Pete was running around the wide open field that was bordered by deep pine clusters. His long silky hair, swaying in the breeze. Jane sat enjoying her coffee and watched him as he made a wide circle around the area, marking the brush every so often as male dogs will. She noticed him stop and perk up his ears, then he came running full speed towards her. Just as he was approaching, she finally heard the approaching jeep that he had obviously had heard moments before.
. As the jeep stopped next to her truck, and a slim, middle aged man stepped out, dressed in a tan Parks Department uniform, Pete positioned himself between the man and his beloved mistress. Sitting between the two of them, he kept a sharp eye on the stranger, waiting to see if he would be welcomed by his owner. The man stopped in mid-step and glanced at the dog warily. "Is that dog safe?" the man said with apparent concern.
"Pete, Down!" Jane called out, signaling to her protector that all was allright. Immediately the Golden Retriever lay down on the ground and gave the man no further thought. "Yes, he is just fine." Jane said reassuringly to the man.
"Hmmmm, I do not care much for dogs, but then few folks have them trained as well as you do this one. Bob Thorton's my name. You must be the woman the state decided to hire for the summer's duties out here." The tone of his voice and his mannerisms told Jane that he was not the least convinced that she, or any woman Could, or Should be put in such a position. "well, we should get started. it is a bit of a hike to the point, and not an easy one at that." Thorton said in an impatient tone.
"Lead on Mr Thorton, and don't worry I'll keep up." Jane replied. From the parking area they left the open field and entered a well groomed path that cut through the pines towards the cliffs overlooking the lake. Several hundred yards into the path they came to a fence and a gate. Thorton pulled out a key from his pocket and opened the lock. "This gate must be locked at the end of every day. We can not allow the public access to the path after dark. This is of Utmost importance! We offer access to the pointand the lighthouse from noon to 6 pm , seven days a week from June 22nd to Oct. 12th. The only exception......."
"is when the lake levels are raised from storms and the path is deemed too trecherous for the general public." Jane finished.
"Ahh Yes, Right. Well I see you have done the reading we sent you at least." Thorton said curtly.
They continued on for the better part of 10 minutes in silence as the path wove it's way through the pine woods. At last they came to an opening in the trees, where the cliffs rose 40 feet or more above the surging waters below. Standing out on a rocky strip of land about a half a mile away from where they stood was the impressive Eagles Point Lighthouse. The path from here on was one that was very narrow and steep, winding it's way down the face of the cliff and out onto the strip of land that held the 115 yr old lighthouse. Jane checked to see that Pete was still with them. as always the dog was right behind her looking at her with great impressive. Adjusting the pack on her back, Jane prepared herself for the challenging climb ahead of her. "Lead on Mr. Thorton, I can hardly wait to see the inside of this great old landmark!"
TO BE CONTINUED, THE WEEK OF MAY 3RD.
