Mid-July Park Excitement

Sunday - July 13   Sitting in Mass, we heard thunder!  Rain predicted, but we had not had a thunderstorm before.  It rained on and off through the morning.  A group showed up that was supposed to use one of the picnic kitchens, but asked to use a covered shelter because of the rain.  We got them set up and then worked on projects at the office and shop.  Late afternoon, we closed the shelter after the group left, it kept raining hard on and off.  I was in the shop, Gary was driving the cart back from the shelter, when we heard a loud crack.  I thought it sounded like behind the shop, Kathyrn in the office thought it was in the RV park next door and Gary thought it was up on the ridge.  It rained hard again after that.  Later, when we headed back to the motorhome, we discovered the lightning crack had hit a tree on the edge of the ballfield, next to the shelter by our site!  We drove around, finding pieces of bark and tree all over the ballfield and even in the shelter the group had used earlier that day.  Wow!  Later we found out that it had affected one of the electrical outlets at our site, but did not damage the motorhome thanks to our Surge Protector!!  Did affect the surge protector but less expensive to replace than other components.  We were Lucky!

Lightning struck tree

Monday - we showed our bosses the struck tree.  We all realized the tree was really damaged and the zoo kids group would be back in the park on Tuesday.  Mark, our ranger, called the main office and arranged for foresters to come and take down the tree late that day.  As we picked up the small and medium pieces that morning and took pictures, we realized the tree crack was widening.  We put up caution tape around the area and monitored the area to keep any park visitors away from the tree.  Gary had to mow the field that day, so he started on the far end.  I drove the golf cart back over to the field to take a picture.  As I looked at the tree, the wind picked up.  I watched Gary mow under and past the tree, then heard cracking and watched the top half of the tree come down on to the field!  It was the very best way for the tree to fall - if it had gone other directions it may have hit the shelter and/or fallen knocking other trees down.  The very worst direction would have knocked trees down very close to our motorhome.  But, it worked out fine.  Late afternoon, the guys came with their mega saws and chopped it all up.  We sat in the ballfield and had a tree cutting party.

The crack widens

Early morning pickup of shattered tree

The top half that fell

Top half on ground, lower half still stands

Tree stump diameter

Tuesday - a sad day for all of us.  Our boss, Brian, left for his new job in Florida.  It was a good move for him, his daughter, siblings and parents are all there.  In the morning, we worked on hauling the branches from the tree that we could handle.  We had a going away lunch for Brian and then helped him finish things at the office and pack up his trailer to travel.  He found he did not have room for his bike, so I now have a new bike to use.  We were sad to see him go, he certainly made things fun for us at the park.

Our friend Chris, Park Ranger Mark and Volunteer Boss, Brian

Wednesday - Park work, Gary hauled more branches, I cleaned curbs in the parking areas.  We quit at noon, cleaned up, packed and headed to Salem for the weekend.  For supper that night, we all went over to Tyler and Jen's house and were treated to wood fired pizza from the new wood pizza oven that he built in his backyard.  Great pizza and then baked chocolate chip cookie dough.

Tyler's fireplace and pizza oven

Thursday - off to the coast again, this time with Gary and Marilyn.  We drove to Lincoln City and found the house we would stay in that night.  Tyler and Nick have a friend that let them/us use the house for the weekend.  A very nice place, four bedrooms and three baths.  We dropped off our stuff, then went in to town to Kylos on the beach for lunch.  Seafood menu, we ate out on the deck on the warm, sunny day.  It was cooler by 15 degrees than our park and Salem.  Very refreshing.  That afternoon, we drove to Newport and looked around there.  Marilyn and I stopped at the outlet mall for a couple things, then drove along the coast before going back to Lincoln City for an early supper at McMenamins.  Back to the house, Marilyn, Gary and I drove over to the beach and took sunset pictures.  Watched a movie and to bed.

Outside Kylos at lunch

Overnight digs

Newport Beach

Newport bridge

Sunset at the beach - Lincoln City

Friday - we slept in and then went for breakfast at Sambo's in Lincoln City.  Then we drove to Depoe Bay for sightseeing.  We went to the whale watching center and watched long enough to see the spouts of water and the back of a whale, several times.  We also watched Coast Guard boats doing a towing drill and other boats going in and out of the smallest port in the country.  Another nice day at the coast - sunny and warm.  We stopped at the Sea Hag, a well known bar in Depoe Bay.  We went back to Lincoln City for lunch, Mo's was too busy so we went to a local place.  Back to the house, we packed up and left to go back to Salem.  After a winery stop, we went back to G&M's house, had a late afternoon snooze and then drove to McMinnville to eat at the Golden Valley Brewery for dinner.  A gorgeous night to eat outside.

