June 28, 2013

Cape Blanco State Park

Today was our last full day shift (we work only the AM shift tomorrow at the Greeting Center) so that meant it was our last day working in the lighthouse.

Monte unlocked the door,

 

 

 

 

 

  

 pulled out the dehumidifier reservoir

 

 

 

 

 

  

 and dumped the water outside. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the boards I use as part of the interpretive tour.  It has a floor plan showing that the Work Room had been actually two rooms when the lighthouse was built in 1870.  The room had been divided with two fireplaces-one facing into the Work Room and the other into the Oil Room.  The Oil Room had contained eight 100 gallon drums that stored lard oil, the method that had originally been used to light the flame. 

As part of my set-up I had to open up the chest that stored replica tools used by the lighthouse keepers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

that included a measuring can, funnel, feather duster and oil carrier.

 

 

 

  

Monte started up the stairs.   

 

 

 

He unlocked the door leading to the Watch Tower.

 

Photo of motor turning the lens.

Stairs leading to the Lantern Room

A visitor.

Monte called down to me that he needed a broom to sweep off the bird feathers on the cat walk outside the Lantern Room. 

A gentleman named Ken came with his aerial camera to take pictures of the lighthouse for a project he is doing for the Heritage Society.  

 

 

 Of course Monte buzzed me on the radio to say he wanted to get one of the cameras.

 

These pictures were taken from the lighthouse door facing the Greeting Center.   

Monte took these pictures from the Lantern Room. 

 

 

The morning flew by with non-stop visitors.  We were relieved for lunch by co-hosts.  We worked in the Greeting Center in the afternoon.  The time seemed to drag with only a handful of visitors. 

The weather was beautiful with clear skies.  It was warm enough to be in short sleeves.

The last tour ticket was sold at 3:15.  At 3:30, Monte and I drove down to the gate to block the entrance so no more cars could enter but we left enough room for cars to depart.

When the last car drove through the exit, we closed and locked the gate.

We went for our nightly walk.   When we came to the bluff overlooking the shore it was warm enough for me to take off my long-sleeve top over my tank top. 

Monte and I sat on the picnic table for the longest time just staring out at the ocean.   Our time at Cape Blanco is coming to an end and although we have complained about the cold, we are going to miss this amazing place.