New Friends--The Cushman and the One Ton Dumper

From Willamette Mission State Park, near Keiser, OR

We arrived at Willamette Mission on October 1 excited about  our return and seeing the leaves change during the time we are here.  Last year when we arrived in Nov. most of the leaves were gone and the fall rains had started.  The rains just started today.  It had been bright and sunny and very warm for outdoor work.  The change is nice.

Last year it took me about 2 months to find a good fit with my abilities.  This year I could jump right in.  I didn't know my Kubota ATV would be used by other hosts at the Horse Camp this month so I had a little adjustment when Terry got the Cushman ready for me to use on my clean up duties.  It hadn't been used in so long that the battery required an hour long charge, but he left it parked at the door.  I did jump right in, slammed the door and the window crank fell off and hit the floor along with some window trim.  Oh well, I could fix that.  I just needed to get going a Litter Alarm had been reported on the Gravel Bar in the Willamette River and I was sent out to find it.  I turned the key to start the engine and nothing happened, again still nothing.  I started checking to see what was wrong when I saw the clutch pedal-- Oh!  how do you use that?  I remembered enough to chug and sputter my way out the drive to the River, about 1 1/2 miles from the shop.

Since no one knew which Gravel Bar or where on the Gravel Bar it was I had several checks to make.  At the first I got out to check the trail and walked through high damp grass to get there.  When I got back in to turn around I had to stop and turn onto the Bike Path. I put my foot on the brake which promptly slid off and hit the accelerator which caused the Cushman to gasp and choke and stop dead on the trail.  By this time I was laughing out loud.  Thank goodness, no one was around to see that!!!  The pedals do show a little wear!

My third checkpoint was on a long ( about 1/4 mile) gravel bar that I never knew was there.  It was a lovely spot with the morning mist still rising over the River and the birds calling, but a little too isolated for my comfort.  I trudged on the length of it and did fill a large bag with an assortment of clothes, shoes, cans bottles, TP, rope, boat parts and even a braided carpet.  It was a little spooky when I stumbled on a lean to covering a dugout in the sand and when I heard twigs breaking as someone or something wandered the forest above me I left in a hurry.  The dumpster was not too far away.

As I loaded the trash in the dumpster these beautiful trees were a delight to see!  The dark firs behind them just seem to highlight their color.  Fall is lovely here as the staff told us last year and it is just beginning.  Last weekend the Park hosted 2 state level 5K runs and we helped with the preparations.

Terry drove the tractor down to Mission Lake and I got to drive the One Ton Dumper--a big step up from the Cushman.  We cleaned brush and stumps out of an area that floods each year and needed clearing.  Terry and I worked together on getting the debris dumped on the Burn Pile near the Shop.  On the last trip I loaded the One Ton as high as I could reach and drove it back to the Burn Pile and dumped it all by myself!!!  That one was not on the 'bucket list', but an accomplishment for me.

You can just see our trailer next to the office building in the background.  The Hop Shed, one of 2 sheds in the Shop Area, is just behind the vehicles.

Stay tuned for more work stories from Willamette.

Lighthouse -Night Views

Thanks to our campfire buddy, Karen, we enjoyed an evening out to view Heceta Head Light at night.
We never made it up there last year, but Karen's plan to make it a party and 'toast to the tower' got 8 of us on the move.  We hiked up after sunset and stayed until dark.

I had often thought of seeing all 8 beams from below the tower, but never about the brilliance of the lens.  Every prism above the beam was a brilliant starburst of light that intensified as it grew darker.
The beams themselves were so far above our heads, about 100 feet, that they couldn't be seen on the ocean at all only on the headlands around us.

We never could really see all 8 beams as I thought, just 5-7 at a time.  More became visible over the ocean as it got darker.  The stars put on a show for us too, first the Big Dipper was hanging right above the tower and then the Milky Way became brilliant overhead.  What an awesome experience!!!

My little camera did it's best here.  You can see the beams moving across the hillside as the lens revolves.  It was such fun to all raise our glasses to Lady Heceta who brought us all together from Texas, Kansas, Illinois and North Carolina to host and toast her legacy.

Days off in Yachats (YAH-hots), OR

Yachats is about 11 miles north of our campground and it is located around a cove where the Yachats River enters the ocean.  The hills above edge the river as you enter the town.  The Yachats Mercantile is a 'never fail' hardware disguised as a gift shop.  It is packed with hardware tucked in hallways in back of the sales counter.  They always have what we need!

