Dlog

On saturday, Teressa and I went to Cape Lookout on the Oregon coast just south of Tillamook. It is a 2.4 mile hike (one way, and you had to go back) to get to the end of a huge land mass that juts about 2.5 miles out into the ocean. It was grey and rainy when we got there, and within minutes cleared to a beautiful day.
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We started out the day with waffles and eggs and sausage and coffee, then stopped on our way out of town to take some photos, and buy some binoculars. Cape Lookout is about 350-400 feet tall. So when you see the photos of Teressa on the edge, think about that. The trail goes right up to the edge in many spots. It was very, very muddy, but we were both prepared for that. The mud, though, made walking a challenge being slippery and exposing many tree roots, so our ankles and calves are really sore now. White flowers with pink stripes, Trillium, lined the trail. They are protected. They have groups of three leaves around each flower. We don’t know what the pink flowers are. All of these photos are from the same trail on the same day. So dig the difference in weather, and dig that we are at the coast and still in the forest at the same time!

When we got to the end of the trail we saw grey whales traveling back north, they spent the winter in southern california having babies. It was hard to spot them. They only breach every now and then so what you are looking for is the spout of water and used air coming from their blow holes. We read later that the spout can be 12 feet high, which sounds big, but when you are 350 feet above the water on a windy day, it is difficult to distinguish whale spouts from the white caps of waves. We did see some, though. And it was very satisfying. We had cheese and crackers and water there at the end of the trail, and were visited by a cute little bird interested in our crumbs. It seemd fairly tame for a wild creature, so it brings to mind the nature of the nature. Teressa and I tried to imagine being the only people there, and being there before the west coast was settled. It is unfortunately difficult, given the trails and occasional foot bridges, signs, etc. On the way home we stopped at a hidden little restaurant, near a tiny river that seemed to be good fishing. We had a salad, a very wonderful fish sandwich, and some pork medallions that had been soaked in brandy, and we shared a big old ice cold beer. Then we drove the rest of the way home and watched 4 more episodes of Lost, and then collapsed into bed.

We referred to this trip as part of my birthday. If that is the case, then I have had so many wonderful birthdays with Teressa. She is my best friend, and so much fun to travel with. I can’t wait to drive across the country with her to show her Kentucky and introduce her, finally, to my family.