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!!
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