Just across the street is the best seafood restaurant and market around, The Luna Seafood Market.  Most weekends we have lunch or supper there.  The restaurant is owned by the boat captain of the Luna and new Liberty, commercial fishing boat, he catches the Dungeness Crabs and Salmon served to the customers.  It is often same day fresh.  When Nate and Anna and family and Jennie came to visit we grilled a 3 lb. salmon fillet just caught that morning.  It was amazingly sweet!  Anna fixed a fantastic clam and shrimp fetticini.  What a feast!

Homes with an ocean view are scattered up the hillsides above the local coffee shop, the Green Salmon.

We spend at least one afternoon a week at the all volunteer library with free internet available 24/7 from the parking area or garden.  The back corner room has a big six person table with comfortable office chairs and plug ins.  Many afternoons we are the only folks there.

On Sundays I attend church just up the street from the library and walk over to the Farmer's Market for  a week's worth of fresh veggies and berries.

Yachats has been a very busy resort town this summer, but the friendly village feeling we get from all the folks we meet has made us happy to spend part of our days off here.  I didn't even mention the thrill of watching the waves crashing on the rock bound coast that surrounds the town.  We feel very fortunate to be on this area of the coast.  

Last of the July Rambles

In 2006 we visited some beautiful campgrounds near Mt. Hood and finally actually stayed in one for a few nights.  It was nestled under huge trees with giant ferns and the bubbling of the creek just behind us.  Really nice for sleeping!

Terry wanted a higher spot for his noon Radio Net so we drove up to Timberline Lodge.  What a surprise that it was mobbed with snowboarders and skiers! Back in November of 2006 we had hiked on the Pacific Crest Trail through this stream bed that now was still packed with snow and crowded with skiers.  I had heard about skiing in July on Mt. Hood, but never imagined we would see the ski frenzy in action!

I wandered around in the Lodge some, walked up to the Pacific Crest Trail and sketched Mt. Hood while Terry was on the radio.  As you can see the views are beautiful!

Now see if you can find Terry's truck with antenna- in the back of the swamped parking lot.

We have returned to work at the Lighthouse and the Campground for August and September.  It was sad to say good-bye to our July friends, but fun to welcome new hosts, some that we already knew,  as
 August arrived.

Rogue River Gorge, Union Creek, OR

Since we started working in Oregon I had heard lots of talk about the raging Rogue River.  Most folks bowed slightly when it was mentioned.  Now we know why.  When the volcano (Mt. Mazama) exploded that created Crater Lake it made miles and miles of lava tubes.  As they have collapsed over time, gorges were created.  The Rogue River tears through a very narrow one about 15 miles from the NP.  Our friends, Susie and Mike from Medford, helped route us to the Gorge, one of their favorite places in the state.

The Gorge Trail starts beside the river as it exits the Gorge.  You walk up to the start of the Gorge climbing slightly all the way.  There are several overlooks and even some steps down the cliff for a closer look.  Here is the lower end.

The ferns, shrubs and drooping vines along the cliffs were so lush and set like a hanging garden.  You can see the surge coming down the gorge.

At this point the waters are beginning to cascade as the walls narrow.  We hurried along to see the falls at the top.  As we walked the sound of the water was multiplied by about 10.  The surge of power that came from the river pushed into the narrow tube just overwhelmed me.  Tears sprang to my eyes and I couldn't quit crying for about 5 mins.  I never have had such a surprising reaction.  The power and beauty grabbed me and would not let go!!!

The falls is not that steep, just so full of energy!   Truly amazing!!

Here's the Rogue River as it meanders toward the Gorge.  Pretty tame looking.  In fact, we had just driven along it and didn't know it was there.

The Rogue River Gorge is now very close to the top of My Most Fantastic Places list.  We were so lucky that Susie and Mike knew we couldn't miss it when we were so close by.  True friends!!

Canyons, Creeks and Vents

We took an easy little nature trail hike near our CG at Crater Lake.  What a surprise!  The trail bordered a canyon cut by a little creek in a mudslide area of the volcanic activity of Mt. Mazama, the source of the explosion.  The creek is down there somewhere!

  When Mt. Mazama exploded the mountain top sank into the crater to create the lake floor and some of the purest, clearest water in the world has been collecting there since.  Gas was forced to escape through side vents in the mud.  Over time the vents have separated from the canyon walls to form Pinnacles.  A most interesting rock form!

The mud flow was even more obvious as we continued to the other side of the trail.  Look at that little bit of a creek at the very bottom.  We did remember that in snow melt season the creeks around must really roar.  There was a picture of May 2. 2011at the Visitor Center with a road cut through 45 feet of snow and a 6 foot Ranger standing against it!  Absolutely amazing!

Crater Lake NP just seems like another world set down in the south west of Oregon.  We'd love to return to spend more time on the trails and volcanoes in the Park.  Our introduction made us so aware it is so much more than a big blue, blue lake!

