Jake's father, a retired Nassau County detective, is the type who would happily live in a lighthouse, away from the world and all of its noisy excess. I wonder if many police officers end up this way. It makes sense to me that after a career of dealing with crowds, noise, excess, violence and chaos that a person would crave peace, quiet, and the tranquility of waves crashing and the cries of gulls to the alternative.
In my father-in-law's honor, we visited a lighthouse in Central California for the grand tour a couple of weeks ago. Piedras Blancas, located six miles north of San Simeon on Highway 1 (near Hearst Castle), was built in 1874. The lighthouse was originally 110 feet in height, but in 1949 the upper part was removed due to earthquake damage. Current height is 74 feet.
The name "Piedras Blancas" means white rocks in Spanish. The reason for this name is apparent as visitors view large stone outcroppings in the water covered in massive amounts of bird poo. The lighthouse is managed by the BLM and tour goers are met by BLM rangers and led by local docents. Our docent was a semi-retired professor from Cal-Poly who not only was good at reciting the dry facts of the history and use of the lighthouse, but also full of info and stories about local flora and fauna, shipwrecks just off the coast (BEFORE the lighthouse was there, in case you're wondering) and even had some cool skulls of local wildlife for the kids (and Officer Jake) to touch and see.
I had a heckuva good time taking photos. Nothing like lighthouses and the Big Sur coastline to inspire artistic tendencies. And Jake's dad is now contemplating life as a lightkeeper yet again. His Mom? She would never leave her bowling league. But we can let the man have his dream for now.
Great pics Reneee!
and I figured how to get my comment to post.
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkkk63LU8rbs5Q8RhymBLbFEAWZvEQ2--M | September 11, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Nice pics, Renee! And yes, some retired officers DO like the peace and quiet of a serene location. Deputy Flamethrower is totally glued to the spot he's in, surrounded by deer, eagles and other wild birds, racoons, armadillos, opossums, and a few wild hogs thrown in for good measure. Following nature's timetable -- up with the sun, bedtime at dark. (Well, except for occasional nightowl tendencies.)
Your photography is a peaceful respite. Thanks!
Posted by: SES | January 11, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Hey Renee long time no visit. I hope you're doing well. I love the pictures and yes I will probably retire to a place like this. Cops are very drawn to places like this.
Posted by: Blue | February 04, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Hey Blue,I always meant to ask you what division do you work out of. I know you've been posting here a long time. My very dear friend is in the Newton division
Posted by: Mary C | February 09, 2010 at 10:00 AM