This is what it looks like today.
"Honey," I said, "I don't see any glass."
What happened to the glass? People picked it up and took it away. Despite prominent "No Glass Collecting" signs all over, virtually everyone on the beach but us was looking down at the sand, picking things up, and putting them into their pockets.
Eventually, I found a couple of pieces of glass. A few pieces like this, all white or clear and thus difficult to see, are all that's left.
A beautiful, unique place has been utterly destroyed. And what is the reaction of most people who come across this destroyed place? "Gee, I'd better grab what little is left of it while I still can." We left so hastily and in such utter disgust that we didn't even try to find the geocache.
The lighthouse.
Bit by bit, the once tumbledown area is being restored. The lighthouse itself and one assistant keeper's dwelling are open as a gift shop and museum, respectively. The head keeper's dwelling is open as a vacation rental. There are other assistant keeper's dwellings on the historic property that are yet to be restored and reopened.
Eric's view of the lighthouse.
Eric got a picture of a rare fresnel lens still in operation.
This is the assistant keeper's dwelling that is open as a museum.
A historic stove in the museum.
An antiquated Smith & Corona. Can you imagine trying to work on that thing? Photo by Eric.
Interestingly, there was a kelp forest aquarium. Note the dedication to a guy who died at only 27 years old.
Eric took a picture of some of the sea life in the aquarium. This thing is interesting, but I don't know what it is, either.
"On the Mendocino coast, the air smells of salt and the crashing waves create a continuous resonance. The tall bluffs at this spot north of San Francisco resemble the rugged shores of the east coast, but with an unmistakable California flair."
The app said that the park's primary feature was a large sinkhole, and also described a photogenic bridge. Someone at the Howard Creek Ranch had been telling us about the sinkhole, so we decided stop and see.
We were not greeted by an enthusiastic ranger refusing to take our park passes. We were greeted by an indifferent ranger who did take a park pass. He didn't even give us a map. You'd think these people would be happy to see Parks Foundation supporters, wouldn't you? I mean, who else is trying to help them keep their jobs?
That's some sinkhole, huh?
There's a cave down in there.
Eric took a picture of the dramatic shoreline.
Of course we had to stop to see the photogenic bridge.
Eric took a picture of an arched rock.
Without an internet signal, we couldn't find any geocaches. My app said there was a waterfall, but when we finally got the attention of the indifferent ranger, he told us it was a 5-km hike in each direction. We didn't have time for that, so we went on to Point Arena.
We had thought, though, that we would be able to get a closer view of the outside.
Unlike Point Cabrillo, which is a state park, Point Arena is operated by a private lighthouse-preserving foundation, and they charge $7 to see it. They want that $7 as much as that kid wants his $2 in Better Off Dead. You can't get anywhere near the lighthouse without paying. So, this is one lighthouse you have to get to early.
The Point Arena Lighthouse with a zoom lens.
In Eric's even closer picture, you can see that the actual light is missing from the tower.
The lens hasn't been vandalized; apparently, if you get there early and pay your $7, you can see the fresnel lens in the fog signal building. But the lighthouse looks kind of, well, empty without it. We were disappointed.
We did hike around on the bluff for a bit, finding a geocache, and saw these rocks.
It was a lovely spot, even without the lighthouse.
Eventually, and not as pathetically late as usual, we got back on the road. We found ourselves behind this unusual vehicle.
Eric was in the mood for the Black Bear Diner, so we stopped at one in Rohnert Park. It seems weird to me to eat at the Black Bear Diner when not up near Mt. Shasta, but they even have one in Emeryville now. We had been paying careful attention to the time when Lulu said we would get home, so we didn't get home too terribly late.
All in all, it was a very nice little romantic getaway. It's not the most glamorous part of the state, but it's still beautiful, and there's clearly more 'splorin' to do up there. We could go back and hike to the waterfall at Russian Gulch, and get close enough to see the Point Arena Lighthouse. Oh, and ride the Skunk Train! Yeah!