Just Wandering in July

It is hard to believe that our first 2 months at Heceta Head and Washburne Campground have come and gone.  There was so much to do there under the supervision of Art and Janette that we could not keep up to their speed and efficiency, but it was fun trying.  On Friday, July 4 we made an incredible trip up the Umpqua river from Reedsport on the coast to just north of Crater Lake. To reach the Lake we passed Diamond Lake and the stark Pumice Desert and then began to climb the volcano rim.

 The anticipation of catching that first glimpse of Crater Lake was too exciting.  And --- it is blue, blue, blue!

The next morning we drove the 33 mile scenic drive around the lake stopping at many of the overlooks and landscape features.  In spite of the crowded parking area at Sun Notch, we took the trail for views of the Phantom Ship.

 The trail was long enough that we only met folks here and there except at the best photo ops.  We found a short path to the rim edge and could see more of the rock bridge that originally connected the island.  It was a neat spot for a photo of my best traveling' buddy too!

Neither of us had thought much about how interesting the volcanic evidence in the area would be.  So we were eager to do more exploring away from the Big Blue Lake also.  Stay tuned for pictures of the next hike on the next blog.

 

This Is Work? and it's Fun!

After a month we are settled into our jobs and making a difference here.  We assist as campground hosts 2 days and nights a week on the days our friends, Art and Janette, the official hosts, have 2 days off.  Then we have our 2 days off to go exploring.  Then I work Friday and Saturday giving tours at the Lighthouse while Terry does more clean up at the campground.  On Sunday morning I go to the inspiring Yachats Presbyterian Church and the Farmer's Market on the next block to inspire our meals for the week.  What a perfect schedule for June!  Here's the view from our day off exploring hike yesterday.

Last year I never took any inside pics at the lighthouse.  It's just so awesome after 2 years of restoration!  
It just re-opened for tours last June 8.  Here is the view looking up the stairs to the light circles next to the lens.

And here's the bottom and center of the lens- 392 prisms total!

I stand next to this window and look out as I wait for my tour group to join me below the lens on the top visitor level.  It always thrills me to see the magnificent Pacific or not!

Terry loves the time he spends power washing steps and curbs, blowing leaves on trails and campsites and mowing road edges.  He gets stronger and happier every day.  We are glad to help share the beauty of where we are!

Wildflower Memories of Grindstone CG in May and the Oregon Coastal Highlands

For many years my birthday weekend was spent at Grindstone CG below Whitetop Mt. VA to enjoy the wildflower walks there.  So it was really fun to find that on the same days in Oregon on Forest Service Rd. 58 and along Big Creek Rd. many of the same flowers were waiting to greet us.  Both these roads had been calling to us last year on the many times we passed them between Florence and Yachats.  We hadn't found the time to head off into the dark unknown.  My birthday seemed like a good day to do some exploring.   We were first amazed by the awesomeness of the huge trees along the creek  and the tall, tall, Douglas Firs and Western Cedars on the high roads.

As we followed Big Creek down the mountain after over an hour on the ridge tops above, we began to see more and more wildflowers.  Bright yellow buttercups and white spring beauties started the show and soon soft pink Bleeding Hearts appeared- a little lighter in color than the VA ones.  It wasn't long until we knew we in Oregon for sure as orange Columbine and purple-pink Foxglove stole the scene.  It was wonderful to discover the back road forest beauty we never knew was all around us.  Another gift from venturing beyond the familiar.

Click on the Picture to find the little bleeding hearts on the bank above me.

Reaching the Pacific- Day 15

 We had a nice visit with Terry's mom in Vancouver, WA (after the festivities in Salem, OR for Camp Hosts).  It was a delight as always to have huge scrumptious meals prepared for us, a real queen bed, and long extravagant showers.  We even had time to catch up on our activities since we were together last in late January.

Our trip was still begging to be completed, however, with a return to the Oregon Coast.  You can imagine our  joy to be watching the Pacific roll in from our campsite at Tillicum Beach near Yachats, OR.  Look at the view we have!!!

Right after lunch we took a long walk toward Yachats and passed below our favorite motel which Terry recognized from the steps.  Amazing! The blustery wind and beach fog in the distance are so typical of the coast here.

Our return became our belated Earth Day Clean-up.   We had been noticing lots of barnacle covered plastic bottles and foam pieces as we walked.  Since we forgot our trash bag we picked them up on our way back.  Their shapes were a bit unusual and as we examined them more carefully we saw that the lettering on them was Japanese.  Our first clear indication of tsunami debris on the beaches here.  We were happy to help clean up, but saddened by thoughts of the tsunami horror.  The view to the north shows this stretch of sand beach is immense.

