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.