Cape Blanco Lighthouse

We struggled to know whether we could even get the RV to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, but we decided to risk it.  The walk was too long for most visitors, so we knew there had to be a way.  Don was relatively stressed, however, as it was not readily apparent that we would be able to turn around.  An RV with no turnaround is in trouble.

After paying at the guest shop, we met the volunteer on the first floor who told us about the oil room, the family life, and the restoration of the building.  On the second floor, we met Bob, who was dressed in an actual lightkeeper's uniform.  He explained about the lighthouse and how it operated, and then he took us up to the third floor where we came nose-to-nose with the fresnel lens.  Just like the Heceta Head Lens, it was yellow because of the sulphur they put into the glass, but unlike Heceta Head, this lens was made in France.  We noticed a few chips in the glass.  Apparently two young teens broke in and took a hammer to them.  Turns out one of the boys was the mayor's son.  Oops.

We also learned that the only way to clean the windows was to hang onto some handholds outside.  Yikes!  While we were looking at them, Don was scoping out the parking lot, trying to figure out how we were going to turn around.  Not to worry.  One of the volunteers assured him everything would be all right, and we were able to leave without having to unhook the Jeep.

The lighthouse in the fog

The Fresnel Lens was so large, and we were so close, we could not take a picture of the whole thing!

We loved seeing the lighthouses and their many differences.  We missed a few . . . so, as in our now famous words: next time!