A weekend in Oregon with mom brought the
expected and unexpected beauties of this area.
I grew up on the shores of this river, in this river, fishing this river, floating this river, leaping
from the bridge into this river. This is where I am
most at home.
As I walked in the misty rain
through the brush to this spot, I came upon
some edgey people living under a tarp in the
blackberry bushes right behind where I'm sitting.
After a moment of concern I thought to myself, "There's
always been creepy people hangin around here. This is
my spot! And, I can share it, as I always have,
with anyone who appreciates the solitude found here."
Heceta Head provided, once again, the beauty
and magesty of the rugged Pacific Coast. We both
have a abiding love for this place. The most excellent
adventure at the coast began with the sight of thousands
of California and Stellar sea lions on the beach below.
Mother was a trooper to take her adventuresome
spirit and sore hips, with a little help, over the guard
rail and to the edge to see this unique and massive
gathering of marine life.
I needed a little closer look. So, down the steep
slope and a belly crawl across 150 meters of rocks
to experience these huge creatures without disturbing
their naps and frolicing on the rocks. To leave this
beach I needed to backtrack and tred lightly. I had a very
close encounter with two sea lions who had snuck back
on the beach behind me to nap in solitude.
Biggest bachelor party on the west coast.
A young healthy male California sea lion, probably
1200 lbs.
The waves were big and there awesome power
expoded as they crashed on the rocks.
Sometimes these explosions engulfed me, and I got
a little wet.
An awesome time with mother.
Whew! Safe on terre ferma.
Bill and his intructor.
Looking down at a golf course in Boulder City.
Yeah! What an awesome experience!
Whoa! Somebody help us!
Long bus lines at the airshow. It took us an hour and a half just to get on a bus to leave. We tried leaving on foot but were promptly ushered back onto the base.
Really cool explosions.
After a long day at the airshow.
Port-a-potties, our friends
Bill shows off his iv bag and medal. The medals looked like real sandstone.
Aw, cooling our tired feet in the gutters of St. George.
Well, looks like we survived.
Warming by the bonfires, waiting for the race to get underway.
Here is our last adventure from back to front. We finally stopped on the "big hill" on our way home from Oregon and let the boys roll rocks down the hill. You know, "boy stuff".
James, contemplating jumping into Crater Lake. He did do it, twice. And it was cold, brrrrrr.
Posing at Crater Lake before the big hail storm.
The boys hiked down to Salt Creek Falls.
Using the ropes to hike down to "Secret Beach".
Awww! Oregon blackberries!
Beautiful sunset over ocean. Yes, there is an ocean under all those clouds.
360 degree views of San Francisco. Enjoying our 25th wedding anniversary (almost).
