Flotsam and Jetsam, and Exploding Whales

Here in Oregon, we don’t have a lot going on right now.  We don’t have any huge wildfires raging, for which I am eternally grateful.  We don’t have a lot of political stuff in-state going on at the moment…no border wars or anything like that.  We don’t even have any zombies running around creating havoc.  We’ve had plenty of rain though so a little diversion is sometimes needed to keep us all minimally sane.

What we do have is some interesting flotsam and jetsam arriving on our coast from the tsunami in Japan 16 months ago.   Paulette, of Sweet Pea Quilting, mentioned it in her blog the other day.  The biggest piece to wash ashore so far is the remains of a dock, which ran aground on Agate Beach.  Contrary to some news casts, this is not in or near Portland, Oregon.  Portland is not even on the coast of Oregon, but I digress.

The latest item to wash ashore was two large rusty storage tanks welded together that showed up on Horsfall Beach recently.  Although initially thought to be tsunami debris, this has been determined to be local in origin and has already been removed.  Oh well, it provided a little excitement for the locals as long as it lasted.

The dock however, remains on Agate Beach and plans are being made to remove it on July 30th.  In talk of removing debris from Oregon beaches, one epic story remains in my mind.  It happened WAAY back in 1970, on the Oregon coast at Florence.  A large whale had beached itself and the highway department was charged with removing the remains.  What happened was unexpected and has become a legend in Oregon trivia.


Enjoy a bit of Oregon history and perhaps a chuckle in this short original vintage video of how the whale was removed from the Oregon beach.


Sorry about the links.  I am using my laptop - different operating system and version of Live Writer and can't get it to look like it should so I said the heck with it.  Just click on the link!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PZhn28_Z9wc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Here's another take on the whole incident - this one with an update.  I like this video better, especially the last thing he says.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIlKxaEIFDk

What can crash without injuring anyone?

I’ve spent most of Sunday evening and all day Monday working on a family video of my sister’s memorial service.  If you have worked with production videos, you will understand the time and effort involved in this venture.  Just figuring how to get several types of media onto the hard drive where I could have it all together was a pain.  As technology progresses and new pieces are purchased, you find that they often don’t necessarily want to play nice with one another, or sometimes even talk to each other.

So I finally got all my several types of media together, worked to integrate them into a video file, and in turn worked that into a burnable DVD file.  I set the task of burning the file and since it takes a while, I left the room.  Hadn’t been gone long when I heard the most AWFUL noise.  

If you have ever tried to teach someone how to drive a stick shift, you might recognize the noise…only this was a LOT louder.  It was the sound of my hard drive devouring itself I imagine.  I can only think of sending a hard drive through a shredder.  It was that awful.

Of course, the machine is toast so the shutdown doesn’t work so all I could do was hold down on the power switch until it went off.  It did not die easy.  Luckily I had backed up the media files to an  external hard drive but my rendered video file is no doubt chewed into little tiny bits (or bytes).  I am taking the machine in to my friend, Amy, tomorrow.  She owns a computer store and that’s where I got my laptop several years ago.  It has never given me a bit of trouble.  Unfortunately, it is older and slower and not up to the task of creating DVDs, especially ones that run to over an hour!  I like a laptop for traveling but it is hard for me to see the screen and work with the smaller keyboard for big projects.

Oh my, if it’s not one thing it’s another.   Hopefully some data can be extracted from my hard drive.  I have an external backup but am not sure when I last backed up.  Not too long ago I hope.  Some of my programs were purchased as downloads so don’t know if that will be a problem.  Guess time will tell.

In the meantime, the word for the day is always backup your work and if your computer makes a funny noise, get it checked out right away.  Oh, I didn’t tell you that did I??  It has been rather more noisy than usual lately and I kept telling myself it would go to the shop as soon as I was finished with the DVD project.  Famous last words!!  It’s all good, I’m fine, and I am definitely not losing my mind, really, I’m not…that maniacal laugh you hear is just your imagination….

Celebration Of Life

About 50 members of our family met today to say our final good byes to my sister, Sharon, who unexpectedly passed away at home last Saturday morning, June 16.



