National Lighthouse Day

Today August 7, is National Lighthouse Day. Brought to us by the Lighthouse Act of 1789, signed into law by President George Washington.

This picture is one of my favorites. While traveling in 2010 with my friend Gregory, I snapped this in Massachusetts. I cannot remember exactly where in the state it was. Probably on our way to the Cape that day. Early morning sunrise it was an unplanned stop. As it turned out I was standing in the right spot at the right time. The sunlight coming through the top of the lighthouse is natural. No touch-ups. No filters. It was just the right photo at exactly that moment. We laughed, Gregory was standing next to me on my right, and he also took a photo and did not have the same outcome. Wild! I love it when I do something amazing without expecting to do so.

I took this picture in 2023. Our first trip to the coast. Located in Crescent City California, the Battery Point Lighthouse. I didn’t take the walk up to the Lighthouse on this day. Wolf wasn’t up for it, and I remember it was very windy and there was a sign that stated walk across the bridge to the lighthouse at your own risk during bad weather. Me, not a thrill seeker, decided to not take the journey. I settled for a distant photo instead.

During our trip up the Oregon Coastline, we took a daytrip in the motorhome and visited the Umpqua River Lighthouse. I’ve added the history sign. It was smaller than I expected. it is nestled in a neighborhood as most of the historical spots along the coastline. As you can see from the mailboxes for homes nearby. Someone mentioned to me there are nine lighthouses along the Oregon coast. This is the only one we visited. As we traveled North, now I don’t remember if I spotted others. Maybe one or two. By this point in our trip, I was in awe of the coastline itself. I’m sure it would make a great road trip itinerary. I believe you have to travel down a few side roads to see them all. And in a motorhome, that was something we didn’t want to chance getting stuck in a tight area. Coastline communities have very tight, narrow roads that are not RV friendly. My recommendation would be to google satellite the area beforehand.

I love lighthouses. My mother did as well.

For me they are surviving proof that through all of the advances in technology they remain a prominent stance that we cherish their history. No longer a grueling job needed for a keeper during harsh weather. Sailors and ship captains no longer need to keep a close eye out for the beaming light to guide them to shore. Now they are adornments for visitors of days gone by. Just a simple cylinder building with a glass top and a light that many seek to visit. Yeah, I’m kind of one of those people.

I hope your week is good and you are safe and healthy. I just wanted to drop a post about today in history. A topic I am interested in, and I find notable in people’s travels.