End of August

Today I started my first day of the new school year.  While I love my work, it is always a shock to adjust to the schedule, expectations and stress of my job.  But the last few days of vacation have been lots of fun. Here are a few pictures:

Jeff and I took a ride on the Row River trail around Dorena Lake

Emily painted our mailbox for us

Ru and Fred and I hiked to the top of June Mt.

The trail was very steep the last half mile (looking back)

We made it to the top.  A former lookout site and about 4600 ft.

Ruben and Freddy explore

Low clouds compromised the view, but it was still beautiful

Fred

Grandma rests up

Do you see Ruben on the rock?

It was even hard going down

Jeff and I also went to the Eugene Celebration parade, helped David search for his dog, took all the furniture out of Max's old room and started the makeover to "the man cave", babysat Ruben for 2 days, played Mexican Train with the Duersts, and spent quite a bit of time relaxing in the bouncy chairs, smelling the flowers and reading.  Like I said, I love my job, but it's hard to go back.

Bohemia Mountain

About once a year, if we are lucky, my friend Leanne and I are able to get together.  This year, Leanne, was able to come up to Oregon. Leanne and I are childhood friends and it is a real pleasure to be able to spend time with her.  She lives in the "Silly-Con" valley of California and this spring she had an old cartilage injury repaired. She told us she was in total grateful bliss to be back on the trails with her dear friends,

The plan for our day together was to drive southeast of Cottage Grove, past Dorena Lake, up Brice Creek Road to the saddle between Fairview and Bohemia Mts., then take the the trail to the top of Bohemia Mt.  The Bohemia area was where gold was discovered in the late 1800's.  Much of the area in South Lane County was settled because of gold discovery and timber cutting.  The Bohemia mts. are still riddled with mine shafts and covered with clear cuts.

It was a stunning day.  The temp was about 80 with a nice breeze, and most of the smoke from forest fires in the area had blown away.  We enjoyed the scenery as we drove past the lake and up Row River.  We stayed to the right and turned up Brice Creek Road and soon were on the windy, narrow gravel road that led to the summit. 

Dear Friends:  Kathy and Leanne, class of '69

At every bend in the road lay oohs and ahhs

Road stop to pee and see flowers.

Wild flowers added large amounts of colors

The road got more narrow and more rutty and more muddy as we continued.  Finally we arrived at a parking lot at the saddle at about 5000 ft. As we got out of the car, we could see the road to Fairview lookout on our right, and the path to the top of Bohemia Mt. to our left.  Green mountains and hills spread out in the distance as far as our eyes could see, the visibility affected by distance and haze.  The sky was a brilliant blue.  Big squares of different hues on the hillsides indicated clear cuts.  Several roads led down from the saddle following creek valleys......4-wheel drive only.

We packed up our food and drink and grabbed our hiking sticks, and headed up a rocky narrow path.  Soon we were going up and up and up through meadows lined with wildflowers and grasses and patches of stunted firs and cedars. Despite the elevation gain and need for frequent stops to breathe, we enjoyed the cool breeze and warm sun and increasingly jaw-dropping views as we ascended.  I had to keep my eyes on the trail as we hiked.  It was rocky, steep, narrow and full of roots.  But when we stopped and looked up to see the view.....Wow!  We kept making what we thought would be the final push to the summit (Leanne said "summit fever") but we kept getting fooled.   Anyway, we came to a natural spot for a picnic between two rocky promontories, and settled down for photography and lunch. I crept up the rock for a better view and was nose to nose with the Three Sisters. I could almost see the climbers headed for the summit on the South Sister (slight exaggeration).  Good thing none of us has vertigo!  

Fairview Mountain  Lookout from the saddle

Windy up there but gorgous

As high as the sky

A long way down

The Three Sisters in the distance

Lunch on the rocks

After a long rest, we were ready to continue.  We didn't think it could be much further.  But we kept going up and around.  Each time we thought we were at the top, but were disappointed.  Finally we came to the end of the trail and sure enough, the choice was to stop or to go hand over hand up the rock.  The trip up had drained me of enough energy, that I didn't want to make the effort.  We still had to go back down after all.  My team members agreed, and we declared victory and gave a salute to the mountain.  After a break, we headed down.  Again, the scenery took our breaths away as we descended.  We took our time as the steepness seemed amplified while going down.

