D & B: Live from California

We have recently learned that Debbie has tired of camping in the rain. Enough huddling in the Mantis Tarp, damp and clammy sleeping bags, and going to bed at 8:15 because it is too wet for a fire and the sun is long down. We have truly earned our stalwart, hardy camper badges by now. Hence we are snug in a somewhat sketchy Motel 6 in Arcata, CA (Humboldt Co); it is pouring rain outside and we are dry and "connected".

The rain we last wrote about, in Tillamook OR, never really let up. As a result we never made it to Olympic City, or Mt. St. Helens. We just kept driving until we hit Portland. We stayed 3 nights at the lovely Northwest Hostel - and thoroughly enjoyed both the city and the hostel's amenities. Portland - beautiful, funky and easy to walk. We did a lot of walking, took in a farmer's market and free concert, sampled some beer and espresso. One highlight was watching the annual, 3 week long roosting of chimney swifts as they migrate south. At dusk people park themselves on one of the NW school lawns as if ready to watch a fireworks display. Audubon volunteers are there to answer questions. The swifts show up in the thousands close to dusk and start to circle this old, brick, chimney for about 30 minutes. Then, to cheers and applause, they slowly start to enter the chimney. Lots need to get in - so they circle, and circle, each time some birds making their way in for the night. Amazing.

We bought waterproof boots and a tablet, and had some great chats with fellow hostellers. This is a place with lots to offer, and there are a few things I still would love to see.

 

 

 



From Portland we did what Bar was very committed to - driving the Oregon Coast. Often cloudy and wet, its was varied, rugged and beautiful. We camped at Cape Lookout, Humbug Mountain, and Harris Beach and hiked whenever we could (putting those new water-proof boots to the test - and they passed). We spend a glorious night (with a bath tub) in  motel in Florence eating take-out pizza and drinking red wine, reveling in the "indoor" experience. We have seen some incredible beaches, stunning rocky shores, and lots of dunes.

Which all lead us to the northern Coastal Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). To walk among these trees, noted for their height more than their girth, was truly magical. No words or photos will ever really do them justice. It is a spiritual experience to stand among such giants, old beings that remain because of the foresight of early 1900's environmentalists. As one ponders their magnificence I find myself also reflecting on how few of them are left. One can't help but be grateful that there are people around the world who stand up for the environment, banding together to save our natural resources. Only 5% of the Coastal old-growth Redwoods remain; a reminder of our culture of consumption.

Kyle and Hana deserve special mention. We met these two "youngsters" at a quick Lube in Brookings OR and had a good chat. Two nights later, in Redwoods they pulled into the campsite beside us. Barry (ever community minded) invited them to join  us around the campfire. We had a great time chatting until 11:30 - some drinking a bit too much beer. The next night they camped on our site with us, which saved each of us about 13 bucks, and split our wood costs in half. They are travelling down the coast, through the canyon lands, and ultimately to Ontario. We wish them well, and hope to see them again somewhere. We've met some fabulous young people on this adventure; a lot of the older folks are holed up in their RVs at night.

I love these banana slugs. Hana did too.