Today before going to work, the dogs and I walked a different trail from the campground, the China Creek Trail.  Wild rhododendrons filled the understory.  It must look spectacular to see the forest when the rhodies are blooming.   Rhodies were everywhere.  After completing our walk; satisfying our needs for exercise, I got the dogs settled into the trailer and left for work.

At the lighthouse today we have a new docent, John.  He has worked here before and is back to work on weekends.  “I need to get out of the house and do something” was his explanation for volunteering.  Having traveled on the east coast visiting most of the lighthouses, he is a wealth of information about lighthouses.  I’m learning from him more information on lighthouses.   Now that we have three docents working the weekends it provides us with more time for talking with the visitors, visiting among ourselves, and watching the water.

We again see seals swimming south below the lighthouse like we do most days.  Their journey south seems not related to the tides, I can only say it occurs between 11:00 and 2:00 when I’m at the lighthouse.  The common belief is that they are resident seals.  Today some seals were jumping out of the water as if going to a party.  With extra time to explore Sue brings out the large binoculars available for us to use.  After scanning the waters she sees a large group of seals by the Sea Lion Caves bobbing in the waters close to shore.  Looks like a party to me, but in reality it simple must be a good location for feeding.   I wonder when they turn around and swim back north.

Without knowing the answer to my question about the seals we leave the lighthouse, walking our commute back to the parking lot.  Another good day at the lighthouse.