I was up early and slipped my running shoes on and went out into the 54 degree air for a jog. I went to the Coast Guard Station on the south side of town. This took me by the pier, on a beach, past a campground, past a couple restaurants serving breakfast…the smell of bacon wafting in the sea air, past fisherman loading their boats at the public boat ramp, and the ever-present sea lions near the marina.
After breakfast we paid a visit to the Del Norte County Historical Society and Museum. Teare handled some money matters there. Teare went into a shop and I discovered a mural to commemorate the Tsunami of 1964. Across the street from the mural was a memorial to the 11 people who lost their lives to this tidal wave.
Next we went to the Crescent City Visitors Center. We learned of new hiking trails and scenic drives. We also received a tip on a lunch spot and we followed up on this. This turned out to be a deli style restaurant and we shared a sandwich (and carrot cake).
I would like to report we then went hiking, but the truth is we had time only to go to the grocery store before the daily tours would be ending and we wanted to be back to help close the drawer.
It took two trips to lug the grocery and supplies we had purchased. Bill, Gretchen and Bob had a busy day with 74 visitors and donations of $347. We were there to help Gretchen close the drawer and see everyone off.
Being back on the point also provided the opportunity to help ensure that visitors were able to get back across the tide basin before the sea choked off a dry, safe exit. We had a father/son from Gettysburgh, PA. who had just come across and another family just about to follow their father across when I suggested they turn back. Just about that time, a wave came in and the guy got a bit wet.
The other reason we wanted to return to the lighthouse was to do our chores. With the tide in, tours closed for the day, and dry weather, it was a good opportunity to mow the grounds. I mowed the large fenced in area which used to be a vegetable garden for the first time. I went on to cut all the grass that I could with the mower and trim the remainder with the weed wacker. Teare swept the spiral staircase and cleaned inside the lighthouse. She also wiped down some wood work and door frames.
We had dinner outside on the picnic table and saw two more seals swim by.
Of course I fed Fred. The tide was going out and people started coming up the hill. Two of them stopped to visit with us and we learned one had graduated and one was a senior agriculture student at Chico State University in Chico, California. We decided to invite them in for a private tour. His name was Chris and her name was Emily. We ended up talking with them for a while after the tour. They left to return to their campground and we did the dishes.
While we did our share of chores today, we recognize that is part of the gig. Still, we are living in a lighthouse looking out over the Pacific Ocean in what can only be described as "Wild Kingdom" with all the various marine life, birds and ground animals here.
Hi Teare!
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