After 15 days and about 3,658 zigzag miles the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean will sing us to sleep tonight.  We are thankful for another safe and happy journey across the country.

Spring Redbuds to AZ Summer and Oregon Late Winter Snow

If you have not traveled across Tennessee and Oklahoma in the spring, plan a trip someday.  The Redbuds in bloom were just gorgeous!  As a tree they love to grow on the edge of the forest so the roadsides were covered mile after mile, day after day.  It was amazing!  Here's an example in Red Rock Canyon State Park in Oklahoma.  This was our second night stop, a nice little park in a canyon on the edge of Hanton, OK.

We spent 2 nights at Santa Rosa Lake State Park.  One of our favorite spots below that big New Mexico sky.  It was warm enough for sitting in the sun and wandering among the rock ledges, pebbles and wildflowers.  I did lots of sketching too!  Terry made radio contact with Lincoln, NE and CA on 5 watts.

We spent 2 days with our friends, Art and Janette, in Apache Junction, AZ.  Our trailer kept very well in their backyard for 2 months even though the temperatures were already in the 90's.  We feel so at home visiting with them that it was hard to push on to have a schedule to meet in Salem, OR.  We were  invited to a luncheon on April 23 for our nomination as Hosts of the Year for our maintenance duties at Carl Washburne State Park.

The last thing we expected on our way was snow in late April.  Collier State Park near Crater Lake, OR was saving that Easter Monday night surprise for us!

The park under huge pines is spacious enough to handle anything from tents to Terry's dream rig which is parked just around the bend from us.

The sun is shining brightly now as the snow continues to fall.  Seems like the time to venture over the Cascades to Eugene and on up towards Salem and the warmth of the Williamette Valley.

Back to the Cabin and SNOW!

Snow delayed our leaving in Feb. 2012 and halted our return in Feb. 2013.  We enjoyed an extra day in Texas as 14 inches of snow fell on the cabin.  I had never been to San Antonia or Houston so we spent some time we had not planned on exploring the area and a nearby long term care facility for folks living in their RV's.  (Maybe an eventual place for us to enjoy during our rocking chair years.)

Our travels home included several wonderful visits with family and friends.  We stayed at a beach near Santa Barbara to enjoy a lovely evening with Terry's sister, Jacque.

Click the picture for a better view of the Channel Islands.  The sunset was just beautiful over the Pacific.

Our next night was at Mojave National Preserve.  A splendid, quiet and remote desert paradise 20 miles off I-40 near the Arizona line.  We put this on the 'will return list' to hike and explore some more.  The natural vegetation was a desert garden.

We had a wonderful visit at North Ranch RV Resort in Congress, AZ with our 'bird nerd' friends from Heceta Head Lighthouse.  Bud and Elaine have a 'perfect' adobe home there of their own design.  We visited the nearby town of Wickenberg and the excellent Desert Caballeros Western Museum!  Bud took us on a Jeep Tour of the ghost towns and canyons.  We had such a great time that we are hoping to call a little piece of North Ranch our Western home someday.

Apache Junction, AZ is home to our friends, Art and Janette, who were our Camp Hosts at Washburne State Park last May and June.  We became fast friends and will be working as their assistants this May and June.  After seeing a little of the area and enjoying delicious meals at 'Carr's Cafe', we left our trailer in their backyard.  In late April we will join them on a journey back to Washburne SP.

Terry's best friend of 40 years, Tom and Julie moved to Maricopa, AZ a few years ago.  We loved being guests at  their spacious, comfortable  home with new backyard pool.  Tom will retire this year and we look forward to many camping trips and 'taco feasts' with them in days to come.

Terry assumed his trucker mode and we buzzed home in 4 travel days to a snow laden cabin and an immediate roaring fire in the wood stove.   Yay!!!!

A Trip to Silver Falls State Park

The premier State Park of the Oregon system is Silver Falls.  It is about 30 miles from the park where we are working.  Last Monday we finally got in a visit.  The park includes 10  waterfalls that cascade off the Columbia Basalt Ridge and many miles of trails.  Notice the trail behind this falls.  We only saw 2 falls but we were impressed!

These trails are below the falls on the Canyon Trail.  It was icy and slick so we didn't do much walking on the steep trails.

Silver Creek meanders through the State Park.  Here it is just above the falls before it roars over the cliff.  The towering fir trees line the park roads and paths.

As we were leaving we stopped at an overlook for the North Falls.  Next time we visit it would be nice to do more wandering on the trails in this area.  ( We couldn't help but think about the work required to keep them clean and clear.  Interesting how your perspective changes with your experiences.)

Put this park on your list if you are in the Salem or Portland area.  It's well worth the trip!