Side trip from Eugene up the Oregon Coast June 25-29

From Eugene, Elaine & I are planning to take the three kids on a camping trip to the coast for some tide pool exploration to take advantage of a very low tide opportunity (Elaine checked the tide tables, I was so impressed!    I wish we had tides to check here!), and also to head up to Astoria for some Lewis & Clark appreciation time since that was where they and their Corps spent their second winter of exploration where the Columbia River nears the Pacific Ocean.

Monday, June 25
Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon
105 miles
A few steps from the ocean you'll find the forest-sheltered campground. Giant, wind-sculpted trees and nurse logs surround the campsites strung along pebbly Spencer Creek.

Devil's Punch Bowl Park
Great whale watching when they are migrating, I think we'll be too late in the season for that.
















Tuesday, June 26 - Friday, June 29
Astoria, Oregon
128 miles
Named for John Jacob Astor who was a very successful New York fur trader in the late 1700s who amassed a fortune finding beaver furs.  I don't think he did the finding, since he never set foot in Astoria, but he did send parties of men in 1810 to get to this bit of land (one party by land following the Lewis & Clark route, the other party by clipper ship around the tip of South America) where in 1811 he established Fort Astoria, the oldest settlement west of the Rockies.

Lewis & Clark spent the winter of 1804-1805 here where they shot all of the elk for food (and then had no elk left to eat) and stayed alive thanks to the generosity of the local tribes who shared a beached whale's blubber with them as well as generously selling them roots and dried fish to get them through the winter.  The natives relied on fishing and renewable sources of food whereas the white men didn't have the sustainability concept or skills for that part of the country.  Lewis & Clark described the natives appearing to easily navigate their canoes in incredibly rough ocean water that they had never imagined a man could survive in.  Most of the local tribes died out from diseases brought by the white men in the following years, but Lewis documented many pages of their culture and society, a very peaceful and talented people.

Wednesday, June 27
Tillamook Cheese Company
Yes, I want to tour the Tillamook Cheese Company and come home with a TillaMama tshirt.  I served their Sharp Cheddar on burgers this very Memorial Day!  Bob's Red Mill and Harry & David are also on my list, but do not have to happen this trip.  Harry & David would be best when the incredible local pears are in season, sometimes Elaine sends me a box for a birthday or Christmas present, such a nice sister.

Unfortunately we missed the Grilled Cheese Contest which was held in April, and double unfortunately that they are looking for part-time Customer Service Representatives for the summer but I am not available.  Part of the job is assisting at the Cheese and Fudge Sampling Counters.  Maybe my next life??  I am making note that Martin's does not sell their Smoked Black Pepper White Cheddar Cheese, I think that will need to be my sample at the factory, definitely.


Tuesday, June 26th (I am all out of sequence, sorry!  I guess I am putting cheese before tide pools...)
Tide Pools
I forgot to find a photo about tide pools before I was completely sidetracked by Lewis & Clark, and then Cheese.  I read a children's book about tide pools a few years ago that had the most amazing drawings of creatures found in tide pools, and it turns out that it's For Real.

What are tidepools and what makes them special?

Sea Urchins at Sunset Bay State Park Tidepools are created when the tide goes out from rocky coastal areas, leaving water in crevices and holes.  These intertidal (between tides) places support a unique and diverse assortment of plants and animals. The organisms that live in the intertidal areas have to be able to withstand a wide variety of fluctuating environmental conditions.  For example, when it rains, they can get inundated with fresh water.  When it gets sunny, the smaller pools can get very warm or conversely, very cold during the winter months.  Some species, like those living closest to land (and further up on the rocks), have to be able to survive for long periods of time without any water. For example, barnacles may be exposed for many hours without any water reaching them.  Then, when the tide comes in, the same organisms must survive the harsh conditions of ocean life. Tidepool species are specially adapted for life in intertidal areas, which makes them unique and very special. Oregon’s intertidal areas have such high species diversity that they have been compared to tropical rainforests.

What type of organisms may I find?