Sharon would have loved it.  Everything was decorated in purple, her favorite color, and most everyone wore purple of some sort.


My niece, Darla, worked hours on making beautiful purple pins for everyone to wear, each one different.



We had planned to have this gathering at my house but the weather forced us to move it indoors.  Sharon and Jim’s church is currently meeting at the local high school auditorium.  Sharon wanted only family at her memorial yet the church graciously rented a room at the school for us and provided a veritable feast for after the service.



My brother from Reno is a retired pastor and he once again filled the role of Pastor to the entire family.  What a wonderful blessing he was to all of us.  This was an uplifting and celebratory occasion for we have the hope of seeing Sharon again.



Although there were tears, there were good memories to be spoken of and the time of fellowship with family was outstanding.  So many family members stepped up and made this a wonderful celebration of life for all of us.  (If family members are reading this, you know who you are and that you are appreciated.  Full video is in the works for family).


Thank you Bekah and Joni for helping with the photography.  Son John is on a business trip to Georgia and could not be at the service but he sent a memory for me to read aloud.  You can read about John’s journey to Georgia here.  He is 1600 miles into his journey since Friday.


Following is a short video clip of before and after the service.  I wanted to highlight Sharon’s youngest son, Christopher.  This young man has been simply amazing throughout this entire ordeal.  He played the piano for the entire gathering and lead us in the songs that Sharon wanted us to sing.  You will hear at first a small clip of him playing Amazing Grace and then he just played from his heart while we set up the room and people started to gather.  This is entirely extemporaneous music that was coming into his head as he played.  He is amazing and Sharon was very proud of him.  Please enjoy a few moments of Christopher at the piano.





Sharon’s husband Jim concluded our gathering with the release of purple balloons as we all waved goodbye to Sharon; wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and cherished friend.  RIP dear sister, as we who remain endeavor to live in peace.

Thank You all so much

Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful Dads and Granddads.  Wishing you all the best.  I would write about my own wonderful father but I did that last year on his birthday so it would be redundant to do it again so soon.  But I did have a wonderful Dad and I love him and miss him very much.  Our loss is his gain as he will be celebrating Father’s Day today with his daughter, Sharon, my wonderful sister who joined him in heaven  yesterday.


My son, John, is off on a new adventure starting on Friday.  He is going to pick up a glider in Georgia for the museum where he volunteers and trailer it all the way back to Oregon.  You can read his blog here.  He doesn’t write often but he promises to write about this adventure and his trip.

Want to say a big thank you to all who sent condolences and words of comfort to me yesterday.  I think all the siblings kinda thought in the back of our minds that Sharon would be the first to go.  We just didn’t think it would be yesterday.  I am doing much better today than yesterday and I know each day will get a little better.  All of your comments did help so much.

We will be hosting a Celebration of Life here in our backyard next Sunday.  We did the same for my nephew when he passed away several years ago.  All the family thought it was very meaningful and Jim (Sharon’s husband) has requested that we do that again.  Sharon did not like the outdoors much but she did enjoy the beach and my backyard.  My brother, David, from Reno will be coming over to give the memorial.  He is a retired pastor and such a wonderful person.  His wife Linda is about the same age as Sharon and they were great friends. 



My two Portland area grand daughters arrived today.  Bekah will be going to Musical Theater Camp starting tomorrow and Anna will be hanging with Grandma.  Of course the first thing they wanted to know was if the pool was warmed up.  YUP it is!!


We had our first driveway boondockers from Boondockers Welcome here last week.  It was a great experience and a nice place for them to spend a couple of nights.  They left for the coast yesterday but may be leaving their toad in our driveway next week while they take another short journey.  It has worked fine and if you are interested in this program, you can check it out here.

Hope you have all enjoyed your weekend and again, thank you all for your support in the loss of my sister.  It is much appreciated.

Loss

Russ woke me early this morning to tell me that my nephew had called.  He and his dad had found my sister passed out on the floor and not breathing.  Paramedics were called and they shocked her and intubated her for transport to the hospital.  They were not able to save her and so at about 8 a.m. this morning, my dear sister, Sharon, went home to be with Jesus.  I cannot think of what else to do so I will write about her.  Writing always helps me focus and clear my mind.



