On and Off Duty Reports

A couple more days have passed--a couple more adventures.


Three days ago, we were sitting out at the overlook and met a lovely couple from near San Bernadino, California.  They are avocado growers.  We seemed to really hit it off.  The next day, they came out to the lighthouse and brought us samples of their wares.  I have one in a paper bag ripening now.  I think I am going to have to wait several days however. We have an open invitation to visit them at their ranch.  I think we are likely to take them up on the offer.


Yesterday, we had a day off.  We took advantage of the time to take a hike down to the north beach on this headland.  The rocks and waves were impressive.

My big "find" on this beach is a large red light bulb of elongated shape such as one might expect to find on a ship or a dock.  It has writing on the top in Japanese characters.  Tsunami debris?????


We drove up to the next sizable town to the north, Bandon, OR.  They have managed to save their "old town" area.  It was a lot of fun to explore.  We looked, shopped, and ate.   Mostly ate.  The crab cakes were luscious!


After all that, we had to walk the beach again. (South this time.)  I carried a camera to record some of the great pieces of wood that have collected here.

This particular one greets us as we step onto the beach.

These logs have been floated by the sea, bleached by salt and sun, and burnished by the sand.  Many have a satin finish.  I find them beautiful.  It is difficult to choose a favorite.

Jim, however, does not experience this difficulty.

I do think this piece has to be in the running for best of show.

Up close it is just so intricate.  I contend that, in beauty, this tree lives on.

 I would love to have them all for myself, but alas, removal is forbidden.

My find, other than photographs, for this day included two metal net floats.  I also found a couple of plastic ones, one large, which I left for someone who can be excited about plastic.    I am waiting for the day I find a classic glass float!

Today we went to Port Orford to a community breakfast sponsored by the local senior center.  The food was passable.  We met an interesting lady who lives at Paradise Point.  She encouraged me to want to go to that beach to look for agates--not that I know how to recognize one if I see it......another skill to be learned!  Cal, Anita.....where are you???

Today we had visitors to the lighthouse from Israel, Amsterdam, and Henry, VA--just down the road from where we lived in Rocky Mount.  Turns out, we had both looked at the same house with an eye to purchase and had both turned it down for the same reasons.  Small, small world!

We have discovered that the beach walk can be followed by our own "happy hour" sitting in lounge chairs at an overlook where we can see the waves, hear them, and recount the day's adventures.  Not a bad retirement venue, for sure!

First Days at Cape Blanco

We have survived our first two guiding experiences, had a couple of days off, explored some of Port Orford, and experienced some fabulous walks on the beach.  This is a great spot!!!

This is Port Orford.  The port itself is to the right of the photo.
The boats do not anchor here, but are hoisted to the dock as they come to shore.

We noted a large stack of crab rings against a dramatic backdrop.

We found the dock's restaurant a good place for clam strips and a brew.

The visitor's center was closed, but we stopped to admire the door.

Hobbes thinks the beach is just the best thing in his young life.  He is certain he can catch a gull, even though he has not yet been successful.  He loves the freedom to run ...  

and to follow his nose wherever it takes him.

It would be difficult to say who enjoys our walks more.  I find them
 fascinating.  Did I mention there are rocks on this beach?  Not many shells or even shell fragments, but the rocks are really interesting. 


More about the beach later.  We have a full day on duty tomorrow........ 

Cape Blanco State Park, Sixes,Oregon

Our drive took longer than anticipated (nothing new there), but after a disappointing lunch of Pacific oysters, we finally arrived at Cape Blanco State Park on June 2, 2012.

Our site was ready and so were we.  It is a lovely setting.

We settled in, got a quick, very quick orientation, then took Hobbes to the beach for his first ocean experience.  No photo because it takes them an hour to load!

Sunday a.m. we checked back in to the lighthouse to prep for our duties which begin in the afternoon.  Folks subbed for us yesterday, so we repay the favor this afternoon,, then we are back on the original schedule with no debts to repay.  

Jim served his first gig in the lantern room.

The lighthouse is lovely.  Oregon's most westerly, it sits on a spit of land that projects into the ocean.  It is also the oldest continually operating lighthouse in Oregon.  It was first lighted December 20, 1870.

The beaches are also lovely.  We have walked both evenings and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Hobbes especially likes being free to run and run.

We are congratulating ourselves on having gotten ourselves a great gig for the month of June.

Almost there...

Early this morning we headed over the mountains toward the coast. 
100 miles of mountain driving made for a tense day.  We enjoyed great mountain and river views and  stopped at this lovely rest area just before we reached the coast road.

Once onto the coast road, we commenced looking for stopping places.  We quickly discovered that the many state parks were prepared for much smaller camper units than the one we pull.  After a couple of tries without success, we chose a commercial endeavor on the False Kalmath Cove.  We are right on the river and have enjoyed watching the fog roll in.

This is a welcome stop, 

but we look forward to reaching our first summer location on the morrow.

Revived and in motion.......

So Wednesday a.m. we were up and dressed by 7  when the first worker arrived.
We were sitting on our four feet

 and one new axle was gleaming in the sun.

By 7:30, the day had begun.  Soon the forklift operator grabbed the Thor Bailee by the tongue

and away she went down the street,

backing elegantly into her slot.

By 9:30 a.m., we were on our way, newly shod and ready to roll.  Thank you C & G Trailer Service!


We traveled to just south of Stockton, CA to the San Luis Reservoir State Recreational Park near Nella, CA.  We enjoyed a nice late afternoon and evening beside the forward bay of the reservoir.

We were up and ready to leave by 8 a.m.  Route 5 was terribly rough, but we trucked on.  We enjoyed a nice lunch, then moved on through the agricultural center of California.  We were not always certain what crops we were observing, but the olive trees, rice, and fruit trees were obvious.  At least one forest of pistachio trees were labeled so we could be certain about them.  It was a fascinating trip across the valley following the aquaduct all the way.


By mid afternoon we had gotten through Redding and were turned west.  Jim was tired and ready to stop.  We pulled in to Whiskeytown Reservoir National Park.  Camping was available.  We thought we had it made.  Turns out, there were no hook-ups.  Oh well, we certainly have another night of dry camping without a problem.  But.....the "campground"  is nothing more than an asphalt parking lot!!! 

 Whoa.......a national park calls this a "campground"???????  Go figure!  anyway, we have survived.  The sun has finally dropped below the hillside and the air feels cooler already.  


Tomorrow is another month......maybe things get better......cooler??????