Early morning relaxation time after several arduous days hiking, camping and kayaking the numerous lakes that exist around Florence and Yachats. One trail crossing passed over US Highway 101. Highway 101 has been designated the the Pacific Coast Bicycle Trail. 

At the crossing we met eight bicyclists: two Canadians, three Swedes, two New Zealanders and one American. They all started in Vancouver, British Columbia, and we're headed to Crescent City, California. There a bus and large van will pick them and their bikes up and return to British Columbia. What a journey: bicycling the West coast twenty to thirty miles each day, and camping on the beach or nearby state parks. Makes my twenty plus mile hike / kayak pale in comparison. 

Photos below:  view from my bedroom window of tree covered dunes behind my THOW which harbor fox, raccoon and hundreds of birds; my herb garden of basil, sage, parsley, thyme, chives, pearl onions, arugula and spinach; and, the entry to my THOW with lots of attractive flowers that are inundated by bees and hummingbirds. 

Visited Dallas, Oregon, and Silver Falls State Park, near Silverton, Oregon, for a few days. Spent the day at a friend's forty-three acre ranch. Formerly a cattle ranch, all the internal fencing has been removed, and the fields mowed. Great views of Mt Hood (I'm told, since it was overcast),  as well valley views. Lots of work went into rebuilding this former ranch (see photos below -- they do not do the ranch justice; there's too many vistas of meadows, forests and the mountains beyond).

Also, took a seven plus mile hike at Silver Falls State Park, the hike wanders through several hundred feet of elevation, and takes you to ten different waterfalls throughout the park. We arrived early, and finished before 11 am. The parking lot was nearly empty when arrived, and it was packed as we left. Here are some photos of the different waterfalls we saw: they range in size from twenty feet to over one hundred forty feet. Well worth the trip, despite the crowds at the end.

Ellis Ranch, Dallas, Oregon

Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, Oregon

Spent the day relaxing after all the noise and confusion of a holiday weekend. The fireworks were spectacular, and the shops and craft fairs were full of people.  A very business weekend, and, hopefully, successful for all the small businesses who rely on holiday and summer vacationers.

I woke early and walked the beach as the sun rose. Very quiet, only a few fellow walkers, with their very happy dogs running up and down the beach and into the surf. I'll return tomorrow; it should be even quieter.

Spent the rest of the day preparing food for fermentation. Fermented food has become a big part of my culinary diet: and that includes sauerkraut (of varying kinds, flavors and spices), fruits, asparagus, cucumbers, spring onions, squash and many other vegetables.  It's relatively simple to do so; I obtained most of my knowledge through this cookbook, Fermented Vegetables, and their website, http://www.fermentista.us/#home-section

Today, I fermented and pickled asparagus, spring onions, cucumbers and squash, and made celery "pudding". a fermented celery mixture combined with fresh sage and thyme (I have a small garden next to my THOW). The scent would be familiar to anyone: think of vegetable stuffing.  In a couple of weeks, I'll have a feast, Plus, I'll be adding new fermented food as the farmer's markets bring new vegetables weekly.

Here are some other photos of the Oregon coast and woodlands.

Tucked safely into the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area, which extends north and south about forty miles along the coast. Dunes accumulated over millions of years from wind and ocean currents building up the dunes to heights of 300 feet and more, and nearly one half mile wide. Great attraction for ATV owners as well for sandboarders who skim across the surface as if they were actually surfing in the ocean.

Many lakes dot the area on the east side of US Highway 101. Some small, some quite large; all filled with canoes, kayaks, motorboats and fishermen.  Trails wind throughout the ridges and lakes along the coast line. Photos below are of various venues, I visited, hiked and camped over the past few days.  Now that July Fourth has come and gone, it is much quieter here.  The beach is nearly empty: just the wind and the surf, and an occasional dog running free!