Mary and Linda (& Jody)
St. William School, Class of 1972
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Posted in Atlantic Coast Beaches, Lighthouses, Monday Miscellaneous, Surfing Beach | Tagged: Daytona Beach Florida, Daytona Beach Shores Florida, Featured Writer, Florida Atlantic Coast beach, Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse | 8 Comments »
Posted by Jody on August 24, 2012
So many folks who love heading to the beach also enjoy visiting lighthouses. We like to search out nearby lighthouses when we travel to the coast. It’s especially fun when you get to actually take a tour of the lighthouse, too! Whether your tour is self-guided, headed by a park employee, or led by a friendly volunteer, a trip to one of these coastal treasures is a surefire way to learn about the history of the area. It’s a bit of a climb to get to the lantern room on top of the tower, but the rewards are well worth the effort because you’re then treated to amazing views of the the vast ocean/river/lake, the often rugged coastline and the beautiful beaches stretched out below.
Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine (Photo by Rapidfire, from Wikimedia Commons)
4th Annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day
Saturday, September 15, 2012
For lighthouse enthusiasts, September 15th is the date to circle on the calendar! The State of Maine, the United States Coast Guard, and the non-profit American Lighthouse Foundation are all teaming up to “increase awareness of Maine’s maritime heritage and the rich history of its lighthouses and lighthouse keepers” in the fourth annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day.
Twenty four historic lighthouses and the Maine Lighthouse Museum are listed by VisitMaine.com as participants for the Maine Open Lighthouse Day. Which beacons will you climb?
Lace up your sturdy shoes! This is going to be fun!
Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, Maine (Photo by Roger H. Goun, from Wikimedia Commons)
Feel free to share your special lighthouse story with us! We’d love to hear from you.
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Posted in Atlantic Coast Beaches, Friday Finds, Lighthouses | Tagged: Maine lighthouse tours, Maine Lighthouses, Maine Open Lighthouse Day, Maine's historic lighthouses | 4 Comments »
alainaflute
Greg
Jody
E.G.D.
