Heceta Lighthouse from Cheryl

Cheryl's News from Heceta Lighthouse

March 31, 2016

View looking south from Lighthouse

Having participated in many tours, I had a clear sense (in my mind, at least) of what makes for a dull tour. And one of the key variables, to me, was always how connected the guide was to the audience - how the guide engaged them and determined what is of interest to them to hear about.

Okay, so, public speaking is not my forte. I bumbled along. It's way more difficult than you even imagine. And then there's the gaffe. With impromptu public speaking, there is always the moment you make a gaffe. It's like it's inevitable. So, mine was saying: “ the lighthouse keeper and his wives.” Oops!  

By the end of our stay, though, I think I had reached a point where I was able to give a reasonably interesting tour of the lighthouse. Thankfully, whew.

Prior to arriving at Heceta Lighthouse, I had, of course, imaged what our job would be like. I imaged that we would be indoors for our shift. This is not the case. Rather, we are outdoors unless we are giving a tour. As you may recall, March has had above normal rainfall. Rich and I scored again - volunteering outside during heavy rains. 

During heavy rain, at least there is a nearby staff building where we can be out of the rain and warm up. For the most part, though, Rich and I and the other volunteers (there were three or four of us), we stand outside. Stand outside in sun, rain and wind. We dress appropriately. On cold and wet days, I wear so many layers I can barely bend my knees or bend over. 

Hecta Head Lighthouse Nautilus looking up the stairwell

Now, as our time at Heceta Lighthouse comes to an end, there is a little bit of sadness leaving an area of such stunning beauty and leaving the other volunteers. Amongst those volunteering for the state, the volunteers form a community. A much needed community/family as we each travel across the USA, for the most part estranged from our families.

Even though we leave Heceta Lighthouse with heavy hearts, Rich and I joyously look forward to the end of May when we return to our usual summer camp at Natural Bridge Campground - the place that has become our Summer home.

Cheryl

Trailer Life

March 19, 2016

In more personal news, back in February we briefly considered getting a larger trailer. Tight quarters here, you know.

But after looking for a while at what was there, we decided we like what we have, and we can do a few modifications to address some of the needs we were looking to meet. And anyway, we have gotten more adept at maneuvering ourselves around the tight quarters of the trailer. Plus, we are always finding ways to store things that works better.

It feels good to make that decision, to have that choice complete and the path ahead clear as we begin preparing to embark on our journey to our next destination.

Our Winter Camp

Winter Camp, Heceta Lighthouse

March 18, 2016

Heceta Head Lighthouse

We arrived at our winter camp on March 2^nd, which was a day later than planned. The day before, we were at Whalers Rest Thousand Trails campground. We were staying there for a few days, so we could be tourists for a while. When working, we find we do not get out to the sights. Though that may, at least in part, be because we have had such gorgeous sights at our work, so after work we just need to chill out.

Being a tourist takes energy!

But anyway, when we set to leave, we had a wind warning of 60 mpr winds, and we figured that driving even the short distance to the lighthouse might not be wise. I think the wind has been the most challenging weather-wise, as we had another big windstorm the other night. But so far, our trailer has always been in a well-protected spot, and so we have not faced the brunt of the storms. Which has been a great relief.

The site is gorgeous with incredible views - of particular note are the occasional whale spout and sealions barking to us. We are in sight of the Sea Lion Caves and there are at least a hundred sealions fishing, playing or basking on the water. The drive in either direction is filled with beauty. I had forgotten just how much, as it has been a long time since I last visited here.

We've been here for a couple of days now. Working at the lighthouse has been delightful. It took us a couple days to become "experts", and we now give short talks with confidence and knowledge. History here is interesting.

The lighthouse was opened in 1894. It had 3 keepers who lived on site with their families. One of their homes is still here and used as a bed-and-breakfast inn. Each day we learn new things as people ask questions we do not know answers to, or they offer us new information. Being early March, and mostly windy and rainy, we have mostly only had small groups, and we find them to be very appreciative for our tours.

The first day we did not dress quite warm enough. You spend a lot of time in the wind here, and we did not realize the amount of energy that took till we got home and just absolutely crashed. Since then, we have doubled (or even tripled) our layers, and we are smart enough now to get out of the wind when it really starts to blow.

