Eureka!

Well, holy moly, we finally have made it to Eureka and Verizon Broadband! I can't begin to tell you how much this will improve my quality of life! My mom, not known for her patience, finally has access to decent internet speed. She gets sooo cranky she gets without it!

Anyway, to bring you up to date: Our last night in Gold Beach was a humdinger! The wind blew so hard I thought Clementine was going to take flight. Big gusts of wind would hit the side of the RV and would literally sound like someone smacking into it. The racket, unbelieveable.

There were wind warnings all the way down to Eureka but Tuesday mom said "We're going!"But, the day did not begin without it's drama. Mom turned on her hair dryer before turning off the space heater and blew all the circuits. Then she was out in the wind and rain trying to take care of Clementine and hooking up Shadow. That made her real happy too!

But, away we went at the high speed of about thirty five miles per hour. The wind was bouncing us all over the place but after taking about 4 hours to make a 3 hour drive we made it to Eureka and boy were we happy to be here.

It's still raining and the forecast is for more of the same. Darn!

PS: The photographs are the last we took of the Oregon Coast. That one of the rocks is called Turtle Rock. Isn't that a hoot? It really does look like a turtle.

© Kinsey Barnard

It's Raining It's Pouring ....

The old man is snoring! And, it's getting pretty boring!

Not only that but the internet connection here in Gold Beach is the worst yet! Can't hardly wait to get to a location with better speed. Crikey! This is worse than dial up!

Anyway, we have just been going up and down 101 between Gold Beach and Brookings. Not much happening. So, without further adieu here are some photos for you to enjoy. That is if I can get the blasted things to load!

Ok, that's it! I've tried 6 times to load one photo and the transmission has broken every time. I'll have to try again later.

Cape Sebastian to Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Today we went south on 101. Our first stop was at Cape Sebastian. There is a trail there that goes down to the beach and we tried it out. As we went along we encountered more and more fallen trees across the trail until, about 2/3 of the way down we had to thrown in the towel. There were just too many trees down. I reckon it's from that huge storm we had a week or so ago.

From Cape Sebastian we went along 101 stopping at various view spots. The next place of interest was Pistol River. There are some very pristine sand dunes here if you are interested. Mom has been looking for dunes like these since we arrived on the coast. The Oregon Dunes are just too traipsed all over. Unfortunately, we arrived just as the tide was coming in and we couldn't stay long or we would have been trapped until the tide turned. We will certainly plan on going back there.

We continued on south pulling in at every spot but the best of the bunch as far as we were concerned were Lone Ranch Beach and Harris Beach State Park. Both of these places are way cool as they have lots of those rock formations they call stacks. I had a great time sniffing around and mom had a great time looking for subjects.

By the time we got to these places the tide was on its way out and that made things really interesting for exploring.

On the way back there was a bit of a sunset. Mom was pooped so we didn't wait for it to blossom. Too bad too because by the time we got back to Clementine we could see it was a great one all in pastels. Another day .....

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Otter Point/South Oregon Coast

It was a glorious day here on the South Oregon Coast!

Our first stop of the day was at the Gold Beach Visitor Center. A very nice person named Sue help us with information on places to go. There are lots.

We headed north on 101 just looking for whatever we could see. Our main stop was at Otter Point. There are some beautiful views here and you can walk right out on the sand cliffs.

Our next stop was a little further north and I don't really know what the name of it was. It's hard to see the place to pull in when your headed north but worth the trouble to try and find. There is just a little road and no signs but it's a way cool spot. You can walk all the way down to the beach among the cliffs. There is also this cavern/grotto place where you can see the surf come in. It makes a way cool sound when it does. Kind of like a big whamp!

We headed on up the coast. Mom took most of here photographs at no name places. We ended at Humbug Park. On the way back we kinda detoured near Nesika Beach and made an arc back to Gold Beach along the Rogue River.

© Kinsey Barnard Photograhpy

Florence to Gold Beach

We have bid fond farewell to Florence. It was a glorious day. The sun was out and the driving was easy ... or so it seemed to me.

We got into Gold Beach in time to take a walk and catch the sunset. The beaches here are beautiful and the sunset was too. There were lots of fishing boats going out for the evening and in one of these photos you can see a lonely trawler in the sunset.

Really looking forward to exploring a new location!

Ooops! I seem to have loaded the same photo twice and I'm not sure how to get rid of it so pardon me!

© Kinsey Barnard Photography

Turbulent Seas

Yesterday we went out wave watching. The Weather Channel had indicated that the weather would be nice but that certainly wasn't the case. It was cloudy, cold and raining. At the risk of repeating myself, and I know I am, I much prefer my Montana cold. Seriously, 25 degrees in Montana isn't as cold as 40 degrees on the Oregon Coast. Plus, I do not like getting wet!!!

Ok, enough griping. We drove up the coast and there were some pretty good waves. Mom took lotsa pictures but I heard her grousing about the weather too!

If we are "lucky" we will be leaving Florence tomorrow. Luck comes into play because we have a water faucet problem and it needs to be replaced. It was supposed to be here Friday but that didn't happen. If it comes in today we will remain on schedule. If not .....

© Kinsey Barnard Photoraphy

Oregon Dunes, Lake Creek Falls, Fish Ladders

Friday we headed south on 101 to The Oregon Dunes day use place. It's just past mile marker 200 about 15 miles south of Florence. There's a nice overlook there and if you like to walk in the dunes where a lot of other people haven't trekked through them, this is a good place. The only tracks we saw were animals tracks.