I cannot begin to tell you how much this hurts.  I have written about my older sister, Laila, the one we always do crazy stuff with.  Sharon was the sister just older than me.  She  didn’t like to travel, although we used to have sister’s days at the coast when we were all younger.  Sharon was the sane one in the family and tried (unsuccessfully) to keep Laila and me in line.

Sharon has not been well for many years but her main problem was intense unremitting pain.  She had had several unsuccessful back surgeries and the pain just wouldn’t quit.  But she never gave up.  She did as much as she could and still took care of her house, her husband, and the one son who still lives at home.  She was at church as often as she was able.  She went to grandkids performances and graduations.  She NEVER GAVE UP.


We used to have a “Sister’s Day” once a week where the three sisters would get together and just hang out.  It used to be an all day thing, then as Sharon became more disabled we would just get together for lunch once a week.  Lately those lunches were few and far between.  Yet last Monday, I asked both sisters to please come to lunch at my house before Laila left on her trip to Reno.  We had a great sister’s lunch just sitting in my back yard and talking about life.  I am so glad we had this time.

Thursday I found out she was sick.  I called her husband and he said she had been vomiting for a couple of days but refused to see the doctor.  He did say the next day that she was keeping down some Gatorade and seemed to be doing better.  Then this morning, it was all over.  I don’t really know what happened yet, and that is hard. 


But this I DO know, Sharon loved the Lord and I know she is in heaven safe in the arms of Jesus.  We three sisters were as close as any sisters I have ever known.  We all live within a mile of one another.  We have had our little squabbles from time to time but NOTHING ever came between us and our deep love for one another.  To know that Sharon is gone would be unbearable without the assurance that we will meet again. 


Take nothing for granted and do not pass up a chance to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.  Some years back I made a video for my sisters.  I share it here as my tribute to Sharon.  She sure got a kick out of it.  I love you Sharon and will miss you all the days of my life.

Google Photo Storage

I recently received an email from Google stating that my storage plan was about to expire and needed my attention.

When I went to check my account at Google, this was the first screen I saw.

I currently have the 80 GB storage plan for $20 annually.  Notice it says this plan is no longer available.  I almost didn’t read further and was about to select the 100 GB plan when I decided to do what I should have done in the first place and read further.

Clicking on the “learn more” link brought me to this page showing the old vs. the new storage plans.  The old pricing plans are annual and the new ones are all monthly.


Not to bore you with all the screen prints…another page listed the smallest plan now available is 25 GB for $2.49 monthly.  That is more than I pay now for the 80 GB plan.

If you slog your way through all the new plan information, you will eventually see where you can keep your old plan but there are conditions.  You can read them below.  It’s a good thing I checked my account info as my credit card has a new expiration date and I had not updated it.  According to the new rules, if you make any changes to your storage plan OR if payment information is not up to date, you lose your old plan. 

So, just a heads up.  If you use Google for storing your photos, make sure you update your account when it comes time for renewal.  If you only upload small sized photos, you may even be fine with the free storage. If you have a purchased plan, just remember,  you don’t have to change just because your plan is no longer available if you follow the rules.  Just be aware that the plans are changing and do your research to find the plan that is right for you.

Gratuitous bug on flower picture!!

Paradise Campground–Near Walterville, OR

There is just something about a woodsy, well-treed, riverside campground.  When I was a kid, we often camped in a tent alongside a creek or a lake.  The thought of having electrical or water hook-ups never entered our head.  Of course back then it was safe to drink right out of the creek.  Many times we would camp and never see another person near our campsite.

I can remember making a small dam or tying our sodas in a bag and dunking them in the creek to keep them cool.  A watermelon never tasted better than one that had been cooled all day by the gurgling stream.  When Mom and Dad finally got a little 15’ camp trailer, we all thought we were really living.  It even had an ICE-BOX to keep things cool inside!  As I remember, Daddy still preferred to cook outside over the campfire.  Nothing smells better in the morning than campfire smoke, the fragrance of sizzling bacon and the aroma of campfire coffee.

