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