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Coos Bay to Depoe Bay

May 25, 2026May 25, 2026 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

We stopped at Heceta head and took a walk about the rocks

We continued up the coast for a picnic lunch and some more beach time.

Then we stopped at thors well, but since it was low tide the kids missed the big event. We did have a sneaky wave surprise James and Fiona which made the stop worthwhile. Fiona really took a hit, she’s always been the lucky hand. We also stopped at devil’s churn and devil’s punch bowl.

We stayed at the Trowler’s Lodge in Depoe Bay and saw a lovely sunset after dinner of halibut and Sadira’s world-famous orzo. Depoe Bay is the smallest harbor in the world and is home to grey whales. We didn’t see any spouts this evening. (Fore shadowing).

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Coos Bay

May 24, 2026May 24, 2026 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

The next morning James had to work so we made our way to hike at Sunset Beach SP, Shore acres SP and Cape Arago just south of Coos Bay.

From Sunset Beach we could see the lighthouse, and we got surprised by a bunch of harbor seals with their babies.

This is a picture of the pile of sea lions through the telescope at Cape Arago. They were crawling all over each other.

We finished the day with some pepper jelly tasting.. so very difficult to decide which one was best

Brookings to Coos Bay

May 23, 2026May 23, 2026 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

We started the day right by going on a low tide run and serving up a big breakfast. So far I have failed to mention the Brookings rental has Pac-Man. Check out is 10 o-early-o-clock and the pac man high score had not been beaten. Right before 10 and before my bags were neatly packed, George started a two man game. I got closer than any other game but eventually killed myself on my bonus life because the house keeper was waiting outside. Sadly, I ended up leaving my toiletries and had to circle back after dropping everyone at the first hike (Cape Ferelo) but sign me up for the Mouth of the Pistol River Beach access. It was amazing.

Next stop was otter point, but we didn’t see any otters, seas lions or seals. Just cool trails

After traveling and hiking we decided to hit 7 Devils Brewery – Where The Oregon Coast Meets The Tap https://share.google/0z8F8emmd4lBkK2By

We had dinner there and called it a night.

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Redwoods

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

This morning after a beautiful beach run at low tide with sea stars and fog we hopped in the car and traveled down to redwoods national Park. We started with the lady bird Johnson trail which was dedicated by Nixon (r) after Johnson (d)left office. We spent a good amount of time discussing how far we’ve sunk regarding the civility of our current president. Now we have a thug posting petty insulting narratives under the past presidents portraits. Alas, back to the trees. Here are some lovely pictures.

We couldn’t get passes to Fern canyon. We didn’t know that was required in advance. Our last visit here, we hiked the 10 miles to get there and realized when we got there that people could just drive in. So instead we took the James Irvine to cathedral trees trail right out of the prairie creek visitor center which was truly amazing.

Sadira and James made shrimp tacos when we got home. It’s good to be here in Brookings.

Admin completion

May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

We signed Fiona’s and Ashe’s paper work for their new Portland apartment early on Sunday morning and got busy having fun.

Picture from the new Portlandians on their front stoop.

After the admin work was finalized we leapt into fun mode. We started towards Mount Hood, but had to stop and wait for some clouds to pass. We stopped again at mcmenamins for a picnic lunch and arm wrestling before heading to the Timberline Lodge.

The timberline Lodge was built during the great depression and is a testament to American history. It’s an awesome hotel that is open to the public from our history when we all worked together to lift Americans up. It contrasts so much to the gaudy gold decor ballroom that the molester in chief is going to build and make us pay for and I’ll never get a chance to step foot in (don’t get me started). It is also where the shining was filmed. It’s beautiful with a rich history and unique craftsmanship and has an amazing view.

After the lodge we stopped by the international rose test garden. It was founded in 1917 as a safe haven for roses from wwi. It now showcases over 600 varieties of roses and has views of Mt Hood. Sign me up

Sushi

November 22, 2025 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

We met up with Dwyers during the evenings in Seattle. I was at the conference so just pictures are of food;)

Second Austin pigout

Seattle + trolls

November 22, 2025November 22, 2025 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

We transitioned into town after the work week and made the most of our time. We visited the Ballard locks which is how Seattle boaters get to and from the lakes to the ocean. We also took a trot around green lake and the woodland Park area and feasted on dungenous crabs.

The weekend started with a California Honeydrops concert and an amazing dinner with the Austin tribe of Bellevue and a thorough hunting of trolls.

This link should show all the trolls. There are some in Asheville now which gives us something to look forward to.

https://share.google/NTQwJQIDw5fWSYP3M

I have to include the video of Jingran making the dumplings.

Oscar the bird King whose eyes follow you Scooby doo style.

Oscar what chu looking at.

Lastly, I’m not a serious foodie, but omg this how this hole in the wall diner, Dish Cafe serves.

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PAC NW

November 18, 2025November 19, 2025 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

I’ve got a conference in Seattle, so we have taken a week before to explore Whidbey Island for my future book writing home (jk I’m not creative enough to write a novel). But if you were going to write a novel this is where you do it.

I was working by the bird feeder which was a nature channel distraction. Here are a few of my favorites.. downy and paleated woodpeckers and a red shafted flicker.

We did take a hike on Ebey’s landing but somehow missed the mega pod of orcas that just happened to be passing through and the Aurora borealis on last Tuesday, but we had a fabulous hike on the cliffs. We even saw Mt Baker.

Roxborough and Chatfield State Parks

August 16, 2025August 16, 2025 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

We left Ridgeway and drove the nail-biting 11,312 feet through monarch pass pulling the clamshell. It was slow going but Rusty (the Rav4) made its 9th trip across the Continental divide. George has diagnosed me with hill anxiety. There’s a beer for that. In fact. I want someone to name a beer ‘hill anxiety’ in my Honor.

We parked the camper at Chatfiel turned the AC on, went to eat Mexican and moved onward to Roxborough State Park. Roxborough is a hidden gem but doesn’t allow dogs. Ringo was pleased. I think he needed a day off.

We had a relaxing evening at Chatfield before getting up early to drop Fiona at the Denver (circus) airport to return to Raleigh for her last year at NC State.

The top out temperature was 106 degrees yesterday somewhere in Kansas. The last picture is on our way home. Shawnee lake outside of Topeka Kansas, which was 22 bucks. Cha-ching. We should arrive at Edgar Evans State Park in TN tonight.

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Molas Lake outside Silverton

August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

At first we were just going to Ouray but realized the hikes we planned were actually on the perimeter trail. It was also a hot day, so we headed for higher elevation. The hike we did yesterday outside Silverton was at 12k feet so we headed back that direction and stopped at Molas lake. It was also less smoky today. (Bonus)

We by-passed Silverton since we had already decided to eat in Ridgeway. We ate at the local brewery (again) and had pizza (again), but it was delicious. The wood fired pizzas are yummy in these small mountain towns.