The Falkenburg Gallery

Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, Pensacola, FL. At 150' tall, sitting atop a 40' bluff, it is the tallest lighthouse in the gulf at 190' above sea level and still in operation. This current structure was built in 1858 and 177 steps will get you to the top for an admirable view. The original light to the bay was the Aurora Borealis lightship, anchored behind Santa Rosa Island in 1823, but hard to see. The first structure was built in 1825 at 40' at the south entrance to the bay, and also partially obscured, which led to the new location and current structure, acting as the rear range light marking passage across the Pensacola Bar.

During the civil war, Pensacola was under control of Confederate forces with Fort Pickens in Union hands. An artillery duel in Nov1861 damaged the lighthouse. Once Union troops took control, a fourth-order Fresnel light was installed, and replaced by a new first-order lens in 1869.

First setlled by Spaniards in 1559, Pensacola has had a rich and rocky history, and Pensacola is known as the City of Five Flags, as the Spanish, French, English, Confederates and the United States have all flown their colors over the area. The lighthouse is currently located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station, Home of the Blue Angels, and has an excellent museum covering the history of the area, the lighthouse and is still decorated in original form to get a feel of what life was like within as a lighthouse keeper.

Windmill Point Lighthouse, Detroit MI. Located at the outlet of Lake St. Clair, this 33' "simple and architecturally pleasing" concrete structure was built in 1933, and the culmination of several generations of houses on that point from 1837, with the original one being an old stone windmill. John Martin, a veteran of the War of 1812, was the first keeper, and later served as a Michigan state representative. Part of the neighborhood is built around canals allowing them to launch from their back yard. The water is a beautiful turquoise and you can see Canada across the opening of the Detroit River as the morning sun rolls the fog back off the cool water. The surrounding area is made up of older homes which unfortunately appear to have fallen on hard economic times.

Milliken State Park Lighthouse, Detroit Riverfront, Michigan. The park lies east of downtown and hosts 52 slips, showers, a laundry and picnic area and located next to the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center for a variety of exhibits and events. From this point you can see the skyline of Detroit and across the Detroit River lies Windsor Canada. You can fish off the river walk or enjoy a variety of trails through the area. The Detroit Lighthouse Depot is a nearby museum covering the history of the various lighthouse districts in the area. The lighthouse itself is a 63' replica of the Tawas Point Lighthouse, being the sole representative of a true Victorian-era style station on the Great Lakes on Lake Huron. The Detroit River connects Lake Erie with Lake St. Claire.

Mill Creek Lake, 41 acres, located on border of Powell and Wolfe County KY, and part of the Natural Bridge State Park. Surrounded by steep hills, bank fishing is limited. Boat launch gives access for kayaks, canoes and small electric motor operated watercraft, which creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Located less than two miles from the Hemlock lodge where you can access several hiking trails and within reach of various campsites, food strip and other activities, with the Red River Gorge just a bit further across the Mountain Parkway, this area offers excellent outdoor adventure.

Point Bonita Lighthouse, Sausalito, CA, was the third lighthouse built at the Golden Gate, third on the west coast and still active today with original Fresnel lens. In order for ships to differentiate between lighthouses, each has its own pattern. This light switches on for three seconds and off for one, reaching 18 miles out in clear conditions. During dense fog, a sound system is used. From an original cannon to fog bell to steam siren, up to a modern day fog horn, which equally has a distinct pattern. Two blasts every 30 seconds.

During the California Gold Rush, the population of San Francisco grew from 9000 to 20000 in 1849 with a huge increase of ship activity, which led to an increase of shipwrecks, in excess of 300 throughout the era with many souls lost. Point Bonita was built in 1855 and originally rested 300 ft above the water, but as fog often obscured the beam, in 1877 it was moved lower on the point. Alcatraz was the central light, Fort Point marked the southern portion and in 1855 Point Bonita marked the northern portion.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is the largest urban National Park in the US, with the Marin Headlands section on the northern side of the gate. Many miles of trails permit hiking, biking and other activities. The half mile trail that leads down to the lighthouse is decently steep, goes through a tunnel and then across a bridge to get to the point. Along the route you can take in a splendid view of the Golden Gate Bridge and catch harbor seals resting on the rocks below the extremely steep and brittle cliffs clothed in a variety of colorful flora.

Fort Point, San Francisco, CA. Known as the Pride of the Pacific and one of the most perfect models of masonry in America, has stood guard over the narrows of the Golden Gate for over 150 years. Construction began during the gold rush (1853-1861), was active during the Civil War and used in various capacity through the years beyond WWII. Original plans for the Golden Gate Bridge began in the 1930s and included demolition of the fort, but when Chief Engineer Joseph Strauss inspected the structure he recognized its historical value and admired its construction, and designed the bridge over it for preservation.

