Battery Point Lighthouse

While in Crescent City, CA we visited the Battery Point Lighthouse.

From a distance, it’s easy to miss three facts. First, the only way to get there is to walk through rocks and debris left by high tides. Second, you can only go there and back during low tides; otherwise, you’d be wading or swimming through water 4-10 ft. deep.

Someone lost part of their boat.

Third, repairs and construction are in progress, making it impossible to enter through the front door.

So we entered through the side door which led through the laundry room and kitchen. Inside, friendly docents led us through the dwelling and up into the tower. Photography isn’t allowed inside, so I can only include a taste of what’s there, including this very narrow circular stairway looking up into the light tower.

I began feeling an attack of claustrophobia coming on, so I declined to climb all the way up, but Don went and learned about the light, and we both enjoyed the rest of the tour. 

The light was first lit in December 1856 and was automated in 1953. The lighthouse survived the tsunami caused by the earthquake that struck Alaska in March 1964, suffering no damage. However, the town of Crescent City wasn’t so lucky, suffering eleven deaths and the loss or damage of many boats and homes, with a total cost of $7 million.

To learn more about the lighthouse, visit the web site of the county historical society or Lighthouse Friends, or Google the name to learn even more. And if you’re interested in being a volunteer lighthouse keeper (and actually live in the house) or volunteer guide (and stay in a nearby RV park) for a month, look in Workamper News.

We had lunch at the Chart Room, a seafood restaurant with great bay views. The crab louie (me) and shrimp louie (Don) were both great.

Afterward, we watched the sea lions sun themselves.

Mom and Dad seem to be disagreeing over what Baby does.

Mom jumped into the water and tried to get Baby to follow her.

Dad decided to jump off the other side.

Meanwhile, two sea gulls watched from their vantage point.

We enjoyed a drive up the coast and got a view of the lighthouse from a different perspective.

Now we’re in Brookings-Harbor, Oregon, where we met up with Frank & Gloria King. Actually, we joined them on the road and caravanned for several miles. Our RVs are parked at the Elks Lodge and we’re exploring the harbor and coastline, about which I’ll write soon.