Sequoia Park

September 25, 2009

Today Cooper and I hiked in Sequoia Park which is a little over 1/4 mile from the RV park at the fairgrounds. We entered the park from Dolbeer, right past the Zoo, but there are many places you can catch the trail from the streets.There are many trails, both paved and unpaved in the park along with a duck pond, meadows, gardens, a big stone fireplace, old growth trees. We had a really nice walk and I was able to take a few pictures along the way.

 

Strawberry Rock

September 24, 2009
On this day we hiked an unposted trail called Strawberry Rock that's well known to the locals but hard to find for others. Alex & Mike, who'd been up the trail in the past, were our well-equiped guides. The first thing I noticed at the trailhead was the "No Tresspassing" sign posted on the gate, but this didn't seem to be a problem with Alex, who said that no one pays attention to it anyway! We hiked uphill until we came to a rock quary, where we could view our destination, Stawberry Rock, in the distance. I'm glad Alex was with us, as there were some forks in the road along the way with no clear indication which way to go. Along the trail were many kinds of ripe berries....blackberries and some that looked like wild blueberries. We followed a gravel road for a short distance before hiking uphill once again to face of Strawberry Rock.The first thing I noticed was that I had to climb (scale?) the very vertical (for me, a NON climber) face of that rock. I was last and had a lot of trepidation about whether I could make it up there but since I REALLY wanted to see the view from the top I persevered and finally made it up. It was worth it! Even though the day wasn't perfectly clear it was still an awesome view. Quiet. Peaceful. Serene. Now and then you could hear cars on Hwy 101 but you couldn't see them...they were well hidden in the trees. We stayed up there for awhile but all too soon it was time to hike back. I was nervous about climbing back down the rock but it proved easier than going up. Someday it would be worth a trip back at sunset!

Skunk Cabbage Trail

September 23, 2009

Today Mindi, Dena and I took a hike on the Skunk Cabbage portion of the Coastal Trail in the Redwood National Forest. We didn't start out until 1:30pm when the fog was finally beginning to lift and therefore we didn't make it the 5 miles to the ocean. The hike was lush and pretty and the weather was perfect for hiking - a cool breeze, the sun peaking out among the trees. We ended up turning around about 1-1/2 hours into the trip and it wasn't until we go back to the trailhead that we looked at the map and saw that we were almost to the overlook, which has a wonderful view of the ocean. The trail then continues along the bluff where the trees are replaced by grass and wildflowers. I was so dissappointed that we didn't make it that far. I guess it's a good reason to hike this trail again in the future only this time starting earlier in the day and bringing more water for us and the dogs. I think a good idea, if you don't want to make the 10 mile round trip, would be to park a car at the trailhead and another at the beach.

After leaving the trail we were all hungry and so we stopped in Orick at the Hawg Wild bar, which is a local Harley hangout. I've been there before so I knew what a great bar it was with a vast array of ecclectic odds and ends decorating the place....the bathroom alone is worth the visit by the artwork on the walls. We each had a IPA and a buffalo burger with fries. The trek through the woods made us all hungry and we ate every bite! The bartender was selling little plastic Harley Ducks to benefit "Relay for Life" so Dena bought us all one! Mine has a red bandana around his head and a black leather jacket!

Another great day in Northern California!

Camping at the Fairgrounds

September 23, 2009
On Monday, September 21st, I hit the road for my first RV trip of any length. I plan on being gone for three weeks and my first days distance was 400 miles from Portland, OR to Eureka, CA. It was a long day but I wanted to arrive here before dark so I could set up camp. I'm staying at the fairgrounds in Eureka; it's only 2 miles from where my daughter lives and close proximity to town so I can walk anywhere.

Yesterday afternoon her roommate had a company picnic at a park in Arcata and we were able to join in. She works at a local restaurant called "The Looking Glass" and the head chef did some barbequeing at the park. We had chicken, sausages, BBQ pork, barley, spinach, potato and broccoli salads which were very good and to wash it down, a keg of beer. This place knows how to throw a great party.

I took Cooper with me and he met a 4 year old little boy and a 4 month old Akita pup, both of whom he played with for a long time. I think all of them were worn out by the end of the day. Cooper slept very well last night.

I'm staying at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds RV Park in Eureka and for the most part it's just a strip of hookups that looks more like a parking lot. One nice amenity is that you can back up to the redwood trees which affords shade and privacy. They have a seperate bathroom and two showers which are old and without much appeal but there isn't a fee to use the shower and the bathrooms are locked and only accessable by code. This weekend they have a few functions at the fairgrounds. Friday night is soap box derby and Saturday night is Roller Derby. I'd like to see the Roller Derby if we have time!

Today we plan on hiking Skunk Cabbage Trail in Orick, CA. There are so many hiking trails in Redwood National Park that the hardest thing is deciding which one to go on. It's only supposed to reach mid 70's today so it should be perfect hiking weather.

Soul Food

On Saturday my daughter-in-law and I went kayaking on the Tualatin River. It was a picture perfect day with the temperature in the 80's, the water serene. We leisurly paddled up river to the bridge and then back to Cook Park where we started. It was calming to the soul and just what I needed.

Make a Smilebox postcard

New Things

I'm excited because I'm learning all sorts of new ways to improve my blog but because it takes time I'm getting nothing else done. I sit in front of this computer all day long! This morning I woke up, totally intending to take my dogs for a walk and now it's three hours later and I'm still here and they're barking in the back yard! In the meantime it's getting hotter and hotter outside!

Lately I've learned how to embed slideshows on my blog and how to add a map with places I'm at or plan to travel to. One adventure leads to another and I find there's this whole new web world out there designed to make my life easier (or more complicated?) Either way, I'm having a great time learning and trying to apply what I've learned.

I'm hoping that by the time I go on my adventure trip to Alaska I'll have most of this figured out!! ha, ha!! It will be a nice way for friends and family to keep in touch with us as we journey through the United States, Canada, The Yukon, and Alaska.

My next trip is going to be to California where I'll visit my daughter for a week and meet up with my parents and then we're going to travel north along the coast. I'll map it out and blog about it - just to give me practice!!

Until then....take a step toward living the life you LOVE!!

Shakespeare and Wine

Last weekend I went to see "As You Like It" presented by the Willamette Shakespeare players at the picturesque Stoller Vineyards in Dayton, Oregon. I went to the 2pm showing on Sunday afternoon and it was sunny and warm with a view of the vineyards and the valley below....a truly inspirational place for Shakespeare!

DG and I brought our lawn chairs, sunscreen, cooler stocked with food and then we bought a bottle of Stoller cabernet to share while we sat back and enjoyed it all. We were not disappointed in either the wine or the play!

Ryan, my son Justin's good friend, headed the cast as Orlando, son of Sir Rowland de Boys. The play was clever and funny and the cast very talented and entertaining.

They're presenting this play at a few other venues in the area during the month of August and I'm hoping to go again, this time at night. I think it's well worth another round.