18 Dec 2018 - Pensacola Lighthouse, McGuires Irish Pub

18 Dec 2018
46 years ago today, pn 18 Dec 1972 I hopped a Greyhound bus from Cedar Falls to Des Moines.  At Fort Des Moines Military Entrance Processing Station I had my entrance physical and other testing and raised my had to support and defend the Constitution of the United States serving in the United States Air Force.  That would be the beginning of my 42 year 2 month 16 day Air Force career.  I am so luck to have had that opportunity and many, many more,  and I would not change a thing!

Today we woke up to sunshine and 39 degrees outside!  It did not take long to warm up, though, so we headed out on a long walk with the dog down to the beach and then through the campground to check out the RV's and associated license plates.  We met a nice couple from Mobile AL, just on the west side of the bay.  They try to camp here every Christmas!  Sounds kind of funny at first, camping on Christmas that is.  So they gave us a few good tips on things to see and do while we are here and some tips on restaurants.

After the walk we secured the dog and the RV, changed into shorts (Yeah!!!) and headed into Pensacola.  Since it is a sunny day today we planned to do some outside touring and save the museums and inside stuff for rainy days.  We quickly made our way to Pensacola Naval Air Station Main Gate and on to the Pensacola Lighthouse which is on-base.

The Pensacola Lighthouse facility is beautifully preserved.  The original lighthouse was built in 1824 and was the first lighthouse on the Gulf Coast.  A new one, the one that we are visiting today, was constructed starting in 1856 and finally lit in 1859.  The light is 191 ft above sea level.  It is amazing it is still in use today.  The Coast Guard maintains the actual light assembly and the Pensacola Lighthouse Association (non-profit) takes care of the museum and grounds.

The site consists of:
- a carriage house/gift shop
- a pump house for water complete with 19th century well
- an oil shed
- a privy (outhouse)
- the keepers quarters
- the lighthouse itself

So we entered the carriage house and paid the nominal admission.  There is a nice gift shop there full of lighthouse-related items.  We headed up the memorial brick pathway they created that connects the various buildings.  A few pictures:

This 19th century well is unused but still produces drinking water

As we continued our walk we enjoyed the many educational displays, all rope and knot related

Mr. Gohman, my high school physics teacher and mentor would have been proud as I reviewed the mechanical advantages here!

A nice picture of the keepers residence decorated for the holidays and lighthouse in the background.

The oil shed used to store bulk oil and kerosene.  When electrification happened this was used for storage.

Better known as outhouses in Iowa.  Apparently there is some false info going around that crescent vent hole indicated the women's room and stars or moons indicated men's room.  Most places you were luck to have one to share!

At the base of the lighthouse entrance

Steel spiral staircase.  Men used to carry 5-gal pales of fuel up these stairs for the light to burn.

Doreen on her way up.  After her back surgery and knee issues we were a bit concerned about the climb.

The end is in sight!  Watch your head!

Step #177, the top of the staircase and Doreen climbed them all!  Up and down!  I am very proud of her.  Now let's hope she can get out of bed in the morning!

Great view of the Naval Museum from the catwalk outside the top of the lighthouse.

A panoramic

Nice shot of Doreen with the white sand beaches in the background.  This would be looking Southeast 

Blue Angels Aerial Demonstration team aircraft parked on the ramp

A newly overhauled and operational first order Fresnel lens.  There are only nine operational lighthouses in the United States that use a first order Fresnel lens.  The vast majority are other orders of lens.

After the climb to the top and some sightseeing at 191 ft, we climbed down and made our way to the keepers quarters which is the museum.  It is well preserved with furnishings and artifacts from the period.

Bedroom

Living room

Dining room

A couple final pictures from inside the keepers quarters.  A Christmas tree adorned with decorations of ropes tied with various knots.  I told Doreen this was obviously a 'knotty pine'.  OK, enough of the humor, I am hungry!
.

We departed the lighthouse and headed for one of the local restaurants, Murphy's Irish Pub, located downtown Pensacola.  There are quite a few places we've heard are great and this was one.  After a short drive we arrived to find a packed parking lot, but we got right in and were seated right away.

I tried a couple of their own brewed beers - a pale ale and a red ale, both great! 

We had Irish Boxtys as an appetizer (garlic mashed potato balls rolled in breadcrumbs and flash fried with sauces).  Doreen order the fish and chips and I ordered the Shepherd's Pie, both were really great.  Well, we brought three boxes of chow back to the RV - half our appetizers, about 3/4 of Doreen's fish and chips and half of my Shepherd's Pie along with most of the Bavarian wheat bread loaf.  That will make for some great eating for lunch tomorrow!

After returning from our journey today, Doreen dug out the Christmas decorations she brought and spiced up the RV a bit!

In the morning I have an appointment at the local Dodge RAM dealer to reflash the software for the shifting out of park problem, and an oil change.  After that we will venture out again to new destinations!  Rain is predicated for tomorrow night and the following day and we will target inside stuff then.