We didn't have much time. We had to get home Monday at 5:00 in order to pluck the kids from their after-school programs and the lighthouse was quite a bit out of the way. We were determined to get to there even on a schedule.
The views were breathtaking. It was a 20 mile drive from the mainland but there were so many sights along the way. Walt was most excited about the various deer we saw. He wished he had his rifle with him. It wouldn't have mattered anyway since no hunting is aloud in the Point Reyes area.
Once we drove 20 miles on the potentially tight schedule, we had to walk 0.4 miles to the lighthouse. Yeah that's nothing but it was up and down hills.
And then down a 300 foot decline to get to the lighthouse. Yeah yeah, I know it's only 300 feet but it was unexpected. It just felt like the light house was getting farther and farther away rather than the reverse. I really figured we'd park in a parking lot 50 feet from the lighthouse. Little did I know.
Years and years ago the light house's horn blew because the keepers stoked the fire with 140 lbs. of coal an hour!! Every single hour! I can't imagine dragging that much coal down this 300 foot elevation loss. At least it wasn't carry it up a hill.
But it was pretty cool once we got down there. I can just imagine standing out a storm in this lighthouse on the very point of the world. (I spy Walt.)
Unfortunately we couldn't go up by the light but looking through the dead bolted gate we caught glimpse of loads of red lacquer and polished brass.
What a view! I can just imagine it on a sunny day.
On the way back up, we realized the stairs were numbered. I'm not sure if it made the situation better or worse. Not only were there 308 stairs but a couple different sloped inclines to climb.
One of us double stepped. The other one crawled. It must be age.
But we both made it. Eventually. And we made it home with 30 minutes to spare.
A perfect end to a perfect weekend.
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