I was being very careful to put my feet and sticks down carefully because of all the rocks and roots in the path.  And I was tired.  Anyway, my foot slipped on a rock and I went down over the bank.  Luckily, I thought fast and went into a roll.  My backpack took some of the brunt also.  And there was some vegetation that slowed me.  Anyway, I looked up at my worried companions on the path above and felt pretty foolish and pretty lucky!  A brief examination showed only a couple of scrapes and scratches and no major damage.  Yay!  We continued down the trail even more slowly and deliberately and were soon in the parking lot.  We sure felt victorious as we got in the car and headed down the road.

The rocky path down

Mt. Fairview  on the right (with the lookout) and Bohemia Mt. on the left:  We climbed to the top.

After our victorious climb, we headed down Brice Creek to Cedar Creek campground.  The Brice Creek Trail goes along the creek for about 7 miles and has many lovely stops.  We crossed the bridge and didn't have to go far to find a swimming hole.

Over the bridge

The trail is accessible and beautiful

Cooling our sore tootsies

Looking downstream

Jeff enjoys the "music" of the creek

The light from the setting sun through the trees.....magical.

After that respite, we headed to CG for some darn good Thai food.  Sadly, this was Leanne's last day in the PNW.  We love you, Leanne. Hurry back soon!

Just some brief notes from me - Jeff

Wow, wow and wow!  Perfect weather, perfect day and perfect companions to share it with.  It was revealing to watch Kathy with a dear friend of 49 years as they chatted, laughed and giggled over times and people gone by.  The topics varied from past to present but the conversation was never boring.  I felt at ease and looked at Leanne as a simpatico soul.  Kat hustled up the trail like she was born to climb - she never let on that the challenging trail ever bothered her.  Leanne, just 4 1/2 months out of surgery was a medical miracle.  It made me feel that if she could handle it, then so could I!!  Getting to the top was truly an accomplishment.  We didn't get a chance to sign the log book but it doesn't tarnish the memory - we did it.  Coming down was harder than going up.  Not being able to feel the bottom of my feet was scary as there were so many loose, shale rocky areas to transverse and I was so tired.  My walking sticks paid for themselves once again.  What I kept telling myself was there was only one way out and that was me going one foot by one foot.  When Kat stumbled, my heart missed a beat - she handled it better then I did and Leanne was more composed then I was.  I had said early on that this was a non 911 kind of day and I was only to happy to see that vision come true.  Brice Creek is amazing, so close and a place I want to check out again in the near future.  There is magic in the water as it flows by.  I could hear it whisper a gentle tune that brought my BP down 10 points and soothed the ache's of the day.

Once again, I am one very blessed individual!  Here are a few more favorite moments...

The smile says it all

It just doesn't, couldn't get better....but it does

Checking out the wild flowers

Asters ahoy

Worth repeating - we made it to the top left peak!!!!

Portrait of a happy guy

A comfortable moment...among many!

Wow

Looking for souvenirs of a wonderful day

 

Home again

August 12, 2012

I woke up at 8 and there was no Jeff next to me.  He was already up and showered.  Turns out the alarm clock had gone off at 6:30 (evidently set by some early riser before us) and he couldn't get back to sleep.  I didn't even hear the ruckus so deep was my sleep. He told me of his adventures of the night before and he sounded none too pleased.  I guess I was glad to have slept through it.  Anyway, he went on down to breakfast and I took a quick shower and joined him.....along with everyone else in the hotel.  But they did have eggs and bacon and biscuits and gravy and yogurt and a bunch of other good stuff.  Including coffee.  Lots of coffee.

After breakfast, Jeff went to talk to the manager about his disturbed sleep from the night before.  He came back with the news that they had given us the night free.  Free is good, but poor Jeff was really exhausted.  He drove through Seattle and then I took over to Portland. 

The Seattle skyline

We stopped at the Jantzen Beach exit to get some lunch and by mutual agreement we avoided the obvious (McDonalds) and went to the obscure (a bar and grill called Bradleys).  We had the best meal there.  Jeff's taco salad could have filled two plates and I could only eat half of my burger.  MUCH better than McD!  We watched this year's dream team beat Spain and took off down the hiway much refreshed.

It sure was good to get home after all those miles on land and sea.  Max had taken good care of the homestead and was busy plotting revenge against the moles that were digging giant volcanos in the yard.  Ahhhh, the joys of the bouncy chairs and our own bed. 

