Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse June 23

We were going to have tours today and we wanted to get a jump on our preparations.  We swept the stairway, cleaned the exterior glass on the kitchen, radio room and entry way, and  vacuumed and prepared the gift shop.  

After breakfast, sea gull Fred dropped by.  My relationship with Fred has reached a new level of trust and  understanding.  He now will eat out of my hand!  Today is the second day in a row he has done so.   I also fed Ginger this morning.  She is still a bit wary of me and I can’t say I blame her…

Bill and Gretchen Schmidt, our recreational vehicle volunteers, arrived and we were ready to host the touring public.  Again, we had folks from all over including two separate parties from Ohio, including one guy who wore his Ohio State shirt.  We get a lot of people from Utah and the central valley of California.  Tours went well and the tide came in soon after our last tour group ended.  This was a shame because we had a couple from Adelaide, Australia and we had fun talking about the land down under.  The guy from Adelaide said he would play tour guide for us if we make it down!  We collected $265.40 in donations with 56 visitors total today.

After the tide was in, I fired up the mower and mowed the large fenced-in area that was a vegetable garden at one time.  Since I had the mower out, I continued to mow virtually every other part of the grounds.  I weed-whacked what I could not mow due to the sometimes rocky hillsides.  The tide had been in for a while when I was startled by a guy outside the garage who was walking around as if inspecting the property.  He was a painting contractor and was hinting at a work contract.  He did have some good ideas about a coating on the old cistern which would at least slow down the effects of weather on the metal areas subject to rust.  Those decisions are not ours to make, but I will forward his information to the Historical Society which oversees the property.

Teare made a nice chicken and rice dinner and we relaxed and looked out over the Pacific from our dinner table in the old Coast Guard Radio Room.  We noticed that the horizon was aglow with a white shimmer as the sun shone down on it. It was especially noticeable given the gray cloud cover up to that point.  

As we look ahead, we are beginning to make farewell plans with the volunteers we have come to know and with whom we have worked.  Dottie, who is the supervisor of all keepers, has asked us to return and we are looking at future dates!  

We will close for now.  We wish everyone well.  Below you will see a photo of Bill and Gretchen Schmidt, and pictured are good buddies, Bill and Fred!

Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse June 22

Was up and out the door to finish weed wacking and sweeping the walkway before the tour day began.  Teare straightened up the house and swept the stairwell.  We had breakfast after our chores were completed.  Soon, all of the tour volunteers arrived.  Teare and I had a day off from tours, so we decided to explore the area.  It is understood that when you do not have tour duty at Battery Point, you are free to leave the island and take a break from.  Looking at the solid schedule ahead of us we decided to take advantage of this free time away, knowing the lighthouse was in capable hands. 

We drove down to the south end of Crescent City.  Along the way, Teare spotted a herd of elk grazing in a field of high grass. She commented that it is much more difficult for elk to remain undetected than deer due to their sheer size.  We made the turn onto Enders Road and followed it to an amazing overlook.  You could see Battery Point, the businesses on Anchor Way, Crescent City and the giant beach which stretches from our lookout all the way to town.  We started down the Enders Trail which ran along the edge of the cliff and provided continual views of the ocean and the various rock formations jutting from the water.  Had we only hiked this trail it would have been a successful morning. However, we arrived at the intersection of the Coastal, the Nickel Creek, and the Beach AccessTrails, and we realized we were far from being finished exploring this area. 

The Nickel Creek Trail ran along the babbling stream, but you could not see it, due to the dense ground cover of fern and green foliage.  We came to an access point and pushed leaves and branches out of the way and made our way down to a beautiful series of cascading waterfalls and crystal clear mountain water pools.  As we followed the creek further up, we found an area where we could walk up the creek through a mini ravine which was totally covered with ferns.  We made our way back down along the creek and took the access trail which descended to the beach.  The beach was similar to the Secret Beach we described in Brookings a few days ago.  The beach was framed by cliffs and there was a natural arch through the rock.  We had to use the arch as a means of getting around the tide, as it was using up most of the available beach!  Beyond its natural beauty, we were struck with how wild the area seems.  There were very few people. It was as if you had this amazing landscape as your private playground.

We drove back into town for lunch and fueled up for the afternoon.  The adventure began with a drive south on California Highway 101 to Wilson Creek Beach.  The day had turned sunny and stayed that way.   Teare spotted a slanted rock on the beach.  Not having all the normal beach gear, we improvised.  Like two seagulls, we simply nestled in on the rock and basked in the sunshine.  We were only feet from the active, constant pounding surf.  It was wonderful after our hike and lunch.

