Fourth of July 2014

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

Rich amongst the mulleins

4^th of July, we had visitors arrive at 8 am - my cousin Howard and his wife Cathy. They brought books on loan: books to identify flowers, trees, stars, and animal tracks. (Unfortunately, I still have a residual cough from the cold from ----, and will identify flowers posted in the blog when I'm feeling better.)

Rich and I expected that we were going to have to monitor campers all evening and disappoint kids about fireworks here, because no fireworks are allowed in the campground. Not a single firework appeared or went off in the campground - a real surprise. 

 

Cheryl amongst the mulleins

In fact, it was a normal quiet evening. And in keeping with the American holiday dining tradition, we had for dinner: hamburgers, corn, chips and carrots. And also apple pie, s'mores and jiffy pop popcorn that Howard and Cathy brought as gifts. The apple pie was freshly baked by Cathy. What a supper - yum.

Cheryl

Stephen's Visit

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT FOR CAMP WEBEGONE

For July 3, - July 17, 2014.

Weekly High: 88.7

Low: 52.2

Humidity: 32 – 91%

Wind gust: 4.5

Rain: zip

RICH'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

Cheryl was away visiting Portland for a week. And during the Saturday that she was away, Stephen came down for a visit. It was a delight to share this beautiful place with him. 

We hiked just in the local area up to Union Creek, then we headed up to Becky's for pie. A wonderful walk as Stephen identified flowers and we pondered all day the process of identifying Incense versus Red Cedars.... 

It is a joy to walk with Stephan as he appreciates the forest and, like me, is in awe of the trees and all the beauty that is here. We headed up to Natural Bridge, then visited a huge 24 ft. in circumference Douglas Fir. Ate well, laughed, talked and visited the full moon.

Now, he is on his way homeward. I celebrate the many years of connection and the ease of being together that we share. 

And now with both Cheryl and Stephen gone, I have a few days to hang out with my own rhythms. It will be a different experience.

The camp was mostly full yesterday, but today many are leaving. I will have some campsite clean-up and the usual toilet visits.... Hot today and hotter tomorrow.

Life is good.

A Story in Pictures II - The River

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

Nostalgia

RICH'S NEWS FROM LAKE WEBEGONE

When I was a kid, my parents and often a close aunt and uncle would go on excursions to Crater Lake. On the way just past Union Creek was a gorge that we would stop and clamber over rocks and lava trails to view. Cheryl and I went up finally to see it. It's just a mile or so up the road from Natural Bridge Campground. And it is truly a gorgeous site and well worth the visit.

What took me by surprise was the sadness that came to me while sitting near where as a kid we would view the Rogue. No specific memories, but a feeling of being part of that family. All gone now except for my brother. I don't recall “being impressed” with the view back then, but now the view is stupendous. Is it my eyes or perception that has changed?

Natural Bridge Campground is a favorite of locals and a well-kept secret. More modern camps are nearby with water and real bathrooms available. Most non-locals will go there instead. 

As I check in with people and talk, I find connections to my youth. A man a few days ago said he was from Jerome Prairie and lives a mile from where I lived for my first 15 years. Met people who know one of my cousins, etc... Cheryl - I think - feels as if she is a bit on the outside of the Southern Oregon clique. But it reminds me of how even now S Oregon is a small community.

In other news, 4^th of July proved to be lots of local folks who have come here for years. The camp was filled with children, bicycles and activity. And today on the 6^th, it's all back to normal. 

Today was hot and this reminds me of the hot days of July when I used to buck hay in 90+ weather, and just as in those days we have returned from having a root beer float. My body cannot handle the heat quite as well as then. But it is certainly not like living in Aquin, Haiti, where it never cooled. Everything's relative.

And now at 5ish it is cooling down and quite lovely.

Nostalgia can enhance the experience of this moment as I remember and collect new memories. I suppose the longer you live, the more the intricate web of your life reveals itself.

Rich

 

A Story in Picture - What's Blooming III

NEWS FROM LAKE WEBEGONE

The Wild and Majestic Rogue River

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

These days the upper Rogue River is as wild as a river can be, sans migrating fish. 

The wild waters would be difficult for anyone or anything to cross - except that, near our campground, there is the Natural Bridge.

The Natural Bridge was formed from a lava tube. It really isn't a bridge per se, as there is no underside. That is, you can walk over the bridge just fine, but you can't pass beneath it. In other words, it is a walkway over a tunnel.

  

Visually, the Natural Bridge is not a formation that I would be able to call wildly beautiful. 

I was hoping - at the very least - that when the rock was wet after a rain, some majesty would emerge. But disappointingly, no. It still just looks like cold gray stone.  


If the Natural Bridge were not completely fenced off, you would walk from one side of the river to the other side here.

  

Where the Rogue River enters the lava tube is partially obscured by the viewpoint landing so I don't have a good photo of it, yet. 

 

This picture is of another lava tube entrance that is located downriver from the Natural Bridge lava tube entrance. A portion of this lava tube has collapsed, so some of the river water flows through and some flows back out the entrance. The power of the river flowing out the lava tube exit is not truly captured in this photo. You have to see it and hear it to really feel its power.

 

Rich and I look forward to seeing the changing beauty of the river as the water level changes over the course of the summer.

Goin' Fishin'

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT FROM LAKE WEBEGONE

high - 89.2

low - 46.6

humidity 38%-96%

high wind gust - 4.9

rain for june 25 - 1.16 inches

rain total - 1.37

NEWS FROM LAKE WEBEGONE

So, in an earlier post, I mentioned going fishing. 

Well, there was a camper staying here when we arrived named Don, and he took me out to the river for fishin' lessons. We caught enough fish for dinner that night. Also showed me spots to fish that are missed by most of the fishin' folk here. I've been out fishin' several times since then.

Here, part of the skill is being able to cast and let your line drift into the area, and since the river is swift, placement is important. So far I have only lost one set of weights and hook to a snag.

Recently, Cheryl made a sign for when we are gone goin' fishin'. And last night that is just what I did. I went out on my own with new line installed and began an evening of casting nibbling (I call it feeding the fish). 

I am not sure I will become a fisherman for real, but it was fun to exercise some long-neglected skills and actually catch three trout. One was a bit small, but he had swallowed the hook, and I needed one more to have enough for dinner tonight.

Fishin' is a different way to commune with the river, and I have to admit that I am more focused on getting enough for dinner than the zen of fishin'. But who knows... Maybe it will grow to something more. 

The campers here do not seem to fish in the evening, so it is more quiet when I go then. I am also fishing after the weekend, when the stocked fish have been depleted. I do have an intention to cross over the river and scope out some “good holes” that are on the other side.

I think this is going to be a nice ritual through the summer.

Rich 

A Story in Pictures - What's Blooming Part II

NEWS FROM LAKE WEBEGONE