On the top of the last ridge before the ocean, in a small grove of eucalyptus trees, you can find the Historic Life-saving Station Cemetery.

It seemed odd to see “life-saving” and “cemetery” right there together that way, but then it made sense: the “life-saving service” was a very early version of the Coast Guard, and its members were in charge of water rescues. The four men buried here were members of the service, and all died during training accidents. You can read about it here – take the time, if you’ve got it, as it’s interesting.

It was nice up here on the ridge. The trees smelled good, a field across the way was covered in yellow flowers, and the light played nicely across the white pickets around the graves.

Historic Life-saving Station Cemetery
Point Reyes National Seashore, California
photographed 4.16.2019