Limekiln State Park

While camping at Morro Bay we decided to drive up the coast and check out Limekiln State Park.  This was one of the parks slated to be closed until the state found funds to keep it open.

The park sits on the coast and features both ocean views and deep, shaded redwood groves.  There were also several hiking trails and we chose the short (1 mile each way) trail to the historic limekilns.

The trail follows a lovely creek which is crossed several times by nice, sturdy bridges.

 One of the kilns featured this impressive stone base while three others were just tall steal cylinders.

Limestone was packed into the kilns and smelted into powdered lime which was then shipped to be used in the making of cement.  The combination of limestone and abundant redwood to use as fuel made this a viable but short lived operation, the limestone ran out before the redwood.

There was another trail I wish we had been able to explore.  It went up to what I am told is a very lovely waterfall.  Unfortunately, there are several stream crossings and no bridges on that trail.  I didn't have time for what might have been a tricky and time consuming adventure.  Perhaps another time.
You can learn more about the park and the trail here.  For a map to its location, click here.

To see more of our amazing world, visit Our World, Tuesday.

Memo to self, don't link when tired

Point Sur Lightstation

On our recent visit to Big Sur we had an opportunity to tour the Point Sur Lightstation.

This California State Historic Park is operated and maintained entirely by volunteers.  Visitors drive to a parking area at the base of the hill and hike up 360 feet to the lightstation.

You can't actually see the light from this side.  The lighthouse is lower on the hill so that the light would be under the clouds.

Restoration of the lantern room was made possible by grants, tour fees, gift shop sales, donations and membership fees in the Central Coast Lighthous Keepers.

If one has a fear of heights or is claustrophobic they might not care to clime up into the cupola.

This arch was not just an attractive window for viewing the Pacific, it supported a chimney.  The fog horn was operated by a wood fired boiler and it was necessary to direct the smoke away from the light so that it would not limit visibility.

 Wooden stairs led from the lighthouse up to the living area.

The small house on the left was the home of the head lighthouse keeper.  The three assistants and their families lived together in the larger house in the center.  Volunteers have almost completed restoration of the head keepers house.  So faithful are they to the effort that they are cutting down modern 12" linoleum tiles to the 9" that were common when the buildings were occupied.  They must wait for asbestos removal before they can restore the larger house.

In their spare time, the keepers would use their woodworking and blacksmith skill to make items to trade with local ranchers and farmers for fresh food and other items.  The dedicated volunteers have found period tools on e-bay and at yard sales to restock the shop.

A water tank, right.  No, though one did stand on this spot at one time.  It is a cell tower.  I think it is a big improvement over those fake trees we see all over.

For more information or to check tour dates, go to the Point Sur Lighthouse website .

To see more of our wonderful world got to Our World, Tuesday, hosted for us by Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy.

My world--west central California

Several posts before and after this one go into detail about our recent camping trip to the mountains and coast of central California. Here are a few highlights for those who just want a taste of the area.
Some of the beautiful red cliffs at Pinnacles with Buck brush in foreground.

The endangered California condor, more pictures of these soon.

The spectacular Big Sur coast.

Morro Bay and Morro rock.

Some of the many water fowl in Morro Bay

Roadside flowers on the way to Carrizo Plain.

Carrizo Plain. This has been another drought year and the rangers say the bloom is poor. Many species did not bloom this year. Just think of what it would be like in a good year.

For a more in depth look at this area, please see posts before and after this one.