Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
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
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
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
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
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
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
Benji’s Perch
This is Benji’s favorite spot to sleep.
I think we’re gonna need a bigger perch.
~ Susanne and Benji
Busy as a Bee
I walked in my garden today and stopped to watch the bees.
Bees on a mission working together and apart,
Taking no thought of the other.
Bees on the lavender and bees on the chives,
Buzzing from blossom to blossom there was room for all.
~ Susanne
From the Roof
“Whatcha doing up there Benji?”
“Defending my territory Sue. I can see everything great from up here.”
“I wish you wouldn’t climb on the roof Benji. It makes me nervous.”
“Why?” he asked. “Cats like high places. All my ancestors were climbers you know.”
“They’re wild Benji – you’re supposed to be domesticated.”
“Wrong Sue. I only pretend for your sake. Now please move along and don’t blow my cover. ”
“Okay Benji.”
Posted for Travel with Intent’s, Photo Challenge, Aerial.
~ Susanne and Benji
Lighthouses of the Oregon Coast
This week’s Friendly Friday photo challenge, ‘Illumination,’ reminded me of the many lighthouses we saw on our recent trip to the Oregon Coast.
Heceta Bay Lighthouse stands 205 feet above the Pacific Ocean on Heceta Head north of Florence. The light shining from the 56-foot-high tower flashes white every ten seconds and can be seen 21 miles from land, the strongest on the Oregon Coast.
Umpqua River Lighthouse is almost identical architecturally to the one at Heceta Head except for the lens. It’s the only lighthouse on the Oregon Coast to emit a red and white light; a red flash is followed by two white ones during a 15-second interval.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse served for the shortest period of time. Built in 1871 and decommissioned in 1874 it was made obsolete when Yaquina Head Lighthouse was built. It sits on top of a bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River, and is the only existing Oregon lighthouse with the living quarters attached.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse is Oregon’s tallest at 93 feet, and made Yaquina Bay Lighthouse obsolete when it was constructed in 1873.
Coquille River Lighthouse near Bandon, was built in 1896 to guide ships across the treacherous bar at the entrance to the Coquille River. It is no longer operable.
Lighthouses warn mariners of rocky coasts, shallow waters and other hidden dangers, and help guide them safely into harbors. Even though GPS and other electronic devices now assist mariners with navigation, lighthouses still provide illumination as an important backup when other systems fail.
~ Susanne
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