We headed back to Avila Beach again to hike the Pecho Coast Trail to the Point San Luis Lighthouse. Because it is on private property (PG&E operates a nuclear power plant about seven miles away) hiking is only allowed in the company of docents. We were accompanied by Phil and Phil who both did an excellent job of keeping the 15 of us in line.
What a view! Phil said we were lucky - usually, there is only maybe 1 day in 30 when it is as clear as it was for us.
A red-tailed hawk decided to check out the hikers invading his territory.
Believe it or not, at one time there were houses for four families situated on this white rock. It had to be pretty isolated living on that rock. Of course, back then the birds had not whitewashed it.
Nearly two miles into our hike (including over 500 feet of up and down hills) we arrived at the lighthouse complex. The main house with the light tower housed the keeper and his family. Two alternates and their families lived in a nearby duplex. The families were discouraged from associating to avoid feuds since they were extremely isolated and working together was essential.
The lighthouse has been replaced by this tower. It's all automated and operated by Homeland Security. The lamp is the little cylinder about the size of a one-gallon pail mounted on the platform railing. It doesn't quite have the same romance as the original - I doubt anyone would hike two miles to look at it.
The lighthouse was surprisingly solid and very well restored. The floors, walls and ceiling were redwood (walls and ceilings were painted to the original colors.) There was a lot of intricate trim work and crown moldings. Considering how remote the location was (everything was brought in by ship) it was quite an architectural work of art.
The different iterations of fog horns (steam and compressed air) were on display along with a lot of pictures of the facility over the years.
The original lighthouse lamp was on display with its really cool Fresnel lens. Over the years the oil lamp was replaced with an electric bulb and the weight driven rotating mechanism was replaced with an electric motor. Of course, now it's all been replaced by that little sealed jar on the top of a pole.
Phil was kind to us on the way back stopping for breaks and telling stories about the local history.
On our way home, you know we had to check on the butterflies. It was warm and they were pretty active.
It's difficult to capture the growing numbers. Unless you zoom in, they just look like dark blotches in the trees.
Sunset at low tide again. Joani did the stairs on her own as Sam and I watched from the cliff top. I figured I had enough exercise for the day. Good thing Joani had the energy or she would have missed this picture.
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