SUMMER 2014 GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN

Summer 2014 is history. It was a wonderful one though wasn't it? I saw some places that were new, visited some familiar spots and made some rich discoveries. What more could a person ask? Well, I hope you had time to get out for a bit and take in a breath of fresh air.

I spent 11 days on the Author's Table at the Oregon State Fair to close out the official summer. While visiting with one man, he said his mother told him there were only 7 days in the week and none of them were named "Someday". That is the thought I would like to send out to each of you who plan to visit wilderness areas "someday" when you have time. Please think of how much you will treasure the time spent if you just do it presently...or maybe next summer. Don't let life slip by like the North Umpqua in the first pix below. It slides smoothly by with barely a ripple, then BOOM, hits the rocks. That's how our lives seem to run. Enjoy the smooth time and renew your spirit for the inevitable times when life hits the rocks.

The second pix was taken at Clear Lake, the head waters of the McKenzie River. I made it up there in early September but knew the autumn colors would be outstanding later in the month so made a quick trip up early in October for that pix. The fire-red of the vine maples reminds me of the molten lava that slid to create this ice infested lake. Fire and ice, the real deal in the autumn months at Clear Lake. 

THE NORTH UMPQUA ROCKS

Having heard about the beauty of the North Umpqua River area from my sister Shirley Woods for years, and years, and years (well you get the picture), I finally found time to check it out. As per usual, big sis is right. And how! There were not enough pull-out spots to get all the wonderful pix that nearly brought me up side a tree, but I did get a few (hundred). Along Highway 138 there are many (at least 6) waterfalls that are well marked with trails to hike for viewing. My main goal on this trip was to see the cliffs and falls of Toketee. Well, my pix does not do it justice. When you go be prepared for a journey up, up, and up which means down, down, and down, then more of the same coming out. But every step was beautiful and well worth it. And just think of the calories burned.

The top pix here is a close up of Umpqua River sandstone rocks. I was really taken with the color and shadowing presented. Well, moving on, the bottom pix is the elegant Toketee. Look at those Basalt Cliffs! Is that a Wow! or what? I hope you add this hike to your bucket list.

WHERE WILD FLOWERS BLOOM

Here at the Oregon State Fair one can find wild flowers in the most unusual places. As you walk around the various exhibits you will find treasures where you least expect them. To all of you folks who picked up my card with this blog address, I say "Welcome aboard!"  I hope you made some memories to keep you company in the years to come.

If you are unfamiliar with the "blogisphere" please enter your email address in the "subscription" field on the upper right of this blog to enable you to receive future blog posts via your email as I do them. Generally I post a few pix and write a few paragraphs of my trips upon my return home. Since I have been at the Oregon Authors table for the past 9 days with 2 to go I have not posted travel-centric pix. But I wanted to take minute to welcome you to my blog and invite you to click on the earlier posts to get a sense of what Oregon has to offer YOU.

As we all proceed to TRIPPING ON A SHOESTRING consider what one person told me, "I will probably die of old age before I grow up." That is my wish for us all. Go Wild!

TRIPPING AT STATE FAIR

Eleven days is how long the Oregon State Fair runs. Eleven days to meet folks and talk about "Tripping On a Shoestring". Eleven days to sell enough books to make it "worth while". The yellow water lilies in the pix below reminds me why I am really here. My goal is to let people know how easy it is to get away from home, out of the familiar rut, and explore the beautiful country surrounding us. 

As I contemplate the pix below, I am reminded of the fresh air, sunlight and calm feelings that await those of us who actually sit alongside a pond and enjoy it's beauty. My little "how-to" manual awaits any of you who think you are "too": Too busy; too old, too poor, too tied down, too...you name it. But please don't claim it. One of the wonderful folks who crossed my path this week said, "There are seven days in a week and none of them are named TOMORROW." I love that. 

So, if you think you can't, you are right. If you think you can, you are right. I hope to see you on the trail. Let's enjoy each day. Treat it as if it's your last. That's my attitude because I drive on Lancaster Drive here in Salem, Oregon. It behooves me take a deep breath and leap into today's breech. I never know where I will land, but land, I will! You will too. Make it a soft one!

IT'S ABOUT THE FOG!

It's all about the fog. While members of my wonderful family think it's because of the family reunion that I travel to the coast this week, I'm telling you: It's all about the fog. 

We, who live in the Willamette Valley have had a heat wave this summer rendering all valley residence into puddles of sweat. On the east side of the Cascade Range where summers generally carry 90+ temperatures it is considered a "dry heat". There is nothing "dry" about the Willamette Valley heat. It is muggy and damp mimicking the way those of us who live there feel.

While on highway 38 heading west my van’s thermometer read in the high 80's as I headed for the coast. Approaching Reedsport along the Umpqua River I saw the first vestiges of fog.

Fog! It soothes my eyes better than the most expensive sunglasses. As soon as I drive under it’s gentle embrace, I feel my forehead relax. 

Then there’s fog’s effect upon my nose. What set of sinuses doesn’t wish for the moist coolness arriving on a fog-bound breath?

But most of all it’s my skin. Well, as my body still radiates accumulated heat, my arms are already sprouting goose bumps. Goose bumps! Just think of that. What a delicious feeling.

Here on the Oregon coast fog does not “steal in on little feet” as fog is so often described in books. No! It tromps in like Big Foot as it stomps through valleys and shoves it’s way up the hills. The vegetation sighs in relief and grows like it’s in a race to be the biggest and best. 

Fog dampens with a dew loved by all plants. You can tell by the way they respond. I think even the spider who spun the web in my pix below enjoys the morning mist as much as I do.