Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Scenes From the Oregon Coast – Harbor Seals at Coquille Point and Port Orford
I didn’t mean to leave you high and dry in the middle of the Oregon Coast so I’m back to finish up our journey, finally with some sunshine, if only temporary!
I left you last time at Face Rock, pondering when the gray skies would clear over Bandon.
And lo and behold, we woke to blue skies the next morning – and retuned for a proper beach walk at Coquille Point.
Coquille Point
All I can say is – what a difference a day makes!
We took the stairs down and had the beach to ourselves,
and watched the waves roll in.
Even the birds seemed happier in the sunshine perched on their rocky islands.
We soaked in the sights and sounds and went for a close-up look at their larger cliff dwellings
Bob saw them first and called me over to see the seals resting on their share of the rocky islands.
What’s not to like about that? We drank it all in as long as we could then continued our journey south on 101.
Port Orford
Next up was Port Orford, the oldest town on the Oregon Coast.
We stopped by the Visitors Center hoping to catch a glimpse of migrating whales at the Overlook but saw none.
We did however see the only open-water port on the Oregon Coast and one of of six “dolly” ports in the world, where boats are lifted into and out of the water daily.
Our last stop in Oregon was Brookings where we had the best fish and chips in town. Yes, there was more rugged coast along the way but I have no more pictures to show you as you have probably noticed by now the clouds and rain had returned with a vengeance. It’s okay. Before the day was out we would be walking midst the tallest trees on earth and they mostly shielded us from the rain. Here’s that if you missed it!
And that concludes this trip down the Oregon Coast. Hope you enjoyed. it. 🙂
~ Susanne
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Dry Falls, the Largest on Earth
This week we camped east of the mountains and enjoyed a landscape completely opposite to our Seattle area scenery. We drove through Grand Coulee, formed over millions of years by eruptions of lava which solidified and was later dug away by ice age floods.
During the last Ice Age an ice dam holding the waters of Lake Missoula broke and massive floods swept through the region forming two giant waterfalls on its way. When the climate warmed, the ice and water retreated leaving the skeleton of Dry Falls.
We stopped to enjoy the former waterfall, once the largest on earth.
‘In the heart of the Grand Coulee lies one of the natural wonders of North America—the Dry Falls cataract. This 3.5-mile-wide chasm of basalt, with a drop of 400 feet, was left high and dry thousands of years ago as the last of several Ice Age floods swept through the Grand Coulee.” Washington State Parks.
Shared with Travel with Intent’s, Weekly Photo Challenge, “Size.”
~ Susanne
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Dancing Sky!
We woke this morning to cirrus clouds filling the sky!
We’re in Wenatchee on our first camping trip of the year where the scenery is grand and the clouds only tease.
More pictures to come. 😊
-Susanne
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Mind If I Sleep Here?
Thanks.
~ Benji
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More Joys of Ergonomics
Some of you may remember my Blogging and Ergonomics story last year where my office setup just wasn’t working for me.
So after the new computer I finally got a new chair – several in fact – in succession. The first one was too big – the second one too small. Number three was interim – a cheap used one till I could find something better to replace it.
Enter #4 from Ikea. It’s not terrible but it’s not perfect either. Still I can’t bring myself to return it. So I picked up some foam pad and soft quilting from the craft store and threw a fuzzy cover over it and voila! I finally have a chair that’s nice and plush and comfy in all the right places.
Unfortunately Benji thinks so too.
So I may never get to use it.
– Susanne
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Scenes from the Oregon Coast – Yachats, Devil’s Churn and Face Rock
I promised I’d be back with the second half of our trip down the Oregon Coast but I’m afraid it will have to be the middle third instead, as there’s too much more to tell! (Here’s the first part of the story in cased you missed it.)
Newport
We woke up in Newport ready for more adventure and crossed beautiful Yaquina Bay Bridge heading south on 101.
