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!

Trails are for Christmas Too!

Wait until you hear this!  At 7 AM on Christmas morning as we pulled away from opening the Park gate a car drove in.  It was still very dark and yet they parked at the Filbert Grove and headed off on a hike by the river.  What a surprise!  

We counted 25 vehicles during the day and saw lots of hikers, dog walkers (some who come almost every day) and even 2 groups of horseback riders.  That was just on an 11 AM rove of the park and a 2 PM hike and geocache search.  When we closed the park at 5 PM one set of horse riders were still out on the trail and a walker was making his return to the bike trail car park on the River.   When the horse riders finally left the park it was after 5:30.  They reported making a wrong turn on the trails.  Since it was very dark we had been a little worried.

So- even on Christmas Day our time was well spent giving others an opportunity to enjoy a place of beauty on the River!

On Dec. 26 Terry and Ranger Carlie did some sign removals on the horse trail about 3 miles from the trailhead.  It was so far down the river, across the wheat field and deep in the forest that Terry asked me to come with him the next day to clear some trees that had fallen on the trail.  Since I had never been on the horse trail I was happy to help.  So we loaded up my favorite Park vehicle, the Kubota and headed out!

Yes, Inge, I really do drive this one and LOVE it!!!!  

We spent about 3 hours trimming blackberries, jerking down a mass of vines that almost blocked the trail and cutting the tree that blocked the detour around the tree across the trail.  There is lots of work to do just keeping the trail open in some spots.  It is work that both of us enjoy and it makes us happy to have been a help to someone.  It is a little muddy though---notice the boots!

Oh! and I forgot to mention the moss covered tires we pulled off the trail side (see them in the back).  Terry surprised me with my first pair of insulated coveralls and I was so glad to have them on this chilly, muddy work day.  (I'm learning to be a more contented maintenance volunteer.)

As 2014 starts on Wednesday we will be 30 days away from ending 8 months of Volunteer Work.  Who knew when we said yes to that first job in May of 2011 that we would become so involved in just 3 years?  What an adventure!!!!

Best wishes to you for many new adventures in 2014!!!

Christmas Wishes!

We have already had a touch of winter with two days of freezing fog last week.  Terry took this photo of the trees and shrubs right outside our camper door.   They front the Park Office and one of the trailheads.  The shrubs are Red Osier Dogwood (the branches are bright red and very pretty in winter).
The combination of conifer green and red looks like Christmas!

One of our Christmas traditions for the last few years has been a Christmas Day hike.  We usually go to Cumberland Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This year we can just walk right out our door, under these trees and we'll be on the trail around the wheat field and to the Williamette River.  I wish you were all close enough to come share the hike with us.  The wheat field is a favorite feeding area of the green herons and there are frequent sightings of the resident cougar on the trail by the river.  Who knows what we will see on Christmas Day, but I'm sure an unexpected gift of nature will await us.

Our Christmas wish for you is that some time during the holidays you can find time to take a long walk in a quiet place.  There is always something to gain from stepping out of the routine and into a part of the natural world that surrounds you.  We forget that our lives are one small part of the web of life that goes on about us and without us.

We hope your Christmas is one of joy, peace and beauty!