For some reason, Paradise Campground brings back all those memories.  Oh sure, I like staying in the full- hookup places too.  I am spoiled and I want my internet connection, water, electric, and sewer.  I admit I enjoy these creature comforts.  But when you want to truly relax and enjoy nature, try a Forest Service Campground.

Paradise Campground is located on Hwy. 126, The McKenzie Highway, about 60 miles east of Eugene, OR.  There are both reservable and first come, first served spaces available.  There are clean flush toilets but some loops still have pit toilets.  Water is available but not to hook-up.  Cost is $18 or $9 with an America the Beautiful pass.  There is NOT a sewer dump at this location.

This is just up the road from Takoda’s restaurant and Harbick’s Country Store so you are always close to supplies.  Even if you don’t need anything, this store is a hoot to visit.  They have a little of everything.

Our favorite space at Paradise is #17, where we have camped in the past with Brian and Laila.  This space is a double and so the cost is double, but for us it was well worth it.  You can easily fit 2 rigs, a toad, and several tents in this space and have room left over.  This is the driveway, two asphalt spurs.


This site has direct, low bank access to the river.  Some folks just cannot stay out of the water no matter how old they get!


That little quiet pool next to the bank is our camp “refrigerator” when we stay here.  Yes, I still like the river cooled sodas and watermelons.

Looking towards the river from the parking area…


Looking back from the river towards the road (the restrooms are right across the street)…


This is a popular stretch of river for both rafters and drift boats and at this site, you can take your chairs right down to the water’s edge and watch the activity.  One day we made big signs with numbers on them (like the Olympics) and would hold them up as rafters came through the riffles.  We had a lot of fun and got some friendly waves from the folks on the water.


Lots of good memories here.  Unfortunately, Brian and Laila now do all their camping at those fancy Marriott campgrounds…you know, the ones with the pillow-top mattresses and indoor plumbing!!  But we still enjoy day trips to the more rustic places and Russ and I still enjoy sitting around a campfire and listening to the song of the river.  Paradise??  Yup, I do believe it is.

In other news, we have recently signed up at a site called Boondockers Welcome.  The idea is to list your name and city if you have room for someone to boondock on your property for a night or two on their way through town.   It is designed to help those folks who are just passing through and need a place to get some sleep.  We just got our first inquiry and have responded to the request.  We will see how it works out but it seems, at least on the surface, to be a good idea.  For those of you still in Sticks and Bricks, check it out and see what you think.

Grandgirls are coming Sunday for three weeks so I’m sure to have some stories to tell then.  Thanks for stopping by and traveling along with us on the Beautiful McKenzie Highway.

More Things to See Along the McKenzie Highway, East of Eugene, OR

Included in our stops for the day was a quick visit to the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, not to be confused with the McKenzie Fish Hatchery that I wrote about yesterday.  This hatchery is no longer in use and has been converted to a Lane County Park.  This is a fee park but again you can stop for up to 30 minutes without paying the fee.  There are restrooms and picnic tables and lots of beautiful trails to explore.


One of the things I love about western Oregon is that no matter where you go, there is always a trail to somewhere or other that begs exploring. 

There is also an observation deck overlooking one of the old holding ponds.  We saw lots of salamanders in the water, something I haven’t seen for a long time.  Russ wanted to catch one – boys never change, do they?


An old waterwheel brings out the kid in all of us.  Try as he might, Russ could not make it move.


For you golfers, we visited one of the premier golf courses in Oregon, Tokatee Golf Club.  Although we didn’t go out on the course, we knew there were terrific views of the Three Sisters Mountains and so we drove in just for the pictures.  We were not disappointed as the snowcapped peaks put on quite a display with the clear blue sky as a backdrop.  This is almost across the street from Takoda’s, where we had lunch.

Can you imagine looking at this as you play your round of golf?  How could you keep your mind on the game?  But I guess being surrounded by beauty is one of the reasons golfers do what they do.







From there it was just about 20 miles east to Sahalie Falls.  The falls were as full as I have ever seen them and the cascading water provided a cooling mist along the trail.  This is a fully accessible trail and viewing area.  There is limited RV parking and I would not attempt it in anything over about 30’. There is ample parking for cars.  Pit toilets are available.  This is a free attraction. 