You can park along the waterfront and during operating hours, enter the fort and go floor by floor to enjoy the detailed museum within. From the top you can see the third of three lighthouses on the point that was in operation from 1864 to 1934 and was known as one of the most desirable billets for west coast "wickies" or lighthouse keepers.

From this point you can see Alcatraz within the bay (first lighthouse on the west coast built 1854) and Point Bonita Lighthouse to the west (third lighthouse on west coast built 1855 and still operational).

Rough River Lake State Resort Park. The 5000+ acre lake lies in Breckinridge, Hardin and Grayson counties about 70 miles southwest of Louisville, KY. It was created by the dam, completed in 1961 as a joint venture between US Army Corps of Engineers and the Commonwealth of KY, with the State Resort Park being a primary attraction.

The Lodge has a restaurant and hosts life music on Fridays. The Pool overlooks the lake just above the dam near tennis and basketball courts and several pavilions for picnicking. The marked off beach is closed this year due to some construction issues but plenty of shoreline near it is easily used for sunbathing and swimming but the lake is steep and cliffy. The mini golf course is also closed for repairs.

The rooms are cozy, each with a balcony looking toward the wood line and docks where you can rent pontoons or slips for personal watercraft and use the boat ramp. Further down the road a few miles is Nick's Marina and Sometimes Grill, a popular lake hangout and a bit busier than the peaceful sleepy feel of the lodge. Several campsites and RV parks line the lake as well. Fishing yields the usual assortment of Bass, Catfish, Bluegill and other popular species found throughout Kentucky waterways. You can access the spillway through the Corp of Engineers parking lot and drive right down to it.

Several other restaurants are within close driving distance such as The Lake House for lots of fried country foods like fried pickles, mushrooms and fish, buffalo cheddar dip, burgers to steaks and other usual selections. Further up the road Hawgs Ass Sammiches has excellent BBQ.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Leelanau Peninsula, MI. During WWII the Traverse Bay area was used by the Navy for Aircraft Carrier Training due to the size and unpredictability of the lake to simulate oceanic environments. By far the most extensive museum of lighthouses in the area with a beach and beautiful view of N and S Fox Island and N and S Manitou Island.

The Fox Islands have a mixed history of shipwrecks and criminal activity and currently is part of the Beaver Islands State Wildlife Research area with a private airstrip. There is another light on S Manitou that can be reached by ferry from Leland. North Manitou was populated with White-tailed Deer years ago and now hosts and annual draw hunt. Leland, MI is one of the last working fishing villages in the area with fishing charters, shops and restaurants. The entire area is know for fish, wine and cheese.

South Haven Lighthouse, South Haven, MI. This little town of just a few thousand people is next to the Black River where it joins Lake Michigan. It is a thriving and kind of pricey tourist town during the summer with shops, restaurants and a popular beach for a variety of activities. One of the famous little spots is the Black River Tavern known for its Perch. This weekend, 18/19Jun22, the annual Harbor Fest is under way.

Mission Point Lighthouse, Lake Michigan. A beautiful half hour drive north of Traverse City, MI up through wine country on the peninsula. Highway 37 weaves from the shore through the higher hills with beautiful views of the vast vineyards overlooking the lake. There is a beach for swimming on warmer summer days, plenty of information and history inside and for a few dollars to assist in historic preservation, you can ascend to the top for a commanding view over the bay to the opposing Leelanau peninsula where further up stands the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. Even in June, lake weather is a cool 60s, cloudy and rainy.

Several other beaches can be found in Traverse City along with a variety of restaurants along the bay mixed in with several Marinas where you can enjoy a variety of fish from the lake and surrounding areas washed down with local and state wide brews.

Gray's Arch from Martins Fork parking area, Red River Gorge. We continued our exploration this week with yet another trail. Just under a five mile round trip with 508' elevation change. The rock walls are always incredible to see and the trees growing out of the rocks, ledges and overhangs are a testament to nature always finding a way.

You start from parking area and follow the trail that parallels Martins Fork until you start a rapid ascent to the ridge where you have some decent views. Continue along the ridge for about a mile then descend to the arch. A moderate mainly wooded hike to a very large sandstone arch, one of many throughout the gorge. Encountered some copperheads along the way as the sun is still breaching the canopy and warming rocks enough for them to enjoy.

