A few miles from home in front of the lighthouse (which you can't really see here!)
kayakingWednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Week 1
We made it through our first week. Erica's job is going well and she is liking her co-workers and learning some interesting things about local culture.
On Saturday we went Kayaking. We started at Siltcoos Lake and went down the Siltcoos River to the Ocean and then back. It was about a 6 - 7 mile kayak trip. Not being used to Kayaking we found ourselves using muscles that were dormant but soon became active. The river was crystal clear in most spots. We saw some salmon beginning to run but not much else for wild life.
After that we drove up the shore about an hour or so to see some whales. No luck again. I am beginning to think it is a tourist gag, kinda like Wall Drug.
On Sunday we went in land to go hiking and see some waterfalls. We went about 45 miles to see the Kentucky Falls. The last 15 miles were on a winding one way dirt road up and down a scenic mountain. We had to move trees that had fallen over the road and maneuver around rock slides. A little different than back home.
When we got to the trail it was another mile or two hike to the falls. We were miles from any where and walking along cliff sides and in bear infested woods. The scenery was magnificent and the hike was great. Very up-hill at times.
After the Kentucky Falls we went to Sweet Creek Falls. The trail was much easier but just as scenic. The falls were up and down the river but not as high as Kentucky. We saw no bears or any other wildlife, we were kinda hoping to see something we would not have to run from but no luck.
On Saturday we went Kayaking. We started at Siltcoos Lake and went down the Siltcoos River to the Ocean and then back. It was about a 6 - 7 mile kayak trip. Not being used to Kayaking we found ourselves using muscles that were dormant but soon became active. The river was crystal clear in most spots. We saw some salmon beginning to run but not much else for wild life.
After that we drove up the shore about an hour or so to see some whales. No luck again. I am beginning to think it is a tourist gag, kinda like Wall Drug.
On Sunday we went in land to go hiking and see some waterfalls. We went about 45 miles to see the Kentucky Falls. The last 15 miles were on a winding one way dirt road up and down a scenic mountain. We had to move trees that had fallen over the road and maneuver around rock slides. A little different than back home.
When we got to the trail it was another mile or two hike to the falls. We were miles from any where and walking along cliff sides and in bear infested woods. The scenery was magnificent and the hike was great. Very up-hill at times.
After the Kentucky Falls we went to Sweet Creek Falls. The trail was much easier but just as scenic. The falls were up and down the river but not as high as Kentucky. We saw no bears or any other wildlife, we were kinda hoping to see something we would not have to run from but no luck.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Go Vikings!!
So we are all settled in now and are getting to know the area a little bit. We plan on going whale watching tonight up the shore a little bit. Hopefully we can ride and get a picture of it to send to Hudson. Erica started her job yesterday and got thrown right into the thick of things with an initial-eval in the morning. She is learning on her feet.
Sunday we went grocery shopping to get some general supplies for the house. We also got all settled in. Unfortunately we saw no football due to the fact that we get no local channels where we live. We did however see part of the Vikings game at Jerry's on Monday. It is weird watching MNF during happy hour. The time change is one thing we are still trying to get used to.
I did get to go golfing today. It was a great day and a beautiful course. Very different from Blackberry.
Anyways, off to see the Dick.
Sunday we went grocery shopping to get some general supplies for the house. We also got all settled in. Unfortunately we saw no football due to the fact that we get no local channels where we live. We did however see part of the Vikings game at Jerry's on Monday. It is weird watching MNF during happy hour. The time change is one thing we are still trying to get used to.
I did get to go golfing today. It was a great day and a beautiful course. Very different from Blackberry.
Anyways, off to see the Dick.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Day 3
We left Butte, MT and wanted to put some miles behind us today as we have been doing a lot of site seeing the last couple days. The Montana country side was very nice and full of many antelope. We stopped in Coeur d’Alene for lunch at a local Italian restaurant and a walk along the lake. It was a nice town in Idaho. After we left Coeur d’Alene we headed west again. We went through Washington on our way to Oregon. As we entered Oregon it began to rain and continued throughout the night. On our way to Portland we traveled the Northern border of Oregon along the Columbia River. It was very scenic with mountains and hills along each side of the river. We arrived in Portland earlier enough in the night to go out for a nice relaxing meal. We decided to travel into the heart of Portland to see what we could find. We quickly realized that Portland is hard to navigate at night with the rain coming down and the map back in the hotel room. Not to mention the hundreds of people coming out of the Rose Garden after a Trailblazers scrimmage. After we got out of the heart of the city we found a nice little local brewery called Laurelwoods to have dinner and a beer to top off a long day in the car.
Day 4
Our last day on the road was more about exploring our new state as we only had about 180 miles left to Florence. We left Portland and headed to the coast and the town of Tillamook. It was still raining as we wanted to do some hiking however Erica had no rain gear. We stopped at a local sporting goods store for her to get her first rain suit. She looks like a true Oregonian now. We toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory and had some fresh ice cream and cheese. While we were leaving the cheese factory we noticed a flyer for a Seafood festival in town. Hmmm… we thought as we hadn’t had lunch yet but already had dessert. We took the flyer and headed toward the coast to see the Ocean. We saw some great overlooks and a lighthouse, which is not in use anymore but still there. As we headed away from the coast we were brought back into Tillamook and to the Seafood Festival we went. There were many local restaurants, brewery’s and winerys that had some of there stuff for us to eat and drink. It was a good lunch as we had some Salmon Chowder and a Seafood Alfredo. Good stuff. They also had many local artists, designers and jewelry makers. We headed down the coast after lunch and just out of town we saw a herd of Elk. Really cool. As we continued down the Oregon Costal Byway, which is absolutely amazing we saw many great places we could have stopped but pressed on towards Florence. We did make a quick detour to a small sign that said Falls. It was a one lane dirt road about 3 miles straight into the forest. Then we had to walk another ½ mile to see the amazing falls. One of many I am sure.
