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Old Point Loma Lighthouse - 1855-1891
Not as tall a tower as some other lighthouses, this one gained its height from the peninsula on which it stood. It is a lovely site. We left the tide pools and headed towards the Old Point Loma Lighthouse which sits high atop the southern tip of, ..... what else?, ..... Point Loma, San Diego. The point forms a natural protective barrier at the entrance of San Diego Bay. Like a sandstone rampart jutting into the sea, the peninsula rises 422 feet above the water and provides strategic views of the harbour and ocean. In 1852 it was designated as a military reserve and gun batteries were built in 1899. During World Wars I and II military installations on the point provided vital coast and harbour defence. The military painted the Old Point Loma Lighthouse olive green and used it as a command post and radio station during the wars.
The first stop at the park is the Visitor Centre where you will find books, exhibits, films, and panoramic views of the harbour side of the peninsula. We walked from the visitor centre to the old lighthouse which included the lighthouse exhibit, assistant keeper’s quarters, an old cistern, and the whale overlook. As San Diego’s first lighthouse, Point Loma guided ships along the coast and marked the entrance to the harbour for over 30 years.
Keeper's Quarters
This photo shows the formal sitting room in the living quarters of the Point Loma Lighthouse. All the rooms were located off the tower and included an eat-in kitchen, as well as bedrooms on higher levels. A captain once reported seeing the light from as far as 39 miles (63 kms) away. For many years it was the highest lighthouse in the country - so high that rising fog and low lying clouds often made it difficult to see. A new lighthouse was built at a lower elevation in 1891.
Lighthouses have been of integral importance to the development of maritime commerce in the United States. Indeed, with each voyage the lives of sea men have depended on these lighthouses. The heart of a lighthouse is its lens and the light within. The soul of a lighthouse has been described as its dedicated keepers, - men and women whose attention to detail kept the lights shining night after night.
Although they vary in appearance, a lighthouse is essentially a bright light on top of a tower. Together with fog horns, buoys, channel markers, etc., lighthouses guide mariners along the coast, or into a port, or warn them of submerged dangers. The light on top is either fixed or rotating. Before lighthouses were automated, keepers lived on sight, in the living quarters with their families. The rooms in the Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Spiral Staircase to the Light
Looking down this staircase from the top reminds me of the spiral inside of a snail's shell. You can see Nathanael looking up at me from the bottom. He wanted to try to slide down the banister and was very disappointed when forbidden to do so. have been decorated and preserved to show how its keeper and his family lived and worked. We saw the living and dining rooms on one floor and the bedrooms on another. A staircase wound up to the light at the top of the tower.
After touring the lighthouse, we walked along the Bayside Trail and the Whale Overlook that took us even further out onto the point. There were beautiful views of San Diego Bay, Coronado Island, and the Pacific Ocean. We saw various native plants growing along the path. One we particularly liked was the lemonadeberry bush. This plant is a dense, evergreen shrub that can grow up to ten feet in height and width. Pinkish flowers produce reddish berries that ripen in the summer. The berries were described as having a lemony-acidic flavour that made a tasty beverage for Native Americans. The fruit dries to a chewy consistency and can be eaten as a tart candy. We all tried the berries that were covered with a sticky wetness and they did taste like lemonade, it was amazing. For a quarter, Nathanael used the stationary binoculars to view the ocean. He focused on several ships, three islands
Captain Ahab Looks Out to Sea
Oh wait, ..... it's Nathanael! For a quarter, he got to use these binoculars for about twenty minutes. He had a grand time focusing on ships, islands, and marine life. in the ocean (two which belong to Mexico), and followed the route of two dolphins that were swimming northward on a course parallel to the shore. It was truly an incredible sight!
We headed back to the Visitor Centre and checked out the Cabrillo Monument. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese explorer who sailed from Mexico into the unknown waters of the Pacific Ocean off North America. Although much about Cabrillo is a mystery, what is certain is that he was the first European to set foot on the west coast of what is now the United States in the early 1500’s. He claimed land for the king of Spain, while searching for a route to Asia, the Spice Islands, and an uncharted, mythical passage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. His flotilla entered what is today San Diego harbour on September 28, 1542, naming the area San Miguel. After six days he continued north but due to complications from infection following an injury, Cabrillo died on January 3, 1543. Although his exploration goals were unfulfilled, his voyage did accomplish added knowledge of landmarks, winds, and currents that made future exploration safer. A large statue of Cabrillo stands
The Whale Overlook
A sculpture of grey whales sits at the whale lookout. It would have been truly wonderful to see whales but I think it wasn't the right time of year. at the top of the cliff, overlooking San Diego Harbour. Nearby is a tribute marker from the Portuguese Navy, presented in April 1957.
As the park closed, we headed towards the car, expecting to make our way back up to Alpine. But Laurie had one more surprise for us this day, .... a quick stop at the San Diego Marina. It is a beautiful harbour with more sailboats moored in their berths than I have ever seen in one place before. A huge cruise ship was coming in to port which looked like it was at least ten stories tall. We walked along the docks and the gardens of the Bali Hai Restaurant. Once again we saw hibiscus bushes, with both red and yellow flowers, and an abundance of beautiful palm trees. As the sun was setting on Friday, April 24, we headed towards the car, tired from the long day of walking and touring. We felt very satisfied to have been able to see so many of the sites San Diego has to offer. Our visit continues, however, with many more activities and sight-seeing jaunts down the hill. Next blog, ..... Sea World.
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