Unintended Consequences

Although Rich and I do not have a TV in our little trailer, we do enjoy watching DVD's on a computer. Since we have very limited space in the trailer, we check out DVD's from a nearby library. One day recently, short on time, we planned a quick ten minute stop at the Newport Library. The plan was that each of us would choose two DVD's. Okay so far. The first DVD was Apollo 13, an entertaining tense thriller even when you know the outcome. The second was a foreign film, Poetry. Sounds benign but emotionally difficult to watch. I don't remember the third title. After we watched it though we decided not to watch the fourth DVD which was also a dark drama. The next trip to the library for DVD's we checked out comedies.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

View looking south from Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

This month Rich and I are volunteering at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse in Newport. For two days we work as lighthouse keepers greeting visitors. The two other days we work in "the dungeon", downstairs in the basement in the gift shop. The basement is very cold. The lighthouse is on the national registry as an historic building. There is heat, but not much in the basement. I layer, layer, layer and stay warm. On sunny days the view is gorgeous. On a grey day.....you can't see much through the fog. We love the old building that was built in 1871. The Lincoln County Historical Society has furnished the living quarters with period pieces. 

Holidays and Thoughts of Home

Writing notes on our holiday letter, I was struck by how many people I have visited over the years and have had the pleasure of seeing their homes. It truly warms my heart to remember friends in their homes and know that they still are there. An anchor in my memory of the warmth of home and hearth. It struck me that it is not reciprocal. Now, few have seen our home. (It is too small for long visits). And our outdoor living environment changes from month to month. A strange anchor-less feeling. Enjoy the warmth of family, friends and home as we enjoy the warmth of our nomadic life.

Rich

Photo was taken at Waldo Lake a few years ago. What can I say. Computer refused to import photos from my camera. Cheryl

The Gypsies Have Landed

Here we are. December at Beverly Beach! You can't tell from this selfie, but we are standing on sand with ocean in the background. This picture was taken November 30, the only dry day so far. We were blessed with a bald eagle fly by during this inaugural beach walk.

Family

One of the reasons Rich and I are hosting in the Salem, Oregon area is to be withing a reasonable driving range of family. I forgot that my first husband's family were early settlers in Monmouth and Independence, Oregon area. The park where we are currently hosting is about 15 minutes from Monmouth.

From Smoke to Flood

Almost normal river level

The tide is high

During the recent heavy rainfall the Luckiamute River level rose close to flood stage. The rising river did flow over the river trail cutting off sections of the path. Our site remained dry.

Sexy Beasts

View of Luckiamute River from our site

Rich and I have colds. Life slows down and not much happens. With all the coughing and nose blowing we are a bit sexy. Well, maybe.

A Lovely Site

Sarah Helmick, the day use park where we are hosting for the month of October is the park first acquired by the State of Oregon. Most of the maple trees look old, gnarly and are absolutely gorgeous.

Movin' On

Rich and I enjoyed our time at Cascara Campground. For the eclipse we we not in tototality maybe 98% but it was an exciting event. About two weeks after we arrived the Jones fire started in the area where we were hoping to hike in old growth forest. Sad face.

We are now hosting at Sarah Helmick Park about 30 minutes south if Salem, Oregon. A beautiful park and the only downside is cellphone service is very limited. I am posting this from a rather sketchy laundromat.

Trash Walking Meditation

Cheryl's News From Cascara Campground

September 3, 2017

Cheryl & Rich with smoke filled Dexter Lake in the background.

Our work day at Cascara begins with walking the campground and picking up trash. The first bit of trash I picked up was a cigarette butt, the first of many. By weight, dog and skunk poop wins the prize for the largest quantity of trash we pick up. That is correct, there are skunks in camp and for some reason they like to poop on the picnic tables. Picking up trash, bicycling the camp a couple times a day, selling wood, answering questions and being a presence in camp is our daily work schedule. It is an easy, carefree life we enjoy, and each day begins with a walking meditation.

Take Three

Ok. We are posting this from a computer. Hopefully this will work. If not, you can see the video on the blog site.

Less than two weeks after we arrived at Cascara Campground a lightening caused fire broke out about 10 miles east of us. It's been over a decade since the last fire. Since we are right on Fall Creek Lake helicopters and air planes have been hauling water out of the lake. It is extremely noisy. At one point there were four planes picking up water. I am glad we had the opportunity to see the helicopters and planes pick up water and I will be very glad when the fire is contained. Hopefully sometime in September the campground will be smoke free. We are spending a chunk of each day in the trailer to minimize breathing smoke. Guilt free sitting in the trailer reading.

