Siletz Bay walk

Sunday, March 25, 2012

One of my favorite places to stay at the beach is Siletz Bay.  For several years, my friends that I teach with and I would spend a weekend on Siletz Bay.  We haven't been able to do that in the last few years, but I have wonderful memories of my time there.  My friends love it when we luck out and get sunny weather, but I consider myself lucky when it is rainy and stormy.  That's my favorite weather on the bay.  There's just something beautiful about the bay on a misty, gloomy day!

It had been my plan to go North, to Oswald State Park, and spend the day hiking around. Even though Oswald is closer to Portland, I never seem to get there and I wanted to spend an afternoon tromping around.  But since I was stoopid enough to leave my coats in Lincoln City, at the KOA, and had had to drive back to get them, I decided to walk the bay instead.  There were a LOT of people out on the bay, crabbing and picnicking by fires.  The rain was no deterrent!  So of course, there were lots of very wet, very friendly dogs out too.  What is it about me that says "come, lean on me" to dogs?  I wish the picture had come out (darn iphone!) but there was THE cutest little ball of a puppy out there.  He kept running into the water, just the littlest bit - enough to be completely soaked and then he would run over to me and rub his little chubby body all over my legs!

There were even people collecting driftwood and making little forts out of it. It was funny, how many little kids seemed to be taking naps in sleeping bags, inside of these little shelters.  There were quite a few families crabbing and instead of setting up tents (which only one or two did) for the little ones, they would have the older kids drag the driftwood over and build "houses" for the day while mom/dad built a big fire nearby.

And I couldn't believe it, but there were even people out IN the water.  I usually only see people silly enough to do that in the summer, when at least there is sunshine for warmth. These people were not surfing - no wetsuits on.  It's not like the ocean here in Oregon is warm or anything.  And today... the air was certainly not warm either!  Crazy people!

Once I walked a mile or so down the beach, I was alone again.  People tend to stay near the parking lot and the rest rooms!  The driftwood also is not as concentrated in one spot and it's bigger, more interesting.  This was a huge tree that had washed up and it's roots were completely encased in barnacles.  I thought it looked so cool... like it had been dipped in frosting!  I know that I'm slightly odd in what I find beautiful or interesting when I walk the beach.  But I've never been accused of being normal in anything!

After a few hours of walking, I was soaked pretty thoroughly.  THAT'S when you are wishing for a beach house!  I was ready for a hot drink, a fireplace, a fuzzy blanket and a nap!  But since I was three hours from home... I settled for iced tea, a granola bar and the car heater for the drive home.  There's a rest room in the parking lot and I was smart enough to bring a big beach towel to dry me and my hair and then change clothes. So with one last look at the bay, I headed home. 

Munson Creek Falls

Sunday, March 25, 2012

I left Lincoln City in the morning and instead of heading back to Portland, I decided to take Highway 101 North until I reached my favorite beach near Manzanita.  I love driving through this area, not because it has particularly beautiful scenery, but because it reminds me of home - upstate NY.  Sometimes I miss cows, horses and rickety farm towns!  I even miss the smell of pastures and believe it or not... "cow patties".  It looks like this:



It was an hour drive from Lincoln City to Tillamook.  When I saw the sign for Munson Creek Falls, I decided to take a detour as I'd never been there and had no schedule to stick to.

I'm more sure than ever that I need to buy a jeep or truck, if I'm going to keep taking these trips.  My poor baby car!  This was yet another primitive road, but filled with huge craters, not debris.  There is a parking area with picnic tables, but no restrooms.


As I got ready to take the hike, I reached in the back of the car for my raincoat, and realized that I had left both of my coats back in Lincoln City... at the kabin!  GRRR!  After a few choice words uttered aloud concerning my intelligence, or lack thereof... I decided to just go ahead and hike before going back to Lincoln City for the coats.























The trail is short and is not very challenging, although there are some gentle inclines.  It is quiet and there are numerous spots for sitting and relaxing while watching/listening to the creek.  It does not take long to spot the falls.

And then... I spotted the "Trail Closed" sign.
Now, I was the only person there... no other cars, no sign of anyone at all.  So, of course, I ignored the sign and went around the little barricade to see what I could see.  And I really wanted to get closer to the falls after driving through all those dang potholes in the road!