Auxier Ridge Trail / Double Arch Trail, Red River Gorge. From the Auxier Trail head you can start from either direction, both trails are labeled moderate and you can see landmarks on each from both trails. Definitely worth every step and on the return we bumped a black bear. Today's 6.5 mile hike started on the Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock. Just over half way past Haystack Rock, the ridge narrows to just a few yards, but from there you have a commanding view of Double Arch to the west and Ravens Window to the east. Autumn colors would make a breathtaking experience from here, but would not recommend during high winds or rain, as the rocky cliffs would prove a high unforgiving risk.

Once you reach the end of the ridge, a sharp decent down a stairway leads you to Courthouse Rock, a great stopping place at just over 2 miles. From there you descend into the valley where the trail parallels a mountain stream before you begin an upward journey to Double Arch, the jewel of this hike, as it perfectly frames Haystack Rock and the valley below that you just conquered, adding a true feeling of accomplishment at just over four miles. Returning back to the main trail you will make one major ascent as the ridges close together to return to the high ground. At this juncture, the trail becomes a gravel access road back to the main parking area. It is along this portion where we encountered a black bear which went blasting through the woods sounding like a whole defensive line tackling a tree as it made its escape.

Today was a hot hazy day around 90 degrees with a mild breeze. Once down in the valley the air was cooler but humid making the Double Arch even more inviting as the trail winds around to the western side to meet the fresh flowing air to cool you on your break as you enjoy the view.

We continued our KY exploration this afternoon at Koomer Ridge, Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone National Forest for a five mile stretch. The Koomer Ridge Campground has 54 primitive campsites year round with parking for the Koomer Ridge Trailhead and hosts some of the easier hiking trails in the area such as Hidden Arch Trail (2.3 mi.) and Silvermine Arch Trail (2.8 mi.), both of which we covered today. Although spring blooms and autumn colors add flavor to these hikes compared to the thick green summer vegetation, there wasn't much of an awe factor to this area for photography, but the rock formations, steep cliffs and exercise make it a worthwhile trip and a sample of what lies deeper in this National Park.

Most of Hidden Arch is along the ridge and not much elevation change. The Silvermine Arch trail was down one way, and up on the return, with several steep areas and stairs to assist. As it descends to the arch, the forest canopy thickens, the trail narrows, shade darkens and once at the arch, it was eerily quiet, extremely calm, cool and had that feeling as if a black bear would venture out any moment as even the insects fell silent. As it was evening time, we didn't stay long.

One advantage of hiking midweek is there is little to no human activity in the area, which also makes it more likely to encounter various wildlife along the way, but today it was just birds and squirrels with some unknown noises moving through the brush from time to time. The trails in this area appear to be well maintained.

Natural Bridge Kentucky State Park is located next to the world famous climbing mecca of Red River Gorge and within the Daniel Boone National Forest. The sandstone arch spans 78', 30' wide and is 65' high. The thick, green, shady canopy of summer and the warm colors and cool temperatures of Autumn make this area a hiker's paradise boasting over 20 miles of trails through various terrain. The park covers 2300 acres, half of which is dedicated as a Nature Preserve to protect various rare species such as the endangered Virginia big-eared bat. The original trail is only .5 miles from the parking lot to the bridge but for those who don't desire the walk or unable to, there is a sky lift up to the bridge with the slogan, "Same view without the sweat."

The trails can experience a 500'+ elevation change with many stairs built in to the landscape to assist, reaching commanding views of the area from Lover's Leap and Battleship Rock to various rock formations such as Balanced Rock, one of the biggest and most perfectly formed pedestal rocks east of the Rocky Mountains. There is a lodge, restaurant and pool with several other motels, campgrounds and eateries in the area to serve the many people who arrive from around the world every year to hike, camp, climb, boat and fish in the area.

Our warm up hike this week was only about 3 miles, but with an elevation change of over 700' within a very short span, it made for a great workout, but as you can see from these samples, well worth it.

Cumberland Falls, KY. The Niagara of the South. We are continuing to expand our project on KY State Parks and today hiked the Eagle Falls trail at Cumberland Falls State Park. The park has a resort, cottages, cabins and various campsites and boasts 17 miles of hiking trails. The falls are 125' wide and drops 60+' to a boulder strewn gorge on the Cumberland River. Just below is Eagle Falls, a 44' drop as Eagle Creek joins the river and is the most popular trail in the park with excellent overlooks of the main area. Approx. 2.5 mi loop with 350+' elevation gain/loss. Definitely a great leg workout. Here are a few shots to enjoy.

As of 01Apr21, Dreams International is releasing Russ Falkenburg's Photographic Art Portfolios to the general public for the first time to raise money and awareness for various organizations across the nation. We believe art should be enjoyed, so you can view these amazingly colorful works in their entirety on-line. To learn more and invest in your personal copy, visit www.RussFalkenburg.com