Oregon Rain, Roves and Visitors

Our first 2 weeks of beautiful weather were a gift we can appreciate now.  The last 7 days have given us only one beautiful day and 2 days in my winter snow jacket to protect me from the biting wind and blowing rain.  On the cold wet days I hide in the Oil House and talk to visitors there with a few peeks from the door at the sea crashing on the rocks below and the waves rooster-tailing their way to shore.  The sea is absolutely beautiful in its strength and power on these days!  I feel so lucky to be washed in sea spray as we climb the trail up and down on the cliffs that follow the coastline.

On our days off we have traveled to tour Umpqua River Lighthouse about 40 miles south.  You can climb up into the lens there as it revolves around.  Very cool!  It is a dizzying experience!  We also went over to Eugene, about 70 miles east, for a little shopping and were surprised by all the lakes and rivers in the area.  We hope to go north to Newport one day soon.

We had a great visit with my sister, Jane, Kevin, Leland and Pat last weekend for the Rhododendron Festival in Florence. We had a lovely campfire evening on Friday.  On Saturday Jane and I got together at the flower show which included rhodie blooms from dime size to desert plate and every color, combo, blotch and freckle you could ever imagine.  It was truly awesome!   I had already spotted not one but two Quilt Shops in Florence and we shopped at both.  On Sunday Jane, Kevin and Leland visited with us as we worked at the Lighthouse.  It was great to share one of the most photographed lighthouses in the US with them.  Can you guess the other two?

Greg and Jennie, from our Great Basin family, spent Sat. evening and Sun. morn with us.  We enjoyed Oregon microbrews around the campfire with a light supper and lots of memories, laughs and adventures since we were last together at their lovely place in Corvalis.  Here are a few photos of their new home, an awesome woodland retreat!

It is great to be neighbors with Greg and Jennie here in Oregon and we look forward to seeing more of them before we head north next month!

We can't believe our first month here is nearly over!  We have already made great friends here and it will be hard to say goodbye to them and this incredible coastal beauty.