Three Sisters Wilderness

In retrospect, we did not know that this will be the last weekend that we could successfully camp in Oregon.  Around that time, Oregon begins it long 5 month rainy season.

Barely settled into our new home of Eugene, we embarked to the Cascade Range, home to the Three Sisters volcanic peaks, about an hour and half east for an extended weekend due to the plumbing issues at Martha's new job (seriously not my fault).  With most of our adventures, we had no expectations, just a weekend in solitude.

Our first hike was Little Belknap Crater.  Hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail following a lava flow path to the source, a throat shaped cave at Little Belknap.  Along the way we passed lava bombs (large chunks of molten rock) and pressure ridges and it was amazing to see the two distinct different landscapes of molten rock and forested islands left in the aftermath of the eruption.  The hike was slightly slower than expected, since the path consisted of sharp and jagged lava rocks.

Where's Martha?

Little Belknap

Put the nap at Belknap

After taking a sunbathing break, we proceeded to the Belknap Crater.  There were two paths up to the Crater, gradual elevation gain and longer mileage, or steep and shorter, we chose the latter.  When I say we, I really meant me, with Martha verbally abusing me all the way up.  The path went for hard molten lava, to soft sandy sand, making the hike a different type of difficult.

Helloooooo?

Eventually making it to the top, we had a gorgeous view of Mt. Washington and faint view of North and Middle Sister Peak, along with another snack and sunbathing break. 

North and Middle Sister

Belknap Crater

 We returned to camp and rewarded ourselves for a good hiking day with mucho food.

The next day we went to Clear Lake and rented a row boat where I became Martha's indentured rowing servant.  Perhaps revenge for the day before hiking choice.

Pop-Art!

Gorgeous place, unfortunately with the weather, we were not able to return here for the rest of our Eugene assignment.

A Very Redwood Christmas

We spent Christmas this year in the California Redwoods, hiking, relaxing, hiding from the rain, and of course eating.  Will and Jane coerced us to join them, and so we braved the rain.  The guys created a masterful rain canopy of tarps (that the ranger later yelled at us for...) so we could enjoy our food.  First full day, we embarked on an "8 mile" journey through the redwoods, to the beach, and back to camp.  12 miles, lots of water crossings and backtracking, and intense 4 mile sprint later, we returned to camp just before dark.  Much food consumed, including Will's spectacular beef enhanced chili, sweet potatoes and chicken, and an assortment of goodies were consumed near the campfire.  The following day, we were a bit pooped, so VP and I took a light hike to an old barn, built by early settlers that was built about 100 years ago.  We forgot water on that trip, and VP was a bit parched when we arrived at the barn.  We then proceeded to the giant Paul Bunyan and Big Blue.  Who can resist giant characters? Not us.  Despite the rain, we had a fantastic weekend, Christmas, and had great company. 

 

I like Big Buttes

Sunday, that means Chicago Bears football.  The game is at 10:00 am pacific time, so we tried to cram a quick hike.  We galloped to a local favorite, Spencer Butte.  Short mileage and quick elevation gain (800 ft).  Hikes like this remind us why we are doing what we are doing.  Hikes like this reveals martha's anger she has towards my physical fitness level. Great view in our "backyard."  Had lunch at Pita Pit, haven't had it since undergrad at UofI.  Good hike, good food, good game (bears vs panthers).

Coastal Chowder Traverse

It was a rainy one, but we did not want that to hold us back with our original plan of Sea Lion Cave.  About 1.5 hrs from Eugene, on the coast off Hwy 101, sea lions were waiting for us, or so we thought.  The front desk hostess of the caves told us that the sea lions were not in the caves, but rather playing in the sea.  We asked if there was a way we could woo the sea lions in the cave, no such luck.  So we saw a few swimming sea lions, nothing upfront and personal.  Do you know the difference between a sea lion and a seal?  The main difference is that sea lions actually walk on land while the seal crawls, whoa.  One of the guides said that the sea lions are a very lazy creature but they are capable of climbing up steep cliffs to bake in the sun.  See Sea Lions Cave, check.

We still had a few hours to spare, so we continued north on Hwy 101 for our search for an outlet mall in Lincoln City.  We are addicted to outlet malls and outlet shopping, cause we need more stuff to drive around with us.  En route to outlet mall land, we stopped in a cute small town where Martha experienced her first clam chowder.  The shop was very proud that they serve gluten-free food, but bad news for me, whenever I hear gluten-free, it usually means not egg-free.  Martha enjoyed her first chowder and the cook was so excited she chose this place to be un-virgined.

 

Sea lions, first clam chowder, outlet mall, burning full tank of gas= successful day.

Sand Boarding? Totally Righteous!

First weekend at Eugene we read that sand boarding is very popular along the coast, so we drove to Florence to see for ourselves.  It is based off of snow boarding, but instead of snow, it is sand.  We visited the sand dunes and rented a board and went attempted to perfect our craft for three hours.  It was amazing and we still have sand in our ears and butt dunes.  We don't like snow boarding cause it is very cold, but with sand boarding you can do it in shorts, simply awesome.

 

North Cascades

Between Port Angeles and Eugene we had time to do a quick trip to North Cascades NP.  Our adventures took us to Cascade Pass Trail, 1700' elevation gain 7.4 miles round trip.  To start the trip off right, we saw a cute red weasel.  This is the first time we have ever seen a weasel and Martha tried to woo it into our car, so we could take it home.  No such luck.

We don't understand why calling someone a weasel is an insult, cause if someone called us a weasel it would be a compliment, cause that means we are cute and you want to take us home.

  

The hike was gorgeous and quiet.  We were on a high ridge and we were able to see a brown bear hiking around and feasting on some delicious shrubs, mesmerizing.  Martha tried to woo it, so it would eat me.  No such luck.   

Martha naps a lot, I get bored.

 

Goodbye Port Angeles, Hello Eugene

Another assignment under our belt.  It was unfortunate that our visit here in Port Angeles ended five weeks premature, but things happen for a reason.  If it wasn't for this assignment, we would have never taken the chance to visit the Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park.  It was a great place to call home for two months.  Both National Parks are the least visited per year due to their location, so with the lack of crowds they were perfect weekend getaways.  Thank you Fitness West and the Port Angeles Tennis Club, you kept us in shape.  We enjoyed the company of coworkers weekly at Bar9.  A great crew to work with at Crestwood Nursing Home.  Sad to leave them behind, happy to move on out from the nursing home. Thank you to our neighbor Paul, who shared stories of his very colorful past.  When Paul was younger he had a pet bear and use to carry 50 gallons drum of gasoline over his shoulders.  The first time he shook my hand he almost broke all my sweet supple falanges. Strong 89 year old man. 

Paul and his cub