Tales from Oregon, 2014

[TexasShadow]

"Truckin' got my chips cashed in. Keep truckin', like the do-dah man
Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin' on."

My departure was postponed due to.... let's just say that V-stroms, street tires and sand are incompatible. After an ER trip, crutches and a few weeks of convalescence, I was going crazy. Doc JP warned me no driving for 7-10 days. But when the urge comes, gotta go.

Got help packing up and hooking up. Friend and neighbor Anne Theil joined me on the trip to the Northwest. It was indeed a Girls' Adventure.

We spent most of our overnights in truck stops, but had an unexpected delay in Winslow, Arizona, when the truck broke down. After a reprieve at a RV campground in New Mexico that I know well (third stay there), one of those messages from **** made itself known on the dashboard,, "Check Fuel Cap." After a long phone call consulting with my sister (who is a Ford truck person) and a search online (I had no Internet connection), she recommended a trip to the Ford dealer down the street in Los Lunas (NM). Sure enough, the O ring in the fuel cap was collapsed and not making a good seal. New fuel cap on, we started out again.

Spend the night at a truck stop about 30 east of Winslow and did our usual routine. Dinner, bathroom duty, a few beers (Anne) or glass of wine (me), chat, read and sleep sandwiched inbetween tractor trailers.

On the road early (as usual) heading west on a Sunday morning. Then 30 minutes on the highway, there's another Message from the Alien inside the Dashboard. This time, it was Engine Control speaking...... "Service the Engine Now." Sigh......

Pulled off the exit, with increased misfiring, and into the Walmart parking lot at 6:30 am. Parked it and checked the error messages in the manual. Generic warning or error symbol can be deciphered 30 different ways.

"Hey, look over there!!"

"Okay, did the Ford dealership know we were coming and just plopped itself down here next to us?"

We spent that Sunday parked, chatting and reading. The next morning I was at the Ford dealership front door, hobbling on my cane, when they opened the doors "Um, can you help us?"

They would call me and let me know the diagnosis. Meanwhile, they were very kind in giving us a courtesy ride to a nearby cafe with wifi access. It was a relief to get out of the Walmart parking lot, have some really good coffee, and check up on Internet stuff. And they even gave us a ride back to the travel trailer.

Anne spoke with the Walmart manager while I was at the dealership waiting for the truck report. Folks at both the dealer and Walmart were VERY friendly, understanding and cooperative! "No problem, stay parked as long as you need to." But I was not prepared for the diagnosis.

For the past few months, the truck had been misfiring at 1500 rpm. The gas in town (the ONLY gas for 30-82 miles) is notorious for clogging fuel filters. What most folks do down in the Terlingua area is add a gas additive. Which I did. Twice. So I suspected the fuel filter or injector was dirty. What I didn't expect was that the radiator hose had a slow leak, had been leaking into one side of the engine head, corroding the plugs and boots on that side.

Ick. Well, it was close to tune up time, so all 8 plugs, boots and wires were replaced. The trouble with that was that 7/8 plugs broke off inside the head. That added another several hours and $300 to the original quote. I saw the plugs (which were covered with crap and carbon) and the tech explained about the reputation of the gas engines of the 2005-2006 F250's. Special tool needed, special plugs needed, hoping the heads of the plugs could be extracted without having to remove the head.....

So we were stranded in Winslow for 3 days. I read an entire book and caught up reading a few of my science journals. Anne, being a window shopper, supplemented her book reading with walks through Walmart. We picked up the truck after writing a hefty check and hooked up the trailer faster than the first time that it took four of us to accomplish. The respite helped my knee quite a bit. And, as my brother-in -law would say, "It is what it is."
It could have been worse......

A Winslow AZ sunset.

Pulling out of Winslow at 5:30 am, we were again on our way. The truck now ran like a charm. In fact, it purrs.

"Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings."​

After a few more overnights at truck stops, we decided we could use some power, showers, and break. We stopped at a RV park in Lodi, CA, for a night. It was good to hit a hot shower and recharge the battery for the travel trailer. I started my second book (one benefit of retirement is I finally get to read books again!!!)

