Jeremy Comes To Visit Us

 My Grandson Jeremy drove from Colorado Springs to Yachats to visit us on his way to Napa.  It was quite an effort, a long detour, and we were honored he would do this.  He is an apprentice electrician and hopes to find work in the SF Bay Area.  His grandmother is generously letting him stay in her cottage behind her house.  He arrived on New Year's Eve, and left on the 5th.

On New Year's Day, we all took a hike up Gwynn Creek Trail to the tree we call "The Big Momma".

On the second, Jeremy and I drove to Waldport to get the skinny on freshwater fishing from the local bait and tackle shop.  From there, we browsed a used book store, and then went up to Seal Rock for a little beach walk.  Gail had an obligation up in Newport and couldn't bum around with us on this afternoon.

An overview of the beach at Seal Rock.  We hit it at low tide.

We had so much good food!  Black-eyed peas from Nick and Lauren with collard greens, chowder from Luna Sea, food from Taste of India, and the last night at The Drift Inn.

The friendly woman at the Bait and Tackle Shop in Waldport suggested we fish for steelhead 18 miles up the Alsea River at Mike Bauer's Plunking Shack.  The shack was occupied, so we fished in the open.  Fortunately, it didn't rain the 5 hours we were there.

From the bridge looking down at Jeremy, on the right.  You can see the roof of the plunking shack on the right, which is open in front, and has a wood burning stove.  

Fishing was slow, as it was early in the season we were told.  This woman caught a nice sized steelhead.  We saw a couple other steelhead caught, but Jeremy didn't have luck.  We learned a lot from the other fisherpersons there.  They went out of their way to help Jeremy and show him the best set-up.  We'll be better prepared the next time.

Looking down from the bridge I had a good view of a flock of Canada Geese,

I also watched a Black Phoebe catching insects.  Only recently have they been this far north as climate change seems to be expanding their range.

Sunday the fourth, we went to City Lights in Florence and saw Marty Supreme.  Timothee Chalamet's acting was superb!  

Monday the 5th, it was time to say goodbye.  We miss you, JJ !

Winchester Bay Trip

 On December 29, we headed down to Winchester Bay, just south of Reedsport, to meet Paula and her dog Iggy.  We met Paula through Lorie, as they have been long time friends.

On the way down, we stopped to look at the view of the Haceta Head Lighthouse.  We were surprised to see hundreds of sea lions on the beach right below us.  Gail had the binoculars and saw several sea lions playing with a buoy.  They were pushing it around and flinging it in the air!

We had a nice long beach walk along Winchester Bay and down the beach past the jetties.   

Unfortunately, Gail was struck by an arrow.  

On the way home, we drove down to the beach below the Haceta lighthouse keeper's house to watch the sun go down.

Gail took this shot, a fitting end to a gorgeous winter day.