Spring Break/Birthday Get-away

Spring break arrived at last.  What a wonderful time of year.  You don't know what the weather will do day to day or minute to minute, but with the switch to daylight saving time and the start of blooming flowers in the garden, it is sweet reminder that summer is on it's way.  And Jeff's birthday is during spring break too.

Jeff and I started the week with a big project on Saturday.......incinerate the huge burn pile.  It was full of pruning and old foliage from last years flowers, along with a huge cherry branch that broke out of the tree and a fir that Neil cut down for us.  Add some stuff from the nursery that Robert works for and it was imposing.  And wet.  We optimistically stuffed some newspaper in a space between boughs branches of the dry Christmas tree and lit the match.  All we got was a brief sizzle and then smoke.  We tried more newspaper and then some paper bags.  Nothing.  Finally we cut some kindling from the wood for the fireplace and got a small fire started on one side.  Carefully, Jeff and I put little pieces of wood and grass and pruning on the flames and it got a little bigger but never really took off.  We were getting resigned to having a two day smoke out instead of a towering inferno when Neil showed up with his pickup full of an old fence and gate from his house.  We threw it on the fire and the whole thing went up like an Oregon forest in August.  Yay!  Now we took turns raking stuff into the fire and before long, the pile was halved, then quartered and finally just a small smoking volcano.  I ran to town for a cake, cooked hot dogs and spooned out potato salad and we all settled down to watch the Ducks take care of their second round opponent.  On to the Sweet Sixteen.  Candles, song, cake and ice cream put a nice end to the day.  On Sunday, I finished my pruning and weeding and put the last of the twigs on the still smoking fire and got the second mowing of the season done.  The grass is growing so fast and the weather has been so wet, its always a challenge to get ahead of it.

Smoke but no flames

Too wet to burn?

Neil arrives with dry wood reinforcements

A happy conclusion......flame on!!

On Monday,we were up by 7:00, S.S.S., packed and out the door by 8:30.  Down I- 5 to Grants Pass and down 199 to the coast.  A pleasant drive filled with conversation, music, munchies and a fair amount of chuckles.  We both felt stress relief as the miles piled up separating us from the cares of adulthood.  The Redwoods towered over us and we decided that Jedediah Smith State Park is on our short list of places to visit and maybe to camp.

We finally pulled up to Lowden's Beachfront B and B.  It was a big 60's style house with lots of decks and balconies facing south. We met the owner, Barbara and she showed us to our room.  It had a nice big living room with a view of the Winchuck River flowing into the sea.  There was a huge bathroom and bedroom and a sliding door facing east with our own balcony .  It was nice, cozy and the view was amazing.   We had a little fridge and kitchen area (though without a sink).  Jeff and I wasted no time getting the luggage and settling in, then went down to the beach for a walk.

The beach looking south

There were lots of rocks to sort through.  The Winchuck River is in the background.

One of the little streams we had to cross

Lots of rocks offshore

After our walk we followed Barbara's recommendation for dinner at O'Halleran's - a steak/seafood restaurant.  A wonderful dinner was had by all followed by free birthday cake.  I've decided to milk the birthday perks all that I can.  Why not?  After dinner, we went to "Club 101" where Kat beat me 2 out of 3 games in Pool.  We had a fun time shooting pool, drinking a dark brew, listening to Country music and soaking up the ambiance which defines Brookings.

Back at our room, we checked out what was on TV and decided on a cop movie with Will Ferrell.  We laughed till we had to stop it to avoid having to change our underwear.  At commercial breaks, the two hosts showed outtakes which had us rolling.

Tuesday, March 26th - Leisurely morning with cold cereal, toast and coffee.  We drove into Brookings and picked up some pre-made sandwiches, drinks and sides for our afternoon hike.  Barbara, our host had told us of a "wonderful hike" which was relatively close to home.  We headed up the Winchuck River and turned onto a dirt/gravel road that was 4 miles of potholes lying in wait to destroy a careless driver's suspension.  Top speed was 15 MPH but we didn't mind - hey, we're on vacation.

We arrived at the trail head,  loaded up, set up our hiking poles and camera in hand - headed up the trail.  Sharing the path with sunlight streaming through 1000 year old Redwoods, a gentle breeze, the smell of the land waking from winter doldrum's, the cry of multitudes of birds in search of a date to bring to the Mating Dance, Rhodies and azaleas just beginning to bud, Trillium's in full bloom.  A nice stroll and picnic......so peaceful and relaxing.  It was so nice having the trail to ourselves and talk about pristine...you would be hard pressed to find a scrape of litter.

The view from the deck in the morning

Looking up the river from the B and B

The long and winding road

Ready to hike

Giant Redwood

Trillium

Captured by the beauty

Lunch on the trail

Tree hugger

Tree-House

 

We hiked almost two miles and at the end, we were tired but refreshed.  Home to relax and sit on the deck until hunger forced us out and about.  We found a Chinese place and enjoyed the usual cuisine: heavy on the fried and sauced, but delicious.  The waitress refused to put a candle in my fortune cookie nor sing Happy Birthday in Chinese but we managed to get by.  The casino just over the border beckoned and Kat won $100 at her favorite game: Davinci Diamonds.  After going home we sifted through the movie selection and chose "Mama Mia".  Such a fun movie and a perfect end to a fun day.

Wednesday, March 27th - the birthday boy has landed!

Another great day starting at Denny's where I got a free "Grand Slam" breakfast after being I.D.ed and giving a thumb print to verify my birthday status.  We headed South into California and found a Pier to walk on, a picturesque lighthouse and then a wonderful beach just South of Crescent City.  We sat on a log and became one with the ocean.  B.P. dropped 20 points.  Watching dogs and people frolic on the beach, gulls skimming the waves, fishing vessels coming home to port laden with their holds filled with the catch of the day,  a crazy man surfing the waves, our eyes getting a workout and our necks cramping from the continual gazing into the Sun and swiveling to catch the 3 ring circus in front of us.  When it clouded up, we continued south until we got tired and then north to Crescent City again...this time we found a wonderful restaurant with a view of the bay and a whole bunch of lazy sea lions.  It was hilarious watching their antics while we ate clam chowder.  After a rest at home we went back to the 101 Tavern for pool and a hamburger, but Kat vetoed the idea when we found out it was Karaoke night and the singers were loud and off key.  So we spent the evening at home and enjoyed another movie and the sound of the waves.

  

Walkin' down the pier

Lighthouse at Crescent City

Jeff commemorates his birthday in the sand.

Crazy surfer.....he actually caught some waves....brrrrrr

Part of the fleet

The birthday boy

  

Church at Klamath

Sleeping Beauty

So many lazy sea lions

 We got up early to make the long drive home.  After we drove to Gold Beach for breakfast we took a short drive up the Rogue to check out the scenery and camping possibilities.  It was raining and foggy until we got to Coos Bay.  After a short and financially lucrative stop at the casino, we came out to find the sun shining for the rest of the trip home.

Thanks to Haley and Jim for watching house, home and pets.  We had a great respite!