Cape Blanco to British Colombia

On the way to Lacey, WA we picked up a few more lighthouses.  Other than "our own" at Cape Blanco, here are the ones we have visited.  Some we just photographed, a few we ascended.


Coquille River.....

Cape Arago...

Near here there were rocks and tidal pools where sea lions and seals lounged.

Yaquina Head ....

also home of bird rookeries.

Yaquina Bay....

North Head in WA.....

and Cape Disappointment....

In addition, we climbed up the Astoria Column...

and partook of the wares of Mary Todd Worker's bar under the Astoria bridge.  We even bought souvenir glasses.  Do you think we had a good time there?


I enjoyed a conversation with the owner of the HEMP clothing shop.  He and his wife had also been guides at Cape Blanco.  He had experienced 95 mile per hour winds there.  


Our arrival at Washington Land Yacht Harbor was met by friendly folks.  We visited with Doris who shared her glass floats.  They were lovely.  After a day, we met up with a couple we had met last summer in Monument Valley.  We shared a dinner in Canyon de Chelly.  It was lovely to re-encounter them.  We enjoyed a dinner together at Budd Bay.  


The drive to British Colombia was interesting.  After we arrived at Sarah and Vello's place, we were treated to wonderful experiences.  The best was just sitting on their great deck,

 visiting, and soaking up the view of their boulder laden back yard.  It was spectacular!

We were than then treated to journeys through the countryside and lots of waterfalls, both well known, 

and hidden.

We enjoyed a visit to Quest University, Howe Sound with its kiteboarders, and overall had a fabulous time with Sarah and Vello.   All too soon it was time to say good-bye and head back to Washington.  
Soon after we arrived at Land Yacht Harbor, we were greeted by Texas Highland Lakes Unit members Janet and Richard.  The next day we made an excursion to Mount Rainier and had lunch together at the Paradise Inn.  The mountain is impressive and we were fortunate to arrive on a sunny day when she showed her glory.


After saying good-bye to Maureen and Randy, Janet and Richard, we are now making our journey  toward South Lake Tahoe and our next obligation.  If it proves as enjoyable as Cape Blanco, we will have an outstanding summer, 2012!

Ending the Cape Blanco assignment...

We have had a wonderful time at Cape Blanco State Park in Oregon.  The assignment was interesting and the schedule easy to take.  We had plenty of time to explore the area.  Our last day on duty was a foggy, wet one.
This was taken from the upper parking area looking toward the lighthouse.

There was not much to be seen.....

However, up close, the fog reminds us there was a reason for the lighthouse.

One of our favorite things was to go beachcombing.  I looked for rocks,

 Hobbes looked for anything fishy,

and Jim looked for a washed up tree log to sit on.

Occasionally I had a VERY good day!

By the end of the day, I had even more....

Hobbes was very good at finding Starfish.  The second one he found was huge.  Jim took it away from him and buried it in the sand.  Hobbes wasn't having it and dug it up.  Jim took it again and threw it into the ocean.  Hobbes went right in after it.  A big wave would have gotten him except for a mighty scramble.  Yesterday he found another and since it was already dead, we let him carry and play with it.  He brought it almost the full mile back to the truck.  He was very possessive of it.  It was fun to watch him play.

We explored all the area beaches:  Gold Beach, Agate, Paradise Point, North and South Cape Blanco, Coquille River, Bandon, and Coos Bay and Arago  Beaches.  It has been great.  Each one has seemed really different and distinctive from the one just a few miles away. Yesterday we explored the beach area where the Sixes River meets the Pacific.  This area joins the Cape Blanco North Beach we perused earlier.  It was really a good area.  I found lots of interesting rocks and the waves today were really rolling..although this photo was not taken at the spot of the higher waves.

We attended a local Rotary Club meeting at Port Orford last Thursday.  We were invited to their change of officers dinner this Thursday.  We had a very good time, met lots of new folks, and were very pleased with the hospitality.

Saturday was our last day on the job.  We were at the greeting center, so I went out to check the wind speed,

and record it.

The I went outside the lens room, because I could, to wave goodbye from the lighthouse.

I am there--can you find me?  Easier in the next shot....

3 days ago, I got a great idea for a photo.  Unfortunately, it rained for the next days.  Just before we left our camp site, I insisted that we try to get it.  Not exactly what I had in mind, but close.  I did forget to tune before we took the harp out and the moist air didn't help, so it was difficult to get into the moment when the notes were less than pleasant.  Still, how often does one get the opportunity to play a  harp on the edge of the Pacific Ocean?

Wish I had thought of this idea earlier.......

We did get on the road by 10:30 a.m.  We were sad at leaving Cape Blanco which we thoroughly enjoyed.

We did see another area where the mountains meet the sea.  This time on the western shore.....

Now we look toward more time on the road as we make our way up to Lacy, WA and British Colombia.