If you take the trail south south you will hit Tahkenitch Creek. It's a well marked trail if you keep an eye out for the posts. Unfortunately, it was cloudy and rainy and not very good for photography but I had a good time running on the dunes!

Saturday we piled into Marilyn's car and headed for Triangle Lake. To get there we followed 36 out of Mapleton along Lake Creek. Just before you get to Triangle Lake there is this place called Lake Creek Falls where they have ladders for the salmon. I didn't know fish climbed ladders! Anywayz, I bet when the salmon are running this is a good place to go and watch. What I wouldn't give to be able to get out there and catch them. Yum! Salmon sushi. Fat chance though, moms been told raw salmon isn't good for me. :(

We made the loop back to Hwy 126 and that was that.

Mom's getting kinda cranky as she hasn't found much in the way of photo ops lately, what with the rain and all. It was sunny yesterday and it looks like it will be sunny again today so maybe she'll find something good today.

© Kinsey Barnard Photography

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

Newport to Florence, Honeyman Park & Lake Cleawox

Yesterday we packed up our gear, well I supervised, and headed down 101 to Florence. We have a cousin who lives there and we are going to spend Thanksgiving with her.

We were greeted with sunshine on our drive south. It was very pleasant. Mom commented that she thought this part of the Oregon coast was the most picturesque we had seen yet. But, we didn't stop for anything just steam rolled right to Florence. We be going back up to the spots we scoped over the next couple of weeks. There's alot to see here.

Basically, mom and her cousin Marilyn wasted the whole darned afternoon and I got zero hiking in. What a couple of chatty cathies!

Today wasn't much better. We went to Marilyn's for breakfast where another chatathon ensued. I was left to brood in the back of Shadow. They were afraid I might eat Leo the African parrot. Heh, heh, they mighta had a point! :)

Luckily, Marilyn had to go to Eugene to pick up her daughter Sarah and there wasn't room for all of us to go so mom had to take me out.

Just a little way south of Florence is a park called Honeyman Park. Goofy mom calls it honeybun. Anyway, we hiked for a couple of hours and the photos are of Lake Cleawox in that park. I almost caught something in the bushes along the lake. It was pretty big too but took off when I pounced. Always being on a leash my pouncing skills are greatly hampered! I think it coulda been a beaver because we saw several trees that had been felled by those rascals.

After Honeyman we went a little further south to the Tyler Dune Trailhead in the Dunes National Park. But, it is a fee park and it was late so mom didn't want to shell out. We did meet an very nice lady that told us where to go to get an annual pass. It was starting to add up all these entrance fees. Anyway, we went where the nice lady told us and got a year pass for $35. We'll get our monies worth for that one in no time. In fact, I dunno why mom didn't get one of those days ago! Duh!

After getting the pass we headed on home.

Until next time Lakota Sunrise

©Kinsey Barnard

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!

Cannon Beach to Newport

Well, wow! I think I'm lucky to be alive! Ok, so that may be a little dramatic but it really was stormy coming down the coast and mom was white knuckling the steering wheel I guarantee you that. Old Clementine was swayin' and sashayin' down the highway like we were on the way to a dance. It took us about three hours to do a two hour drive. But, we are here and none the worse for the wear.

When we got into Newport we set ourselves up in the RV park and took a little walk around the area to check things out.

While we were walking we could hear sea lions barking and thought we needed to check them out. We jumped in Shadow and headed to where we thought the barking was coming from. We found ourselves in the old port which is pretty quaint. Well, quaint for two leggeds but fabulous for me. I am here to tell you; the smells, the incredible smells. Fish, bait I can't begin to tell you what all. It was fantastic! I was dragging mom along with reckless abandon. Nearly got myself sent to the car. Narrowly escaping punishment my nose took me into overdrive. But, gads it was great. We found the barkers and stopped to watch them lolly gagging on the pier. I had never seen anything like it. What I would have given to be able to mix it up with those big boys! We know that isn't going to happen.

We walked along the quay. There were lotsa shops and restaurants. And, naturally people made a great fuss over yours truly.

Mom was fascinated by the murals painted on the buildings. That's what the photos are of. She didn't even notice the marvelous smells. In fact, I even thought I saw her scrunch up her nose like she smelled something bad. Oh, well, no accounting for taste!

Can't hardly wait for tomorrows adventure!

Sauvie Island/The Oregon Coast

Yesterday there was one heck of a storm that blew through Portland. We braved the elements and went to Sauvie Island. There is a wildlife refuge there but it was closed, except to hunters. We wandered the roads but the good stuff was in the closed area. I can only imagine what a great time I would have hiking in this place. I really hope mom comes back sometime when it's open. It rained and the wind blew a gale the whole time. But, apparently, it was nothing compared to what was going on over on the coast where they were getting gusts up to 100 mph.

Bright and early this morning we hit the road for the coast. Mom nearly had a nervous breakdown trying to navigate the route to Hwy 26. Mom says the interchanges around Portland are the most confusing she has ever seen. We took a few wrong turns but finally made it to 26.

The drive over to the coast is very pretty. Once we got here we found that lotsa stuff is closed because of the storm. Ebola Park for one. It's supposed to be an awesome place for views. Mom took me down to the beach for a run. Golly, it was fabulous. I just went crazy running every whicha way. I really like the beach!!! You can see from the photo that the waves were still pretty heavy. After my frolic we drove up the coast towards Astoria. Every place mom tried for a hike was closed because of the storm and fallen trees. Well, maybe we will have better luck tomorrow!

Until next time ...
LAKOTA SUNRISE

©Kinsey Barnard