THE BIG ONE

So, folks I have spent the last year writing a book for YOU! It has everything you need to get started on the way to disaster preparedness. Since there are 13 million of us living in the Cascadia Subduction Zone where an imminent earthquake in the 9+ magnitude range is just holding it's breath, I thought it would be useful to have a manual to guide you step-by-step as you prepare to live your best life after the dust settles. This manual takes the guess work out of it for you. Proceed page by page and in no time (and little cost) you will be ready for THE BIG ONE. You can email me at tripshoe@gmail.com for more information. I know this is a hard topic to wrap your mind around, hence this manual. Let me be your guide as we prepare to have clean drinking water, good food and (best part) sanitation.



 

SUMMER WIND

When the Willamette Valley heats up into the high 90's, the Oregon coast pulls up a white blanket of fog, tucks it under it's chin and sighs. Here by the beach, where Lake Marie snuggles up next to the sand dunes, the fog lifts to reveal a clear, deep, pristine little lake. Circumnavigating on the one mile trail takes a hiker through forests and next to sand dunes. Treasured for swimming, boating (non-motorized), fishing and just plain gawking, Lake Marie epitomizes peaceful perfection. The morning I stopped by, I was the only one there. Just think, fresh ocean breezes, cool fog and clear fresh water all in one spot.

Highway 38 always provides beauty. The field of Queen Anne's Lace with ribbons of buttercups winding through made my camera happy. The forest of the Coast Range hems this little valley with the Umpqua River flowing smack-dab in the middle. The air is balmy, fragrant with hay, sun-warmed myrtle and black berries. Aaahhhh, summer...breath it in!

DIAMOND IN THE (NOT SO) ROUGH

Diamond Lake in south central Oregon is a true diamond. Below, a Merganser Mama and her 10 fuzz-balls eye me as I hike on the trail that surrounds the lake. In the summer time, one would think the Thielsen View Campground would be full, but it was about 20% used in mid week. Fishermen were fishing, campers were camping, bikers were riding the trail along with hikers. The sun shone on us all. A lake breeze kept the mosquitos at bay and the air fresh. Nothing seemed to discourage the chipmunks who were looking for a crumb, handouts are discouraged.

The lower photo was taken from the same trail offering spectacular vistas of Mt. Thielsen. Crater Lake may attract all the out-of-staties, but the real beauty is right up the road at Diamond Lake. I hope you can schedule a few days there this summer. Bring your hiking shoes, bikes, boats, fishing poles and cameras. You will also want a chair to pull up at lake-side come evening. While the sun sets, the lake glistens like a bowl full of diamonds.  

MAURY MOUNTAINS

Have you ever visited the Maury Mountains? Do you know where they are? Well, don't feel bad. I haven't talked to anyone who has ever heard of them. They are located right in the center of Oregon in the Ochoco National Forest. I visited the Antelope Flat Reservoir Campground recently. It's nestled in the mountains at 4,600 feet in elevation. On the way to the forest service road turn-off I encountered the rock in the top photo. It is an immense rock named Eagle Rock and is poking up out of the ground. Like most of Oregon, this region is blessed with it's share of geological beauty. 

The one lane graveled path of twelve miles takes a camper up to the reservoir. The bottom photo is of a Juniper tree that came up through a rock, splitting the rock and making it's home where it choose. That's the spirit! Much of life in Oregon demands the same fortitude. Rock on Oregonians!

CHECKING OUT THE EDGE OF NORTH AMERICA

While I know I have said it before, I will say it again, "The south coast of Oregon is so obscenely beautiful it will hurt your eyes." There, I said it again. Right now the wild flowers add to the Pacific's beauty with profusion found in dewy and wet climates. So, prepare for a brisk breeze, a bit of dampness and knock-your-socks-off beauty when you visit.  Since it will seem like you are the only one on the highway (101), you can actually pull off and on at will, unlike the northern half of the state's coastal route. Take advantage of the sparse population and revel in the beauty at every pull-out and prepared stop. The state highway department (ODOT) has done a fine job of providing enough of these places so that you won't miss a thing.

From Brookings to Port Orford you will find opportunities a dozen times to pull over and just take a deep breath. When you plan your trip to this special locale, plan to spend a day on just that stretch of road so that you can really drink it in. Don't miss Cape Blanco. The wind there will strip your clothes off and send them (back) to China. But, the view from the Cape should not be missed. Google it for more info. Even on a stormy or blustery day, it is worth the extra few miles out to the Cape just to feel the edge of the world, as we know it, here in North America; to see as far as a human eye can see in south, west and northerly directions. Whew! Hope you get there soon!