Scooper Plane

 

Second attempt for scooper plane video. If the video will not play and you would to see a scooper plane in action email Rich or Cheryl and we will email you the short video.

Smoke On The Water

Scooper Plane

Less than two weeks after we arrived at Cascara Campground a lightening caused fire broke out about 10 miles east of us. It's been over a decade since the last fire. Since we are right on Fall Creek Lake helicopters and air planes have been hauling water out of the lake. It is extremely noisy. At one point there were four planes picking up water. I am glad we had the opportunity to see the helicopters and planes pick up water and I will be very glad when the fire is contained. Hopefully sometime in September the campground will be smoke free. We are spending a chunk of each day in the trailer to minimize breathing smoke. Guilt free sitting in the trailer reading.

Visitors Welcome

Cascara Campground
August 20, 2017

Fall Creek Lake

On a clear, windless day it is gorgeous. Today there is an inversion so the lake and mountains are obscured by smoke from the nearby Jones fire.

Cascara Campground has 39 sites, all dry, no water or electricity. Many of the sites have a view of the lake. Swimming, boating and fishing on the lake are wonderful leisure activities. Because of fire danger no campfires are allowed.
Cascara is located about 25 miles SE of Eugene. Visit. Stay in your own site or we have space for a small tent at our site.

Kayaking the Lake

A Story in Pictures
August 13, 2017

Putting on plenty of sunscreen

Getting geared up. River shoe is on the right.

Securing kayak for travel

Kayak exits truck

Paddle assembly

Inflating the seats

Kayak touches water, finally

Lovely heron sighting

Our happy and rather goofy kayaking faces

Kayak docked until next time.

Our News From Cascara
August 6, 2017

Our Backyard View


We arrived at our new campground hosting site August 1. We arrived at the beginning of a brutal heatwave. Campers descended.

We were blessed that a large number of the sites were occupied by a church group that was on retreat. Morning and evening they gathered in the amphitheatre and the campground  filled with song.

The campground is mid-sized with 39 sites. It is wonderful being in the woods again.

Closing Thoughts

Rich's News Post Pleasant Hill, Oregon
July 30, 2017

Doing the Bocci. Steven Woolpert and Rich.

Upon leaving Jasper Recreation site.

This was our first adventure hosting in a day use site. It started with a viewing of an owl, an auspicious beginning. We found we liked the rhythm and the solitude as we were basically alone for much of the time. It was a big park and often we would have only one or two people there during the week. The rangers were quite friendly and willing for us to do what ever we wanted. So Cheryl cleaned and managed the barbecues. We both take great pleasure in managing micro garbage and thanks to Ranger Rick we were given a new pick- up stick that was awesome.

I did get exercise with my weed aerobics but find I have not lost the weight I usually lost at Natural Bridge. The main difference is I did not ride my bike much. Part of that was because our tasks often required our golf cart Club Car and with that we could cover a lot of territory. The park is big and takes a bunch of time to cover. We enjoyed the site.

My weed aerobics provided a clear focus for the first six weeks. The site is not tended during the winter and there are blackberries, dandelions and various other weeds to grow to their hearts content. I did manage to eliminate the viable scotch broom and look forward to attacking that again next year when we plan on returning. But as usual I find great appreciation for completing simple jobs. Noting that my own home did not get the care I administered here. A long time predilection of mine to enjoy working on other peoples yards.

My last task was a painting project which again had its reward of completion.

The river of course provides a wonderful edging to our little paradise. We had quite a variety of birds. The first a sap sucker who serenaded us with drum solos in the morning on our electrical outlet cover. S/he actually had two drum surfaces there which made it quite entertaining. The ubiquitous robins whose egg shells we found. Goldfinches seem to reside there or are they called yellow finch? Bald eagles I am sure have a nest in the cliffs across the river. Canadian Geese honking as they flew over and I caught site of three of them escorting their three goslings that we saw as tiny beings early on. A constant presence of turkey vultures, bats, swallows, woodpeckers, wrens, nuthatches and probably others that escape my memory.