We got to Florence about 6 pm and found our house for the next three months. Saturday night we went out to a local seafood restaurant. Some crab, shrimp and steak were good. Then we found a couple local bars to have a beer to welcome us home.
We left Butte, MT and wanted to put some miles behind us today as we have been doing a lot of site seeing the last couple days. The Montana country side was very nice and full of many antelope. We stopped in Coeur d’Alene for lunch at a local Italian restaurant and a walk along the lake. It was a nice town in Idaho. After we left Coeur d’Alene we headed west again. We went through Washington on our way to Oregon. As we entered Oregon it began to rain and continued throughout the night. On our way to Portland we traveled the Northern border of Oregon along the Columbia River. It was very scenic with mountains and hills along each side of the river. We arrived in Portland earlier enough in the night to go out for a nice relaxing meal. We decided to travel into the heart of Portland to see what we could find. We quickly realized that Portland is hard to navigate at night with the rain coming down and the map back in the hotel room. Not to mention the hundreds of people coming out of the Rose Garden after a Trailblazers scrimmage. After we got out of the heart of the city we found a nice little local brewery called Laurelwoods to have dinner and a beer to top off a long day in the car.
Day 4
Our last day on the road was more about exploring our new state as we only had about 180 miles left to Florence. We left Portland and headed to the coast and the town of Tillamook. It was still raining as we wanted to do some hiking however Erica had no rain gear. We stopped at a local sporting goods store for her to get her first rain suit. She looks like a true Oregonian now. We toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory and had some fresh ice cream and cheese. While we were leaving the cheese factory we noticed a flyer for a Seafood festival in town. Hmmm… we thought as we hadn’t had lunch yet but already had dessert. We took the flyer and headed toward the coast to see the Ocean. We saw some great overlooks and a lighthouse, which is not in use anymore but still there. As we headed away from the coast we were brought back into Tillamook and to the Seafood Festival we went. There were many local restaurants, brewery’s and winerys that had some of there stuff for us to eat and drink. It was a good lunch as we had some Salmon Chowder and a Seafood Alfredo. Good stuff. They also had many local artists, designers and jewelry makers. We headed down the coast after lunch and just out of town we saw a herd of Elk. Really cool. As we continued down the Oregon Costal Byway, which is absolutely amazing we saw many great places we could have stopped but pressed on towards Florence. We did make a quick detour to a small sign that said Falls. It was a one lane dirt road about 3 miles straight into the forest. Then we had to walk another ½ mile to see the amazing falls. One of many I am sure.
We got to Florence about 6 pm and found our house for the next three months. Saturday night we went out to a local seafood restaurant. Some crab, shrimp and steak were good. Then we found a couple local bars to have a beer to welcome us home.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
We Made It!
Florence, MN only 1800 Miles to go! Day 1
We started off Wednesday morning from Marshall just before 8. From there we headed west to Huron to have lunch with Denny and Yvonne in Huron, SD. After that it was off to The Hills. It was a relaxing drive through SD as we checked out many of the fields. We made a stop at 1880 town for a short break. It was just buildings from that era, nobody doing much there so we had to make our own fun. Erica played piano as I bar tended. It was off season so not a lot of traffic, we got bored fairly quick. We left 1880 and headed to The Hills. We made a stop at Mt. Rushmore to see the dead presidents. We walked around for a bit to loosen up our legs and get some air. We saw some wildlife along the trail with some real live mountain goats. We left Mt. Rushmore and headed to the Cosmos but it was closed when we got there. Not to pleased about that. We wanted to head to the Crazy Horse so we thought we would cross through Custard State Park. It was getting close to dark and the dear were just starting to come out. The 15 mile drive took us and hour and a half. Deer every where, switch backs, narrow roads and one lane tunnels. It was amazingly beautiful though. From there we headed to Deadwood for the night. A nice dinner, a couple of drinks and some gambling tied up the night. No gun fights though.
Day 2
We left Deadwood bright and early the next morning and thanks to some advice from a local server, we headed through spearfish canyon. We saw our first of many waterfalls, drove through the beautiful fall colors and continued on to Wyoming. We soon discovered we started our road trip at the ideal time to experience the true fall colors...wow we saw some amazing views. We were headed to Yellowstone and passed through the Cody, Wyoming area which was one of the most scenic legs of the trip. We continued through the mountains, valleys and forest to Yellowstone. We made our way through the mountain roads and wildlife to Old Faithful. We saw the many geysers and again made our way through the park at dusk keeping a close eye out for the elk, deer, bison and tourists...unfortunately no bears were spotted. We left the park and headed into Montana. Our drive from Yellowstone to Butte appeared to be a scene straight out of a horror movie. Our cell phones were dead, there were 3 other vehicles in a 50 mile stretch and an old pickup truck passed and flashed his lights and as Brian returned the favor he slammed on his brakes and appeared to be turning around. We survived the onslaught as the trusty 4 cylinder Altima drove us out of the desolate canyon. We spent the night in Butte, MT with one eye open and our doors tightly locked.
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