On a routine day when going to work, we wait in the parking lot outside of the Lighthouse grounds for other co-volunteers. One of us need to let the workers through the gate, but must remain behind to be sure that no one gets into the grounds before 10 am when the tours begin.
This view of the lighthouse, through an opening in the sign, was possible because of the sign's design by our Park Ranger, Greg. Neat, huh??
Today we began the day working at the Greeter's Center and Gift Shop. Gary gives his little story just outside of the GC in the corner which blocks much of the north wind. While he does this, I continue to greet newcomers.
From this story they move on to the Lighthouse for the next story with another volunteer in the workroom attached to the bottom of the Lighthouse tower. The second story teller then sends them up into the tower, five at a time, for their last volunteer storyteller in the Lantern room at the top. There are 64 steps up, with the last eleven being much like a ship's ladder.
This work day we had Coast Guard visit us off the bluff with their helicopters doing recovery mission practice maneuvers. They are not sitting on the ground as it appears, but are rising from the rocks in the shallow waters below.
Here you see the (stuffed) dummy victim that they are rescuing.
When we are at the Greeter's Center, we not only have the Lighthouse view to the western most point of the Pacific coast of the 48 states. But also looking in the opposite direction, we see the trees to the east where the State Park Campground is (home to us) with the road and a large parking lot between the campground and the lighthouse.
Often there are people flying their model planes and gliders off the ridge on the right of this picture near the eastern parking lot.
The road then is both hilly,winding and pretty narrow with only a couple turnout spots. We had a fifth wheel come clear back for the Lighthouse one day and he chuckled as it would have forced anyone traveling in the opposite direction to back up. He said that since he would not have gone in to reverse they would have had to back up!! If I had been driving the firth wheel and wanted the tour, I would have walked that last mile!!
When we have time for watching the sights around us, this is our view of the shore off the north of our bluff.
It is fun watching the breakers and occasionally hikers. One day a Park Ranger came up to us and asked if we had noticed a hiker on the beach in an orange jacket who he noticed had been sitting down there for quite some time. We had not noticed, but we continued to watch then until he finally put his back pack on again and began to trek further north. The Rangers have stories to tell of rescuing people on these rocks. People who forget that they are not as young as they used to be!! It keeps the Rangers on their toes!!
Now back to the Lighthouse:
A close-up of visitors in the Lantern room with the volunteer guide.
Now to take YOU up into the Lantern room at the top, Gary took these photos.
Looking past the Fresnel Lens installed in 1936, which was the second lens installed in this particular lighthouse.
View of the lens pieces, while looking to the top peak.
Looking in though the bulls eye of the lens to the two- 1000 watt bulbs. One burns all the time and the second one will come on if the first one burns out. This is all maintained by the Coast Guard, cleaning of the lens as well. 
Also on this floor, there is one section of outer window that opens for air and for cleaning the outside of all outer glass of the tower. 
Then there is the curtain that can be pulled if the light burns out so that the sun can not shine through the magnifying lens causing a fire. Of course, today we would then have to call the Coast Guard also.
Leaving work for the day, this is the view on the south side of the bluff that we can see when winding our way out of the Park.
Not two lighthouses!! Just showing you both the south and the north side of the 200 foot bluff that the 50 ft. Cape Blanco Lighthouse is located on.
Back home in the park, we stopped to take a picture of our neighboring volunteers. They are here volunteering for their ninth year. She wears a pin for 4000 volunteer hours!! Can you tall they like their lighthouses?? Most of them in the window stay there even when they are traveling down the highway, thanks to Velcro. Jack and Pat are very nice people to visit with!!
Stay with us and we will take you to the Redwoods again, but very north California this time.
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