We will be back. Looking toward our next adventure. It is such a delight to change from place to place and find its particular treasures. Having access to local shopping proved to be a plus as we could access what ever we needed in short order.

Thanks to everyone who visited!

All in all a good time.

Blue Frosting & A Sneak Peak

Cheryl's News Post Pleasant Hill, Oregon
July 28, 2017

Officially we are vacation this week and finally have access to cell phone service and wifi. Technically, this blog should have been posted four weeks ago, however, no cell phone service or wifi.

I do love cake especially chocolate cake. Chocolate cake is a comfort food especially if I am stressed. Cake falls in to the category of a food that is addictive so it is very rationed in my life. So here we are at a day use park where birthday parties occur weekly. One of our tasks is emptying trash cans. Time and again a trash can will contain tossed out cake. A half sheet.A three-quarters sheet. If only I could score some cake before they toss it out! The second week in June we do score a half sheet of cake. No chocolate but beggars can't be choosers. Rich and I eat our fill, share with the rangers and toss one quarter of the cake. Blue frosting is the most popular frosting color. Ick!

View from Cascara Campground, Sneak Peak

Beginning in August we will be campground hosts at Cascara Campground which is located about 45 minutes east Eugene. We are looking forward to living in the woods for two months and kayaking as much as possible.

Culture

Cheryl's News From Pleasant Hill, Oregon
June 28, 2017

For many years I have been interested and fascinated with covered bridges. I was quite excited to learn that there are five in the area. We visited four. Three of the bridges are still in use. Even more fun and exciting is driving through the bridge. Yes, I am a cheap date. For some reason I thought covered bridges were rare. Check out this link to a map of covered bridges of Oregon. coveredbridgemap.com/or/

One of the great treats of volunteering in the Eugene/Springfield area is access to culture and museums. Time flies and we only experienced a few, big sigh.

Besides the covered bridge road trip we visited The Museum of Natural and Cultural History located on the University of Oregon campus. We chose to visit when a guided tour was being offered. The tour focus was coyote tales. Various native tribes gifted stories to the museum. Learning native culture and history through story was a delightful.

Afternoon

Pleasant Hill, Oregon
June 23, 2017

Summertime and the living is easy.

                  The two sleeping beauties.

Our Mini

Our News From Pleasant Hill, OR
June 19, 2017

We love our mini dump cart

Ok. This was the photo that was to appear with the previous blog, Weed Warrior II. The universe did not cooperate at all. Since we have cellphone service at this site, blogs are created and posted from a cellphone. To include a photo requires transferring the photo from the camera to the computer then to the phone. Attempt #1. Windows mandatory computer update. Attempt #2. Update continues. Attempt #3. Forgot the bloody camera. Attempt #4. Success. See above photo.

Weed Warrior II

Rich's News From Pleasant Hill, Oregon
June 14, 2017

A peek photo of a small bit our site.

It has been an intense weeding project. 2-3 hours 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Weed aerobics and I end up sweating as I attack the various patches of weeds. And I have enjoyed it. Memories traveled through my mind . When I was around nine or ten. I was given the task of weeding an acre of weeds. Watching me my mom told my dad to help me as she could tell I was overwhelmed. He drew a square 6 ft. by 6ft. Said weed that. Then draw another square. My dad did not teach me much but that lesson has stayed with me through out my life and here I am full circle weeding and sectioning. It works.

I've observed how I get over focused on the weeding and also ADD sets in and and I lose track of my intended goal as new weeds appear. During Steven Woolpert's visit in May and he and and I went to pull a couple scotch broom plants that I am trying to eradicate here and that expanded to a weeding a whole field. But he and I enjoyed it. I also note that I did this at my own home. I would periodically get started and couldn't stop. Once painting the whole inside of my house in a day. Not good and yet in some way very satisfying to complete something.

It is also easier for me to work for someone else. Doing service for others is such a strong motivation that has guided my life. Bouncing around to various “life times” I note that service is the common thread. The past 3 summers cleaning pit toilets was very satisfying. And now weed warrior. But alas the main projects are done and there is an emptiness as I don't have a project to do...

So weed warrior I have been and now what? In August I am told that my job at Cascara Camp ground will be mowing. Another one of my jobs I did as a child. What comes around comes around.

