California Travels

Montara Lighthouse

I read a very interesting item from The Associated Press on Yahoo News Thursday about a missing Cape Cod lighthouse being found in California. Apparently the Montara Lighthouse originally operated at Mayo Beach in Massachusetts. Local historians there thought the lighthouse had been demolished in 1925. Recent research though shows that it was taken down, probably bolt by bolt, and then transported overland to Yerba Buena ( I guess the island in San Francisco Bay) where it was reconstructed and then moved to Montara. For more information visit LighthouseFriends.com.

(Click on the image for a larger version)

As we were just one mile away at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, I wanted to go and have a look at this lighthouse. It was very hard to find though. Everybody expects lighthouses to be tall and easy to spot many miles away but that is not the case here. I knew roughly where it was because I checked on the map but it was nowhere to be seen. We drove through Montara and then turned around and drove back again. I knew it was just south of 14th street so we retraced to route until we found 14th Street and then kept our eyes peeled.

The only clue to its whereabouts is a picture advertising a hostel so we turned into the entrance. There was a sign inside advising us that there was no parking but we found somewhere to park and made our way to the office to make inquiries. On the way we saw the lighthouse. No wonder it was hard to see from the road as it is only 30′ tall and it is just the light on the top which gives any clue as to what it is.

It is still used as a navigational aid to ships but the light is automated. Because of its height, the light can be see below the fog. The fog signal, which used to be housed next to the lighthouse, has been moved offshore. Now the old lighthouse keepers house and surrounding buildings are used as a hostel and the location is perfect – unless of course it is blanketed by thick fog!

June 10 2008 | Special Places | No Comments »

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Moss Beach

This is the day we have been waiting for – a minus low tide at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, or to be correct James V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Of course, there are low tides twice a day but minus low tides are more infrequent. Because Tom and I work and we take photos in the early morning, we have to wait until a minus low tide occurs around sunrise on a Saturday or Sunday. To check tides visit here.

The weather forecaster on the radio said today was going to be ‘simply beautiful’ -though what it is like on the coast we shall soon find out. Driving along Interstate 280 at 6.30 it certainly looks promising. Last week you may remember I wrote my thoughts on 101 so let me tell you now about 280. There are as different as chalk and cheese. Today we have wonderful scenery – rolling golden hills, the coastal mountains covered with trees off to our left, glimpses of the bay to our right and Crystal Springs Reservoir sparkling down below. Give me this route any day.

(Click on the images for larger versions)

We turn onto Highway 92, which will take us to the coast. The road dips down to cross the reservoir. Wisps of fog rise from the surface and disappear. The level of the water is disturbingly low. I understand that Governor Schwarzengger has officially declared a drought and we may even have water rationing.

Just before we hit the outskirts of Half Moon Bay we see flares on the road. This is the two lane section so no chance of passing. We round the bend and in front is a que of cars. Up to this point we have had the road more or less to ourselves so we are not used to a traffic jam. Later on today it will be bumper to bumper as folks head over to the coast but usually at this time the road is clear. A long way in front of us we see flashing lights but thank goodness it is only a fleet of slow moving construction trucks. They move over and let us all pass and we are on our way again.

At 6.25 we turn right onto Highway 1. The sun is up, although the temperature is only 45 degrees, but there is no fog. Yipee! Fitzgerald Marine is not easy to find. From Half Moon Bay drive north for 6 miles, past Pillar Point Harbor and the airport until you reach Half Moon Bay. There is a small sign which says Marine Refuge but it is hard to spot. Turn left on California Avenue and follow it to the end. Turn right on North Lake Street and the car park for the reserve is there on your right. It is not very big so you have to get there early. When we arrive though, there was only one other car there.

Low tide today will be at 8.17 so we have a little bit of time beforehand. Tom wanted to head to the bluff above the beach first of all, so we turn left out of the car park and walk back along North Lake Street until we reach a footpath leading to a small, metal bridge. On the other side of the bridge, the trail branches off in several direction and we headed uphill. The climb is worth the view at the top as we are surrounded by cypress trees. This is the photo opportunity Tom was looking for as the sun is at the perfect height. I wander off and leave him happily clicking away.

Walking through the glade of trees is awesome. Some have fallen down but still manage to look majestic. I climb higher to another trail along the top of the bluff and look down on the beach. The tide is retreating and the tide pools are being uncovered and that is the main reason for today’s visit. A lot of people make there way here to explore the tide pools and the lower the tide the more tide pools are uncovered. There are already a couple of people down on the beach and soon we will be joining them.

I gaze to the north and spot what looks like a monument out in the low water. It intrigues me and I have to find out what it is. Of course I wasn’t able to do that until I arrived home and had access to the internet but I can tell you that it is a relic from World War II. It was built as a marker to boats and aircraft and, when gunnery practice was taking place, a red flag was hoisted on the pillar.

After taking several pictures myself, I walk back to meet up with Tom again and snap a few photos of him as well. We then walk back up to the bluff and Tom spotted a coyote or fox up on the bluff, who stopped and gazed at him, but he had disappeared by the time Tom had got the message to me. We walk along the top until we find a flight of rather treacherous steps leading down to the sandy beach. Once out of the sun, the cold hits us but it is bearable.

Where the sand ends the tide pools begin. Now there are a few more people around but not the number I was expecting. They appeared to be close by by clambering around the tide pools takes a long time. Even the pools uncovered first are full of interest although at first glance they may appear empty. The art of exploring tide pools is to stop, stand very still and wait a couple of movements. Then you will see something move. Bend down slowly and keep looking and eventually you will be surprised at what you will discover. There is a little crab, moving very slowly and there a tiny fish darting between one clump of seaweed and another. I saw something move and kept my eye riveted to the spot until I saw movement again. It was a small fish but it was almost impossible to see when it was stationary as it was mottled and looked the exact color of the rocks and sand it was next to.

Walking over the rocks can be extremely hazardous to all concerned. Rocks are the home of many types of marine life, from the seaweed covering them to the sea anemones attached to them and treading on them is life threatening. They are also dangerous to humans as the seaweed can be very slippery. One false move and you could find yourself crashing onto the rocks or landing in the water. So it is important to be cautious and to watch every step you take. Children especially need to be supervised carefully. Another word of warning, do not remove anything from the beach at all. No shells, or stones, not even a feather. There are rangers walking around and they will stop and chastise you if they spot you carrying anything away.

After spending a couple of happy and absorbing hours on the beach, it is time to go and find some breakfast. We need something hot to warm us up. My hands were shaking with cold.

June 07 2008 | Special Places | No Comments »