T
I
M
P
O
RT
E
R
In Marin / CURRENTS
JIM BRAINERD’S POS T-RETIREMEN T gig takes him to the end of the earth — literally — as a National Park Service volun- teer at the Point Bonita Lighthouse and Marin Headlands Visitor Center. The 74-year-old greets visitors, guides the nervous across the 156-foot bridge that hangs 124 feet above
the ocean bet ween a sheer cliff and the 138-year-old lighthouse, and
pitches in on cleaning as needed. When did you start? I’ve been here
16 years. Before you retired? I worked in the family trucking business
and then at Big 4 Rents in Corte Madera. I was a part-time commercial
fisherman and a volunteer fireman
in Mill Valley. What’s your schedule
now? Monday, I do visitors’ center in
the morning, lighthouse in the after-
noon. Tuesday, I have competitive archery. Wednesdays, I’m in the
visitors’ center. Thursdays, I have an art class. Friday, I am arm candy
for the missus. And Saturday I coach a Special Olympics softball team.
Is it hard to become a volunteer? It’s really easy. They train you and
only require eight hours a month. You have a choice of what you want
to do — work a desk, roads and trails, lighthouse, a nursery or what-
ever. Is there a need? Yes. When I started here there were about 75 of
us and now we’re down to about 25 here in Marin County — about 12
active — and we’re all getting up there in the golden years. It’s a good
system, a wonderful place to hang your hat. What do you like most
about doing this? I’m an outside person. I’m not an inside person. I get
nervous on the couch. If it’s raining, I go around the house looking for
leaks. My wife and I have been married for 54 years and she tells me,
“Do something.” So, this is my do something. What else? I like meeting the people. I get postcards for Christmas and for my birthday. I’ve
got friends in Paris and Denmark and Russia who I’ve met through
here. Met any famous people? Peter Coyote came out a couple of
times. Phil Frank, the guy who wrote Farley. Carlos Santana. When
they’re here on their leisure time, I leave them alone. They didn’t come
here to visit you. Exactly. Has your wife visited? She has. She’s of
Danish heritage and she likes the sea, but she’s not an outside person.
Her idea of tent camping is the Fairmont Hotel. M
This longtime park service volunteer loves
the outdoors and people. BY TIM PORTER
Jim Brainerd, National Park
Service Volunteer, Fort Barry,
Building 948, Sausalito
ON THE JOB
Shining Light
