Sharlene and Ted Nelson have written about regional history for nearly forty years. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, they delved into logging history while living in a northern California logging camp where Ted was the resident forester. After moving to Washington in 1964, they contributed to preserving and writing about Washington's forest history.Their writings and illustrations have appeared in travel and boating magazines, newspapers, children's magazines, and scientific journals. They also co-authored numerous children's and adult books on natural and human history topics. The Nelsons' interest in maritime history and lighthouses developed through sailing on California and Pacific Northwest waters. Their books in the Umbrella Guide series are about the lighthouses of California, Oregon, and Washington, and the Columbia-Snake River Inland Waterway. They appeared in the PBS Special Legendary Lighthouses.Since Ted's passing, Sharlene continues to research, write and give presentations about lighthouses and other historic subjects.