Saturday, December 22, 2012
Sadie's in Town!
My second side trip of the week was to Santa Cruz. my daughter Victoria is there with her husband and my darling granddaughter Sadie visiting her in-laws. So I drove over to the coast to have a little visit!
We are looking forward to another visit next week!
I have been remiss in my postings here form Pinnacles! We have enjoyed the hiking and wildlife and getting settled in with our tasks as Camp Hosts.
I have taken a couple of side trip in the past week. Sunday the 14th I drove to Los Angeles to visit with my sister. It was my first chance to see her new home and to visit with some family as she was hosting a house warming/holiday get together.
I drove the beautiful and very winding Route 25 to Coalinga where I picked up I 5 and zipped into LA. The drive over 25 took its toll as poor Vinny was car sick. As a retired show dog he has spend a lot of time in a car and never fusses but the road was just too much!
Liza's loft it very cool and well suited to her. I arrived 90 mins before the scheduled arrival of guests - there were one or two tasks to be done: I vacuumed and tidied while Liza and I caught up with news.
Guests included my Niece Lelah and her adorable baby Truman and my cousin Barbara.
We had a fun time watching the Ukelele players performing christmas songs and Ukelele classics
The next morning Liza drove me over to shopping center so that I could stock up on See's Candy for the season. Then Liza, Lelah, Truman and I went on a "stair walk" there are lots of interesting neighborhoods in Los Angeles which is quite hilly so there are stairs to access some homes. Our walk took us past many barking dogs as well as a stretch of conservancy land that was beautiful and remote feeling.
I have taken a couple of side trip in the past week. Sunday the 14th I drove to Los Angeles to visit with my sister. It was my first chance to see her new home and to visit with some family as she was hosting a house warming/holiday get together.
I drove the beautiful and very winding Route 25 to Coalinga where I picked up I 5 and zipped into LA. The drive over 25 took its toll as poor Vinny was car sick. As a retired show dog he has spend a lot of time in a car and never fusses but the road was just too much!
Liza's loft it very cool and well suited to her. I arrived 90 mins before the scheduled arrival of guests - there were one or two tasks to be done: I vacuumed and tidied while Liza and I caught up with news.
Guests included my Niece Lelah and her adorable baby Truman and my cousin Barbara.
We had a fun time watching the Ukelele players performing christmas songs and Ukelele classics
The next morning Liza drove me over to shopping center so that I could stock up on See's Candy for the season. Then Liza, Lelah, Truman and I went on a "stair walk" there are lots of interesting neighborhoods in Los Angeles which is quite hilly so there are stairs to access some homes. Our walk took us past many barking dogs as well as a stretch of conservancy land that was beautiful and remote feeling.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
We arrived at Pinnacles National Monument on Wednesday, December 4. We have a nice site next to the brook and away from the main camping area, but next to the large day use area. the park had 134 sites. Some RV site (only electricity) but we have all conveniences: sewer, electricity and water plus a landline and DSL!
Our duties are pretty light: we toot around in the golf cart checking campsite and making sure they have receipts for their stays. We stop and chat, answer questions and tell everyone where we last saw a bobcat/condor/turkey/feral pig/ deer. The park is brimming with wildlife. Every night as we are drifting off to sleep we hear the coyotes howl and sing.
The campground is run by a concessioner so we "work" for him but the campground is within the National Park System so there are park rangers that operate the visitors center and patrol the park and do the "enforcement" (like rowdy campers) They seem to have a good working relationship with the concessionaires.
The park is the center of the Condor Project- this the home to the largest Condor population in the world. We have volunteered to help the rangers - which involves things like dragging a cow carcass up a mountain to the feeding station.
Today we went on our first hike. There are 30 miles of trails here in the park and we are keen to hike them all before the busy season starts in March.
So here are a bunch of photos:
Our duties are pretty light: we toot around in the golf cart checking campsite and making sure they have receipts for their stays. We stop and chat, answer questions and tell everyone where we last saw a bobcat/condor/turkey/feral pig/ deer. The park is brimming with wildlife. Every night as we are drifting off to sleep we hear the coyotes howl and sing.
The campground is run by a concessioner so we "work" for him but the campground is within the National Park System so there are park rangers that operate the visitors center and patrol the park and do the "enforcement" (like rowdy campers) They seem to have a good working relationship with the concessionaires.
The park is the center of the Condor Project- this the home to the largest Condor population in the world. We have volunteered to help the rangers - which involves things like dragging a cow carcass up a mountain to the feeding station.
Today we went on our first hike. There are 30 miles of trails here in the park and we are keen to hike them all before the busy season starts in March.