We left at 5am to miss the morning rush traffic in Sacramento. And I am SO glad we did. Later, Anne was almost vibrating from the verdant hills and white coated Mount Shasta. She compared the surroundings to where she grew up in Germany and commented that it all reminded her of her ancestral home. In the meantime, while I had a death grip on the steering wheel and navigating the several very curvy 6% descents in the mountains, she related stories about the mountains witches, etc. It was a welcome distraction

One more night in a truck stop and half a day of more curvy death grip 6% descents and we were in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. We parked the trailer curbside in front of the house of old friends (of 30 years) and took a break. After dinner we unloaded the bike and the rest of the truck bed for a trip to the Pacific coast the next day. It was a great dinner with long time friends, my darling daughter that I haven't seen in two years, and travel companion, Anne.

After a good night's sleep, with no tractor trailer noise, three of us piled into the truck to drive to the Oregon coast, to my old stomping grounds: Newport and the Yaquina River Bay.

 

[Tourmeister]

 

[TexasShadow]

Our first stop was lunch at Mo's, a tradition in the family since we first arrived in Oregon 30 years ago. The original restaurant is on the upward side of a street that winds along the northern side of the bay waterfront. But my preference is the Annex, which sits overlooking the harbor and the wharf. From tables next to the window, one can watch the boats coming and going, the sea lions, sea guys and sea gals begging for food, and occasionally orcas come in searching for their food; sea lions. This time we were treated to a tall sail ship leaving for the open waters.

I had an infamous cup of clam chowder and fresh fish sandwich and warm coffee. Anne sampled some of the local brewery's brew.

After lunch we strolled the waterfront street. The local characters were crowd catchers: basking sea lions.

Local folks prepared for fishing vessels to arrive, where they filet and clean fish, and a few vendors even had large pots to cook crab and other shell fish.

I wanted to point out the big murals painted on many of the buildings there along the water front that depict some of the history of coastal living. The first one made me think of Janet One of these days I would like to chronicle these murals by photographing them all.

I learned the day before that NOAA had moved out of Seattle and situated themselves in Newport next to the Hatfield Marine Center on the other side (south side) of the bay. Luckily, given it as a holiday weekend, two of their ships were docked in the harbor.

And the Newport Bridge that spans the harbor is one of my favorites, with its art deco, almost gothic, features.

Tanaya and Anne window shopped, but my knee was now ready for a break of walking/standing. So I usually rested against the wall outside and people watched.

It was Memorial Holiday weekend and the waterfront was PACKED with human sardines. We had all reached a point of saturation and longing for some open space. We headed for the beach.

It was then I learned, very quickly, why physical therapists recommend walking and running in sand to help rehabilitate any lower limb injuries. It recruits ALL the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons of the foot, ankle, knee and glutes. Unfortunately, my knee is not at that point. It won't bend more than ~25-30 degrees. On a good day, and warmed up with a hot washcloth, it will bend maybe 30 degrees. But in the cold wind and after several hours on it, it protested and resisted bending. Period. So I found a log to sit on like a log while the two able ladies had fun in the water and on the beach closer to the ocean. I didn't mind the alone time anyway.....

Regardless, we all enjoyed it, cold wind and all.

(one of my horns is showing.....)​

Back to the valley and we all had a good night's sleep after dinner. I got to meet Tanaya's boyfriend when they joined the four of us for dinner, and he is indeed a keeper!!!!!!

The next day, Anne, Bob and I towed the travel trailer to a nearby RV park where it is home for a month or so. I have to admit it was good to set the legs down and set up home.

Anne and I took the next day off relaxing, showering, resting the knee. Meanwhile, her Klaus, her hubby (and my welding buddy) reserved her airline tickets for a flight back to Texas in two days.

The next day, I gave Anne a tour of Corvallis and the campus where I spent 14 years in academia. We had a blast visiting the old stomping places where I used to eat and grab coffee. Visited with an old artist friend who remember me, which surprised me after being gone for 15 years. it was a good day!

And I got my first parking ticket..... ooops.

Anne is now back in Terlingua; she and Klaus have caught the travel bug and they are discussing small motor homes.

I have to admit I am liking the access to fresh produce and good meat. But more so, there are some revelations about living back in Terlingua area and in a very remote isolated place that have reared their heads over the past 8 months. I suspect it really sunk in after being away for several days. Freedom!

I'll be glad to have my own sanctuary when I return. With the coyotes, the cougars, and my buddies the Great Horned owls (we even had a wayward loon for a couple days!!)

Meanwhile, I will get to experience some remote high desert here for a few months A great way to spend the summer months. And hopefully will get back on the bike in a month (maybe).

