A different kind of adventure...

After "putting it out there" and more than a few conversations, we have once again entered the realm of dog. Her name is Bonny and she was a rescue pooch. They think she's about 3-4 years old and a mix of cocker spaniel and poodle. We see a little Scottie in her face. She's kind, gentle and very loving. She absolutely loves outside (just like us!) and having her belly rubbed (we're not wild about having ours rubbed).

The adventurers have landed back in paradise. Although we love to experience new sights and places, we love this place we call home. Next....!!

Welcome (and goodbye) to the Pacific Coast - rainy, overcast, foggy.......and beautiful. Long story short we drove the length of Oregon, and about 1 hour into the trip our mountain "shortcut" was closed, so we ended up taking an amazing 12 mile double secret shortcut on a gravel road through the pass. Faaaabulous!
Is it really over? I thought we'd just keep doing this for the rest of our lives. No? I suppose that's why we took, oh, I don't know, 500 pictures - so we could remember this indescribable place forever

CR & I decided the theme of this trip has been: "Look at tha...ooohhhhhhh!!" as we drove past one after another spectacles of nature. GL kept us laughing...oohh

On I-5 North to Portland in white-out rain...hope it's at least a little clear at 6:15 tomorrow morning.

farewell

To spend this kind of time, celebrating our 50th year...and more than 40 as best friends...was just the absolute best. It's time to say "see ya" for the next adventure...and the next one is already in our minds. That's the thing: this adventuring thing gets in your system and you just have to do more.
So, good-bye and farewell, Glenda-belle, vbfitwww...we love you. Happy 50th! None of us will forget this one.

last day

The adventure continues...twisting, winding turns through mountain passes. The pavement ended and we ended up in Agness..."Population: small" and the Post Mistress directed us back over 12 miles of unpaved glory...no kiddin'...it was breathtakingly beautiful, even though it was raining, foggy and rock strewn. We didn't care. We were still on VACATION! -e

Last day...

Ireland's Rustic Lodge...okay, this place is special. Did I mention the view? Open windows, gusting wind off the Pacific and just over the dunes, the waves break in glorious white spray and foam.
It's a shame to have to leave. Off to the next adventure.
www.irelandsrusticlodges.com

amongst the eternal

imagination time; if you are an urbanite, you are in a place where the skyscrapers are only yards away from each other and they're the size of one persons office, stacked ten, fifteen, twenty high. they're not grey and cold, but browns and greens. not hard and noisy, but soft, cushiony and quiet. very quiet - like an empty European cathedral, radiating that same kind of vibe that you have entered a place very sacred, and you should behave as such. the only sound is the odd human voice occasionally and that of very small birds tweeting - no big bird noises like crows or jays. you make little noise when you walk, as the forest floor is covered with redwood and fir needles. it is indescribably soft - like a rubber track covered with vegetation, so walking is an afterthought not an exercise.
as I was a'venturing yesterday, two lines from an old Genesis song popped into my head - "a magnificent chamber meets his eye" and "only a magic that a name would stain"
you should come.

A sense of how very small we are, standing next to these red giants. Humbled and grateful for those who had the wisdom to protect them.

This coast...

from the moment we reached the coastline we slowed to a snail's pace to take it all in...thank God for those little pullover spots along 101. Lighthouses, dunes, cliffs and crashing waves. Seafog rolled in to make it all so mystical and it was so cold!
We pulled into Ireland's Rustic Lodge and we are thoroughly are enjoying the Pacific view from the jacuzzis, the fireplace in the room. Something about a crackling fire and the glass sliders open to hear the big waves hit the beach below. - e

just another day of marvels

ho hum, giant sand dunes from another planet and megalithic shoreline sentinels encased in swirling mist........... you know. And you can't even see the worlds biggest ice cream sandwich that we had. Oh, and tomorrow will be better. - c

Downtown Eugene

pottery, fresh herbs, flowers, veggies and fruits, crafts, clothes, jugglers, musicians...the farmer's market in downtown Eugene...of course all of that after a great breakfast at the Brown Betty Cafe (turkey, caramelized onions, tomatoes and cream cheese omelet!!!)

websters definition of emerald

sun was just right, peeking through the trees. words dont do justice to the variety and vibrance of the greens. this is Clearwater Falls, a barely marked, nondescript stop on the side of the road through the Umpqua National Forest that we stopped at because it was time to wake ER from her 10 minute nappie. we stopped at three more places on the same road that were all beautiful but unique in their own natural way. clearwater was my favorite. - c

A day of deep, blue lakes...crystal clear creeks... Mossy green rocks and the quietest forests with padded floors of ancient needles. Smell the evergreen?

The adventurers have landed. Discovering the wonders of I-5 travel at 60mph...nsf (sot so fast)

still a little new at this, but not sure if the last post actually posted.
Let's just say the airport in Kansas City is my new favorite place: I was carded when I ordered a margarita. The tamales were pretty good (the red chili sauce made them a little too over the top) but, after that was scraped off...not bad. I washed them down with that margarita (which caused the server to ask for me ID...yep, that's right...50 and still look 21! riiiiiiiiiight)
Ok - off to the security check point. CR is getting antsy. - e

Taking off!!!!

Sitting at work and already my mind is in flight...I can see Mt Hood when I close my eyes, rising from the clouds.

Planning, planning, planning

Maps cover the dining room table, weighted down by hiking and coastal Oregon guide books at the corners. We have been so inspired by the recent airing of Ken Burns new documentary series, The National Parks - Our Best Decision. We think we've made our best decision by searching and asking questions.

Our plans: fly into Portland, drive to Eugene, day-trip from there to Crater Lake or Silver Falls, Elton John party to celebrate Glenda's 50th, drive to the coast and head south to Gold Beach where we'll stay at Ireland's Rustic Lodges overlooking the Pacific for a night or two, then to Crescent City, CA and Jedediah Smith State Redwood Park.

Oh to walk among the mossy ground and tilt our bodies back to see the heavens connect to the Earth by way of a tree. Just a few more days of work, then we're off!

The maps are out again...

This next trip will be to the Oregon coast. Portland, Eugene first then on down to Gold Beach and Crescent City, CA. Jedediah Smith Redwoods, ultimate desination.
Where the mossy Earth connects with heaven by way of giant redwoods. Counting down the days...