Smallest port entry

Coast Guard boats

Depoe Bay marina

Saturday - for breakfast we met friends of G&M, Don & Krista - we have spent time with them in the years we visited before.  Don just retired in June, it was fun to hear about the fun he has had doing things since then and things he plans to do.  Afterward, we did one more trip to Costco with Marilyn, went to the Willamette Valley Winery and out to lunch for pizza.  Then it was time to pack up and head back to the forest.  Once home, I discovered we had had a guest while we were gone - a mouse!  I spent the rest of the evening vacuuming and cleaning up - Gary went up to the shop and brought back a mouse trap - we caught the hungry little devil during the night.  Thank goodness.

Hiking and HIstory - July

Sunday - Went to Mass and then worked around the park.  Marilyn brought the kids over and we took them to see the Pioneer Woman's grave and then hiked the part of the Barlow Road Trail we had discovered before.  The kids seemed to be interested as we shared the history of the area.  Then we took them back to Wildwood and showed them the fish viewing window and some of the trails.  By then it was time for them to head back, pack up and go back home.

Marilyn, Gavin, Nolan, Drake, Gracie & Gary

Thursday - We went and hiked the Ramona Falls trail.  A longer trail and a very warm day, but once again a reward at the end of the trail.  The falls were beautiful and we were refreshed, even chilled, from the cold air around the falls.  Walking back on the trail, we saw beautiful greenery and colorful cliffs through the forest.
 

         

Ramona Falls trail

Preparing for crossing - this bridge is placed here every April

First view of falls - cool air and loud

Trail bridge across stream

Beautiful Ramona Falls

Jewel like colors

Forest carpet

Colorful rock ridge

Friday - Household duties and naps.  Late afternoon we went in to Sandy to run errands.  We first stopped at a little Italian restaurant - they had a three person band playing outside, so we sat and had an appetizer there.

Saturday - we hiked the Barlow Trail today.  Another area along the Barlow Road, we could see where the wagons passed through the forest.  A warm day again, so we did not hike further.  At home, we cleaned, did laundry, and had a campfire.  Later that evening, we met Chris and Leslie in the open ballfield and watched the full moon, called a super moon this month.  We looked at it through a telescope we had received from Linda when she left the park in May.  It was bright and so large! Very cool to see.

Barlow Trail hike from Government Camp

Old trail

Old postal box used for fees

July Celebrations

Sunday - Wed.   Work days - we did our first shift in the entrance fee booth on Sunday.  When the fee booth is not manned, visitors to the park are to pay a $5 fee at the self pay stations throughout the park.  Some do, some don't.  When the booth is open, they have no choice.  We saw many that were coming in without money, expecting to not contribute like usual.  We heard many interesting excuses.

Thursday - July 3  The holiday weekend begins.  Today we decided to hike the Boulder Ridge trail, which begins in our park.  We had read this was a tough trail climbing up the side of the ridge behind us.  It was!  It was a warm day and we gained elevation quickly each turn of the trail.  It was tough going, but we made it.  We found the ridge that gave us great views of Mt. Hood.  We stopped and ate our snacks and rested before heading back.  8.5 miles total. Back home, we cleaned up and then went over to the RV park next door.  Gary and Marilyn, their two boys and families were there, camping for the 4th of July weekend.  We had a great supper with them and enjoyed the campfire.

Up Boulder Ridge Trail

Our view on the way up of Mt. Hood

The trees went up and up

Hiking buddy

Our lunch view on the ridge

Someone has to make the trail wider!

The browns and greens

The greens and water flowing

Friday - July 4  Slept in and then made my desserts to share with the family that night.  We picked up Marilyn and Susan and went to the Estacada Timber Festival at noon.  They had timber events - ground logging, pole climbing, axe throwing, Jack & Jill bucking (man & woman cutting with the buck saw and log rolling.  We had a timber dog for lunch from the food stands, a grilled polish dog wrapped in bacon - it took a long time to make, but was delicious!  The weather was warm and sunny, we enjoyed sitting outside and watching the competitions.  Back to the park and then to the RV park for supper with the family.  That night, the kids put together teams for the bag throwing game, so we all participated.  Another campfire, this time with pie made with the campfire pie irons.  Yumm.

Timber Festival - pole climbing

Ground logging

Saturday - We worked on projects in the motorhome and then went and had supper with the Fredinburgs after they were back from the Alpine Hill amusement center.

Sisters - Scarlett & Gracie

Piper & Great uncle Gary

End of June - Coast Visit

Since I am so far behind on this blog, I am going to skip our days of working at the Park and talk about our adventures each week exploring Oregon.  As you read this post, we have left Oregon and are headed back - via a visit to Kelowna, BC and Glacier Park.  SOUTH DAKOTA or BUST!