It was really too bright and sunny to get good pictures but here are a couple.  This is such a beautiful area and the water is just crystal clear.  The McKenzie river flows from Clear Lake just a little further up the road and provides the drinking water for Eugene.










A trail connects Sahalie Falls with Koosha Falls but it’s quite a hike so we drove between the two.  Koosah has parking for only about 6 cars and no RVs could fit in there, except perhaps the 24’ or shorter.  There is a campground adjacent, Ice Cap Campground, which might provide a place to park your rig while you walked over for a visit.  There is a trail to the top and a trail that goes towards the middle of the falls.  Both trails end in viewing areas.  The lower trail includes stairs and is a bit steep in places, but well maintained.  If I can do it, most anyone can!!


The walk is well worth the effort.


To really get the feel for these magnificent waters, you have to hear them.  Here’s a short 15 second clip.


I caught this fella cleaning up the leftover snacks from visitors.  He had a preference for Fritos.  I know it’s a Blue Jay but I’m not sure of the variety.  I think it’s a Stellar Jay.


Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to Paradise…Campground that is!!  Right on the McKenzie River it is one of our favorite Forest Service Campgrounds.

The Beautiful McKenzie Highway

Today was nothing but blue skies and sunshine.  We could have used that time to work in the yard but what the heck – the work will still be here tomorrow but the sunshine might not be. So we loaded up the car with the kids – but not the furkids this time – instead our travel companions of the day were my sister Laila, and her husband, Brian.  I apologize to those of you with slow internet connections.  Many pictures tonight, all ones I want to be sure go into my next memory book.  Sorry.

Our itinerary was just a drive up the beautiful McKenzie Highway, route 126 between Eugene and Sisters, OR.   We drove about 130 miles round trip and all we saw would be way too long for one post. 

Our first stop was Hendricks Bridge Wayside.  This is a county park, day use only.  There is a day use fee here but you can stop for 30 minutes without paying a fee.  We have an annual county parks pass so we’re good to go at any Lane County Park. 


This is a great park for picnics and is a popular place for taking out or launching drift boats and rafts.  The McKenzie River is a great river for trout and steelhead fishing and gets  a lot of use by rafters as well.  The river is VERY high right now and the fishing is good.


When the water goes down some, this is a great sandy beach and water play area for families.  Notice that house in the background?


It’s a beautiful view, no doubt, but I just am not sure I would want to live there!


Next stop was yet another fish hatchery, the McKenzie Fish Hatchery. There were only small fry in most of the tanks but the landscaping was beautiful and the flowers simply gorgeous. And it was a good walk.


It seems there are always nice picnic areas at fish hatcheries – have no idea why!












More roses all along the visitor’s center.


Laila confirmed what I suspected – this was a Mr. Lincoln, my favorite rose.


Russ threatened to throw Brian in the salmon holding tank but Brian knew what to do.


There were still some Rhodies in bloom and Brian found one that matched his Duck Colors.

Isn't he just precious?!?!

Russ found a great watering hole.

Unfortunately, I think that’s the spout where the fishies come out!!  They load up the tanker trucks with fish to be released into the streams and rivers.  There is good parking here for all but the largest of rigs.

Our next stop was lunch at Takoda's.  If you are traveling the McKenzie Hwy., this is THE BEST place to stop for a meal.  They serve great food and you can sit outside on their beautifully landscaped patio.

They recently opened a restaurant in Sisters, OR as well.  But do be careful of those plastic chairs on the rough aggregate patio.  Russ went to get up and those chairs do NOT scoot.  One leg got stuck, broke and folded under the chair, and Russ ended up on his keister with the chair seat still attached to his seat!  Luckily he wasn’t hurt but unfortunately, I didn’t have the camera handy.

Gonna have to wrap this up.  We still have the Tokatee Golf Course to visit with its gorgeous views of the snow-capped Three Sisters Mountains.  Then we went on to Sahalie Falls, Koosha Falls, and Paradise Campground.  If you are traveling this way, Paradise is in my opinion, one of the best campgrounds in the state.  But all that will wait for tomorrow.  Hope to see you back here.