Anthopleura anemone Cnidarians (sea anemones) Molluscs (mussels, snails, limpets, chitons and maybe even an octopus!) Arthropods (crabs and barnacles) Echinoderms (sea stars and urchins) Fish (tidepool sculpins) Tunicates (sea squirts) Birds (gulls, oystercatchers, shorebirds) Algae (seaweed, kelp) Marine mammals (seals, sea lions) Click on the links below to download photo guides to some of these amazing tidepool creatures: A variety of common species, including sea stars and sea squirts (commonspecies.pdf) Marine mammals and birds (mammalsnbirds.pdf) Molluscs and arthropods, like mussels, barnacles and nudibranchs (molluscs.pdf) Algae, also known as seaweed (algae.pdf ) USFWS Seabird Brochure  Commonly found species at Seal Rock (PDF), Devil's Punchbowl (PDF), Sunset Bay/Cape Arago (PDF)

And back to Eugene from Astoria
196 miles.

It's 10:08 pm so it must be time to get back to sewing my Amy Butler Messenger Bag.
Because of course I have to sew myself a bag for the trip.
Never mind it's the most complicated thing with three zippers, exterior fabric and interior fabric --- did I mention that I used printed canvas for the exterior so I can skip the lining layer which is supposed to be canvas or duck?!
Her patterns always turn out great, it's just that along the way one feels like it is some kind of a visual puzzle and I can never quite figure out how it is actually going to work.  Wish me luck :)

To Eugene, Oregon & the Cousins! June 21-July 8

Crater Lake is on the way to Eugene, Oregon, which is where Audrey (almost 3) and Owen (7) live, my niece & nephew.  I also like to visit my sister, her husband and her husband's parents --- as well as walk around Eugene as much as possible (bakeries, anyone???) because it is a very walkable and enjoyable town.

The weather is normally a wonderful middle ground of not quite cold enough for snow to stick in the winter (except this April when it was 85 in South Bend and they were building snowpeople in Eugene...) and the summer is usually lovely although sometimes quite cloudy.  Except for the summer that Audrey was born when Jonathon and I were there for 2 weeks in 95 degrees daily and melted along with the rest of the town, we are hoping that since we have already had that experience we will not have to live through it again this year!

Depending upon how much fun we are having at Lassen and how anxious we are to get to Eugene, if we decide to forgo Crater Lake this time, we can go there another time that we are visiting Eugene.  We go at least once a year since the kids were born, often twice :)

Saturday, June 23
Lassen Volcanic National Park (CA) to Eugene, OR
346 miles
A long day of driving, but we'll have beds waiting for us at the end :)

We'll go through Ashland, OR which is famous for it's ongoing Shakespeare Festival.  I'd love to stop and see Animal Crackers, but it is sold out for that day :(  The age recommendation is:  "will be best enjoyed by playgoers 10 and up who can keep up with the puns and wordplay", sounds right up Jonathon's alley.  We'll stop and wander around anyway.  And see if we can get the movie from the library after we get back home.

Hello, I must be going!Hurrah for Captain Spaulding, the African explorer, skirt chaser and wise-cracking guest of honor at a posh Long Island house party. High jinks meet high society when he and his cronies mix it up with social climbers and stolen paintings. Written for the Marx Brothers, this slapstick madcap musical busts out with zany songs and lavish dance numbers. Released as a film after the 1929 Wall Street crash and recently adapted, it proves that you can’t keep an anarchic comedy full of pungent one-liners down. Image: Mark Bedard (Captain Spaulding)

Sunday, June 24
Black Sheep Gathering
In Eugene, we will arrive in time for me to attend one day of the Black Sheep Gathering.  For those who know my proclivity for fiber-related events, this will not be a surprise.  My friend Wendy has purchased several (ok, SIX!) Gotland sheep from a Eugene farm and I am invited to come meet the sheep before they come east to their new Indiana home.  The drive up Hwy 5 from Eugene to Portland is dotted with green fields of (little from the road) sheep... I am thrilled that I may get to actually meet a few of them :)



The specific event that I want to see at the Gathering is called Spinner's Lead:

Entrants wear their handspun garments or creations, while leading a sheep or goat or carrying a bunny.

The event is open to all producers and spinners of wool, mohair or rabbit fiber.

If you don’t have livestock entered in the Black Sheep Gathering animal shows, we can arrange for you to borrow an animal. However, these arrangements must be made in advance so we can find a match for you. Spinner’s Lead Rules Articles must be 100% handspun, (commercial warp or canvas OK) Entries may be hand or machine knit, hooked, woven, crocheted or felted. The articles may have been completed at any time; it is not limited to items made in the past year. Someone other than the entrant may make the article, although the maker of entered article must be identified in the entry form. Articles must be at least 80% wool, mohair or rabbit. Garments should represent the breed of the animal being led. Entrant doesn’t have to own the animal used in the lead. Only animals entered in the Gathering are eligible for the Spinner’s Lead. Judging Criteria for Spinner’s Lead Originality and difficulty of design 30 points Color, fit and style 25 points Suitability of garment to use of fiber 20 points Handspun by entrant 5 points Knit, woven, etc., by entrant 5 points Overall appearance of entrant and animal 10 points Animal owned by entrant 5 points Note: In case of a tie, judges will award bonus points on the basis of originality.