Recently I have been able to appreciate more deeply the impact of roads and electricity. The road here was completed in 1932, and up til that time the community here was quite isolated. Trips to Florence were either by boat or by a long trip on a wagon on dirt tracks that often were impassible in the rain. It is amazing to me to imagine the process of anchoring off the bay and using boats to go through the surf to deliver materials and essentials to the lighthouse keepers. 

But then, suddenly after just a few years of hard road building, the keepers here were minutes away from Florence. What a change that must have been!

Prior to 1934 (which was the year when electricity arrived here), the lighthouse light was a kerosene lamp, which had to be tended to each night and shut down during the day. This required 3 people to manage - trimming the wick, hauling kerosene up to the lamp, keeping it all clean, and such. The arrival of electricity eventually eliminated one keeper job, and in 1963 the lighthouse became totally automatic. And, of course, after that the lighthouse keeper position was obsolete.

A short existence, but very interesting, chapter in the life of Oregon.

Cape Foulweather, Week 1

News from Winter Camp, Cape Foulweather

December 9, 2015

Cheryl's News

Rich and I arrived safely at our new hosting site. For the month of December, we are volunteering for OPRD at the Cape Foulweather Gift Shop on the Oregon Coast. Our job includes retail sales, restocking and talking to folks about any whale sightings. 

 

Cheryl and Rich at work

Not that there are many whale sighting. Grey whales as they migrate south (December through January) are on a focused mission. They do not eat as they migrate, nor hang out and check out any sights along the way. We saw a few spouts on the one clear day we have had, and that's all.

View

The view here, though, is spectacular. Windows make up two sides of the gift shop, and on clear days, it's absolutely stunning.

Rich hard at "work"

Chinese Water Torture

Our first week at Cape Foulweather included three days of torrential rain. The sound of the rain - combined with the usual sound of pine cones dropping on the trailer roof - was deafening. We could not even hear each other talk. 

 

Flooding

At least our campsite stayed “dry”, if you can actually use that kind of word for this weather. Anyway, the campsites along the creek all flooded. 

 

Blown Over Porta-Potty

We also had high wind gusts which blew over the two porta-potties in the parking lot.

Week one comes to an end, and Rich and I look forward to week two. Will the rain continue? Will our geriatric minds function well enough to run the cash register? Will the till balance at the end of the day? Will Mimi (our cat) get fed up with all the rain and head for drier climes? Stay tuned.

Old News

Blood Moon with Eclipse - End of the world stuff, that is

Rich and Cheryl's News




In case you hadn't heard, we got back to town in October. 

And when we landed, there was a thump, big thump. We are adjusting to noise, noise, noise and traffic, traffic, traffic. City living requires more energy and effort when your norm has become quiet and solitude. 

As for Mimi, our cat? She loved her time in the woods, but at heart she is a city cat.


Winter Camp plans are looking a bit messy. In December 2015 we are volunteering with Oregon State Parks at the Otter Crest Lookout Gift Shop, which is located near Cape Foulweather. Then in March 2016 we will volunteer at Hecate Head Lighthouse. Rich will spend three weeks in Haiti in January 2016. Mid May 2016 we hopefully will return to host at Natural Bridge. There is a rumor that the campgrounds in the area may be closed due to of lack of funds. If they do close, Rich and I will punt and host wherever we can.


Looking forward to the 2016 – 2017 season, we will begin choosing winter host sites that have full hook-ups, which make life a whole lot easier. We may stay at a site for one, two or three months. Either way the site(s) would be within a 2 hour drive of Portland so that we can meet with family and friends.


At present, we are keeping our options open and seeing where our hearts guide us. 

Cheryl and Rich

Falls Video from Camp Bebegone

Odds and Ends and A Picture Tour

News from Camp Webegone

Mid September 2015

Rich and I went on numerous hikes this summer. Two close by were to Personany Fall

Personany Falls

and Takelma Gorge

 

Takelma Drive

Last year we saw a momma bear and her cub drinking from this trough. This year no bears just bear poop.

Trough

 Over 1000 photos were taken this summer. Here are a few more:

Little Thief

Water Nymph

Camp Jackrabbit

Avenue of Stones

Butterfly

 Cheryl