First off, forgive my hiatus during the month of May. I was a busy little bee promoting my latest release, "The Wolf's Torment," and writing furiously to meet my deadline for "Danube In Candlelight." I've got a busy summer planned – more writing, and a vacation that's not really a vacation with the boys, but my lighthouse series is back. It's going to be a fun and busy summer!
I thought I'd take a peek at a lighthouse a little closer to my house – The Long Beach Lighthouse. Heck, I thought since the boat to Catalina Island leaves out of this harbor, I pass the lighthouse all the time. Shame on me! When I started doing my research and saw a picture of the actual lighthouse, my mouth dropped to the floor. That ugly thing was the lighthouse?
Indeed, the Long Beach lighthouse has the distinction of being the ugliest lighthouse in California.
Previous to 1949, there was a skeleton tower. In 1949, a 3 story, monolithic structure was made out of concrete and sits on 6 columns. Practically, it was built to withstand tidal waves and earthquakes, but it's not very pretty.
The lighthouse is known as a "robot light" because it's completely automated and remotely controlled. It's cool, modern, but aesthetically not "hip."
The good news – there are two fake, yet attractive lighthouses in the harbor. Heck, I was fooled!
That one is odd looking. We had one like the skeleton tower here for many years, around the same timeframe, but they replaced it with a more traditional looking light in my parent's lifetime.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I love about lighthouses is that the light is active and scanning. It's illumination is powerful on many thematic levels.
I've enjoyed this series, Steph.
Maggie
Thanks for popping in, Maggie. I've enjoyed it as well. I agree - the Long Beach Lighthouse is the oddest looking one I've ever seen. There's nothing romantic about it.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Steph
I'm not expert on lighthouses, but we do have some on the Texas coast--I think I've seen one, but not sure.
ReplyDeleteTo mee all lighthouses probably look alike-like those in books on covers.
We have some friends who have tried over decades to see every lighthouse in the US--I have not idea if they succeeded, but my question was--why? But they saw and did plenty of other things on the way. Plus they have a lot of photos!
Interesting, Steph--I agree--that is one ugly lighthouse! Celia
I love lighthouses. But, um...not that one! It looks like something a kid put together! Ug! I live in NC. We have pretty lighthouses like Hattaras, Okracoke, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Cape Lookout. Those are the ones I've seen.There are 7 lighthouses totaled in NC---the graveyard of the Atlantic. And visiting Curituck, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island lighthouse is on my bucket list. lol!
ReplyDeleteI love Lighthouses! But really...these are not the prettiest I've ever seen. lol
ReplyDeleteLilly, how intriguing! I'm a sucker for a pretty lighthouse and you've peeked my curiousity! :)
ReplyDeleteCalisa, ditto - the Long Beach Lighthouse takes the cake for ugly. Thanks for popping in, ladies.
Smiles
Steph