Someday, I am going to walk in a Spinner's Lead.  Not this year, but it's on the "someday" list :)  And, yes, this is one of those things going on in most states of the Union that until you enter the World of Fiber, you don't even know they are out there...

U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials
Another unexpected opportunity is that we are going to be in Eugene during the US Olympic Trials for Track & Field.  The stadium is about 5 blocks from Elaine & Greg's house, and apparently there are giant TV screens set up in the surrounding streets so it's just a 10 day block party and we can saunter over anytime and see running, jumping, throwing, hurdling on the screen or buy tickets and go in to see it in person.


Rowell Brokaw Architects
I want to include a photo of Rowell Brokaw Architects' office in downtown Eugene, at One East Broadway.  Greg & his partner have built up a successful business where Elaine frequently is also working and Emily spent some time working a few years ago.  I keep "threatening" to move there and beg for the job as office manager, I think I'd love it, and I seriously doubt that I'm going to become an architect at this point, still don't have the confidence that I could create anything from scratch.  Isn't the building gorgeous???  The downstairs building partner Oveissi & Co. is a premier retailer of Oriental rugs, and they are beautiful to look at up close as well as through the windows of the 1st floor.























Bakeries, Eateries
Remember when I mentioned bakeries??  Well, here are a few of my favorite eateries, including bakeries:

Here is the Eugene City Bakery which is next door to the Puckler's Gourmet Ice Cream (where Obama had ice cream when he was in town during campaign season), and only a few blocks from the house.  So very close to the University of Oregon Track, how convenient during the Olympic Trials!

When I have Audrey to myself, we walk or stroller to breakfast where she sits next to me on a tall stool enjoying her scone & milk and we talk about the dogs that walk by with their people.  The bakery has free bone shaped biscuits for the dogs and an always filled water bowl outside.  1607 E. 19th Avenue, open at 6:30 a.m. weekdays, 7 am weekends.


For fancier fare, Sweet Life, started by two sisters in 1993!
Downtown at 755 Monroe Street


There are so many vegan and vegetarian options in Eugene that it would be easy as well as delicious to make that my primary eating mode.

Morning Glory Cafe lists all of their suppliers on their website, featuring organics and local/regional products. they offer breakfast and lunch at 450 Willamette Street very near downtown.


Ok, that's enough ramble for one post!

2012 Trip Itinerary June 6-June 23

The big 2012 Trip "out West" (and then back East) is in countdown mode, we leave in 19 days on June 6th.  My first purchase was a National Park Access Pass for $80 which is good for a full year and provides admission to one carload of people into many National Parks/Monuments/Forests, etc. as well as half price camping fees at many of those who offer camping.  It's already made it's money back in camping savings as I've been making reservations.

Goals of this trip:
1.  Have an experience with my son that we both remember for all of the right reasons for the rest of our lives.
2.  See with our own eyes what the U.S. looks like between South Bend, IN and the Pacific Ocean.
3.  Get a glimmer of a glimpse of understanding of what it was like to be Lewis & Clark exploring into a great unknown or one of the thousands of families who walked the Oregon Trail for 5 months in hopes of a new and better life.
4.  Visit both of my sisters (Emily in San Francisco, Elaine in Eugene OR) plus join my Mom & Dad at Dad's family reunion (WY).  I love my family very much and cherish time with them.
5.  Spend the night in a tepee.  (Really, I would do a yurt this trip too, but I'm trying to hold back on that one to do with Elaine and her two kids on some future trip to Oregon).
6.  Have an adventure of self-reliance and spiritual growth by living more deeply in the natural world.
7.  Support & appreciate National and State Parks so that they can continue safeguarding these areas for future generations to experience & enjoy.
8.  Become a very good camper.
9.  Travel 5,000 miles without eating any "fast food".  No drivethroughs or convenience stores.  Shop a farmer's market at least once a week (I hope!).
10.  Be happy.

