Oregon--the beautiful...

There were so many gorgeous landscapes in Oregon; I would like to share a few of the photos... 

Hiking path off Hwy 101

Fall is here...

Vineyard between Monmouth and Corvallis Hwy 99W

On Hwy 101south of Newport

Hwy 101

Ditto, Hwy 101...definitely worth the drive

The "green" is for you, Zoo-Jen.

Siskiyou Mountains--near the Oregon Caves National Monument

Another Wondertree in Cave Junction

Today, we are in California.  The Redwood National Park promises adventure and "ahh-inspirations".

Sending you all love, beauty, and joy!

Susan and Matthew

Great Cats World Park

EXCELLENT small park--just south of Cave Junction (Hwy 199).  I am thrilled that it is off season!  Matthew and I were treated to a "family only tour" (the two of us).  We were able to see all of the different cats.  Many we saw up close; our guide gave the cats treats to draw them out of their enclosures/hide-aways.  

Caracal--7months old

Siblings--both "white" Bengal tigers
Did you know that the Siberian tiger does not have the recessive trait/gene that would allow a "white" Siberian?  The only way it would be possible, is if  the cat is a Siberian/Bengal mix. 

A puma, cougar, mountain lion...take your pick.  He is waiting for his meat-treat.

An Amur leopard--currently, the most critically endangered species

A Serval--beautiful...a "fisher" cat

This is an African Wild Cat.  Most zoos and animal parks do not have this species; it looks too familiar.  It is the closest relative to our domestic cats; however, the swiftness of its "snatch/grab"and its razor claws belie this animal to be in any way"tame".  This particular cat is the natural born offspring of two CLONED African Wild Cats.  ("step-back," Dolly!)

The African male lion practicing his "tough"!

I would HAPPILY pay the cost to visit this informative and well-maintained animal park again.  (The cats looked FANTASTIC--clearly well cared for and fed.)  So odd for the place to be in "small-town" Oregon....Wonder if the roars,"chuffs", and other noises keep any locals awake at night?

Oregon treehouse and ziplines

Okay, I WAY over-shot the budget on this adventure, but it was too much fun!  Matt and I arrived at the Out 'n' About resort just after noon.  The place itself was a visual feast of tree houses, outdoor activities, horses, dogs, fire pits, and well, opportunities of joy!!!
First order of business--get our place for the night.  We chose the highest tree house available, Pleasantree--37 feet up.

Our treehouse for the night!

To get to our "house", we had to cross two suspension bridges. 

I slept in the loft--after I hit my head on the ceiling a couple of times, I learned not to sit-up.  (You would think it wouldn't take too many whacks to figure that out...after four "bangs", I got it!)
Matt chose to sleep in the top bunk; he is a smart man.

Once we had "claimed" our primitive accommodations, we signed on for the ziplines!   We completed 5 zips, and Matthew added a Tarzan swing (4--he took my two).

Matt getting ready to "assume the position".

Now why, after I give the boy my "swing time," does he do the "nanny-nanny-boo-ha"?  Little fart....we'll just see if I  am ever generous again!

Then, I went into the free-activities-mode.  We played frisbee golf.  (Is it called"frolf"?)  We took a wonderful hike in the national forest, played some SORRY, and enjoyed a fire after a comforting dinner of sandwiches (smiles).   In the morning, it was a full breakfast--eggs, quiche, pancakes, muffins, cake (Why didn't I get the memo that this was a breakfast food?), and cups of amazing fresh coffee.  Although, we won't do it again.  The memories are delicious!!!

Oregon Caves National Monument

We hung a left and continued back into the interior—Oregon Caves National Monument.  Initially, I had planned for us to camp and explore Crater Lake National Park.  Reading the forecast—“cold with possible snow”—I decided to wait for a warmer time.  (We will definitely be back in the area; both Matthew and I love the northwest environment.)

Following my new plan—minimum of two nights in the same campground—Matt and I made our way up the very winding pass to Oregon Caves.  Since I had made reservations at a campsite a mere 8 miles down the mountain, I could justify going on the nighttime cave tour…a candlelight scary tour.  For those of you who know me, you are aware that I do NOT like “scary”.  If it weren’t for the “fun” (and with Matt, possibly “dangerous”) candle-lanterns, and my “safe place in the middle”, I would not have enjoyed it.  As it was, making sure Matthew kept the lantern away from his and others’ clothing and my vigilant monitoring of darker areas in the cave, I was only frightened five or six times.  (I heard later that my screaming actually frightened the tour guide—giggles!)

Our scary guides...

The next day, we drove up to see the caves during the day—the park has lights in the caves when not in “scare mode”.   We also did some hiking.  The trees--fir, spruce, hemlock, and cedar—tall and odiferous!  Breathing was intoxicating—yes, really!

The cave is marble--in typical limestone caves, a formation grows approximately 1"in 100 years.  In this cave, 1" takes more than 10,000 years.

A cluster of spiders (similar to daddy longlegs) at the exit of the cave

Newport, Oregon

Continuing south, we decided to follow Hwy 101 (coastal hwy.)  Again, how could it be anything but gorgeous?  Wait, I am getting ahead of myself.  Before the trek to California, we paused in Newport, Oregon.  Matt and I enjoy the odd and/or unique…a stop at Ripley’s Believe it or Not, imperative!  We also went to the Wax Museum and The Undersea Garden—what can I say, the three-for-one price was too good to pass up!

Gollum--spooky! (Wax Museum)

Ripley's Believe it or Not

Matt and his mummy...

Fortune teller--Matt was hoping Zoltar would promises riches and the opportunity to be a karate teacher!
(The machine didn't work--smiles!)

