For all the posts in the Beacons of Fire Series, go here.
Prologue: I love Nora Roberts books, well her books mostly those that she wrote prior to 2009. One of her book is the 1985 romantic novel, One Man’s Art, fourth in her longest series, The McGregor Series. The hero of the story, Grant Campbell, is a loner, rude, surly and impossible, who lives in an old lighthouse. Genevieve Grandeau literally lands on his doorstep during one particular stormy night. The story that follows between Grant and Gennie is what inspired me to look at lighthouses in a different light.
On my visit to see my friend in Foley, AL, It came as a surprise that the nearest lighthouse was in FL. So off we went to Pensacola to visit the lighthouse before heading to airport. We could climb the lighthouse, but due my health issues, we didn’t go up, too narrow stairs. I wonder how people did in bygone era!
We didn’t know there was so much to see else would have reached earlier. We were till the last minute though. We entered though the Carriage House built in late 19th century; guarded by a Captain’s statue; We were definitely more than 44 inches to climb the lighthouse.
We saw a Pump House; a 19th century Well; learning how to place various kinds of Knots; understood the mechanism of Pulleys; Keeper’s Cellar; The Privy before reaching the light house. We also saw Assistant Keeper’s House and Cellar that turned into a museum showcasing artifacts such as Eagle’s Head Gargoyle; How the lighthouse was kept alive at all circumstances; The original lens used in the lighthouse before it was converted to power; how a branch of a tree was converted to the Knee of the large ships; And finally the ladies of the light who maintained the lighthouse.
Oil Shed listed how Yellow Fever almost destroyed the Lighthouse and the town of Pensacola in the early 19th century. Also displayed a Cosgrove Winch that helping to raise small boats. The entire museum came with Assistant Keeper station tags guiding the viewers.
The grounds of the lighthouse also had several artifacts reflecting the lighthouse from yester years including buoys.
We saw the Memorial Brick Walkway. Also saw
Galavant Reflections 