 

[Johnf3]

Glad you got going even though I am sure the spark plug fix at the dealer was expensive. The 5.4L Ford engine is notorious for breaking plugs. Ford (also available aftermarket) even has a special tool just for this problem. When I did my son's plugs in his 2004, all but one plug broke off in the head. By the time we got them all out, we were experts in broken Ford plug removal.

The north part of Terlingua Ranch is beautiful, one of my favorite areas out there.

 

[TexasShadow]

Glad you got going even though I am sure the spark plug fix at the dealer was expensive. The 5.4L Ford engine is notorious for breaking plugs. Ford (also available aftermarket) even has a special tool just for this problem. When I did my son's plugs in his 2004, all but one plug broke off in the head. By the time we got them all out, we were experts in broken Ford plug removal.

Yup. The tech was helpful in explaining the history of this issue, and showed me how the newer replacement plugs help circumvent this issue with a smaller circumference and increased bevel. And, in retrospect, I'm not sure if my local mechanic on the T Ranch (Gil) could have dealt with this (after learning about the 'special tool' and the danger of even that not extracting the broken plugs).
It was an expensive tune up, I am glad it is done now, and that it all happened in a more fortuitous location rather than out in the middle of nowhere! Thanks for relating your experience, too.

The north part of Terlingua Ranch is beautiful, one of my favorite areas out there.

Me, too! And since I am addicted to mountains, I now have my mountain 'home' (sort of; it's at the base of a mountain). I didn't choose it; it chose me.
What really amazed me is the difference in wildlife that is there compared to the Solitario area. I now have many wildlife buddies.

 

[Janet]

Love it!

 

[TexasShadow]

Spent most of Wednesday in Corvallis for errands and to attend a presentation on 'Making way for predators in ecosystems.' While sipping a Mexican mocha at the cafe I noticed a stream of motorcycles riding north on 2nd street. Seems that Wednesday evening is a 'bike night' in town.

Quite a collection of sports bikes, KLRs, BMWs, V-stroms, and FJR, etc. Even scooters, which is not surprising since this is a college town. Ironically, I have seen more V-stroms around the two towns than I have seen in a year in Fort Worth and neighboring area.

The day before there was a mini-motocross demo in a large parking lot in Albany. In the RV park are an old Goldwing, a blue Wee-strom like Chuck's, and a KLR across from me. This is making me itch to get back on a bike. Meanwhile, the DR sits all its loneliness in a garage nearby waiting, waiting,....

Since my daughter is a bike mechanic, we will be having a mini-tech day in her garage: replacing the teeny PIA turn signals on the DR that require $17 bulbs with stock signals. Had many people tell me they can't see the signals when they work anyway. The replacement relay arrived in the mail (thanks to Big Little Brother Bill for forwarding them to me here!! ), so that will be installed, too.

Tanaya will have to ride the DR over to her garage and I detected some eagerness there; I think she harbors a secret desire for a dirt bike. I hope to get on the bike for a little tour before loading it again to go to Eastern Oregon for two months. I have many places on my list to go there on it.

I might pay a visit to the local bike hangout some Wednesday night.....

Meanwhile, I am thoroughly enjoying spending time with my daughter and her BF. We had a cookout dinner of home-smoked chicken, seasoned and grilled potato chips, marinated green beans with bacon. Then went to the theater to see 'Godzilla', my first 3-D movie. It was a blast And her BF is an excellent cook/griller!
Yup, he's a keeper

 

[Cagiva 549]

Antisieze used liberally at every plug swap will eliminate the problums . I learned that in the 70's with a fleet of FE fords . At least they were made out of iron . Enjoy the cool , summer is here . SEYA

 

[TexasShadow]

Antisieze used liberally at every plug swap will eliminate the problums . I learned that in the 70's with a fleet of FE fords . At least they were made out of iron . Enjoy the cool , summer is here . SEYA

I think that is what he put on the plugs before they broke off in the head. He says it works sometimes, sometimes not. He again dosed the ones that broke off and let them sit while he went for lunch.

I've been hearing about the heat down there. I am definitely enjoying the cooler temps here!
Stay cool if you can, David, and see you later!

 

[wanabeguru]

 

[TexasShadow]

There's a sense of freedom...lightness.... ephemeral aliveness... from living on the road.

While driving through New Mexico and Arizona I was reminded of my first long motorcycle adventure on the V-strom almost eight years ago (2006). It awoke something in me that had laid dormant, suppressed and repressed for many years. It took that long to achieve what I intended to do.

Now I'm there. Living it and enjoying it.