When we had enough sun, we drove back north on the 101 to the Damnation Trail trail head within Redwoods National Park.  We were excited to get started on this trail, because the entire area was abundant with giant redwood trees.  They call it Damnation Trail because it climbs for about a half mile, then descends, via a continual series of switchbacks for nearly 2 miles.  We know what goes down must come up…. thus the well deserved name of the trail!  It took us over an hour to go down the trail.  It took a bit longer, with much more effort to climb out.  We continue to be amazed by the beauty and majesty of the redwoods. The highly filtered sunlight was casting long shadows in the forest and we wanted to make progress while we could still see our footing. (The mountain lions and black bear that frequent the area had nothing to do with it!)

What a beautiful forest!  It did feel good to sit down.

We stopped at a Mexican restaurant on our way back to the lighthouse.  Teare ran the gift shop totals for the day and our day is winding down to a tired, happy conclusion.   

We saw photos of the Cav’s Victory Parade in Cleveland and the crowds looked amazing.  We know Cleveland is going crazy.  Fifty two years is a long time in between championships.  Way to Go Cavs!  

We hope everyone is well.  Here are some photos of the day.

Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse June 21

The morning dawned clear but throughout the morning, we had intermittent fog.  One tour would have decent visibility from the lighthouse tower and the very next tour could not even see the jetty adjacent to Battery Point.  So it went throughout the day.  

We had a gentleman come by to look at the ATV.  Its important to have this equipment for hauling purposes.  The machine works, but it helps to know little tricks to get it into gear or if the starter doesn't want to do its job!

Sharon came by to volunteer for the 10-11 schedule at 9:30 and we started tours at that time.  We extended them beyond 11 to accomodate an extra group.  It was not a long tour schedule today, but we had full groups for the time we were able to open.

We visited with volunteers, Bill and Gretchen Schmidt, at their 5th wheel in a local campground.  Gretchen made homemade clam chowder and bread.  We learned how to play the game Rummikub.  Rummikub is a tile-based game for two to four players, combining elements of the card game rummy and mahjong.  It takes some concentration, focus and a bit of creativity.  Bill and Gretchen are very good at it and served as good instuctors.  We had a nice visit with the Schmidts.  We work with Bill and Gretchen on tours more than any others, so we have come to know them and enjoy their company and sense of adventure.  

We returned to the lighthouse and did a few chores.  Teare vacuumed and balanced the drawer and I mowed grass.  We took a break from our work to watch the sunset. 

We enjoyed visiting with people as everyone was watching the sun settle down over the numerous rocks in this stretch of the California coast.  The people we encountered included a lady who lives out on the Alaskan Diomede Islands next to the Russian border.  She is one of a group of friends who meet every year and take a trip together.  We met a couple from Champaign, Illinois.  We also met a couple from Vancouver, Washington followed by a family from Maryland who operate a small farm. This was their first stop on the coast.  A guy from Tampa, Florida who left his wife and kids down on the tidal basin wandered over to the point and tried to sell us financial services.  All this while watching the sun set and does not include the many folks we met in the course of conducting tours.  This setting can be as social as you wish to make it.  Teare and I have really enjoyed this aspect of being here. 

The sun has set and my recap is nearly complete. The lighthouse keepers who will be replacing us phoned today to coordinate their arrival with our departure.  This served to remind us that we are now less than ten days away from the end of our lighthouse stay.  We hope you have enjoyed being vicarious keepers and we still have those ten days to enjoy together.

The light shines on this evening and all is well at Battery Point.

Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse June 20

Brett and Betsy are back in Redding, Father’s Day weekend is over and it is time to get back to the business of lighthouse keeping.

After breakfast I cleaned the interior glass of the lighthouse tower.  In the kerosine era, the tower was referred to as the lantern room.  I fed Fred, the seagull, and as a show of thanks, he once again pulled grass and brought it to the picnic table where we usually have our conversations and dropped it on the ground.  Not sure we need nesting material, but I appreciated the gesture!  

Teare and I tore down the beds and then remade them after the laundry was done.  We tidied up for the tour day, and local volunteer, Sharon, was here by 9:00.  Sharon and I led tours for over two hours while Teare manned the gift shop and played tour control with the new arrivees.