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Sunday, June 22 - Wednesday, June 25  - Work days at the park.  Wednesday afternoon, we packed up the car and headed to Salem.  Gary had his installation ceremony for the Elks Club - Keizer, OR.  He and Gary went to the lodge for the festivities, I stayed at the house and caught up on pictures, paperwork and rested.  Marilyn came and picked me up at the house after she was off work and we met the boys for a late supper at the Roadhouse.

Thursday - G&M were off to work and we headed out to explore the northern coast of Oregon.  Our first stop was the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  There is a self guided tour and it was very interesting to read about the history of the area, how Tillamook Cheese started and the coop that has been formed with the area dairy farmers.  We sample tasted cheese and bought some to enjoy.  Also in town is the Tillamook Air Museum.  This is a huge building, one of the original two hangars built in 1942 by the US Navy, to house the K-class blimps used for anti-submarine coast patrol and convoy escort.  We did not go in to the museum, but spent time looking at the information in the gift shop.
We continued up Hwy 101, next stopping at a rest area with free coffee (Oregonians love their coffee) and then stopped at a state park, Manhattan Beach. We walked out to the ocean on a picturesque path, through the rushes.  On the beach, as the sand fleas were jumping around us, I wrote the boys' names in the sand.  As usual, it was raining as we traveled to the coast and on and off while we were there.  Next was lunch in Cannon Beach, at the famous seafood place, Mo's.  Gary enjoyed oyster stew and I had fish and chips. On through Seaside with the famous Haystack Rock and to our destination of Astoria, OR.  Arriving in town, we stopped at the Visitor's Center and they recommended the Astoria Column. Standing 125 feet high, on top of Coxcomb Hill in Astoria, you can see for many miles after climbing the 164 circular stairway steps to the top.  The artwork on the column displays 22 historic events that occurred in the region. At the top after enjoying the scenery, we realized it was 4:15 PM.  This was significant because we wanted to tour the Columbia River Maritime Museum and it closed each day at 5:00 PM.

Tillamook Air Museum

Haystack Rock, Seaside. OR

Walkway to Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach - Names in the sand

Astoria Column

Astoria Bridge view from the Column

Astoria History

A house (and goats) in Astoria

Our plan for the next day had been to drive on up north to see Mt. St. Helen's and return back to the park.  Decision time.  Then we remembered that the advantage to being retired, is that we can stay longer somewhere when we want to and decided to do so.  The Visitor's Center had given us a list of motels in the area.  We decided to try a local hotel/hostel and were pleased to find they had availability.  We asked for the room with private bath, the other hostel rooms had a shared shower and bathroom down each hall.  We enjoyed the newly remodeled accomodations, the rooms were IKEA type furnishings but very comfortable.  Our room had plush terry robes, we assumed they were provided also to those sharing the hall showers.  We could see the river over the rooftops.  After checking in, we walked down to the wharf area and hopped on the riverfront trolley car.  The conductors shared the local history with us, we learned alot about the area - a bargain for the $1 fee. Walking back to find supper, we wandered into a glass blowing place - they were showing a young lady how to make her own ornament.  Next door, we had supper at the Fort George Brewery.  They had three floors, pizzaria on top, restaurant on the middle floor and a small pub on the main floor with the brew tanks.  The pizza was great!

Our room at the Norblad Hotel - Astoria

Trolley car in Astoria

Friday - We walked down the block to the Rusty Cup, a little coffee shop we had seen the day before.  Then on to the museum.  The Columbia River Maritime Museum collects and exhibits maritime artifacts from the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest.  The collections include models, full-size watercraft, paintings and all manner of gear, wardrobe, weapons, and instruments employed in commercial, private and military maritime operations. Very interesting - we were glad we stayed to see it all.  Outside we boarded the Lightship Columbia, a floating Coast Guard lighthouse. Leaving Astoria, we crossed the amazing Astoria-Wharton bridge.  (We crossed this bridge on our honeymoon trip - it was scary then because the top road portion of the bridge was all fogged in.  Looked like we were driving into a cloud)  Across the bridge, we drove north to Ilwaco and on to Long Beach, WA, another place we had stayed on our honeymoon.  Then we headed back on the Washington side toward Portland.  Along the way, we turned off to see a covered bridge, in Gray's River.  We drove on to Portland, stopping at the World Market and Total Wine stores for groceries.  We stopped in Gresham at the Walmart for groceries and then back home to the park.

Coast Guard rescue display

The Captain at the wheel

Coast Guard Lightship Columbia

Lightship Columbia

History plaque

Grays River Covered Bridge

 Saturday - we slept in after our travels.  We watched a movie in the morning, did laundry and computer work.  Later, we went out and walked some of the trails in the park.  A restful day.