So here are a bunch of photos:
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Sunday in Fortuna
We are enjoying the SUN and watching the Patriots. One nice thing about the West Coast is that we can eat homemade buttermilk waffles for brunch while watching the game. As soon as the Patriots wrap this up we are going out on our bikes. Last night we had heavy rain and wind and there were many flood alerts for Northern California. We are safe and above the flooding in our current location. The skies cleared about 10 am and the sunshine is very welcome!
We hope to be able to pick up the Miata tomorrow and head towards Hollister CA - and our new assignment. We will be camp hosts at Pinnacles National Monument campground. We are excited to be in an area of outstanding beauty (and miles of hiking trails) and one that is historically drier than Oregon.
Pinnacles is know for huge spires of rock formed from ancient volcanic activity. It is also a Condor release location for the Condor project. It is home to the Townsend Long-earred bat (which breed in the large network of caves) and to over 400 species of bees. Happily the wild pigs have mostly been eradicated and a 26 miles boundary fence helps keep it that way.
The Park is about 30 minutes drive from Hollister, a town with a strong agriculture base, though I have been told it has become quite yuppified as it is considered a commutable distance to San Jose. Hollister is highly seismically active, as the Calaveras Fault, a branch of the San Andreas Fault, actually bisect the town. There are three faults that run through the Park: Chalone Creek, Miners Gulch and Pinnacle. Well it will make a change from flooding.....
Here is rising water full of debris on the Eel River
We are enjoying the SUN and watching the Patriots. One nice thing about the West Coast is that we can eat homemade buttermilk waffles for brunch while watching the game. As soon as the Patriots wrap this up we are going out on our bikes. Last night we had heavy rain and wind and there were many flood alerts for Northern California. We are safe and above the flooding in our current location. The skies cleared about 10 am and the sunshine is very welcome!
We hope to be able to pick up the Miata tomorrow and head towards Hollister CA - and our new assignment. We will be camp hosts at Pinnacles National Monument campground. We are excited to be in an area of outstanding beauty (and miles of hiking trails) and one that is historically drier than Oregon.
Pinnacles is know for huge spires of rock formed from ancient volcanic activity. It is also a Condor release location for the Condor project. It is home to the Townsend Long-earred bat (which breed in the large network of caves) and to over 400 species of bees. Happily the wild pigs have mostly been eradicated and a 26 miles boundary fence helps keep it that way.
The Park is about 30 minutes drive from Hollister, a town with a strong agriculture base, though I have been told it has become quite yuppified as it is considered a commutable distance to San Jose. Hollister is highly seismically active, as the Calaveras Fault, a branch of the San Andreas Fault, actually bisect the town. There are three faults that run through the Park: Chalone Creek, Miners Gulch and Pinnacle. Well it will make a change from flooding.....
Here is rising water full of debris on the Eel River
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday November 28
We met with the insurance adjuster yesterday and were able to leave the Miata in a body shop just ten minutes from where we are staying in Fortuna CA. Hopefully it will be ready for us Friday, if not we will pick it up on Monday
We have several good prospects for a new posting: just waiting for the phone to ring.
We woke up this morning to the sound of rain pounding and the wind kicking up. Both the dogs were so nerved up that they threw up. Cruise does this occasional but I have never seen Vinny vomit before. They both settled down after we assured them we were no longer in a flood area and doctored their drinking water with Rescue Remedy. I have to admit I woke up with a start when the first wind gust hit the RV. I think we all have a little PTSD from the flood episode last week.
The forecast is for more rain over the next few days but we are staying put as the Miata is under cover at the body shop and we are parked in a nice park with paving and no mud!
We have been very busy with dealing with the insurance and job-seeking that Phil has not gotten in his golf game nor have I gone riding..... We are hoping to get in a viewing of Skyfall during the inclement weather as it is playing in town here.
We met with the insurance adjuster yesterday and were able to leave the Miata in a body shop just ten minutes from where we are staying in Fortuna CA. Hopefully it will be ready for us Friday, if not we will pick it up on Monday
We have several good prospects for a new posting: just waiting for the phone to ring.
We woke up this morning to the sound of rain pounding and the wind kicking up. Both the dogs were so nerved up that they threw up. Cruise does this occasional but I have never seen Vinny vomit before. They both settled down after we assured them we were no longer in a flood area and doctored their drinking water with Rescue Remedy. I have to admit I woke up with a start when the first wind gust hit the RV. I think we all have a little PTSD from the flood episode last week.
The forecast is for more rain over the next few days but we are staying put as the Miata is under cover at the body shop and we are parked in a nice park with paving and no mud!
