I Love To Go A-Wandering. - 6/27/15

Or: The Hills Are Alive, With the Sound of Groaning...

And they were all coming from me. But I'm ahead of myself, let me back up just a bit and get this started the right way.

Today the ASLC held another Open Space Bird Walk. This one was up to the Knoll, a small, round hill overlooking LCO. Here's the blurb they put in the ASLC webpage:

"The Knoll. Second growth cedar, spruce, fir, forest edge and upland meadow. A longer hike with some steep uphill/downhill, but great views over the ocean and towards Siletz Bay."

Hahaha, I was intimidated by the underlined section and seduced by the italicized section. I wanted to see the great views but I sure as heck didn't want to deal with the steep/uphill/downhill. Bottom line, I allowed my greed for an unusual picture opportunity to overcome my own natural good sense and decided to go on this Death March.

What. A. Stupid. Jerk. I. Am.

#actyourageidiot

So, casting aside any traces of common sense, I motored on over to the staging area at 0900 for the walk up Death Mountain. OK, maybe I'm a little bit given to hyperbole but, doggone it, this one deserves it!! Totally.

And it started off innocently enough.

This little lady showed up for a moment to check us out as we were meeting up.

I arrived on time for the 0900 meet-up...at 0840. Hahaha, it's in my nature now. If you ain't early...then you're late.

And slowly our numbers grew with all the usual suspects and a couple of new faces, too.

It takes a lot of planning, energy and effort to get these walks off the ground. And that's just for all the schmoozing before we actually begin. 

Hey, there's Howdy's to be said and gossip to catch up on. 

And here Tom was giving us a lecture on how to safely extend a walking stick to its full length.

Hahaha, no he wasn't. I don't remember why everyone was looking at him but I'm sure it was something both timely and witty.

Then it was time for announcements and greetings and we were almost on our way.

First order of business was for Mark to point out our destination.

"See it? It's that tiny little hill right over there," he said with a slight smile, "and it's only 2.5 miles up and back!!"

Hahaha, nicely done, Mark. We were suckered in!!

But, still, I don't blame Mark completely. Well, maybe just a little bit. But, I have to admit, I still had the chance to wimp out and head back home with my tail between my legs. But everyone else was smiling and laughing about the walk up the hill like it was not beg deal.

See my problem?

So, like an idiot, I gamely went right along with the rest of the crowd. There were just twelve of us today, too. That small number should have been another clue to reconsider going up, y'think!?!

And right away I got a picture of a Robin. I've been feeling a wee bit guilty about going on these bird walks and not getting any pictures of birds. So I recently decided that I would make an extra effort to get at least a couple pictures of birds while on these bird walks. Sorta makes sense doesn't it?

Anyway, this one was so easy I couldn't NOT get a shot of him.

And then we were in the thick of it.

The trail we took was through some beautiful wooded areas. And they were old growth, too.

Someone spotted some chickadees, (I think) up in the treetops and so we took a (much-needed) break to see what we could see. I could hear them but I couldn't find them to get a picture. 

But I did get this unusual mushroom. Well, unusual to me.

Birders doing what Birders do.

Meanwhile I was looking up, occasionally, and looking down. There were plenty of these salmonberries there.

And, another sighting. I looked. I swear I looked, but I didn't see much.

But everyone else did. 

I like these hikes. I might get to see something interesting and I have a great opportunity to get out and get some pictures. I'm a happy guy.

And, then, Eureka!! I saw one and was able to get a shot. This guy, a Hairy Woodpecker, stayed in one place long enough for me to spot him and get this shot. 

I was feeling very pleased and full of myself after this. Hahaha, I had finally got a shot of a bird. 

Then it was up the MOUNTAIN. Oh, don't let anyone fool you by calling it a hill. This sucker was so big that it ranks up there with Hood, Shasta and even Everest.

It wuz steep. 

Now, normally, I hang in the back of the crowd. I try to stay out of the way in the rear but today I had no choice in the matter. All the other gazelles were scampering up the mountain while I was wheezing and gasping as I slowly climbed up.

Thank goodness the others stopped every once in a while or I'd have never seen them again until I eventually arrived at the top of the mountain. Hahaha, I was at the rear for a reason this time. Fortunately, both Tom and Caren took pity on me and hung back. I think they really just wanted to make sure they knew where to send the Rescue Squad to pick up the body.

But, finally, we made it. 

We had to cross over this expanse to get to where we could see the city and the ocean.

The tune, "I thrill to the sound, to the sound of music", kept going through my head here.

And it was worth it. It really was. My feet were killing me. My hips were hurting. My calves were like two thick, meaty and clumsy drumsticks but, doggone it, I made it!!

"Made it, Ma! Top of the world!!"

And it was worth it.

Here's a view of Devils Lake not many get. 

There's the Roads End State Park. By now my breathing was approaching something that could be called normal. But I wuz tired.

Whup!!

There it is!!    

LCO

AKA - Lincoln City, Oregon.

The city with Devils Lake. The seven miles of beach in all its sandy glory. And the day was pretty good, too. It was actually warm, almost a bit too much so.

