Keepers Log Wednesday, September 12

The dawn came cool and misty.  It was good to be back inside the radio room after morning chores.  No Janice this morning.  During feeding, Fred didn't wait for her.  We had a one hour window for tours today between 10 - 11:00 AM.  Fred (not the gull) could see that the tide was coming in fast from the tower, and both Jill and Fred exited just in time.  We had 22 guests in that hour and collected $263.02 in donations and gift shop sales.  Some time later Teare noticed a guy wading across toward the lighthouse.  He knew about the tide, but just had to come over to play a Pokemon game on his daughter's phone for her!  We watched as he returned barefoot and crossed back over with his mission accomplished...

Teare cleaned bed sheets and I replaced a smoke detector battery.  Volunteer Fred and I reset the time on the spotlight so that the light will more appropriately come on when it is really needed.

I thought I would share one story from the book I am reading dealing with acts of bravery and cunning during WW II.  There was a pilot from Poland who happened to be in Vienna, Austria during the German occupation.  One morning, a man came running up to him, almost knocking him over at his door, frantic as the Gestapo were looking for him.  He pleaded with the pilot to let him in his apartment.  The pilot did so and hid him.  The Gestapo did come and searched his flat but did not discover the hidden man.  Afterward, being a pilot and a sympathetic for the man's plight, he flew the man to safety in an unoccupied country.  The Gestapo returned to his apartment and accused him of hiding a fugitive.  The pilot asked what the man had done, and the response was that he was Jewish.  The pilot ended up flying for the French resistance until he was shot down.  He then signed on with the British RAF who desperately need pilots.  He flew several missions on behalf of the RAF, including the battle of Britain.  One day he suffered such damage that he decided to intentionally collide with a German plane.  He did and crashed in a violent heap, fracturing his skull and left for dead.  Fortunately for him, the British found him and took him to a hospital where they had to perform brain surgery on him.  One surgeon who heard of his case, readily agreed to perform the surgery.  When the pilot miraculously pulled through and regained consciousness, there sat the surgeon who saved him...the same Jewish man the Gestapo was hunting years ago!  From a story entitled "The Evaders" by Roman Turski

After dinner, the tide was still low so we wandered over to the pier which is a short walk from the lighthouse.

                                        B Street Pier, Crescent City

                                Freshly caught Jacksmelt off the pier 

We walked into town and looped around the Tsunami memorial.  On the way, we passed a sign showing the water surge depth of 8 ft. 5 inches during the tsunami of 1964.  We returned along the coast and finished the daylight hours in our usual perch.  

Look who joined us for the sunset!

  (Janice on the left and Fred on the right)

We climbed the tower to the bedrooms and made up both beds.  I took the flag down, and we wound down for the evening.  Thanks for joining us.  Our best to all.

And another day draws to a close...

Keepers Log Tuesday, September 11

Tuesday, September 11

The ground was wet from a rain the previous night.  We conducted a private tour in the morning just after breakfast.  This was a group of six (three females and three males) who each travel the country caravan style and live out of their RVs full time.  They each operate their own RV and travel caravan style about the country.  We met them the day before and set this private tour up in advance.  Sure enough, there they were at 8:30 AM.  This meant morning chores and all clean up needed to be done prior to their arrival.  All went well and they left donations in the tower and in the gift shop.

Since the tide was back in for the majority of the late morning and afternoon, I walked loops around the "rock" for exercise.  I also took some afternoon photos where the surf likes to crash into the rock.  While scrambling on the rock, I took a photo looking up at the lighthouse.  Teare did laundry and cleaned several throw rugs.  After lunch, I read from another book found in the Piland bedroom on Spies and Secrets during WWII.  

There were no tours today so we had a chance later to walk over to meet Fred and Jill for dinner.  Afterward, we shot a few photos and climbed to the top of the rock.  I was really tired after taking down the flag that I climbed the spiral stairs in the tower early for bed.  This last photo is from the out building built in 1881 for the purpose of storing kerosine for the lanterns of the day.  This was the same year the lighthouse switched from whale oil to kerosine for the tower lantern.

This post is dedicated to all first responders.  

 

Keepers Log Monday, September 10, 2018

Welcome to the Monday edition of the Keepers Log.  Today and Tomorrow the lighthouse is closed for tours.  Still, certain chores must continue: Teare watered the flowers, I raised the flag, did outside sweeping, and fed our pet gulls.   Next, we took the garbage over to the trash bins on the mainland next to the public parking lot.  


With a long high tide in the middle of the day, the tours are on hold for two days so Teare and I decided to hike a trail we learned about.  The Boy Scout Tree Trail in the Jedediah Smith State Redwood Park extends in one direction and dead ends at a waterfall.  Approximately 2.8 miles into the trail sits the largest redwood in the forest.  It is known as the Boy Scout Tree.  The Boy Scout Tree stands 238 ft high and is 23.24 feet wide.  Since we are without a car, we hired a cab to take us to the trail head.  The hike was beautiful.  The redwoods were majestic.  The forest appeared to be ancient.  What we both noticed was the absolute QUIET.  (other than the bird at the end!)