The original 10-11 tour day turned into 9-12 simply because the tide permitted it and we were happy to do it.  Teare balanced the drawer and our tour day was over.

In the afternoon, I did some writing and Teare did some shopping and stopped by the Historical Society Museum for more gift store merchandise.  We had dinner and I decided to fit in a walk.  I visited with a woman from Frankfort, Germany and continued on my way.   As I was down by the beach, a car pulled up and a lady asked me if what she was looking at were sea lions.  I explained they were the structures put up to reduce the energy of violent waves.  I did tell her where she could always see sea lions.  She went on to say in a very excited voice that her husband and her had driven from Minnesota and this was the very first time they had ever laid eyes on the ocean.  Then she asked to verify that this was the ocean, I confirmed it.  It was fun to see the excitement in her face and she just wanted to share the experience.  I invited them to the lighthouse tomorrow for a tour and provided directions to the closest redwood grove only 10 minutes away.  Off they drove with my directions in hand while there was still daylight…so much for my walk before dinner…  

After dinner, I dropped off the garbage and drove to Safeway to get a dog treat for the Schmidt’s dog, Ben, who we will be visiting tomorrow.  On the way back to the lighthosue, I encountered a family from Wisconsin.  When I told them I was the keeper, they wanted a personal tour.  They had no idea the tide basin was already filling with water.   When I explained this to them, they were less interested in the tour and more interested in getting off the island!   The Ohio State fan in me saw them scrambling like scared Badgers… 

Back in the lighthouse, I reset the spotlight timer, since daylight is lasting longer.  Today was return to duty day.  That said, it was a very good day.  We were able to live in a lighthouse and we had our personal island in the Pacific once again.  Where else can you meet a lot of new people who are in good spirits because they are on vacation or locals just enjoying the beauty of the surroundings?   Take care and a good night to all!   

Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse June 19 Happy Fathers Day!

I know it is after the fact, but Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there.  Special greetings to Bud, and brothers George and Jim. 

We enjoyed a blueberry pancake breakfast in the radio room this morning.  Thanks again, Teare!  Since the lighthouse was closed to the public again, we headed off to the Jedediah Smith National Redwood Park here in Crescent City, California.  Again, we had to step rock to rock because we waited until the last moment to cross the tidal basin.  We warned everyone we encountered that the tide was coming in.  

Jedediah Smith is just a beautiful park and the Stout Grove has several extremely large redwoods.  We had a blast exploring the trees as we meandered the trail.  The hike involves, serious redwoods, grassy trails, creek overlooks, and a portion of the return loop is on the park road.  It was my idea of a good time on Father’s Day.

After our hike through the redwoods, we drove over to St. George Reef Recreation Area.  This area is a huge expanse of grasslands which lead up to cliffs and grassy mounds which border the Pacific Ocean.  The St. George Reef Lighthouse is visible a distance out in the Pacific.  The lighthouse has been necessary over the years due to the danger to ships of the reef and shallow water in the area.  We hiked up and around the grasslands and watched the gulls and pelicans fly below us on our rocky perch.  I was able to shoot a photo of Brett and Betsy on a distant cliff.

We returned to the lighthouse and grilled some steaks.  It was tough to do this while tourists were milling about and we had more than a few suggestions that we should expand the invitation list for dinner!  We had no choice, as we wanted to grill and we also needed to eat dinner before the Cavs and Warriors faced off in the final championship game of the NBA. In the midst of this, we actually gave a private tour to the tower to a couple from Zurich, Switzerland.  Betsy also bonded with Fred as she did the honors in feeding him.   

The final game went our way and congratulations to the CLEVELAND CAVALIERS for earning the right to be called NBA CHAMPIONS!  Needless to say, all four of us were on the edge of our seat as the close game came down to the last few minutes.  We were happy to share the victory with two fellow Cleveland/Cavs fans in Brett and Betsy.  I am especially happy for son Billy who is such a great Cleveland sports fan.  For once, I do not have to apologize for influencing him as a Cleveland fan...

 Sadly, we had to say goodbye to B&B.  We appreciate the effort they made to make the trip over here with everything they have going on in their world right now. The two of them being here was a great Father’s Day gift in itself.  

Teare and I could not tear ourselves away from the postgame interviews and could only imagine what it must be like to be in Cleveland tonight!  

That said, we will never forget where we were when Cleveland finally won a championship!  