 I had no problem climbing over the large tree that you see in the picture.  I slipped and slid over lots of rocks that had fallen on the trail.  But when I got to this mess ... I stopped.  As I started to clamber over some of the branches... everything started to shift.  I decided that it would be right in line with my current luck to slip and have a tree either trap me or crush my ankle.  And since I really needed to do a lot more driving... I decided to become a little more law abiding!  I guess I'm getting older... I wouldn't have thought twice about making my way through it when I was younger!




Here are pictures of the falls themselves.  Due to the trail closure, you can't get very close, but it's still a good family hike or a quick stretch for body and mind if you're taking that long Highway 101 drive.

If I'd had the time, I would have loved to grab a car blanket, a book and my lunch.  It was so quiet and soothing, with the sound of the falls.  And I love the weird, moss-covered trees in front of the falls.  It doesn't take much to tickle me ... really!

Drift Creek Falls Trail

Saturday, March 24, 2012

First, how to get there.  Here is a description from a hiking website:
From Highway 101 just south of Lincoln City turn east on Drift Creek Rd. After 1.6 miles at a T turn right on Drift Creek Road. In .4 miles keep slight left on Drift Camp Creek Road. Follow this road for 10.5 windy miles on a paved road.


Now the only problem with that description is the term "windy" to describe the road.  That may be the most massive understatement EVER!  This sign would not even begin to cover this road:

Not only is this road incredibly twisty, there had recently been a storm so the road was filled with debris.  I had to stop a few times and move branches out of the way.  The road is only wide enough for one car at a time, so you do actually have to drive 25 mph so that you will not crash head on into any cars coming the opposite way.  I only ran into one on the way to the trail.  He and I stopped and stared at each other, but since I was the one with the drop off to the side of me and he only had a sissy little ditch... he decided to back up until there was enough room for us to squeak by each other!





When you do arrive at the trail, you'll either need a pass or $5 for the trail fee.  There are vault toilets and a paved parking area.  As I locked up my car, a young woman approached me and wondered if
I had seen her family.  She was quite worried, thinking that they had gotten lost while she was using the restroom.  We walked down the trail a ways and we could hear the sounds of children laughing, loudly.  She relaxed and told me that those were definitely HER children and that she couldn't believe that her husband would take them on the trail and just LEAVE her like that!  Then she asked who I was there with.  When I told her that I was there alone... she became concerned all over again.  "Oh no.  That's not good.  You have to be careful.  Alone... why would you be alone?  Anything could happen and who would help you?  You just have to be careful." etc... etc...  Luckily, at that moment, her family came around the bend and she launched into her husband!  It never fails to amuse me, how people of all ages, genders, etc... are amazed that a women does things by herself.  Of course, I WAS the only solitary person on the trail, male or female.  But why is it that unbelievable?  Anyway... the trail is beautiful.

The trail runs alongside the creek and it is very peaceful.  No sounds of traffic in the distance, like so many Portland area trails.  It is mostly downward sloping on the way to the falls.  I met a grandmother taking her two grandchildren for the day, so that mom and dad could have some alone-time.  The grandson couldn't wait to show me the little newt in his hand and promptly pouted when grandma pointed out that he'd have to put the newt down soon. The granddaughter was chattering excitedly about the scary bridge that they'd had to cross.  Grandma gave me that "isn't that cute, she thinks it's scary" smile. Yeah well... I'm with the little girl.  I cannot stand heights and that bridge is SCARY!

I tried to take a picture from the bridge itself, but my hands were sweating and shaking... so no go!  Not only is it 100 ft up... the dang thing shakes with every step.
Tell me that that does not look like just the kind of bridge that you get halfway across and you start to hear the TWANG of wires snapping or the CRACK of boards snapping!  There just must be a way to see the falls that doesn't involve risking your life!



 But the falls are pretty.  There's a sloping trail from the end of the bridge down to the bottom of the falls.  There's also a table and benches made from fallen trees, right near the falls' pool.  A perfect spot to eat lunch.  It's a terrific spot to spend some time.