A blog post I wrote (10/2006) after returning from my two-week trip to/from Utah. It still resonates.

“When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was upon me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. When years described me as mature, the remedy described was middle age. In middle age I was assured that greater age would calm my fever and now that I am fifty-eight maybe senility will do the job. Nothing has worked……I fear the disease is incurable.”​

John Steinbeck eloquently describes what some of us experience not once, but through a lifetime. The urge for going. I get the urge for going, and I just have to go. It’s in my blood and runs in my veins. It is in every cell of my body.

One month ago, I was on my return leg of a fourteen-day road trip across five states. I can still taste, smell and see all of it. In essence, I'm still on it.

When I was very young, at the ripe age of six or so, I tied some food and a few tokens in a bandana, tied it to a stick and went off down the street from our house on my first walkabout. My parents thought I ‘ran away’. But that was not it; I was ‘going to.’ Where to I don’t remember, but it doesn’t matter. I got the urge for going, and I just had to go.

Since I was little, I was inspired to travel in exotic places or just out in the backyard. I collected maps and brochures of states and other countries, gazing at the photos, reading about the geography and cultures, with a longing I didn’t understand. I built an elaborate fort made of hay in the woods behind my house and it was often a destination to read of far away places.

It was a visceral drive that captured me and I started to let it steer me as soon as I could walk. Without any real comprehension until much later in my life. It was inherent and I didn’t, and still don’t, understand why others didn’t have the same drive.

“What do you mean you’ve never left your home state? Don’t you feel the need to explore, discover, experience what lays beyond your hometown? Your home state? Your own country? Are you nuts?”, I find myself thinking sometimes.

Years later I learned why people don’t move beyond their own little microcosm where they grew up and lived. Some people have accused my wandering lust as an inability to be happy and always in search of meaning. But they’re mistaken and I have tried to explain that is not the case. I don’t wander because I am running away from something or myself. To the contrary, I wander because it is what lies ahead, and it is what I am. It is the destination and the journey.

Steinbeck referred to the disease and the afflicted as being a ‘bum’. “I don’t improve. Once a bum, always a bum.” I recall as a teen asking my father what I should be when I grew up. When he responded I could be anything I want to be, I asked him if it was all right for me to be a ‘bum.’ He shrugged and responded that as long as I do it well and to always be honest.

So throughout my teen and adult years I’ve been a bum. There were periods of years during which I partook of the “American Dream,” doing what all people do as they mature: going to college, having a family, working long hours, acquiring ‘things’ and staying in one place for many years. But even during those times, I still traveled. Even with a baby and toddler with me, we still went found time and the capacity to move on the road and explore. We even moved from one coast to the other.

Nevertheless, the itchy feet would start and grow until I had to go somewhere, or I was unfit to live with. As a family, we would go for an all-day drive in the van, or a weekend journey along the coast or the mountains. Sometimes, when the urge was upon me, I would jump in my truck and drive with no destination in mind. I was moving; that was all I cared about. Other times I would throw a pillow and blanket in the truck and drive to the coast, finding a rest area or park to sleep in the back seat when night descended. I’ve even been known to wake up at three in the morning before a scheduled trip and depart in the silence of the darkness with the stars as my companions.

How do you explain to someone this urge to go, be moving, this restlessness when you are bound to your current place and time? How do you describe the soaring spirit and grinning when you are on the road? Perhaps it is inexplicable, except to those who share it.

Since I left Oregon and moved to Texas eight years ago, with no job or place to live, and started a new chapter in my life, I have not been on a journey without a destination and planned objective. Like any bum, a destination is usually inevitable. And like most, I can cultivate a reason to travel from the garden of plenty. But that is the only predetermined factor. The rest in between is often unplanned, or at least, the intentions are subject to change.

“A trip, a safari, an exploration, is an entity, different from all other journeys. It has personality, temperament, individuality, uniqueness. A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”​

When we return from the journey we are hardly ever the same. If we truly let the trip take us, we discover new places, new delights, new sensations that we’ve never had before. Or old ones are rejuvenated. We meet new people, strangers; we meet pieces of their lives as they have lived them, where they are and from other places they have been and what they have done in their lives. We learn of things they know that we may never understand. Yet they all become a part of us, too. Although they may be different, in many ways we are similar underneath.

