Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse Monday, June 6

We continued to have heavy fog this morning.  We were due to have a school group of 3rd graders in from 9-10 AM followed by public tours from 10-11.  With this schedule in mind, we made sure to get breakfast and staighten up by 8:15.  I walked down the walkway to sweep and Dottie was coming up the hill.  Dottie is our main contact and advisor from the Historical Society.  She has a quick wit and an ornery sense of humor.  Let there be no mistake, she is our boss.   

We provided an update on the work we had performed and much of it she could see for herself.  Pleased with what we have done so far, she settled in and I gave her a cup of coffee.  Soon afterward, Bob, a local volunteer arrived.  I invited Bob in for coffee and Dottie devised a tour game plan.  Teare had baked oatmeal cookies for the school groups and we provided star fish for anyone who found two stars as a mini treasure hunt in the lighthouse.   One of the children was ill and threw up in our bathroom.  This was the only snag in the morning.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

We had four small groups of third graders and another four groups of public tours from 10-11:30.   We had 46 total visitors, 26 school kids, and 20 adults.  $153.00 in donations.

After the tours were complete, both Dottie and Bob left and I walked down the path to sheep dog those who might want to cross the tidal basin.  Sure enough, there was a family from Colorado that had already crossed the narrow walkway.  I did not have to explain the tide pattern for long as the tide explained itself!  More wet feet…   I returned up the hill to have lunch on our private island in the Pacific…

After lunch and I fed Ginger, the sea gull.  The light continues to shine and all is well.  The day grew more windy as the hours went by.  Looking out from the tower, the white caps were racing toward us.  At one point the gulls were putting on a show of hovering in the wind at eye level.  All they had to do was face the wind, extend their wings and they were suspended in place.  

When we looked forward to this experience, we had visions of times when we could read and just look out over the ocean and soak it all in.  Today, after the tours and lunch, we had a chance to relax.  We both read a little.  I did some exercises.  Went up to the tower a couple times.  With the increased wind, the fog cleared and we had decent visibility for the first time in three days.  

We had dinner and went for a 2-3 mile walk on the bike path that originates at the parking lot for the lighthouse and fishing pier.  We discovered the Cultural Center, an aquarium and a local natatorium.  The trail finally ended near a campground, but a paved area brought you out to the 101near the Apple Peddler Restaurant at Elk Valley Road.   I jogged a little.  We both needed to get out and move a little.  

The sun has set once again and I noted that every window has a view in this lighthouse….even the bathroom.  One thing we are getting used to is people walking past our windows exploring the point.  Since this is public property, visitors are likely on the point until the tide dictates their departure….and even then there are those who are either unaware or not afraid to get wet and might try to hang out over here if we were not aware of them. 

Here are a few photos of the wind-swept seas from the lighthouse tower.  Have a great week everyone!

Teare and Bill