June 30, 2013—Sunday—Santa Cruz/Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse aka Santa Cruz Surfer’s Museum near Pleasure Point

June 30, 2013—Sunday

            A mainly stay-at-home day. Ate leftovers from last night--believe me even more delicious the 2^nd time. After a trip to Costco, Kim, Iris, Dave, Malia, and Elena went to a hike at Falls Creek. We stayed home and continued what we started—laundry and cleaning up a bit around the house, stripping and washing the Teardrop bed and a bit of work on the blog. That and continuing to enjoy this paradise where we are so privileged to be at this time. Then we took off for West Cliff Drive to photograph the second and final lighthouse in Santa Cruz.

            There were only three keepers at the original Santa Cruz Light. The first keeper, A.A. Hecox, was

succeeded in 1883 by his daughter Laura, who faithfully attended to the light until her retirement in 1916. Arthur Anderson served until the light was discontinued in 1941.

In 1965 eighteen-year-old Mark Abbott drowned while surfing near the point. His parents used the insurance money to build a brick lighthouse near the site of the old light.

"Our family had always loved lighthouses, so we decided it was the best thing to do." (Nelson, p. 69) The lighthouse was completed in 1967. The new lighthouse replaced the wooden tower. The original lantern room was from the Oakland Harbor Light. (The lantern room was replaced in 1996 due to corrosion.) Today, a working optic with a red tint is housed in the lantern room.

The Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse is currently home to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. The museum was founded in 1985 by Longboard Union members Dave Dyc and Boots McGhee, who received permission to house the museum in the lighthouse. The museum opened in May of 1986, and is a branch of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. The lighthouse is currently threatened by erosion, which is undermining the point.

           On the way back, we stopped at Dharma’s a fabulous vegetarian restaurant in Santa Cruz, for a quart of their Tahini Lemon Dressing and Marinade. I dream of this stuff, and still have not found anyone who has been able to secure the recipe, nor found any “faux” recipe on the internet. If anyone has this fabulous recipe, PLEASE won’t you share!! And a stop at Trader Joe’s for a new TJ bag as the big one I had was filled too full and the strap tore off. All this in preparation of leaving tomorrow L

          We contacted Zach Ledet and we’ll be going to his house in Suisun City to visit and spend a night or two after getting the photos of the East Bay lighthouses completed.  There are 3 or 4 of them…Roy is doing the navigation on these so not sure.   Also contacted Roxy and Rudy de Koning in Sacramento about staying with them until after the 4^th of July weekend. Campgrounds are booked and it’s too crazy trying to find anything available during this big family weekend.

          I have spoken to people at home in Prescott, and the loss of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot crew members hangs heavy over everyone. And grief and concern for the people of Peeples Valley and Yarnell who have lost their homes or are still evacuated until the fire can be brought under control.  The 4^th festivities which are legendary in Prescott, will be dedicated to the memories of those who fell giving their lives to save the homes, property, and lives of others.  A very sad sad day indeed.

         So this is our last night at the Wallace’s Garden of Eden RV Village in Santa Cruz. It’s been such a delight being here, seeing so many wonderful friends, and being recipients of such fabulous hospitality, great food, and friendship that can never be repaid. We hope to see them in AZ at our place soon after we return in October, and hopefully we can reciprocate just a little at least.