Columbia River, Ilwaco & Cape Disappointmnet

We set out early for Astoria and missed it completely. I think mom needs one of those GPS thingies as we are forever setting out for one place and ending up in another!

The plan was to start in Astoria and work our way back to Cannon Beach. But, when we got to Astoria instead of going into town we ended up on Megler Bridge. This bridge takes you across the Columbia River and in to Washington. Never one to go backwards mom took a right and headed for Cape Disappointment. The trip was anything but!

Our first stop was Fort Columbia. The wind was blowing so hard we could hardly stand up. We didn't stay long. Everywhere we went there were downed trees from Monday's storm.

Next stop was Chinook Park. It was cold and windy but we braved the elements and walked along the beach. Beautiful views across the Columbia back at Oregon. We saw lots of cargo ships coming in from the open sea on to the river. Those big ships are so cool to watch.

We continued north, around Baker Bay, to Ilwaco. Ilwaco is a really neat fishing village. Everything was pretty much closed for the season but mom really likes that for her photography. We walked all around the village and I liked that!

From Ilwaco (pictured) we headed for Cape Disappointment. Our first stop was at Beard's Hollow. Very pretty. A beautiful bald eagle was perched in a tree. I was awesome. You can walk down a path to Long Beach. They are not kidding when they say "long"!

Next up was North Head Lighthouse (pictured). Beautiful views from this place. Then we drove down to the main gate of Cape Disappointment State Park. Looks like a very nice campground. We drove out to the North Jetty and mom got some shots of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.

The day was pretty much shot by this time so we headed back to Oregon. No sooner did we get home than it started to pour. We had lucked out all day with the rain!

I couldn't link any photographs for you because they aren't ready yet and when it comes to her photography there ain't no rushin' my mom.

©Kinsey Barnard

Snow, Lions, Tigers & Pelicans

Well, wow, it was snowing this morning in Florence. Can you imagine that? And, right now it is raining like crazy and Clementine is back to rocking and rolling! We are warm and cozy though as mom finally wised up and got us a little space heater.

Today we took a really long walk down the beach at North Jetty. We went until we came to a creek we couldn't ford without getting real wet. On the way back it started to rain and we got drenched again!

Yesterday we went down to a place called Bandon where there is a petting zoo. Naturally, I wasn't allowed in. I could tell, by my nose, though there were a lot of guys I woulda liked to have mixed it up with in there.

Mom said it was kinda sad to see those beautiful animals in such small enclosures. She said you could see it in their eyes how sad they were. I suppose it beats getting shot by poachers but boy am I glad I can be free.

After the petting zoo we went over to Shore Acres and Sunset Beach. Boy that's a really pretty place. Mom wants to go back there after this storm goes through cuz she thinks the waves there will be fantastic! Also, down there was another lighthouse called Cape Arago Lighthouse.

Until next time ....
LAKOTA SUNRISE

©Kinsey Barnard

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Sea Lions, Beaches & Sunsets

First thing yesterday we took off for Heceta Head. It was a very beautiful morning. We stopped at the big viewing area on 101 for a distant view of Heceta Head Lighthouse. In the rocks below were a bazillion sea lions lazing on the rocks! Oh, boy I wanted to get down there!

We went on over to the lighthouse and walked up to it. Right there at the lighthouse is a trail that takes off up the mountain heading north. It's a really nice trail with some awesome views of the Pacific. We hiked about an hour before heading back down. By this time it was lunch so we headed for Clementine.

After lunch and a siesta we headed back to Heceta Head to see if the beautiful waves that were there the day before were back this afternoon but it was not to be.

We ended up the day at the jetties. And, it was an awesome sunset that we had! There were tons of people there watching it. This must be a very popular spot with the locals because it kinda looked like a sports event with all the people.
©Kinsey Barnard

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Well, we certainly hope you all had as nice a Thanksgiving as we did. We started the day with a visit to the Darlingtonia Botanical Gardens. So small is this garden we went right past it and ended up going the whole length of Sutton Lake. Oregon has this way of placing signs that completely befuddles my mom. Instead of having the signs in front of the turn, like everyone else on the planet, they have there's at the far side of the entrance . The result is mom is forever going past. Hopefully she'll get the hang of it one of these days!