Yachats
A few miles down the road we took the loop drive at Yachats Ocean Road State Park where the wildflowers were in bloom and waves crashed onto the rocky beach, spraying upward like geysers.
There would be much more wave action ahead at Devil’s Churn.
Cape Perpetua and Devil’s Churn
Cape Perpetua is a large forested headland jutting out into the Pacific Ocean. Here ocean waves rush into ancient volcanic rock creating features like the narrow inlet of Devil’s Churn. We walked the paved trail to the beach below through dense vegetation where thick shrubs and vines formed a tunnel.
Can you feel the spray? So did we. But it was time to move on to Bandon where we would spend our last night in Oregon before heading to the Redwoods the next day.
Bandon and Coquille Point
We arrived in Bandon in time for a little shopping before dinner;
then headed to Coquille Point – part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge – where seabirds nest and breed on the rocky islands and cliffs –
under the watchful eye of Face Rock.
It was another wet and cloudy day on the wild Oregon Coast. Stay tuned for the final installment and I promise to show you seals lounging on the beach under blue skies and sunshine.
~ Susanne
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Flower of the Day – Orange Rose
My orange roses opened up a little more today and I thought you might enjoy seeing one of them.
Shared with Cee’s Flower of the Day.
~ Susanne
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A Competition Between the Blue Heron and the Bald Eagle – at Coulon Park
Every visit to Coulon Park is wonderful but there is always something new!
Today’s weather was perfect for walking and the brilliant blue skies were reflected in the waters of Lake Washington.
Sailboats were lined up as usual and ready to go.
Turtles were basking in the sun – the little one’s feet stretched out to absorb as much of the warm rays as possible.
The birds and ducks were happily swimming, and soaring, and fishing. Like this Great Blue Heron who stood as still as a statue on the piling.
Patiently looking for lunch.
As were we.
We stopped by Ivar’s and shared our fish and chips in the open air, enjoying the sights around us.
And then an Eagle soared overhead.
We watched as he approached – dove headfirst into the lake –
and returned with the spoils.
And then a flyby for the Heron, as if to show him how it’s done.
The Heron left shortly after.
So did we.
~ Susanne
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Orange and Yellow Roses
I love roses and try my best to grow them in my garden. It’s not always easy. The shrubs can become scrawny and the leaves spoiled by blackspot. The buds may be few or may not open at all. Last year I took out the more troublesome ones and moved the others to my garden beds in back where they get more sunshine.
They seem to like the change – especially the orange and yellow ones which are my favorites.
So I persist.
~ Susanne
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A Northwest Hike to Franklin Falls
We don’t usually take the most popular hikes on a weekend when everyone else does – we’re lucky we don’t have to. But we took a chance today and headed to Denny Creek and Franklin Falls, an hour east of Seattle. We’re so glad we did!
Yes, there were lots of people with the same idea. Denny Creek Campground is nearby and was full. So was the parking lot at the trailhead and cars lined the narrow road beside. But we were still able to find parking nearby and set out on the beautiful trail through the woods.
The trail to Franklin Falls is well maintained and well traveled. It passes through typical Northwest forest, fragrant with Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, and Red Cedar.
Tiny chipmunks scampered about and people of all ages passed us by – some with babies strapped on or with toddlers or dogs with them. Regardless, we were still able to find solitude and periods of quiet in the woods – except for the sound of the river rushing by below.
After a mile or so the sound of rushing waters increased and we arrived at our destination – Franklin Falls. It was much more impressive than I remembered since I was last there. And just how many years ago was that – 20?? We sometimes take for granted what is closest to us.
The final approach to the Falls and the pool below was on slippery rocks and I didn’t think my shoes were up to the challenge. So while Bob joined the throngs in the spray, I stayed back snapping pictures where I and my camera stayed dry.
Next time we’ll come on a weekday – I may even leave the camera behind – and maybe – just maybe we’ll take a dip in the pool at the base of the falls!
At least in my dreams. 🙂
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 