I decided to return to the domestic shores of the United States this week, and in particular, the shores of the Golden State, California. Specifically, this shore is actually the harbor of Surf City USA, aka Santa Cruz. Which, weirdly enough, doesn't have much surf, but it does have banana slugs, the official mascot of the University of Californa - Santa Cruz. (Actually, they live in the nearby mountains, but still, you have to give them something.)
This lighthouse also has another name, the Walton Lighthouse, and you'll learn why in a moment. First, find out where it is by clicking in this location. You can see where it is in relation to UC-Santa Cruz. Zoom out to see where Santa Cruz is, if you're not familiar with the region. It's on the northern coast of Monterey Bay.
Now that we've established where it is, let's learn about how it is and why it's named the Walton Lighthouse. (Information from the Lighthouse Directory, as is usually the case.)
"2001 (station established 1964). Active; focal plane 36 ft (11 m); green light occulting every 4 s. 42 ft (13 m) round reinforced concrete tower with a copper-roofed lantern and a small gallery. Tower painted white with a green band. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). ... Built with private donations and Coast Guard approval, this lighthouse replaced a series of minor aids to navigation. Charles Walton, a local businessman, contributed a significant part of the cost in memory of his late brother Derek Walton, a merchant seaman. The lighthouse originally had a red band, but the daymark was changed in March 2003 after boaters protested that a green beacon should not have a red daymark."
So, with the information garnered, the pictures are next.
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| See? Surf! |
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