Our itinerary at this point for those who would like to follow along:

Wednesday, June 6th:
162 miles
South Bend, IN to Starved Rock State Park (IL), hiking & camp overnight.
[may veer off of 80 by 3 miles in Illinois to test drive a Fiat Pop in Tinley Park...]
http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/


Thursday, June 7th:
389 miles
Starved Rock to Council Bluffs, IA to stay with my Aunt Mary Ann
Stop in eastern Iowa at Wilton Candy Kitchen, est. 1860, for ice cream, lunch and/or candy!
http://www.wiltoncandykitchen.com/



Friday, June 8th:
500 miles
Council Bluffs, IA to Lake Minatare State Park (NE)
2 nights of camping, swimming in the lake, exploring Scottsbluff National Monument which is 12 miles away and was a significant landmark on the Oregon Trail.
http://nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?topTableIndex=CampingSpot&contractCode=ne&parkCode=0121


http://www.nps.gov/scbl/index.htm


Sunday, June 10th:
~ 375 miles to camp in SW Wyoming, probably Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/flaming_gorge.htm

Monday, June 11th:

to Park City, UT to stay with Whalen & Brynn for 2 nights with our own hot showers!!  Whalen's list of fun ideas includes zip lines, alpine sleds, biking & hiking, and to Olympic Park to "see the high end athletes fling their bodies 60 ft in the air landing in a huge pool".  So we had to make this 2 nights rather than only one, I think that Jonathon and Whalen are going to have an especially good time together, I will just try to keep up :)

Wednesday, June 13
238 miles
Park City to Great Basin National Park, NV.  The park is on the eastern edge of Nevada off of Highway 50 called "the loneliest highway in America...".  It also is one of the most scenic and follows the route of the Pony Express.  The Pony Express ran less than a year because the telegraph was invented, and here I thought it went on for years.  I'd like to tour the Lehman Caves, I can call next week for reservations, but our time there will be very tight so maybe we'll skip these caves.  Due to concerns about white-nose bat disease, once you've been in one cave noone else wants you in their cave for 12 months with any of the same clothes on, so I think we may opt for a cave in the Badlands instead.
Great Basin National Park - Great Basin National Park


Thursday, June 14th
411 miles
Great Basin National Park to Fallen Leaf Campground in the National Forest Lands of Lake Tahoe Basin.  It's a beautiful one mile walk to Lake Tahoe, closer to Fallen Leaf Lake and prominent peaks include Cathedral Peak (8,200 ft) and Mount Tallac (9,735 feet).  Lake Tahoe will be extremely chilly at this time of year so I think a Friday morning hike to admire the lake and have a good swim in Fallen Leaf Lake will be terrific.
http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Fallen_Leaf_Campground_Ca/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71531&topTabIndex=CampingSpot


Friday, June 15th
199 miles
South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco!!!
Staying with my sister Emily for 6 nights in her apartment near Nob Hill.
On the list:  Muir Woods National Monument, a tour of ALCATRAZ (we didn't buy tix in advance last visit and couldn't go...half the fun is the boat ride, I'm sure).  Lots of walking, including stops in China Town & Little Italy & a cupcake shop & the tea shop by MOMA-SF & any fabulous bakery for bread plus local fresh produce.
Muir Woods National Monument - Muir Woods National Monument


Alcatraz Island - Alcatraz Island


Thursday, June 21st
San Francisco to Lassen Volcanic National Park
2 nights in the NE corner of this park which has all kinds of sulfur springs and gorgeous as well as moon-like volcanic areas.  Most of it is quite remote so I chose the campground near the only camp store and gas pump.  I fully recognize that I am not a remote, off the trail camper at this point, but hope to be more experienced by the end of this trip.  My husband, Peter, has done two different sessions of Boulder Outdoor Survival School, he can get by with very little if necessary, but I don't like to be freezing cold at night or sleep on rocks or unable to find clean water.  Or wonder if I'm going to actually find my way back to civilization.
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm


Saturday, June 23rd
Leaving Lassen
Possibly to Crater Lake National Park (OR) for the day, and definitely on to Elaine's in Eugene, OR by the end of the day.
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm

Panoramic view from the Watchman Lookout in Crater Lake National Park. Photographed by Lester M. Moe in 1936.  The island in the center is the caldera and the lake is actually filling the volcano's crater.  The lake is about 1,900 feet deep, the deepest in North America and the most amazing color of blue because it is incredibly pure.

everytrail.com

So that is the first 2.5 weeks, more details to follow :)