When I return from a journey or a trip, I am a different person.
Still the same person as when I left, but in many ways my world has grown. And become richer and full of life. All the images of the mountains, canyons, prairies, the conversations with strangers met along the way: they are all a part of me, and my life and world are expanded. I bring them all back with me.

The saying “You can never go home” may be more true to us bums than to anyone else. ‘Home’ to most people is where they grew up, where they have set anchor and their roots are firmly planted in the ground. For us, ‘home’ is where we hang our hat, or helmet. I returned from this trip without a ‘home’, because I realized on this trip that home is inside me. It is wherever I am. I returned to the same physical space but as a different person than when I left.

After describing the high prairies that I rode across on my last journey, a close friend commented that seems to be ‘where I belong’. My immediate response was that I know where I don’t belong, but I don’t know where I do belong. Perhaps I don’t necessarily ‘belong’ anywhere, but everywhere is where I belong. I can easily live on the coast, a lake, in the mountains or canyons, on the high plains, or even the desert. As long as I can still be in touch with my environment and don’t become desensitized to what surrounds me. When I do, then it’s time to take a trip or a journey. Sometimes I can come back and feel rejuvenated; other times, I don’t. And that is when it is time to consider moving.

Like Steinbeck on his travels, I also encountered other people having that look in their eyes, often commenting they wish they could go too.

“They spoke quietly of how they wanted to go someday, to move about, free and unanchored, not toward something but away from something. I saw this look and heard this yearning everywhere in every state I visited. Nearly every American hungers to move.”​

I suspect it’s a part of our nature, like many other animals. But my experience echoed Steinbecks; most are running away from something. Whereas us bums are traveling to somewhere, or just moving. At times I saw the hunger in their eyes just as it resides in mine: the burning desire to go, to move, anyplace. They had the dream I had, that Steinbeck had, all our lives and there is no cure.

With this realization on my last journey, as I rode through the vivid shades of earth in the canyons and mountain passes bejeweled with golden colors of cottonwood trees, I grinned, looking side to side, and whispering aloud inside my helmet, “I will be back. Wait and see. I will return.”

And so I shall some day. But it won’t take nine years.

--------

It took eight years.

 

[euromedic]

Wonderful. Keep sharing your travels.

 

[kojack06]

I always liked Oregon. Couldnt tolerate the libs but its a beautiful state. Thanks for photos!

 

[TexasShadow]

From here to there.....

Now that I'm more mobile (without cane), I've been exploring more.
Discovered the Famers' Market in Corvallis. Simply.... awesome! Local vegetables, grains, honey, fruit and meat! Mostly organic or naturally raised (the former requires certification). Incredible diversity and quality! Many local folks do much of their weekly food shopping here.

The Market takes place on 1st Street and Jackson Streets next to a park along the river. Along with shopping for food, there are musicians and dancing, picnics, and an occasional animal or two

I wandered around the two streets (1st-2nd Streets) visiting my old haunts. Including a favorite hang-out: Squirrel's Tavern. Fond memories of sitting outside with a coffee or drink, chatting and laughing.
And finding some nice new murals on building walls. Then score.... Gyros!!!

 

[_RG_]

A very enjoyable read. Thanks!

 

[TexasShadow]

Tech Day(s)!!!

Since my daughter is a bike mechanic, I recruited her to help install the new relay (for signal flashers) and turn signals on the DR.

It didn't start out well. When the DR was loaded into my pick up bed, neither Ernie or I remembered to turn off the gas via the petcock. And the battery was low. Needless to say, it wouldn't start.

After taking it over to my daughter's, I went to pick up another battery tender (since the other one is on the V-strom in TX) and other parts needed. I hooked up the tender to top off the battery while we worked on the signals.

First, we removed the cowl and located the stock relay. The new relay easily fit in its place.

The stock relay.

I removed the rubber mat and revealed a batch of spaghetti wires.
Off came the PIA arrow signals that require $17 bulbs.

Tanaya installed the rear signals first. I put the longer signals on the rear so that they can be seen under a long duffel bag and other gear on the back rack. Several folks told me they can't see my rear signals. This should resolve that issue. And the bulbs are only $2.50 instead of $17!
I also picked up a pack of 10 bulbs, which cost as much as buying 5 bulbs separately.

The shorter signals went on the front.

We had to ream out the rear holes for the larger diameter signal stems. Tanaya practices her mad reaming skills. Her BF Nathan commented, "Remind me not to make you mad when you have a drill in your hands."

Tanaya's meticulous in her mechanics work. No 'plug 'n play' connections. Every electrical mod gets soldered and shrink wrapped.