Here's a little taste of how peaceful and refreshing it is here.  You can get right up next to the creek and sit on some of the rocks to relax and watch the falls.

As I was leaving, the silence was broken by wild screaming and the sounds of running.  A few moments later, three young (I'm guessing high school age) boys came flying down the trail, laughing and screaming.  As soon as the one in the lead caught sight of me... he stumbled to a halt and chuckled with embarrassment.  I grinned and laughed out loud ... "Not as alone as you thought, huh?" I said to them.  And then the little bastard said, "No Ma'am, I guess we're not.".  Ma'am!!!  Grrrr!!  But then the other two starting cracking up and they were just so filled with fun and youth... I couldn't help but laugh again and continue on my way.  It was a really nice way to end my day and it's a trail that I highly recommend checking out when you're in the Lincoln City area.

Lincoln City Beach Walk

Saturday, March 24, 2012

It was a chilly, cloudy day on the Oregon Coast... perfect for walking a few miles on the sand! I grew up on the East Coast, visiting the beaches in Virginia, North Carolina, etc... Although they are beautiful, I never loved going there. I much prefer the grey, cloudy skies to the too bright, too hot skies of the beaches I remember from my childhood.  Winter and early spring are my favorite times on the Oregon Coast.

I love looking at all the beach houses while I walk.  I had to laugh out loud when I saw
this one.  I'm guessing that someone short needs to access those stairs!  I walked over and I couldn't get up to those stairs unless I had a boost, had something to step on or used that ladder!  Great way to keep beach zombies from your house too!






The beaches in the Lincoln City area are filled with driftwood.  There were so many interesting and beautiful pieces on the beaches today.  I couldn't resist taking a few pics.  The pictures don't do either of them justice but this first one was like an ocean-made love seat.  It was a shame that it was empty and not occupied by a couple, snuggled in for a bit of sea watching.  It made me a little lonely.







This second piece was so interesting.  I couldn't help musing over how it came to rest here on this beach, where it came from, what forces tossed, gnarled and polished it... I just thought it showcased the strength, flexibility and beauty of the wood in such an interesting way.

This piece was the most fascinating for me.  It was once a young, strong, tall tree living in a field or forest and now it has fallen, been removed from it's home, tossed and battered, split open and burnt.  And yet it is still beautiful, strong and useful.  It's a survivor.

KOA Lincoln City

Friday, March 23, 2012

I took off from Portland by 4:00pm and made it to the Lincoln City KOA before 7:00pm. The road was filled with mini vans and campers, full of families or groups of friends. Maybe it was because it was the start of spring break, but everyone was pretty courteous and safe on the road for a change. I cranked Dixie Chicks, Poison and the Moulin Rouge soundtrack and sang very loudly, in my horrible allergy-afflicted voice all the way there!  Hmm... maybe this is why I always travel alone?

The KOA is a very basic campground, light on amenities. It has a playground and shed that doubles as a game room.  There is a fairly well-stocked camp store and a large field with a volleyball net and space for kids to play. This weekend, it is so cold that there are is no one tenting, a few large rvs parked in long, thin sites and those of us who are using the ten kabins. You do not have any privacy in the kabins.  Let's just say that I could tell that the guys in the cabin next to me were playing an RPG and were watching Battlestar Gallactica on their computer!  

The kabin and the restrooms were clean but the water was only hot for my evening shower - not in the morning when many were showering.   It was perfect for my needs though... a place to sleep so that I could go to the beach and go hiking around new trails. I would have preferred the kabin to have more heat though. The first night it was freezing.  I couldn't even read because my hands were too cold outside of the sleeping bag by 9:00pm!  Of course, my Reynaud's probably has a little to do with that, but still! The second night was better, but certainly not comfortable. I think it was because I left that little heater going all day while I was gone and the wind had died down quite a bit. If I go again, I'll bring the little space heater that I use in my classroom to keep warm when the heat is turned off!  The kabin was only $40 per night, so I can't complain.  There's no other way for me to go to the beach so cheaply.  Not until I get a vehicle that I can camp in, of course!  :)

Camping? What camping?

