Welcome

Working in the Welcome Center at Beverly Beach in January has been fun. Our main job is to greet visitors. Occasionally, we have a sale and have to remember how to run the cash register. Housekeeping duties require the most effort, a 30 minute effort. During down time if I can distract Rich from a puzzle, we play cribbage. About 20 inches of rainfall to date so we are very happy to be indoors.

Watching Whales

One of the greatest perks volunteering at the coast in December and January is watching gray whales during their southbound migration. To be perfectly honest, a gray whale sighting usually means seeing its blow or spout.

In December Rich and I took the Whale Spoken Here training so that we could volunteer during the December whale watch week. Geared up with layers of warm clothing, rain pants and coat we volunteered for two wet and windy days. Our second day, there were over 100 visitors. We enjoyed talking whale with folks and will volunteer again.

A couple gray whale facts.

Only the males vocalize.
For some reason, only females have been documented approaching tour boats.

Rich's note. There is a gray whale that is now exploring the atlantic ocean. To arrive on the east coast from the west coast, it swam the northwest passage.

A Normal Day?

                       Cheryl in the kitchen at Yaquina Bay Lighthouse.

                                        Rich in the lighthouse dining room.

                                          Lighthouse from the back.

December at Beverly Beach was unusually dry. About four inches of rain. About ten inches is normal.