As Garrison Keillor used to say on his radio program the Prairie Home Companion, ‘it’s been a busy week at Lake Wobegon’, it was a busy week for me my last week at Carl G. Washburne and Heceta Head Lighthouse.
We were blessed with a sunny, warm Saturday June 25, Sunday was sunny but the chill wind kept it cold. Then it blew in from the south a huge bank of fog as far as you could see and my last day I was in full winter regalia of wool and layers. The wind was constant, so cold and the dampness to the bones. Blowing out the way I blew in the beginning of May.
 |
| low tide |
A friend and her dog came to visit on her way through to Washington. It was nice to have the company of someone from home. We walked on the beach, enjoyed good meals at some of the local restaurants, visited Cape Perpetua and the 500 year old Sitka Spruce and even saw some gray whales enjoying the inlet near Thor’s well.
 |
| 500 year old Sitka Spruce |
 |
| view from Cape Perpetua overlook |
 |
| the way to the dunes |
My last day and my last bucket list item for this visit to the coast was to walk the sand dunes. I made connection with a fellow hiker as my friend felt the dune hike might be too challenging for her and she opted to try her hand at fishing in one of the local lakes. My hiking companion and I set off at a brisk pace only slightly slowed by the soft sand. It was incredible!! The landscape was so different from the depth of the trees, the green of the moss and grasses. Undulating waves of sand, crests of the hills dotted with clumps of sea grass. A short walk through a stand of evergreen trees and one last hill climb to the ocean, simply magnificent. This particular beach is a protected area for Snowy Plovers, little shore birds who nest in this area. We lucked out with seeing one scurrying around in the sand. |
| Snowy Plover |
 |
| Brownie liked it too |
We sat down and took off our shoes, and me, my socks. She was hiking without socks which, turns out is an option I had not considered. The sun had warmed the sand and it felt like a warm embrace sitting there as we enjoyed our snacks. We agreed we needed to explore along the waters edge, dip our feet in the water, so cold, and walk along in search of beach treasures. No off-road vehicles are permitted in this area, such a blessing to not have to listen to the noise of machines in such an amazing place.
We walked a while until we could no longer see where we left our shoes, enjoying each others company and conversation. We turned back and cleaned the sand off our feet to put back on our shoes to begin the trek across the dunes again. After getting through the small forest we decided to remove our shoes for part of the walk back across the sand. With fluffy clouds and a light breeze the sand wasn’t too hot to walk on in bare feet and felt so good.
When we got back to the parking lot and said our farewells, with a promise to hike together again someday.
 |
| hiking buddy |
Friday morning was busy with getting packed up and a later start than I had wanted, but that’s the way things go at times. I made my way to Sisters, Oregon and had a break to stretch, look at quilts and yarn and eat some ice cream. From there it was on to my destination for the evening, Terrebonne, to stay with my new friends that I hosted with at the lighthouse, the lady who taught me how to spin yarn. Stay tuned for chapter 2, how to dye wool roving.
Comments
Post a Comment