Built in 1871, the Pigeon Point lighthouse is still an active navigation station. Located between Santa Cruz and San Francisco and is considered endangered because of “global warming” sea-level rise.

Perhaps the Californians can look to Plymouth Rock for guidance …

The lamp room was originally equipped with a 1-ton, 1st-order Fresnel lens of 24 panels first lit in 1872. A 1000W electric bulb replaced the kerosene lamp in 1926. The Fresnel lens was retired in 1972 and had been occasionally lit for annual demonstrations. The lens was removed in 2011.

I had lived in Santa Cruz in the mid-80s – left not long before the Loma Prieta earthquake, I’d likely have been a casualty of that event – but I didn’t live there anymore and it’s a different story anyway.

The story is that I happened to be visiting friends sometime in the 90s and took a ride up the coast. To my surprise, it was a special event evening at the lighthouse and they fired the old lens up.

I stopped and stared in awe. It was like being in the middle of a disco ball – the only way I can describe it. Times I wish I had a poetic streak – Jean could probably do a better job of describing the sight – had she been there. A spectacular sight I’ll likely never see again; certainly not at Pigeon Point. Another of those accidental one-time events that can’t and shouldn’t be planned or “prepared” for.

My grandfather’s world must have had its own unique charms, now lost forever like our times will be in our grandchildren’s lives. But being the contrarian I am, I’d rather go visit 1900 than 2100.

I wouldn’t live in California again; I’m not likely to visit either except the eastern fringes (Death Valley region) – I’d probably be arrested for something – Idaho plates for example – but there were some wonderful places there. I’d live in Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains or up above Nevada City in the Sierra … in a different time and world.