All the signals are now on, and now we finished up by encasing all the wires, including some that were 'naked' and hanging out prior to this, in conduit. And all wires were zip tied nice and neatly out of harm's way.

Nathan added a finishing touch: a new pink decal

Tanaya's roommate's boyfriend rides a Honda CR450 and used to race. He and I tackled coaxing the engine back to life and running without having to remove the carburetor. Although I had added Seafoam to the gas in the tank, the carb jets gummed up anyway. Especially with the petcock open for a month.....

We let it run and he taught me how to check for oil or gas in the exhaust, and how that relates to what's going on in the engine. After the engine ran for awhile, the exhaust was 'clean'. But the idle jet might still be gummy a bit. Adding non-ethanol gas with some more Seafoam and letting it run might clear that out. (yes, you can still get no-ethanol gas around here!)

The next day I went over and changed the oil and filter myself. Getting up and down to the ground was a bit challenging with a knee that won't bend its full range. I want one of these Behind the stool is a stainless steel tray with giant magnets. That thing rocks!

the DR is ready to go with me soon.

 

[TexasShadow]

Planning and Going

Spent a few hours a week ago plotting my next route. With the help of some absolutely excellent ice cream: Oregon's Tillamook ice cream. They make it from real ice cream cows (Jersey cows)

This past month has been the best in a couple years: a month with my daughter. She is my greatest contribution to life and we are best of friends. Life is too short and family is everything. So are close friends.

Tanaya and best friend from Terlingua, Anne.

Daughter and Mom.

Also visited with friends and colleagues I haven't seen in 15 years. Some things have changed, some haven't, which in this case isn't a bad thing.

Next on the agenda is going east. And this is a sample of where I'll be (photos taken Sept, 2010) next week:

Will try and post up next week.

 

[TexasShadow]

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go."
- Dr Suess​

Last night was a birthday dinner with Tanaya and her roommate and her BF. REAL Mexican food. No Tex-Mex. i had a burrito filled with seafood, herbs and peas covered in a sauce made form coconut milk. It reminded me of the food I ate in Tiajuana 42 years ago. The margaritas weren't that good, though. Tanaya had a chicken burrito with salsa verde, which was excellent. I promised I would make some salsa verde in September.

Terlingua could use a really good Mexican food restaurant instead of so many generic Tex-Mex food joints.

Starting a field journal today. First one in 9 years. Observations today:
1. Beargrass! Always loved this perennial. Highly associated with post-burn recoveries. Not a grass, but has grass-like foliage, and closely related to lillies. Tubers can be eaten.

Three Sisters Mnts and Mount Washington still have snow!
Couldn't get a good shot except a quick one through the window.

2. A trip over the Cascades like today is a real-time lesson in 'rain shadow' effect. West side was misty, wet, foggy, mossy, mixed hardwood and softwood tree ecology. The east side was blue skies, clear as bell, tall Ponderosa pine, dry and red soil. Same mountains, but ecosystems vastly different on one side to the other.

Near the top of the pass. This is old growth forest.

3. Lots, LOTS, of hawks! Many species.
4. Saw my first central OR coyote! Smaller than those in BB and coat color more homogenous: light brown. Those in BB are bigger (still wondering if some are wolf-coyote hybrids) and multi-colored. It saw me, stopped and drew back its lips as if to smile. Maybe that was my good luck charm (I can use some after the recent and second truck breakdown).
5. Storks!!!
6. People here are so friendly and unassuming!
7. Drove up an escarpment and got views of Steens Mnt and Mnt Washington while overlooking the basin full of waving grass and playas below. I could live on top of that escarpment.
Rudy told me that land around here is pretty cheap....

Base camp is set up. A long day. Tired, hungry, and happy. Lots of birds and crickets here, quiet, and open sky. Gonna be a good couple months!

I hear my favorite Night Dogs yipping and singing!!!!!!!!!l
I can see Steens Mnt from here. It has some snow, too.

 

[StrokedNBored]

Awesome!

 

[wanabeguru]

Awesome!

+1

 

[SpiritAtBay]

Really awesome!
Thanks for posting.

 

[TexasShadow]

The Valley of Green

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way.
Some see nature all ridicule and deformity... and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself. - William Blake​

Returning to the Valley of Green -the Willamette Valley- is like returning to heaven in many ways. During my absence of 15 years (that's a long time for me) the memories of greenness blurred to a dull green. But like the kiss from a long-lost lover, it all comes back to life when revisiting for that first time, and more so, for a length of time.