We were able to hike the moderate trail to the Boy Scout Tree in 1 hour 40 minutes.  We wanted to look around at the quiet giants, but in many areas the abundance of roots on the trail demanded that you look down as you moved to avoid tripping or twisting an ankle.   The Boy Scout Tree did not disappoint.

                                                                 The Boy Scout Tree

After a rest and a snack, we hiked further down the trail then turned around and headed back in the direction of the trail head.  Teare almost stepped on a snake.  Then she began seeing figures and shapes in the trees and their appendages.  

                                    Do you see the "bear" attached to the right side of the tree?

                                           Comparing my one day beard to the mossy tree...

                                                             Things are looking up!

We completed our hike, with all stops for photos, rest, etc, in approximately 4 hours.  Our cab returned in the pre-arranged time and off we went down the dusty road to Crescent City.  Instead of heading back to the lighthouse, we diverted to Torero's Mexican restaurant for a late lunch / early dinner.  From there, we stoped at Safe Way for some grocery items and continued our walk straight back to the lighthouse...there was more ice cream in the bag...

Tide was low and we scooted across.  We unpacked and responded to phone calls.  Teare relaxed and I read a little.  We watched the sunset with a couple from San Francisco and two young travelers from Australia and Switzerland.  Afterward, we took down the flag and headed in to our cozy lighthouse radio room. 

Thanks for joining us on our trip to the redwoods.  If you have never witnessed a redwood or sequoia first hand, consider adding it to your "to do" list.  Photos do not do them justice.

We hope everyone is well.  Until next time, this is Bill signing off from a windy and white capped Pacific off Battery Point Lighthouse.  Good Night.

Keepers Log Sunday, September 9, 2018

Thanks to Teare for filling in for me in writing the blog yesterday!  I thought our readers might enjoy a fresh perspective and better grammar for a change!  I think Teare readily agreed to fill in so I would not provide my version of the alarm story!  I thought she did a great job!

Today was very relaxed as a Sunday should be.  There was plenty of time before our tour, which provided the opportunity to do our chores and listen in on the Cleveland Browns game over NFL Radio.  What a wacky game that turned out to be!  A 21-21 overtime tie with the Steelers.  It is a little different listening to the game at 10:00 AM instead of the usual 1:00 PM, but it does free up the rest of the day, which we used to get ready for tours.   Teare swept the stairs from the tower to the parlor.  Then she swept from the gift shop to the kitchen and through the radio room to the side door.   I carefully wound the 1856 Banjo Clock and spruced up both inside and out.  

Our tour were supposed to begin promptly at 3:00.  Here is a photo of the tidal basin at 2:45:

As you can understand, we did not get started until 3:20 due to the tides!  No one seemed to care and we stayed a little beyond our normal closing time to accommodate as many guests as possible.  Teare worked the gift shop, Jill led tours in the parlor, Fred oversaw the tower, and I took the bedrooms today.  We had 322 guests and collected $322.37 in donations and sales.  Thanks again to Fred and Jill Battaglia for their great work with the tours.

                                                 Fred & Jill

After dinner I went out to make my evening walk and take down the flag.  I ran into a couple of guys from Quebec Province, Canada and a birder from Mount Pleasant, Michigan.  You just never know who you might see or where they may be from up on the rock.

The sunset was not a classic version, but then the clouds always add their own flavor to the visual smogasbord that is Battery Point.

I wish you all a good night.  This is Bill signing off from Battery Point.

Keepers Log Saturday, September 8, 2018

Hello, This is Teare, filling in for the world renown blogger, Bill. The morning started out with a bang, so I felt that I should tell the story. Most mornings in Crescent City, since we have been here have been fogged in during the morning hours. But as we awoke this day, the skies were blue as the sun was coming up in the eastern sky. I was so excited to see the sunrise, that I jumped out of bed, got dressed and ran out the front door with my phone to capture this moment in time. After taking the photo, I came back to the lighthouse to hear the alarm going off and the phone ringing. In all of the excitement, I had forgot to disarm the security alarm before opening the front door. The police were calling to see if there was an emergency. Thankfully, we were able to explain my mistake and saved them a trip to rescue a forgetful keeper!

To make the most of a beautiful day, after doing his regular morning chores and chasing away a tourist who was throwing rocks at his beloved Fred,  Bill took off for a short walk along the beach. Knowing that the high tide schedule would cut off his return passage across the tidal basin around 8AM, he had to move quickly. Meanwhile, I watered the flowers and got our gourmet breakfast of Cheerios and blueberries ready. But how many of you got to enjoy a view like this as you dined? We felt like we were on a cruise ship with a balcony view.

