Ode to Bambi

WEATHER REPORT FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

August 13 - August 20, 2014

Weekly High: 84.0

Low: 53.6

Humidity: 36% - 94%

Wind Gust: 4.9

Rain: A few drips 

 

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

Deer sighting!

The first morning Rich and I were at Camp Webegone, five deer - three bucks and two doe - walked through behind the camp. The first and only time they did that. The deer stay around the camp area, and we have occasional sightings. Four of the deer are extremely shy. This photo was taken in June.

This photo was taken August 25.

Rich and I were surprised how much they grew in a few months.

Cheryl

Fall Is A Coming

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

The seasons are a bit short here at Camp Webegone. Except winter. The others are short to make up for the long mountain winter season.

In Portland summer lingers through September and sometimes to October. Here, summer is already fizzling in only late August. Our mornings stay cooler for longer. The afternoon heat does last for a few hours, so evenings are cool, not cold. But Rich now gets a fire going for breakfast and for the evening.

What a difference a mountain makes.

Cheryl

Julianna visit

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT FROM CAMP WEBEGONE
August 11-18th

High: 82.4
Low: 32.2
Humidity: 36-94
Wind: 5.8
Rain: a few drops

RICH'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

My granddauther Julianna came for a visit this week, and we had a grand 'ol time. Jules mastered riding Cheryl's bike even though her feet were off the ground. The first night we did rounds and met most of the campers, and Jules got to pet many dogs. No better way to break the ice than appreciate some one's dogs.

As of today we have not found the stray cat that is hanging out around the camp but are still hopeful. Jules was very focused on finding him.  

Crater Lake was beautiful, and it was beautiful to share the experience with Jules.

 

And of course Smores were a new part of the diet. I think Cheryl has been waiting all summer for an excuse to eat them. And Jules made the fire. 

Probably the most memorable moment was the toilet 3, which lets say is very aromatic. I am sorry to say it was the last time Jules assisted me. Ah well! I give thanks for having a less than acute smeller!

One of the delights of being here is having people come who “get it” when they come to our site, and Julianna did just that. She walked in and immediately felt the peace and power of the place. I think it is living in tall trees, at least in part.

The time went too fast, but we have a plan for a longer visit next year. It has been too long since we have been able to hang out. Cheryl and I are both delighted she could join us. 

And a nice bonus was having Carole be able to experience our summer home. Life is good.

Rich

A Story in a Picture: Sunset Reflecting on Trees

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

Sunset Reflecting on Trees

Thunder, Lightning, Hail and Rain

 CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

August 12 and 13. 

And the rains came. Plus a bit of hail. Both days, Rich and Cheryl seek shelter inside the trailer. It's a small space, but dry and protected from the elements. We pass the time napping, reading, playing and cribbage.

Our Rainy Day View

But you can only do so much of that, before you want a change of pace. Rich suggests arm wrestling. Since he has long forearms, Cheryl suggests thumb wrestling - where she figures the odds will be more even. 

Rich tells Cheryl that he is a vicious thumb wrestler. And Cheryl thinks, how vicious can someone be with just a thumb. She was about to find out. Rich gave Cheryl a handicap by wrestling with his eyes closed. But even with that, it was a bit like Godzilla thumb wrestling Hello Kitty. 

It was a good laugh for both. 

PS: Challenge Rich sometime if you dare.

Cheryl  

Midnight Ride

RICH'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

There are moments that standout as markers in time. My most recent marker occurred on August 1st. A midnight ride to Medford.

This event has changed my mindset about going to Medford. From Portland it seemed like a long trip, but gradually it is becoming mentally more accessible. Riding down in Cheryl's car rather than the truck also makes a difference. I guess old age makes some of these comforts more meaningful.

So, around 1am Cheryl helps me figure out that the pain I am having needs medical attention. She drives me to Providence Hospital Emergency Room in Medford, which is quite un-busy at 2:30am. Having consulted the book Where There Is No Doctor, I already figured I knew what was happening. By 5am, after a CAT scan and blood work, it was confirmed. I have kidney stones, painful ones (to make an understatement). 

They are not so big, so Ultrasound is not required to break them up. The hospital allows us to sleep for a couple hours, as no pharmacies are open to give me the drugs. Ah yes, and the next step is the nausea from the drugs, which I rapidly discontinue as Advil dulls the pain enough to get me through the next 24 hours or so. 

This placed us back in the trailer for two weeks. Trailer as infirmary again. It has been a great place for healing.

It is now 18 days later, and I am feeling energetic again. I am well and healthy and today we biked up for the first time for a Cinnamon roll at Beckys Cafe. Oh, it is such a hard life. Now when do we get to eat the huckleberrys we picked today! Just 18 days after the midnight ride.

Rich 

Kayaking From Natural Bridge

CHERYL'S NEWS FROM CAMP WEBEGONE

(Editor's Note: For those who don't know, whitewater rapids are rated on a scale of I to VI, with VI being the most difficult.)

Rich and I have been told that the stretch of river at Natural Bridge would be rated a level four rafting difficulty. 

• Class IV (advanced): Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require “must make” moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting may be necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. For kayakers, a strong roll is highly recommended.  Wikipedia

We will not be trying this.

One day, while cleaning at the day-use center, a car with a kayak attached to the top arrived. Rich and I have been waiting so that we could watch someone kayak the Rouge River from Natural Bridge. Rich talked with the kayak's owner, who said he would be kayaking the river solo. 

When trying the rapids, folks generally launch from one of two places: from a rock outcrop that is under the footbridge, and from Natural Bridge. This kayaker would be launching from Natural Bridge - the more difficult of the two. 

His first task (after some warm up stretches), was to tote all his gear on a 10 minute walk up to Natural Bridge, climb over a fence, go down a bank, cross the Natural Bridge, and then head down a rock bank to the launch site.

 

He then sets his kayak on the rock. More warm up stretching. Then he gets in his kayak. Launching is pushing the kayak so it slides off the rock into the water. The Rouge moves swiftly here, so he has to be ready to quickly navigate between two rocks. And then it's right to the falls. The kayaker said that after this first bit, the rest of the river is a piece of cake.

These are two photos taken of the portion of the Rouge that we watched him kayak. The photos were taken from the footbridge. 

This is the upriver section.

And this is the down river section.

It was really impressive to watch him. And, of course, the kayaker had a lot of fun.

Cheryl