Camping at the Coast

Max and I were driving back from Eastern Oregon when I got a call from Jeff.  We met him just south of Salem and he and I went back to his house and spent the night.  What a wonderful reunion we had.  It seemed like a month since we had been together......wait a minute......it WAS a month, and a long and lonely month it was.

The next day we headed back to my place to get ready for another adventure.  Emily and Ruben had rented a yurt at Washburne campground and we had agreed to meet them there for two days of fun.  After a brief rest, lots of laundry and unpacking and packing again, we were on the road in the truck with the camper loaded.

We took our usual route down Highway 38 to Reedsport and then north through Florence to Washburne.  The campground is on the other side of Highway 101 from the beach and set among thick forest of firs and salal.  There were the usual giant behemoth RV's complete with satellite dishes and fuschias hanging from the side view mirrors, (just shoot me if I ever get that extreme) .  And then there was us.......our little camper was dwarfed by some of those vehicles, but it's just the right size for us!  We found the yurt and got a camp spot just a few steps away.  Soon Emily and Ruben joined us.  After a quick lunch, we hiked the half mile trail that led under 101 and to the beach.  We strolled, basked, read, dug and enjoyed the lovely sunny day.

Ruben climbs

So glad to be back at the ocean

Ruben in his hole

sproing!!

After our walk, we went back to camp.  Jeff cooked pork chops over the fire and they turned out great.  After that it was campfire songs, s'mores, and bed.

Entertainment with a smile

yummy marshmallow

Love those old campfire songs....everything but Kumbaya

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast of blueberry pancakes with real Canadian maple syrup, we packed snacks, sandwiches, drinks and 1st aide kit and took Emily's car over to the Heceta lighthouse parking lot.  We locked and loaded and headed out, and up and I do mean up!

We passed the lighthouse and covered one mile and 400 (or more) feet of switchbacks before we hit the top.  It was physically taxing but all the sweat and breathless moments were well worth the effort to see panoramic views of the ocean below.  We passed through old growth forest with firs covered in moss and twisted and misshapen by the winds of time.  Lots of fern and wild flowers, ancient rhododendron, and azaleas graced the path as we headed down the trail.  The temp hovered around 70 and we traipsed between cool shade and warm open sunny spaces.  Breaks were liberally taken and tasty snacks were always close at hand. We were surprised to find we were just about the only hikers on the trail.

The view from the lighthouse

Under Construction--Now be honest....what does that look like to you???

We soon dropped the coats

View North from the pinnacle

The trail went up and up and up.....

Valley of the ferns

Huge old growth trees

Happy Hikers

Ruben climbs

Finally we started to descend and after winding through a rainforest valley, came to the "Hobbit Trail" which lead to the beach we had been observing from the cliff above.

We headed West a half mile down through a wonderful winding trail to the beach.  I was fairly well done and was grateful to rest on a nearby drift log and dine on turkey and cheese sandwiches while taking in a absolutely breathtaking view of the ocean, surf and other ocean afficianados enjoying the day.  It was one of those day's where you feel so blessed: warm, sunny, no wind and wonderful company to share it with.

We all were feeling the hike, (except for Ruben who polished off his sandwich in record time and then filled his time between running on the beach and digging holes - ah to be 8 years old again!) and decided to walk North on the beach rather then deal with a 2 mile uphill walk back to the campground.  We stripped off socks, shoes and shirts, rolled up our jeans and walked along the surf line, chatting, looking for agates and just enjoying the moment.  The mile walk ended way too soon for my liking and then I grudgingly put my shoes on and walked a half mile back to camp.

Who's buffer???

Wonderful hike back up the beach

Searching for agates

I felt so proud.  We covered between 4 to 5 miles on a fairly challenging trail.  I made it and kept up!  Amazing to think that it was just 2 years ago that I had just got off a walker and was dependent on a cane.  I feel so grateful for the health I enjoy and the wonderful people that surround me.  I am truly blessed.

We all took naps and gathered around the fire at around 6:00 for a tasty dinner followed by s'mores, laughter, music and great conversation.  Bedtime did come early for all of us due to some sore muscles.

The next morning, we woke to the sound of raindrops on the camper roof.  I rolled over and snoozed for another dream sequence and then got up to find Jeff making coffee.  A knock on the door revealed two wet visitors and Jeff whipped up bacon and eggs to get us all started on our day.  We quickly set about breaking camp and saying goodbye.  Jeff and I headed for the casino for an hour of "gaming" before we went home. 

I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend this quality time with Em and Ru.  And of course, so grateful to be able to travel with my TC, and to have our temporary 'diversion of directions' be over.

Inscription we found on the sandstone bluff