Today, we hiked the grueling 1/2 mile trail to the Heceta Lighthouse:) One of many lighthouses along the Oregon Coast, it is a beacon of warning for ships, and originally land travelers, as well. The lighthouse is just north of Florence and was built in 1894. It stands 205 feet above the ocean and is only 56 feet tall, but its light can be seen 21 miles away. Originally, the lighthouse was faithfully manned by 3 light keepers and their families who tended gardens, hunted, fished and oh, kept the lighthouse running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to warn sailors of the treacherous basalt ledges and cliffs.
Tidbit: In October of 1910 a disastrous fire struck downtown Florence destroying 10 buildings. The fire could have been much worse because stored in a nearby warehouse was 50 cases of coal oil for the Heceta Lighthouse. Because of someone’s quick thinking the coal oil was loaded on a steamer and moved away from the wharf.
Oh that’s what the lighouse looks on a sunny day. Beautiful. It looks nice in fog too but sun is better.
We have had a beautiful week of weather, unusual around here. The clouds and rain come back tomorrow, so a down day of blogging and reading. I just got an alert from the power company back home, I guess they are supposed to get a heavy wet snowfall tomorrow, bummer we won’t be there to shovel it:)
One of our favourite hikes! Take trail from the nearby SP Campground or parking lot! Just great. Sending best regards from Mexicos Pacific Coast