Keepers Log - Tuesday, September 4

We were up early and it was looking overcast, but once again the overcast was really morning fog which burned off by 8:00 AM.  I did my usual morning chores of putting up the flag, sweeping the walkway, and feeding Fred and Janice.  The gulls appeared especially hungry this morning.  Since the tide window was narrow (short time between high tides) we did not open the lighthouse for tours today.  Teare was out and talking with some early visitors and after sensing their sincere interest in the lighthouse, we decided to conduct a private tour.  The father/son duo were from Dallas, TX and the couple was from San Francisco.  Both parties made a generous donation and purchased a book. 

Teare and I took a walk, ever mindful of the tide's return.  The photos of the flower and views looking back at Battery Point are from a distant cliff.  Our walk took us past the Brother Jonathan memorial and cemetery.  The Brother Jonathan was a paddle wheel steamer that hit the rocks 3 miles north of Crescent City and sunk resulting in over 200 casualties.  This accident took place in 1865 and underscores the importance of the two lighthouses along this stretch of the California coast.

We returned with dry feet and had lunch.  After lunch I read from a book in the Captains Bedroom published in 1881.  It is the book of American Presidents to that time (Chester Arthur).  I focused on Andrew Johnson.  It was interesting to read how he dealt with the post Lincoln era and the continued division among the states.  I recall reading about Washington from the same book two years ago.  

Afterward it was back to work.  Once again being on our private island, I mowed the grass around the lighthouse and the fenced area at the top of the walk.  I noticed that it became very windy and cooler during the afternoon.  After dinner, we noticed our two pets were just outside the side door waiting for their evening snack.  We watched the sunset wrapped in blankets and holding on tight so they would not blow over the rocks into the sea.  The flag was also a challenge to bring down and secure in the heavy wind.  We are both glad to be inside as the wind continues to press against the windows.  My final chore of the day will be to add Rid-X to the toilets to aid in the breakdown of the septic tank contents.  Tomorrow is an open day with 2 hours of tours between 1-3 PM.  Our RV helpers, Jill and Fred (not the gull) from Phoenix, AZ will assist with the tours.

We hope everyone is well back home in Ohio.  The seas are up but the light is on.  Signing off from Battery Point, this is lighthouse keeper Bill.  Good Night.