We have been very busy with dealing with the insurance and job-seeking that Phil has not gotten in his golf game nor have I gone riding..... We are hoping to get in a viewing of Skyfall during the inclement weather as it is playing in town here.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Flooding post script
Being stranded is interesting. Suddenly one feels as if one has a lot of errands to do. The road to the park was washed out for 36 hours. That this was Thanksgiving eve added to the anxiety, as people had plans.
I admit I was very anxious about the situation. We had some wind gusts and rain on the night after the flood and I was wide awake all night. We had received lots of information about tsunami in the area and started planning how we would escaped if there were an earthquake and tsunami- and no road out. Phil and I decided that we were not comfortable with the situation at the park and let the owners know that we were pulling out as soon as the bridge was complete.When the excavator made its final pass there were guests lined up to exit the park. We left the following morning. I was very relieved when Phil made it to the other side of the little makeshift bridge with the motorhome.
We headed down 101 and with daylight running out spend Black Friday in a mall parking lot i Eureka. We actually went into the mall in search of some dinner and I bought a pair of boots at the Boot Barn (something we had tried to do but failed during our drive across the West) I can't believe we actually went shopping on Black Friday!!
We managed to avoid mall security for the night and took the dogs for a walk in the morning and stumbled into a disturbing homeless settlement in the scrubby woods around the mall. We loaded up ad hit the road for a short 20 miles drive to Fortuna where we checked into a super nice and dry RV park. After 30 seconds both Phil and I agreed we should stay here for a few days to regain our composure.
We hooked up the RV and went for a drive along the Avenue of the Giants and enjoyed spending time with the beautiful trees. We are spending the next few days walking among the trees and talking to the insurance adjuster. Phil is planning to go golfing and I am going horseback riding.
We are not sure of our next move we are looking at Camp Host jobs in California......stay tuned! In the meantime here are some photos. Enjoy!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Stormy weather.....
Well we have had a little excitement since the last posting. Friday November 16 a storm system hit us in Gold Beach bringing heavy rains (10" in 24 hours) and high winds (35 mph with gusts of 60mph) Friday night I slept very little as the RV shook and rattled in the heavy winds. Saturday it was the driving rain pounding the roof. It was so windy that I was physically unable to walk out to the beach to see the 20-25' waves. Sunday and Monday the rain never stopped. We watched the pond behind our RV site rise and Hunter Creek 100 feet from our site became a rushing, muddy rapid.
We were pretty much holed up in the RV (with the slides pulled in because of the high winds) with the two dogs while the storm hung over us. I hid under my covers certain that the pond was going to swallow the RV. I asked the locals if we should be worried about the rising waters and they waved me off with a "this is nothing, wait until December and January"
Phil and I were both up early Tuesday morning driven to desperation by the pounding of rain of the roof. About 5 am I see blinking red and blue lights and get up and look out the window to see the local police cruiser driving through the park. In his headlights I can see the entire park in under water and yell "Phil you are gonna want to see this...." Phil got on the Park walkie-talkie and alerted everyone then opened the RV door to see water rushing over the top step. He stepped down and we could see the propane tank had floated and wedged itself under the front of the Toyota which had rushing water up to its front bumper. Phil waded around and disconnected the utilities (it makes me shudder to think about him pulling the electric cable standing in two feet of water!) Before we could move the RV to higher ground we had to move the Miata which was parked perpendicular to and in front of the RV. When Phil opened the door of the car, the muddy water rushed in. Thankfully it started and he was able to drive/float it to safety, he managed to start and drive the Toyota to higher ground while I battened everything down in side to be ready to move the RV.
The RV started up and we were able to drive a short distance along one of the park roads to a high spot. By this time high tide had passed and dawn was breaking. Some of the park guests were trying to leave - at this point the water was rushing well over the road and it was not possible to see the narrow track between the pond and the Creek. Soon it was all too much for the little track and it collapsed sending large culverts bobbing down the river like giant licorice sticks.
Phil and I took stock and we had the two cars and the RV safe and although we were now stranded in the Park we were relieved that we were all safe. fortunately the rain let up and the river went down and things calmed down. We were able to move the RV to an un-flooded site and started to clean up.
The Miata took the brunt of the storm - we had several inches of water on the floor. We began bailing and soaking up the water and started a dehumidifier to run inside the car. The trailer was parked in another part of the park and was completely submerged and was left caked with mud and everything in the storage unit was ruined. So Phil pretty much spends his time toweling up water from the carpet or attempting to communicate with Geico by phone.
