Fall Frolics and Silly Squirrels

Before I talk about the last couple of days, I just want to take a minute and thank all the wonderful folks out there who read my blog and comment once in a while (or more often!).  Like many other bloggers, I started this as a way to keep in touch with friends and family when we travel and also as a diary to help me remember the where we had been!!

When other folks started following my blog, I was astounded.  I had no idea there was an entire community of like minded people out there in the blogosphere.  Some of you I have been privileged to meet and others I certainly hope to meet someday.  These friendships and sense of community have become very meaningful to me.  And if we disagree from time to time, or tease, or laugh or cry together, well…that’s what friends are for!  Thank you all for being my friends.

And now back to our regularly scheduled blog, already in progress!

What a great two days we have had here in Eugene.  A bit on the damp side, but the temperatures are still mild, with just a bit of a nip in the air.

We have been making regular trips to the lake to exercise the dogs (and ourselves!)  The lake has already begun to shrink as the water is drawn down in anticipation of the rains to come.  The boats are being removed from their summer moorage.


It always looks kinda lonely when the slips are empty and the water starts to recede.


This fella is getting a head start on his treasure hunting this year!

Don’t think I would be that dedicated.

We went to Detering Orchard to pick up some apples and just enjoy the nice day.  We found an interesting bin of onions that Russ said had Jerry’s name written all over it.


I think they have a Peanut Butter Bush growing out back. The jars were in all sizes – just like the onions.

Here are some more pictures of Detering Orchard and their wonderful fall colors.



We are so fortunate to have farms and orchards within minutes of our house.  Today we visited our favorite farm, Lone Pine.  I have to admit to thinking Lone Pine is getting a little too big for its britches!!  They have become so commercial that it really isn’t a family farm anymore.  But on the plus side, it’s a great attraction for kids and at least gets them out on the farm. 

Some of the produce is still raised right here on the farm but in the fall, the hayrides and attractions seems to be the big drawing card.  I noticed something new inside the store.  They had little bags of what looked like sand but it promised an artifact of some type inside each bag.  These little bags sold for almost $5.  Seemed silly…until I went outside and saw they had installed sluice!  Buy your bag of sand then run it through the sluice and discover “Treasure”!!


Well, I suppose the kids get a kick out of it.  Click on the slide show below for more pictures from the farm.



Back at home Russ saw this little critter scampering around the yard.  He was digging holes all over the lawn…big holes…holes his whole upper body could disappear into.  When Russ went out to have a heart-to-heart with him, he was all sweetness and innocence.


And that of course is…  THE END!

Dorena Lake and Row River Trail

 Thanks to all of you who responded to my difficulty yesterday.  It was indeed a lack of storage space at Picasa.  Thanks Rick for the heads up.  I was certain I had increased my storage about a month ago so now I will need to go back and check my VISA bill and see what happened.  It's sure nice to have friends like you all who will help and offer ideas when someone gets stuck.  I really appreciate your friendship.

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

July 5, 2011

About 20 miles south of Eugene on I-5 rests the little town of Cottage Grove, Oregon.  With a population of under 10,000, Cottage Grove is quintessential Small Town America and was selected as an All-America City in 1968 and 2004.  Not sure who does the selecting but it seems to be quite an honor!!

Cottage Grove has two major lakes within close driving distance of the city, Cottage Grove Lake and Dorena Reservoir.  We visited Dorena today with the dogs (of course) and our oldest grandson, Tim, who is spending his vacation here with us.


Following along the north shore of the lake for quite a while is the Row River Trail.  This is not pronounced like “row” your boat but if you can rhyme with “cow” you can say the name of this trail…that is how Oregonians remember how to pronounce it and the river for which it is name.  Seems that the name of the river was the result of an argument between a couple of fellas a long time ago.  You can read about it here.



This trail uses what was once a narrow gauge railway line.  It is all paved and closely follows the lake.  I can remember when the railway line way still in use as a tourist attraction and we took my folks for a ride around the lake.  We all loved it.




There are several access points along the trail and we parked in one of the larger ones.  harms Park has a boat ramp, picnic tables and restrooms.  There was only one other car in the lot when we arrived and it soon left and we had the place all to ourselves.  We pulled out the easy chairs and enjoyed the view.



The lake was a little rough today so Rusty wouldn’t go swimming…but he did have an encounter with a frog in the ditch along the trail.  The frog won!

This bridge is part of the trail on the north end of the lake.




After our short walk we sat and just enjoyed the scenery.  Tim has been working 50 hour weeks lately so he was happy for the break.



And that’s what happens when you are tired and sit in one place too long.  Thanks Grandpa, you’ll get paid back one of these days!!

There is a nice road all around the lake and we set off to see the other side and visit Baker Bay, the more commercialized park on the lake.  Along the way we saw some pastoral country.


If you look closely, you can see the hitch hikers on the back of the brown horse.

At the east end of the lake is the Dorena Covered Bridge constructed in 1949 and no longer in use.  There are six covered bridges in Cottage Grove and people come from miles around just to take a driving tour of all the bridges.


This is the Row River, which is dammed to form Dorena Lake.  The flat rocks make this a popular swimming area.


We got to the south side of the lake where Baker Bay is located and Russ completely missed the turn.  No place to turn around for quite a while so we just came on home.  Need to save something for another day.

July 6, 2011
We took Tim back where we used to take him and his younger brother, Mike, when they were just little shavers….Heceta Head Beach.  Since I have written about that not too long ago I won’t bore you with leftovers!!  It was cold and windy on the beach today but we had a wonderful trip anyway.