Work Flow

Red breasted sapsucker

Our News From Pleasant Hill OR
June 12, 2017

The work schedule at Jasper State Park is perfect for us. Basically, each morning we ask, what would I like to do today? What project am I drawn to right now? If the ground is damp Rich will most likely choose weeding. Cheryl will choose shaping Nookta rose bushes.

There are a few tasks we are asked to perform. Walking the woods trail daily keeping an eye out for trash and downed limbs. Picking up trash in the shelters, there are four, and removing charcoal and ash from the barbeques, there are many. The work flow is leisurely and arises from our our own desire to be of service.

Weed Warrior

Our News From Pleasant Hill, OR
Sunday, May 28, 2017

Weed Warrior Rich

An unexpected park task is weeding, and they are prolific. Unexpected so we did not bring appropriate clothing. The garments Rich is wearing in the photo will be tossed at the end of our stay. Rich is very content and enjoys the physical labor. Cheryl putts around in a golf cart picking up the yard debris. With no rain in the forecast the ground will become too hard for weeding and we will move on to other tasks.

Visitors Welcome

Our News From Pleasant Hill, Oregon
May 13, 2017

Our "campsite" is roomy with plenty of space for overnight visitors. There is space for a tent or a Westfalia size rig. Just give us a heads up via phone or email. For a change cellphone service is decent.

Day visitors are welcome, too. Our days off are Wednesday and Thursday.  Afternoons we just need to be a presence in the park so really any day is a good day to visit.

Our location:  Jasper State Recreation Site.

Hope to see you. We are here until the end of June.

Bam!

Our News From Pleasant Hill, Oregon
May 1, 2017

Bam! Two minutes after arriving at our May volunteer site the mosquitoes swarm, land and bite. Time to find the bug spray.

We are volunteering at Jasper State Recreation Site. From our host site we have a great view of the middle fork of the Willamette River.

One of our daily tasks is to walk the river trail and pick up debris. During our inaugural walk we were blessed with an owl sighting. And we had a camera. We think it is a Western Screech Owl.

Farewell Beverly Beach

Cheryl's News From The Oregon Coast
February 27, 2017

Looking north from the gift shop

As Rich and I wrap up our three month volunteer gig at Beverly Beach we reflect on the abundance in our lives. An abundance of community, the volunteer community at Beverly Beach. An abundance of food. Fred Meyer is about 12 minutes away. One adventurous day in January we traveled to Corvallis and shopped at Trader Joe's and Market of Choice. We had planned on a Salem/Portland trip, but the snow and ice in both cities stopped us. An abundance of beauty. Surrounded by old fir trees most dripping with moss and lichen was like living in a picturesque post card. The beauty of the ocean and craggy rocks is always inspiring. And an abundance of rain, rain and more rain. We both feel blessed, nurtured and look forward to volunteering at Beverly Beach in 2018. We saw an abundance of creatures, too!

Seagull snacking on a crab

We always forget what this little bird is

Oregon Spotted Frog

Salamander

Rich at work

A Beautiful Day

Cheryl's News From The Oregon Coast
January 30, 2017

And Then The Rains Came

Cheryl's News From the Oregon Coast
January 23, 2017

We have had more than our share of wet and cold weather. While today is sunny, the past week has been very wet. One day, 3 inches worth of wet. All the rain creates a dilemma for our cat, Mimi who likes to go outdoors especially in the evening. Her dilemma? To play with the mouse she caught outside in the rain or attempt to bring it into the trailer with Rich and I. You can imagine the only choice she was given.

One of the octopus tress in the campground

The Freeze is Over

Rich and Cheryl's News From The Oregon Coast
January 17, 2017

The freezing weather is gone, finally! For the first time this month we did not need to put on sweatpants and bundle up like Eskimos. Yes! Jumping for joy. In case you are not tired of snow pictures, here is one of Junco tracks.

Trial By Fire and Ice

Cheryl's News From The Oregon Coast
Monday, January 9, 2017


After a sluggy month working in the Welcome Center Rich and I jumped right in cleaning yurts. Day one, short staffed, we were assigned seven yurts to clean. This time of year four is normal. That was the trial by fire.

The trial by ice began day two when we were graced with an inch of snow. Daytime temperatures remained near freezing for four days. Unusual for the coast. We bundled up and really it was okay except riding in an unheated golf cart is very frigid. My strategy. Heat up a flaxseed bag for my hands. Our bodies may not be their happiest but our spirits are thriving.