Redwoods, Crescent City, CA Sept 30

Today we hiked in the redwoods near Crescent City, CA. Spectacular, but impossible to photograph.

6th Decade on this planet

Well it's finally happened. No more put'n it off. I hit 60. I'm getting email from funeral homes, nursing homes, scooter stores, and viagra dealers. So what more fitting way to celebrate the passing of that land mark than to go check out what underground looks like. So into the Oregon Caves National Monument we went.

One of the first things I noticed is that when you turn out all the lights it's dark and it enhances your chances of smacking your head. However when you throw a little light on you are surounded by surrealistic carvings that have taken millenia to make. (or just 6000 years according to some)

The first white guy who found the cave went in after his hunting dog who chased a bear into the cave. He went in well prepared.... His gun wouldn't fit through the hole, he had a few matches in his pocket, a knife on his belt and the sounds of a dog and a bear fighting. Makes sense to me. Once more giving truth to the saying "If you're gunna be dumb, you got to be tough". He obviously got out but it didn't occure to him that it might be a good idea to leave the cave till he burnt up his last match. When he finally did make it outside there was his dog waiting for him.

The cave was pretty cool (44 F) with many large rooms but early visitors had freely helped themselves to souviners and taken many of the the stalagtits and mites that were there.

The Lodge was actually more interesting than the caves. (they had beer)

It was sided with Port Orford Ceader Bark and if you get up close and look at you swear you're looking at a tree.

The Lobby was fantastic with large timber framing, great views, comfortable chairs (excellent for napping), and a large friendly fire place.

The coffee shop was of the same vintage

So were the milk shakes and malts!!!!!! Apparently Sue has taken out the life insurance policy because my bday lunch was this with a huge basket of fries.

Sept 29, Crescent City, CA

Arrived here this afternoon. John drove on a very narrow, windy road, we had the rock wall on our side and we kept meeting other RVs and trucks. We went into a campground in the Redwoods and saw immediately that there was not enough clearance between the trees and had to unhook the toad, back up to get out. Checked out another campground and it was the same, but this time we did not go in. We are now at a lovely RV resort in Crescent City, that has redwoods in it and more room. We went down to the beach to check it out. Can't take the light house tour, tide is too high and it covers the road to it. We then went on a search for a brew pub, but there is not one here, or much of anything else businesses wise. Tomorrow we will check out the redwoods in the car.
Here is the lighthouse, with the road under water.

The rocky beach.

Penguin in the redwoods

These seals, sea lions were sleeping on a dock. At the end are white harbor seals lined up side by side, each on their right sides. The rest of the dock was kind of helterskelter.

As usual I am amused by some of the signs I found!

Sept 29, Cresent City, Ca

We have been off the grid for a few days. In a valley by Oregon Caves National Monument, outside Cave Junction Ore. We took a guided tour of the cave. Had lunch at the coffee shop at the lodge and went home and celebrated John's 60th!

Here we have the Penguin at Emigrant Lake Ore, and the sunset the last night we were there.

This is at Oregon Caves National Monument. A shot inside and John coming out the exit.

My photo of the Lodge did not come out well, but this poster is good. Here is a shot of the view  by the dining room. the creek runs thru the cave-River Styx and then comes down to this reflecting pool and thru the dining room.

I took these hiking around the Caves Monument. John reluctantly celebrated his 60th when we got home.

He hated the tiara. I can't understand it, since I spent so long shopping for it. He refused to wear it all day.

sept 25 Emigrant reservoir, Ashland Ore

John says we did a triathlon today. We Pedaled along the Bear Creek bike path, had the bartender Pull us a beer at the Standing stone brewery, and then Paddled on the lake. Men. Lovely Indian summer day to play out side.

Going, going, gone.

Emigrant Reservoir                                                                             baby grebes

My hot man.

Home sweet home    and shore line 

No better way to sun bathe!