Way cool dance and color display--Matthew danced for 15 minutes!!!  He would have danced longer, but the people in line were beginning to complain.

The Wax Museum

My Johnny... (Yes, he is!)  

Mae West, WC Fields, Michael Jackson, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and Peter Sellers--"in the wax" (versus "in the flesh" get it?)

The Undersea Garden

The aquarium at the bottom of a boat

Sea lions out on the dock--mother and pup (okay, more like an adolescent)

Tillamook, Oregon

Our first stop in Oregon--Tillamook!  We visited the cheese factory and sampled some great cheddars.  Loved visiting the Air Museum just south of town.  HUGE hangers, built to house the blimps used as escorts for freight convoys during WWII, were filled with vintage airplanes, vehicles, and engines.

Matt had a blast sitting in all of the cockpits pretending to be the pilot and watching the WWII documentaries.  Me too!!!  (No, not sitting in the plane, but watching the films--you silly friends!)

(While the blimps were being used, there were NO casualties or lose of cargo!  Japanese submarines were easily spotted before they could torpedo any of the ships.)

At the Cheese Factory--self-guided tour

Sorry, no clue...

This is the hanger--smiles.  Matthew is standing at the left of the opening below the gray line...yeah, the dot.

Again, sorry... I do, however,  know it is a biplane...

Blimp information--Look at the size of the Hindenburg!

Although this plane was called a "duck", I think it looks more like a banana!

Monmouth, Oregon

Our stop in Monmouth, Oregon was special.  We were able to see my cousin’s daughter, Anna.  She is a student at Western Oregon University—second year.  Anna has just declared her major—smiles!  I am thrilled and proud to say that she is studying to become an ASL interpreter!!!

While there, we had some wonderful meals, played some cut-throat mini-golf (smiles), and wandered around a couple of great local small towns…beautiful.  Thank you for your time, Anna!!  Great luck with your mid-terms this week!

Couldn't help myself--too beautiful not to photograph...

No caption needed, right? SMILES

Anna and Matthew in front of her apartment

Pacific Beach, WA

First and foremost--THANK YOU, Moe and Joe, for your hospitality!  I was told by a woman that your town, once found, would be a "special discovery"; it was.  It was even more of a treat to have time with the two of you--smiles!

Joe and Moe from Indianola, WA...good people!

From the Puget Sound area, we headed to the Pacific coast.  We have had two absolutely gorgeous days--sunny and warm.  (Today, I was even hot!)  

On the beach...

The Pacific Ocean from the top of the bluffs

The first day here, while walking on the beach, Matthew decided to try skipping a stone.  I tried to tell him that it wouldn't work with the waves, but he insisted.  Okay, what could go wrong?  It would be a lesson learned.  (Physics or something, right?!)  I had momentarily forgotten...for those of you who know Matt, you know that if something is stepped in, fallen over, tripped over, knocked over, or injured in any way, it happened to Matt.  Well, as he nears the water, I remember, and decide it would be best to roll-up my pant-legs.  While bending to task, I hear this "splash!"  I look up and see my son flailing, on his back, fully clothed, in six inches of water.  "What happened?" Seriously, although I live with the boy, I was still incredulous.  I mean, really, six inches of water!  What can you do?  I shook my head, the two of us laughed, and we ascended the bluffs to do a load of laundry and to take showers.

Although totally soaked, everything was saved--watch, glasses, wallet, leather belt, shoes, keys for the RV (the fancy ones)...Matt survived the experience AND he says he learned something,"I won't skip stones in the ocean."  (I swear there has to be a more pertinent lesson, but at this juncture, I will take ANY learning! SMILES!)

Today, we were able to volunteer--helped set-up a haunted house!  Definitely a fun new experience for both of us!  Although we could work longer on "the house," Matt and I have decided to take off for Oregon tomorrow morning.  

Catch you all the next time we have wifi!

The spider room.... 

Sad

Samye Ling (Buddhist temple and residence in Scotland)...Matthew and I stayed there last year and had hoped to go again this spring.
Three people from the temple (including the founder of Samye Ling) were murdered recently in Tibet.  Please send prayers or meditations to the people who committed the crime.  I hope the Chinese government and its citizens will ultimately feel/exhibit compassion for Tibetans and their spiritual beliefs...
If you want to read more--
Kagyu Samye Ling

Fort Worden State Park, WA

Thank you, Moe!  I think you suggested camping at this state park near Port Townsend (Fort Worden).  I am so happy we took your advice! 

Foreground--Fort Worden State Park.  Background--Port Townsend, WA
Movies filmed at Fort Worden--
Officer and a Gentleman
The Ring

First thing, we hiked out to the beach in the fog—surreal…Maybe too close to Halloween for this type of adventure!

My fearless leader!

Our first night here, we attended a music concert—a trio of men from Turkey.  They played traditional Sufi, Anatolian, and Middle Eastern folk and contemporary soundscapes.  Matt and I tapped our feet during the entire hour and a half program.

Matt was intrigued with the kanun (78 strings!)--instrument on the left.

Saturday, we had a great time visiting the museums in the fort (decommissioned in 1953—51 years of military activity)—Coast Artillery Museum, Marine Science Center, and the Natural History Museum. (I hope to add a video of Matt feeding a sea anemone--cool!)

We visited the various old batteries.  They were left open to explore—what fun!!!  Wish we had brought two flashlights.  There were tunnels, connected walkways, small and cavernous rooms, and covered stairways. 

The "new" Indiana Jones!

Hope this finds you all well and happy!

Smiles and love,

Susan and Matt