Danny (9/100)
We finally took our long postponed trip to Pigeon Point Lighthouse near Pescadero, right off California's spectacular, coast-hugging road, Highway 1. We first picked up some delicious, fresh-out-of-the-oven, garlic-artichoke Italian bread at Arcangeli Grocery in Pescadero, then headed for the lighthouse for some sunset shots.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse is part of a California State Park with a hostel on the premises. That means you are guaranteed to meet people from all over the world, as well as locals, as an overnight stay is a great way to experience California's seashore. 

This is where I met Danny or, &quot;as my Mom calls me, Dan, unless I've done something wrong. Then it is Marie. I could never understand it, but, when Annie, our dog, does something wrong, my Mom calls her 'Ann Marie.' She doesn't have a middle name, so why she uses **my** name...!&quot; Danny's laughter was marvelous.

When I first approached Danny on a narrow path leading up to the lighthouse, I started by asking, &quot;Do you have a moment to...&quot; Before I could finish my sentence, Danny enthusiastically said, &quot;A favor? Absolutely!,&quot; without an inkling of what I was about to ask.

She told me she has hiked all over the area, but this was her first time staying overnight at the hostel and was enjoying every moment of it. In the middle of our chat, I received a text message from my sister who lives 3000 miles away. Earlier, I had texted her a photo of the lighthouse with my usual, &quot;Guess where I am,&quot; message. Danny asked me if I was trying to make my sister jealous. &quot;No... well... maybe,&quot; I replied. &quot;It is just my way of trying to get her to visit by showing her all the things she is missing.&quot;

&quot;Tell her,&quot; Danny said, &quot;we are very lucky to live among all these beautiful gems,&quot; gesturing  widely to encompass the ocean, lighthouse and rolling hills behind us.

When I started to set up to take her photo, she asked that I, &quot;get the lighthouse in my glasses!&quot; The angle and lighting wasn't quite right, but you can just see its reflection in a corner of the glasses. For me, her smile was all the light I needed.

Thank you, Danny, for participating in my project and, especially, for sharing your joyful nature with me.

See my growing, <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1e6i5d" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Human Family/100 Strangers album</a>

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/">100 Strangers Flickr Group</a> page.

To view more street portraits and stories from The Human Family, visit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/">The Human Family Flickr Group</a>.
100strangers california coast coastline governmentbuilding lighthouse pescadero pigeonpointlighthouse portrait thehumanfamily water