July 23, 2019 San Luis Obispo Light house

Shore end of the 3rd Pier in Avila Beach.  Behind this building, back in the late 50's, early 60's, the trail started to walk out to the Lighthouse.  Now, it's a great little place to eat.

By late afternoon, every table was covered with colorful umbrellas.

A Portabella with eggs and Hollandaise Sauce

Smith Island

Taken from the old trail, which is part of the new road that went in after I lived there.  Our only transportation was to walk, or take a boat from the pier you see down there that went out to the Coast Guard dock, which isn't there any more.

Families of fishermen used to live out there on Smith Island

Breakwater guarding the entrance to Avila Bay

Seemed strange to be able to drive to the Light Station.  A small one lane road, with no turn arounds.  Security has to let you enter, and only with permission from the Historical Society 

The Old duplex.  I lived in this one for the first few months I was stationed here.

We we lived here, there was nice green grass and lots of Ice Plant ground cover.  Its was a pain to mow, but it looked great

The Keepers House with the Light tower.  It's being restored, and the paint colors are from the Days Light House Service.  In 1939, when all US Lighthouses fell under the US Coast Guard, it was a different color.

The volunteers do a nice job of taking care of plants

This is another area that was always green and mowed in the early 60's.

This is the new duplex. built in 1961, completed in early 1962.  This housed the families of the BM1 and EN2.  

Deb is the Executive Director of the Lighthouse.  Elaine is Senior Docent

I've driven a 1943 Jeep up this little road many times,  Usually with a small trailer hauling things up from the boat dock.  It was a narrow one lane gravel road.  Feels strange to park the Impala here.

We called this Cormorant rock. They still use it

Daughter Debra Sue.  I had been repainted the red on a fire hose box.  A big mistake I made leaving the paint and brush out for a few minutes.  Deb jumped right in the help.  This was the Summer of 1962.