Fall Creek Hike

Another Thanksgiving weekend hike, this time to the Fall Creek trail in the western Cascade foothills. A cold day with no body around. I saw three river otters in a pool section of the creek and watched them for several minutes. Looks like fun to be an otter.

Big trees, small creek

Fall Creek

Day after Thanksgiving

I decided to try out my legs on a hike up Spencer Butte at the edge of town. There is a new trail segment that allows for a continuous path from the valley bottom to the top of the Butte, about 2.5 miles and 1,700 feet of elevation gain on the way up. A good test for my Guillain-Barre impaired legs.

The hike went well and my legs held up. Beautiful day. Half of Eugene was up there.

View across the top of Spencer Butte and the crowds

Same ocean, different world

Spent the Veteran's Day weekend, plus a couple of days, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Lots of sun, warmth, sand, and great food. Good drinks too. A nice break from the stagnant, foggy fall weather of the valley.

Looking toward PV from the resort beaches, Sierra Madre Occidental range in the distance. Truth be told, it was those mountains, as much as the beaches, that beckoned me. Next time.

Time to return to the Oregon Coast

With the summer crowds - and fog banks - gone, the Oregon coast is again worth a visit. We spent the first weekend in November at Tillicum Campground, between Yachats and Waldport. One of the few campgrounds with a view of the surf, it was a beautiful weekend. Great sunset watching and beach walking. Lots of sun.

Lowell admires the view of the Pacific

An empty beach - no wind, sun, mid 60's, nice

Another trek to the Bogie

Took a three day weekend at the end of October and ran up to the cabin on the Bogachiel. Beautiful weather - isn't is always? Watched the sun set over the Pacific from 2nd Beach and from Rialto on successive evenings. Long drive, but good to get out.

Along the path from the cabin to the river

Can you see the huge bald eagle on top of this tree at 2nd Beach?

I love the Metolius River, especially in the fall when the crowds are gone. We camped there in late October for a weekend. Beautiful clear, sunny days and crisp mornings. Amazing fall colors on the way up to Santiam Pass - especially the vine maple in the lava beds. Great trip.

Metolius River downstream of Camp Sherman

Labor Day Weekend at Waldo Lake

After spending 20 days in the hospital I returned home shortly before the Labor Day weekend. To celebrate, we spent the weekend camping at Waldo Lake, near Willamette Pass. Mostly I sat, read, gazed out over the lake, and enjoyed NOT being in a hospital room. Waldo Lake is a great place to recover - I hope it stays quiet.

Waldo Lake from near North Waldo Campground

The only known picture of me with a beard and in a wheel chair. King Estate Winery