                                    In Warrior territory no less…

Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse June 18

Thanks for your understanding of the break in the log for Fathers Day weekend.  Here is a recap:

Betsy and Brett arrived early but the tide would not permit them to cross to the point at 1:00 AM.  As I walked down the gravel path in the darkness, I shined my flashlight ahead.  To  my surprise, a skunk was glaring back at me!  Fortunately, he turned and ran.  His tail was up the entire way, but at least he was moving away from me and he did not discharge….  I proceeded down the path with a higher sense of awareness, my little flashlight sweeping any possible stopping point of my new acquaintance… I did not see him, but was disappointed to see the tide was still in which meant Brett and Betsy had to wait it out in their car after their four and a half hour drive over the mountains to get here.  I walked back to the radio room and leaned back on the couch for that next hour, but did not get any sleep.  When the phone rang again, I repeated my steps to the tidal basin and this time we were able to get B & B to the lighthouse….minus any critter encounters.

Teare made two egg souffles for breakfast.  We showed them around and then all drove up to Brookings, Oregon and  the Loeb State Redwood Park trail we had done the day earlier.  It was a perfect day for a hike.  Since it had rained overnight, the waterfall was better than the day before.  We enjoyed our hike and it was so good to have them with us!  

We stopped for sandwiches and drove north on CA Hwy. 101 to The Sam Boardman Park.  Here we did the Thunder Rock Loop and Beach Trail.  We stopped for a picnic lunch on the point of the cliff and we were blessed with another sunny day.  We explored the cliffs and waterfall, but unlike our prior visit, we went all the way down the trail to the beach this time.  This is a gorgeous sandy beach nestled in a rock encased cove and cliffs which rise from the beach to the beautiful green of the pines above.  They call it “secret beach” and when you are there, you have the sense that it is, indeed, your secret beach.  We walked it from end to end, then made the long climb back up the hill to the car.   We enjoyed the trail and the company.

We drove back to Crescent City and had dinner at The Chart Room Seafood Restaurant.  Betsy and I split the seafood linguini with mushroom sauce.  Teare and Brett had seafood combos.  The meal was tasty and the good news is we made it back to the lighthouse just as the first small streams of water were seaking the other side of the tidal basin.  We saw some beautiful starfish which the ocean had left behind in a tide pool.

We played euchre.  Not going to say who won, but Teare and I were satisfied with the outcome… ;) 

Keeper’s Log Battery Point Lighthouse June 17

Due to the tide schedule, the lighthouse was closed all day.  Teare and I decided to seize this opportunity and explore new sites. We wanted to scout out some ideas for when Betsy and Brett visit this weekend.

We closed up the lighthouse and drove 20 miles up to Brooking, Oregon.  We had breakfast at Maddie’s Pancake House.  We began our hiking day at Natural Bridge Trail then followed that with a hike around Whalehead Beach.  We wanted to find a particular hike and stopped by the information center to get directions.  Good thing we did as the trail head was hard to find.  

We stopped by a Subway and picked up sandwiches with the intent of eating them out at Thunder Rock.  We did find the small parking area and trail head. This loop trail, that skirted the edge of the cliff was spectacular.  We found a grassy spot in the sun and had our subs and just soaked in the rays!  Next we did an attached trail that led to a waterfall.  This was a pretty good drop and return climb to the parking lot.  

We stopped by Harris Beach State Park and simply explored the scenery from a high rock perch in the middle of the beach.  There were also several rocks off shore here to look at as well. 

We ended our visit to Brooking with a drive and hike on the Rogue River Redwood Trail.  This was a 45 minute hike on the side of hills past redwoods, creeks, waterfalls, and lush ground cover of clover and fern.  We agreed afterwards this was worthy of a return trip. 

Back in Crescent City, we stopped at the grocery store for a few more items before returning to the lighhouse.  The tide was already coming in!  I had to scamper across the high rocks to keep from getting wet.  We could not have cut it closer…

Our son-in-law Brett phoned to say that he and daughter Betsy would soon be on there way to come visit us at the lighthouse. Their drive will take 4.5 hours and they will arrive sometime around 1-2:00 AM with stops.  Tide should permit them to cross by 2:00.  We have been looking forward to this visit and they will be our first personal guests to stay over in the lighthouse. 

Below please find selected photos of our excursions today!  We wish everyone a great weekend!  Due to Father’s Day weekend, our next edition may experience a one day delay.