We did finally find it. It's like two feet after you turn off 101. And, it's very, very tiny. The only stata park dedicated to one plant, the Darlingtonia Californica. This plant looks like something from the Day of the Trifids.

After Darlingtonia we stopped in at the Sutton River trail and walked along the river a couple of miles. We ran out of time and had to scamper back to Clementine to get ready for TG dinner.

Dinner was great! I was the center of attention, as usual. And, got spoiled rotten which is only right! Everyone was sneaking turkey to me under the table when mom wasn't looking. She has very strict rules about begging. Nanner! Nanner!

After dinner we all piled into the car and drove up to Heceta Beach. It was gorgeous up there and the perfect ending to the day. We are going back for some serious looking today.

Rain, Boredom, South Beach & Yaquina Head

Well, yesterday was simply the pits! It rained the whole gol darned day. I mean it did not stop. Around noon even mom couldn't take it anymore so we piled in Shadow and headed north on 101. But, it was hopeless. After about an hour we headed back to Clementine and spent the rest of the day RV bound.

This morning there was a break in the clouds and we were all excited. Our first idea was to head south on 101 and ended up at South Beach, which is just a few miles past the Yaquina Bay Bridge. This is a great place for walking. When we started out everything was coming up sunshine not so long after we were pelted by hail and soaked through to the bone. So, soaked were we, we had to head back to Clementine and a change of clothes for mom.

After mom got a new set of clothes and I got a toweling we headed north on 101. We ended going to Yaquina Head which turned out to be a great place. There is the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, and way cool tide pools. Mom took a picture of herself in one with green anemone. She's a card. We also saw a bunch of Harbor Seals resting in the rocks. Then there was Jonathan Livingston Seagull parked on Shadow's head!

I had the best time poking around in the tide pools. I mean these are great ones. Just chock full of good sea stuff. El nose-o was in overdrive yet gain. If you are ever by this way, that would be around Newport, do not miss this stop! It is super deluxe!

We are now tucked away inside Clementine for the night and it's raining and blowing again. Clemmie is just rocking. But, this was another great day!

Columbia River, Ilwaco & Cape Disappointment

We set out early for Astoria and missed it completely. I think mom needs one of those GPS thingies as we are forever setting out for one place and ending up in another!

The plan was to start in Astoria and work our way back to Cannon Beach. But, when we got to Astoria instead of going into town we ended up on Megler Bridge. This bridge takes you across the Columbia River and in to Washington. Never one to go backwards mom took a right and headed for Cape Disappointment. The trip was anything but!

Our first stop was Fort Columbia. The wind was blowing so hard we could hardly stand up. We didn't stay long. Everywhere we went there were downed trees from Monday's storm.

Next stop was Chinook Park. It was cold and windy but we braved the elements and walked along the beach. Beautiful views across the Columbia back at Oregon. We saw lots of cargo ships coming in from the open sea on to the river. Those big ships are so cool to watch.

We continued north, around Baker Bay, to Ilwaco. Ilwaco is a really neat fishing village. Everything was pretty much closed for the season but mom really likes that for her photography. We walked all around the village and I liked that!

From Ilwaco (pictured) we headed for Cape Disappointment. Our first stop was at Beard's Hollow. Very pretty. A beautiful bald eagle was perched in a tree. I was awesome. You can walk down a path to Long Beach. They are not kidding when they say "long"!

Next up was North Head Lighthouse (pictured). Beautiful views from this place. Then we drove down to the main gate of Cape Disappointment State Park. Looks like a very nice campground. We drove out to the North Jetty and mom got some shots of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.

The day was pretty much shot by this time so we headed back to Oregon. No sooner did we get home than it started to pour. We had lucked out all day with the rain!

I couldn't link any photographs for you because they aren't ready yet and when it comes to her photography there ain't no rushin' my mom. She can be a real pain in the patookie, she is such a perfectionist!

Until next time ....

LAKOTA SUNRISE

©Kinsey Barnard