After breakfast, we did a sudoko, to work on that memory issue and gazed out thankful for the opportunity to have this view for a whole month.

You don't think that Fred and Janice were just going to stand around and let us finish our breakfast without reminding us that they too were hungry! We should have learned to feed them first, but then where's the fun in that! They are still trying to train us...the battle continues!:)

Our tours were from 3-5:30 today, so we had our own private island to enjoy until then. We both read while soaking up the sunshine and feeling the gentle breeze.  Dan, our weekend helper, along with Fred and Jill arrived shortly before 3 to begin our duties. With the extra help, it was a nice relaxed day. Bill got to be the greeter, organizing the tour groups and chatting with them while they waited their turn. During this time, the guests got to view a pod of Orca whales migrating south. The rest of us did our usual jobs. Sixty-four guests enjoyed the lighthouse bringing in $322.37. So many nice people, from Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Iceland, Canada and all over the US.

Since we had about an hour and a half after the lighthouse had cleared out, we walked down to the SeaQuake restaurant to have a quick dinner, and get home before the tide came in and we'd get out feet wet! We made it just in time walking on the barnacle-covered pipe to stay dry.

When we got back, Bill took down the flag and I took a picture of the sky. The day had started with a clear sky and ended with a cloudy, yet beautiful sunset.

Keepers Log Friday, September 7, 2018

Sunrise was at 6:48 AM.  It was overcast and foggy when I headed out to raise the flag.  I noticed on the weather app that the humidity is 99%.  That explains why our towels are not drying...  Had breakfast after the morning chores.  Conducted a private tour for a couple from Colorado and they left a $20 donation.  Did a little cleaning in the basement and worked on resetting the external spotlight...which was not appearing to work until I started this blog and has come on to light the grounds and lighthouse itself.  Glad to have this working again!  Teare cleaned the outside frames around the windows.  

Fred and Jill arrived and we conducted tours from 2-4 PM.  We had 35 visitors and collected $234.85 in donations and sales.  Again, our visitors came from all over the US and a lady from Switzerland.
  
Teare and I were able to take a walk after the last tour and before the return of high tide.  We walked to Little Caesars Pizza for dinner.  Then we picked up a few groceries and stumbled upon the First Friday Street Fair in Crescent City.  Our timing worked out well and we were able to put the groceries away and do one more private tour for a couple from Beach City, Ohio!  He left a donation in the tower grate. 

The sunset was spectacular tonight.  We shared the view with Fred and Janice.  Teare started mimicking Janice (the sea gull) and Janice continued to chatter to Teare.  They had a moment.  

We agreed this was a good day and a prime example of why we were so happy to return.  Thanks to Dottie for entrusting this safety/navigation aid and gorgeous piece of real estate to our care...

The light is operational and the seas are calm.  Keepers Teare and Bill signing off from Battery Point Lighthouse.  Good Night.

                                              

                                     Early Evening at Battery Point

                                      Our 5th Order Fresnel Lens

  
                                          Sunset over the Pacific 

                                  
                                   Red Sky at Night...Sailor's Delight

Keepers Log Thursday, September 6, 2018

The day started and remained overcast until the evening.  I did my morning chores and Teare cleaned the parlor.  I swept the tower, then resumed my book on US Grant.  

We conducted tours from 2-4 PM.  We had 23 visitors and collected $99.41 in donations and gift shop sales.  Our friends Quinn and Anna Wilson stopped by for a visit.  They sold their home and possessions, bought a motorhome and are relocating to the San Diego area to begin a new chapter in their personal and professional lives.  We were so happy they stopped to see us and we were able to join them at a local restaurant for dinner.    

As we were headed down the ramp enroute to the restaurant, I noticed an ultra light flying in the area of the lighthouse.  At first, we thought he might be attempting a landing.  Then we casually watched as he diverted toward the end of the jetty.  Next, he descended to a very low altitude approximately 10-15 feet above the jetty headed inland.  Again, it appeared as if he might attempt a landing, then powered up and went into a sharp side turn.  All at once, approximately 30 feet off the beach he suddenly plummeted sideways and slammed into the gravel beach just off the jetty on the lighthouse side.  There was a medical professional nearby and we summoned the local EMT.  Soon, the medical professionals from Crescent City, a fire truck, and police arrived on the scene.  The pilot was conscious and coherent.  The medical professional that was present at the time of the accident insisted that he not attempt to move.  He was in great distress as he was still in his harness and the fan of the ultra light was partially buried in the sand and gravel.

Whew - there was another first for the record books.  We were thankful the injuries did not appear to be life threatening, and he was getting the help he needed.   After dinner, we returned to the lighthouse where we conducted a brief tour and played cards until the tide receded.   Great to see Anna and Quinn!

Quinn & Anna