Here are some photos of our little adventure:
We were pretty much holed up in the RV (with the slides pulled in because of the high winds) with the two dogs while the storm hung over us. I hid under my covers certain that the pond was going to swallow the RV. I asked the locals if we should be worried about the rising waters and they waved me off with a "this is nothing, wait until December and January"
Phil and I were both up early Tuesday morning driven to desperation by the pounding of rain of the roof. About 5 am I see blinking red and blue lights and get up and look out the window to see the local police cruiser driving through the park. In his headlights I can see the entire park in under water and yell "Phil you are gonna want to see this...." Phil got on the Park walkie-talkie and alerted everyone then opened the RV door to see water rushing over the top step. He stepped down and we could see the propane tank had floated and wedged itself under the front of the Toyota which had rushing water up to its front bumper. Phil waded around and disconnected the utilities (it makes me shudder to think about him pulling the electric cable standing in two feet of water!) Before we could move the RV to higher ground we had to move the Miata which was parked perpendicular to and in front of the RV. When Phil opened the door of the car, the muddy water rushed in. Thankfully it started and he was able to drive/float it to safety, he managed to start and drive the Toyota to higher ground while I battened everything down in side to be ready to move the RV.
The RV started up and we were able to drive a short distance along one of the park roads to a high spot. By this time high tide had passed and dawn was breaking. Some of the park guests were trying to leave - at this point the water was rushing well over the road and it was not possible to see the narrow track between the pond and the Creek. Soon it was all too much for the little track and it collapsed sending large culverts bobbing down the river like giant licorice sticks.
Phil and I took stock and we had the two cars and the RV safe and although we were now stranded in the Park we were relieved that we were all safe. fortunately the rain let up and the river went down and things calmed down. We were able to move the RV to an un-flooded site and started to clean up.
The Miata took the brunt of the storm - we had several inches of water on the floor. We began bailing and soaking up the water and started a dehumidifier to run inside the car. The trailer was parked in another part of the park and was completely submerged and was left caked with mud and everything in the storage unit was ruined. So Phil pretty much spends his time toweling up water from the carpet or attempting to communicate with Geico by phone.
Here are some photos of our little adventure:
Friday, November 16, 2012
November 16
We have enjoyed three stellar days in a row. We were able to get out on a couple of hikes in addition to long twice daily walks on the beach.
On Tuesday we took the Rogue River Walk trail. a nice meandering trail from a parking area about five miles east of Gold Beach on the Jerry's Flat Road. We had driven this road a couple of times but were surprised to find a mossy fairy land in the short distance between the road and River. This was a good leg stretch and the trail was well maintained. It gave us our first close up of the gravel bars that alternate along the Rogue River. We found more mushrooms! We have been cooking up the chanterelles and the king bolete mushrooms.
At one point the trail took us back up on to the road and we came across a buck meandering down the road. We quietly scrambled to get our cameras out and while we did this he walked right up to us - to the point we were a little nervous! He went on his way and we got some photos.
On Wednesday we joined the Gold Beach library and checked out books on Mushrooms and panning for gold - getting into the spirit of things around here. It is an amazing library for a small town - brand new with a huge selection of e-books too! I think this will be a big help as we have rain in the forecast for the next six days.
Yesterday we drove a half hour north on 101 to Humbug Mountain. There is a really nice State campground there and large parking area at the trail head. It is a three mile hike up to the 1700' summit. The trail guide described this hike as strenuous. It turned out to be a lovely hike on a smooth, well maintained path. We stopped at the summit for a while to enjoy the fresh air before heading down the east side of the mountain.
We have enjoyed three stellar days in a row. We were able to get out on a couple of hikes in addition to long twice daily walks on the beach.
On Tuesday we took the Rogue River Walk trail. a nice meandering trail from a parking area about five miles east of Gold Beach on the Jerry's Flat Road. We had driven this road a couple of times but were surprised to find a mossy fairy land in the short distance between the road and River. This was a good leg stretch and the trail was well maintained. It gave us our first close up of the gravel bars that alternate along the Rogue River. We found more mushrooms! We have been cooking up the chanterelles and the king bolete mushrooms.
At one point the trail took us back up on to the road and we came across a buck meandering down the road. We quietly scrambled to get our cameras out and while we did this he walked right up to us - to the point we were a little nervous! He went on his way and we got some photos.
On Wednesday we joined the Gold Beach library and checked out books on Mushrooms and panning for gold - getting into the spirit of things around here. It is an amazing library for a small town - brand new with a huge selection of e-books too! I think this will be a big help as we have rain in the forecast for the next six days.
Yesterday we drove a half hour north on 101 to Humbug Mountain. There is a really nice State campground there and large parking area at the trail head. It is a three mile hike up to the 1700' summit. The trail guide described this hike as strenuous. It turned out to be a lovely hike on a smooth, well maintained path. We stopped at the summit for a while to enjoy the fresh air before heading down the east side of the mountain.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Mushrooms
On our hike we found an amazing array of mushrooms. We collected some and enjoyed them sautéed in butter. Our identification must have correct because we are still here!
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