With a good friend, who also arrived in Oregon the same month as my family (ex-husband and daughter) 30 years ago, we spent a full day exploring all those places that made us fall in love with this Valley.

I touched and traveled over the mighty river (this time on a ferry!), drove through vast acres of berries, wheat and vegetables, meandered on foot in the quiet of thick trees and over marshlands, and sat in the pick up bed on a hill overlooking the valley below.

It was like re-reading a favorite book, watching a beloved movie, and reliving a dream. Can I live here again? I doubt it. It's getting too populated, encroaching on all those places that were private and pristine. Although the rural communities are still appealing and access to wholesome locally grown food is attractive. Water scarcity is rarely an issue. But something just isn't right........... It just doesn't 'fit' anymore. Why is that?

“I wonder why progress looks so much like destruction.” - John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge

​

Willamette River and ferry

An adult osprey in next on platform along the river

One of the small vineyards around Albany area

A pan from the hill with a view to the west and overlooking the valley below.

It was time to move on. To the next chapter. The place that soothes the soul: the High Desert of the Great Basin. And this is where I am now.

 

[TexasShadow]

Home sweet home.
With the musk of sage brush
And the shrill of killdeer
With yips of coyote
My heart is full
Of cheer.

Went to town (34 miles) to stock up on food and other essentials. The ride over the rim between 'here' and 'there' is incredible. The views over the valleys on the north and south sides are outstanding.

Wiley said, "What are those big black birds down there?"
"Those aren't birds, Wiley. They're black cows."
"They don't look like cows from here."
"That's because we are a few hundred feet above them."
"Hmmm... Well, you better watch where we're going. We aren't birds either."

On the way back I saw a Golden eagle hanging out on a utility pole. He looked at me. I looked at it. it tilted its head and picked up one foot with hanging daggers. I nodded and said, 'Yeah, buddy. Your claws are far superior to mine. I bow in your presence.'
And I moved on.

When I returned back to my home spot, I was immediately fresh warm meat for the mosquitoes. I guess I need to eat more garlic.

Earlier that day I spotted several shrubs nestled in the willows alongside the Refuge patrol road that have these orange berries. Leaves looked familiar, so I brought back a small branch to sketch and ID. Gooseberries!!!!!
I ate a few of the orange berries. Yum. Not ripe yet, but yum still the same.
Going back on Sunday to pick any red ones (ripe) I can find and maybe make a small batch of native OR gooseberry cobbler!

I started a field notebook. For the first time in ~15 years. My sketching skills are sketchy. Er, rusty. Um, bad. Time to hone those mad skills. The focus around here is on birds and fish. I seem to be the plant person. So that is my focus. Along with.......

Storms and wild fires! The wildlife refuge and BLM fire teams got them all under control in time. The biggest hurdles were fences and locked gates going onto private land. They cut the fence to get in at one ranch. We've had lightning strikes everywhere!

Chatted with a few of the fire fighters up on the hill and at the base of the tower they can't use. They were standing next to two outback fire trucks watching and relaying status to other ground crew. One of the leaders was on fire duty in Big Bend in 2010 and 2011. Good working team of men and women!

We lost power a few times during the day due to the storms and the fires. Short-lived interruptions. Had a brilliantly red sunset! And now getting some light rain.

Yesterday's observations:
Adult Golden eagle
Immature red-tailed hawk
Osprey
Rufus hummingbird
The Am. White pelicans are feasting on the carp!
The yellow headed blackbirds here are in full adult plumage. Very colorful with their brilliant yellow heads and necks. They tend to be mixed populations when migrating through Terlingua area in the spring and all various stages of colors and plumage.
I still think these ground squirrels are wannabe prairie dogs...

The fire tower here makes me itch. It reminds me of my firetower stint in Oregon, so, SO many years ago. But it is out of commission and the wooden steps are rotting. Too costly to fix. I want to go up into it.
But we still go up on the hill and survey the valley to the north and west for fires. And a great vantage spot for landscape photos.

Including 'Home'.

The next day I patrol the entire Refuge.
After a good night's sleep.

 

[TexasShadow]

Home.

Is where ever we want it to be.

Here.
Now.

Then.
Later.

It's all in us and
outside us.

It is,
What
we make
it.

It is
Where
we want
to be.

 

[wanabeguru]

Wow!