On the way down 1-5 we discussed how we would rate this vacation.  We gave our ratings separately, but we both agreed it was an 8.  The positives were the beautiful scenery and fun things to do, the amazing friendly people we met, the great weather and the (mostly) great places we stayed.  And as usual the big positive of being out on the road traveling to wherever we want and doing lots of things on the spur of the moment.  The negatives were that it costs a lot to vacation in Canada and the ferries, while a fun way to travel, were slow and expensive.  We spent almost $200 on ferry tickets alone.  Overall, we had a great time and are eager to go and explore that part of the world again and in more detail.

Back to the States

Saturday August 11, 2012

Well as they say, all good things....BUT WHY!  But no matter what, let's suck every last drop out of every day we are given. Especially when we're on vacation

I arose at 7:30 to the smell of coffee brewing and good things cooking.  I met the other half of the B & B, Dian, a bright woman who can bake a mean souffle as well as a famous photographer.  I watched Brian and Diann do a well choreographed dance in the kitchen as they prepared a feast.  Kat and I enjoyed an epicurean delight, including Pecan Baked French Toast, got cleaned up, packed and enjoyed our last few moments out on the deck.  We even decided to buy a interesting ocean photo of Chrow Island that Dian had created.

Delicious Breakfast

Dian and Brian--wonderful hosts

There are a multitude of destination points to head to but the one I want to see is Wreck Bay.  Forty one years ago, my brother and I hitched out there and camped on the beach.  The problem is no one now calls it Wreck Bay.  This may be due to the locals wanting to forget all of the nefarious activities that used to take place there.  After some research, we found that the beach is now called Florencia.  Kat and I actually found it but it was fogged in.  We stood above it and I again took a walk down memory lane,  at least the memories not forgotten.

Plaque at Florencia (aka Wreck) Bay

J returns to the scene of the crime

Heading further up the highway, we came to Tofino - a beautiful city where all the hippies and disenfranchised American's from the Vietnam war settled and proceeded to get rich rich rich off of the tourist trade. It was strange for me wandering around town, wondering if I had ever met that 60 something artisan before over a campfire and brew.  Kat wasn't feeling well, so we sought out Pepto-Bismol and hung around their little Saturday Market for awhile. 

Not what I want to be drinking--yuk

Bay at Tofino

One of the docks at Tofino

Kennedy Lake on the way across Vancouver Island

Deciding that Tofino and the coast was too rich for our blood, we started back East down Highway four.  Kat and I had picked up sandwiches for a picnic beside the Kennedy River - wild and scenic does not even begin to describe it.  Nothing like a Turkey and cheese on a multi seed bagel while you cool your dogs in a pristine river.  A twenty minute rest break turned into an hour because...well just because.  Unknowingly, this decision would later effect the rest of our day.

Lunch by the river

Perched on a rock

Feet shot in the Kennedy

Playing footsy

So clear and blue

We stopped again in Port Alberni to reconnoiter regarding Ferry options.  Once again, we were helped by the kindness that is a general trait of the Canadian people.  A man walked by our table and seeing that we had the map out, inquired if we were lost and needed assistance.  He informed us of the best route and times to get the ferry back to the States.  So often, we were graced by the warmth and interest of the people - Canada is truly a wonderful, genteel country.

Well the plan was to get to Dukes Point to catch the 5:45 Ferry.  We made it by 5:15 but unfortunately, the boat was full and we had to wait at the port for the 8:15.  We busied ourselves with novels, naps and crossword puzzles.  This delay had a domino effect. 

Into the maw for the third time...and three hours late

Lighthouse in the channel

We got off the Ferry at 10:15 and crossed back into the good old U.S. of A. at 11:30.  Unbeknownst to us, there wasn't a hotel room to be had for 75 miles.  Kat was busy on my GPS searching for hotels - she got 14 "No's"  We were pretty fried around the edges and at 1 am were ready to call it a night at a rest area when the 15th call struck gold.  Yes!  There was a Best Western seven miles down the road in Everett.  We gave them our CC number and headed down to what we thought was a Best Western but actually was just a "So So" Western.

My first clue was reaching for a tissue on the side of the vanity and having the metal cover fall out and land on my toe.  The next clue came at 2:30 when 8 very drunken, very loaded twenty year olds started to party right below our window.  When one of the crew began to rev his Harley for 10 minutes, I decided to take decisive action and I called the front desk to complain.  Unfortunately, the clerk was on his bourbon break and unable to take calls.  I opened the window and appealed to the crews generous and noble nature but only received some unkind and rather rude remarks in return. Kat missed the whole exchange, having gone comatose when her head hit the pillow.  I cried myself to sleep, pillow firmly placed over my head. 

The moral, don't take hour breaks on the Kennedy when 20 minutes will do.