I was so hopeful in July that I would be having a summer filled with camping. Silly me! Between summer school, friends moving, home remodeling and much moving/chaos at my school... it just hasn't happened. For instance... my classroom hasn't been painted in over 10 years and the walls are downright nasty. When I asked my principal if my room could get painted, she replied "sure it can - if you do it!". So, I spent this weekend "camped out" in my classroom, painting. Check out the mess I made:

My plan is to bust my tush this week and finish the room. Then... I will spend the weekend on Mt. Hood and have some real camping adventures to post. Until then, I'll be spending my time at Camp Painting Sucks! But it only took me 20 minutes to figure out how to post a video onto this blog tonight. So even if I'm not camping... I am accomplishing my goal to be learning about how to do this. :) And by the way, my principal is NOT a fan of the color I chose to paint my room but the kids in my summer school classes love it. Wait till she sees the trim color (green) and the furniture color (dark purple)... she'll regret letting me do this!

Sunset Bay State Park

The drive from Bandon, Oregon to the Sunset Bay state Campground is about 24 miles on a twisty, turny road that you're supposed to do 25mph on. Ha ha ha! The campground itself is pretty standard for state campgrounds, but the sites are actually kinda small. My tent, which is only 10' by 10', barely fit on the site. However... the hot showers are REALLY hot and you don't have to keep pushing the little button to get water the whole time. It's an actual turning faucet, just like a regular bathroom! I know... hot showers feature way too heavily into my choices... sue me!

The day-use beach area is awesome though. It's sheltered, shallow and a tiny bit warmer so it is perfect for dogs, families, kayaks, rafts, boogie boards, etc... I spent hours laying on a big towel listening to giggling children, people watching, reading, snacking and drinking iced tea and then made the fatal mistake of relaxing so much that I fell asleep. Of course, when I woke up I didn't reapply sunscreen like an intelligent person would. Nope... I was hot, so I went walking through that nice, shallow water. It wasn't until that evening that I realized that I had burnt the back of my legs and arms to a crisp!

There's a series of trails from that day-use area that lead to several more small bays and their beaches. The trails also lead to Cape Arago and to Shore Acres State Park. Since my sunburn was bad enough that I didn't dare expose my arms and legs to more sun the next day, I donned jeans and spent the day hiking the trails. After sleeping in late, of course!

One of the more interesting trails was the Pack Trail. The trail is steep but it's in the shade and was beautiful to hike. It follows part of an old wagon road that led from Shore Acres to Bandon. I'm no athlete, but am in decent shape and was sweaty as all heck within a few minutes of walking UP, Up, Up this trail. I can't imagine the poor horses pulling a loaded wagon along this trail. As I was hiking, just about a half mile in, I came upon 3 teenage girls in pajama pants and sweatshirts (what is it with teenage girls and sweatshirts? On hot summer days!) who immediately stopped all conversation the minute they saw me. But they were NOT happy campers! LOL Another half mile up the trail I ran into mom and dad and brother. They were in shorts and tees and were enthusiastically picking up garbage from the forest alongside the trail. I had a hard time holding my laughter until I was well past. I wasn't sure where my sympathies should lie... with the parents who had grumpy, unhappy teens or with the teens who had cheery, eager parents! LOL!

On the trail, you can "visit" a WWII radar observation post. They're kind of like cement lean-tos. They were used to guard the coast from enemy invasion or attack. Now, they're either used by a serial killer (it looks sooooo Criminal Minds in there!) or by the local teens as a hangout. Or both!

I'm not a flower sort of person, but the trail is full of these beautiful purple flowers with this intricate pattern on the inside of the petals. Now this is how much of a teacher I am... as I'm walking and looking at these flowers and the bees that are all over them, I can't stop thinking about Ms. Frizzle. Our last unit in kindergarten this year was on plants. We watched a video where Ms. Frizzle explained how bees used the patterns within petals as "landing lights" that show them where the nectar is. So here I am hiking and "relaxing" and all I can think of is "I gotta get a picture to show the kids!" - pathetic!

After all that hot hiking, I made a huge salad and heated up some absolutely delicious fried chicken that I'd found in Bandon and went to bed fairly early. It's amazing how a day filled with steep hiking gets you ready for an early bedtime! Sadly, I had to pack up the next morning and head back to reality.