And, what the heck!?! A picture of me. Believe me, I didn't want to get up for this picture and I was not as happy as I appear here, either. But, brave little trooper that I am, I smiled.

Hahaha, I was there.

#callmountainrescue

I walked over to the side of the Knoll and got this view of the beach to the north, towards Cascade Head.

And Polly Rock.

Hahaha, it was cool, seeing LCO from this angle.

And, from here, we could see that the ocean was relatively calm.

Just a heck of a view. I recommend it for everyone. Just not for me anymore.

And here's the happy troupe as they gathered for a group shot. First one with me in it.

And then one with Ernie.

After a good rest, we headed back down the mountain. 

Through the old growth forest.

And down the mountain. And, Boy-Howdy, were my hips talking to me!! And they weren't using nice words.

But I still had the opportunity to get some pictures as we wandered down.

And we started with a plant and we'll end up with one. Hahaha, there were no birds there, OK?

And so, challenge accepted and challenge met. I set out to get up to the top of this mountain and, however ugly it was, I did it. I seriously doubt I will ever go to the top of that mountain again. 

I was, The Old Man Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.

And, disregarding my constant whining, I had a good time. Thank heavens for the numerous breaks. 

Hahaha, life is good...even going up a mountain.

     Hooah!!     

An Unexpected Journey - 6/24/15

Or: And I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles....

Ah, boredom. You lead me down many dangerous paths. Hahaha, I tell ya, it's tough amusing yourself these days. I mean, a couple hundred TV channels just isn't enough to keep me entertained and so I went ahead and made one of my patented bone-head, dumb ass "What in the world were you thinking" moves.

OK, here it is, boredom + hunger + coupon (which arrived in the mail this morning) = questionable decision to walk to the BK to redeem the coupon for two bacon cheeseburgers, a regular order of fries and a medium coke. Hahahaha, who could resist an offer like that? Not me!!

The only problem with the whole thing is ... I decided to walk on over to the BK instead of driving.

Seriously, what was I thinking!?!?! Fer cryin' out loud!!! It's TWO POINT THREE MILES from here to there!!  

I mean, C'Mon, 2.3 miles!! Walking!! One way!! That means the whole thing is 4.6 miles altogether!! What the .... !?!?!

Well, this decision ranked right up there right up there with the great Bonehead Decisions like New Coke or Dick Rowe's decision to not sign The Beatles to a record contract in 1962 because, as he said, guitar bands were cold. The Beatles went on to make a couple of bucks and New Coke faded away almost as fast as Obama's promise that you could keep your doctor. 

The whole thing started out good. I made it all the way to the house two doors away before I was stopped by the flowers. They've been blooming for a couple weeks now and show no sign of letting up soon. Plus, they're looking good!!

Hahaha, it was a good start, anyway.

The camera did an exceptionally good job. The only part I played was in pointing the camera in the right direction and then staying well out of the way while it worked its magic.

Same flower as above but I backed up a bit to get a wider view.

It worked!! 

Like shooting Nerds in a barrel.

So far, so good. I was amblin' long, takin' my time and takin' in the sights. Like this curiously different sign over a beach rental. 

Well, y'know, marijuana is legal in Oregon now. Hmmmm, I hear its good for body aches like joint pain.

Hahahaha, you smoke a joint for, hahahaha, joint pain.

Love it!!

Here's the indoor swimming pool at the Surftides. It is one crazy looking....building? I couldn't find anything about this on the Net but, honest, doesn't it look like something they built back in the late 50s, early 60s? You know, when the Space Race was the Prime Motivator. Remember the big fins on the cars back then?

And this cottage was probably built right about the same time. Hahaha, I'm seeing architecture lately. Well, the cottages, anyway. There's not a lot in the way of epic architecture here in LCO.

P.S. I am sitting here watching the sun dip down into the ocean. You can actually see the movement as Old Sol sets on this day. 

Cool!!

Carol's not here so I can't poke her for the names. So I'll just put the pictures here and say something witty about each one. Maybe.

This one is done.

Eureka!! I think I can name this one!

Daisy?

Yeah, I'm gonna go with that.

Hahaha, y'see, I appreciate the flowers but I have a hard time remembering their names. Hahaha, no, it's not funny for you to say I have a hard time remembering my own name.

I'm gonna go ahead and call this an Irish Door. Just cuz it's red.

Another cottage along The Jetty.

'Merica!!

And this one overlooks the ocean. Yeah, not looking too loved but it has potential. Surprisingly, there are a good number of these older, neglected homes along the coast here.

Here's the beach access at NW 15th St. As you can see, this is where the vehicles drive down onto the beach. I guess it works although both Carol and I don't get this driving on the beach thing. I guess it helps because parking is at an extreme premium near the beach.

Hey!! Look!!

Smilin' Jack has found Sailor Jack's Inn.

Woo-Woo!!

Carol and I have been on the look-out for lighthouses. I blame it on daughter, Michelle. She's an avid lighthouser and I picked up the fever and passed it on to Carol.

Anyway, that's my explanation for this picture. It's a lighthouse. 'Nuff said.

I decided to walk along the back streets on my way to the BK. I didn't realize just how hilly LCO is in this part of town. It's hilly!!

Another facet of My Stupid Decision. Walking up and down these stupid hills.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the number of unpaved roads there are here in LCO. But, yet, I am. I guess I am to much a Big-City Boy. Down toward the center of this burg it gets a little rough. Just in how the streets are paved, nothing like gangs.

Whup!!

There it is. Another lighthouse. And a balloon. How that got there I do not know. Although, I think Toledo, just down the road beyond Newport has a balloon festival sometime soon. I think.

Well, by now, I was feeling it in my feet. And my legs, too.  I was hurting right about now. And I was looking for any excuse to stop for a bit and let them catch back up to me.

Fun Facts: The D River, once nameless, was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's shortest river at 440 feet. The title was lost in '89 when Guinness named the Roe River in Montana as the world's shortest. 

Not to be outdone, the people of Lincoln City submitted a new measurement to Guinness of about 120 feet marked at 'extreme high tide'. Starting in 2006, the Guinness Book of World Records didn't list a category for the shortest river anymore.

Obviously, the good folks of Lincoln City still feel they have the shortest river regardless of what Guinness thinks.

Annnnnd, there it is!! It hasn't rained in a week and a half.

There are several stores like this scattered throughout LCO. They specialize in selling kites but a second big seller are the wind vanes and bright colored flags that you can put out in the yard.

And they recognize a cash cow when they see one. Slap a branch of the service on a bunch of them and watch'em fly out the door.

And, finally, finally I made it to the BK. 

I was pooped. I was feeling some real pain in my feet. I was feeling like I shouldn't have ever tried to walk to the BK.

What was I thinking!?!

But the lunch was good. I'm always up for a couple of Bacon Cheeseburgers. With fries.

Mmmmmmmm

And then I had to walk back. Hahaha, if I wasn't so cheap, I'd have called for a cab. But if I had, I would have missed this.

OK, I'm walking down The 101 and I see this.

First off, what's a toilet doing sitting on The 101. 

Second, why is it painted like a freakin' Bengal Tiger?

Aha!! Question asked and answered!!

Taft is the local high school here in LCO.

Hahaha, what a neat idea. It'd be $10 well spent. I wonder if they would drop it off in Redwood City....or El Paso?

Just so you understand, here's the whole picture. They plant the Tiger Toilet in front of some business and leave it there until they pony up some money to get it moved somewhere else.

Two older building just sorta built somewhat next to each other. And not a lot of thought was put into how the two would work together. But the sky looked good.

Hey, here's a good view of The 101 looking down towards the business part of the town. Really, LCO is sorta like one, long, seven-mile strip mall. With a very short river in the middle.

This is another kite store that also sells wind vanes. Not much different than the other one, right!?! Hahaha, capitalism!! It's not about originality....it's about making a buck, y'all!! 

And so I made it back to NW 17th. Oh, my tootsies were singing to me now. Getting old sucks.

As does walking up and down hills.

But, I had to get back before I could get off my feet.

Stupid coupons. Seriously, what in the world was I thinking!?!

And I got to see this patriotic fence. Catchy. As if the Red, White and Blue fence wasn't enough, they also have an Eagle Flag.

Whup!!

It's another lighthouse. Hahaha, I'm putting together a file of neighborhood lighthouse pictures. I don't know what I'll do with them but it is sorta semi-fun collecting them.

I'm really becoming a fan of beach cottages here. Plus the shingle-sided houses. Blue with white trim is one of the more popular color combinations in this beach community.

Ah, I was getting close. Here's the Surftide again. That indoor swimming pool building is a kick.

Here's the swimming pool building again. Whenever I see this, I think of The Space Race. And SciFi TV shows.

Danger, Will Robinson!! Danger!!

Fun Fact: Despite the popularity of the phrase, it was said only once on the Lost In Space show. This was during episode 11 of Season 3, 'The Deadliest of the Species'. Usually the Robot gave warnings to Will and the other crew members of the Jupiter 2, in the form of the expressions 'Warning' and 'Danger!'

I didn't know that!! Hahaha, I thought the Robot said that all the time.

This guy caught my eye. I liked the angle and color when I looked up and so....I took his picture.

Ain't you lucky!?!

And I've been noticing picket fences lately.

Hmmmmm, I wonder if Freud could make anything of this.

Regardless, I am liking the repetitive pattern when you look at the fence at a sharp angle. Now if I could only figure out how to shoot it so it looks like what I'm seeing in my head.

There's the rub, isn't it.

I was definitely ready for Fort Couch when I got back. 

It was not one of my better ideas. It ended up being 4.6 miles and the last 3.6 were in some discomfort.

But I did what I set out to do. use the coupon and have lunch. Oh, and to take a walk, too. Next time I  get the urge to eat greasy fast food I think I'll just walk to the McDonald's...it's only a half-mile away.

OK, there's another day done. Time marches on and the days go by. And I'm gonna be sore tomorrow. 

Life is, y'know, really good.

     Hooah!!