Ecola Park

Bruce surprised me on Thursday by taking me hiking on the Oregon coast. Our trail began in Ecola park and we hiked to a viewpoint that overlooked the Pacific Ocean.

It was cold, gray and we were wishing we had brought a sweater. Almost every time I've come to the coast it's been cloudy and gray. Makes me want to eat clam chowder and watch the Goonies.

Haystack Rock: site of the Goonies' infamous Fertelli car chase. The tide was out far enough that you could actually walk all the way up to the rock. That's usually not possible everytime I've been before.

For those who don't live in our area, Canon Beach is about an hour and a half from our house. I think. It's not far. At night people show up and have campfires on the beach. Even in the summer it gets cold enough at night for such things.























Here we are at the viewpoint. We hiked upwards of about 1200 feet from sea level. Bruce said this was the first hike he can remember where we started a hike at sea level. Literally.

It was quite a climb. We loaded our backpacks down rather heavily because we are trying to get in shape for a backpacking trip in Glacier come September.


































The sign said this tree fell over due to wind damage. Seriously?! Apparently there's a tree in this park that dates all the way back to 1615. This is also another famous Lewis and Clark trail. I tell ya, there's no escape of Lewis and Clark landmarks here in the northwest.























We ate clam chowder at Mo's after our hike, and then went for a walk on the beach.

Entropy Happens

Bruce: "Welcome to the laws of thermodynamics."

Translation: We won't be having chicken for dinner.

R.I.P., Little Casserole.

2002-2010.

You served us well....until you exploded.

Blodget Canyon

Our first major hike on our recent Montana/Idaho excursion was an 8-mile hike through Blodget Canyon. We set up camp the afternoon prior and spent the late afternoon lounging next to the creek. I love that the water is crystal clear. I hate that it's so icy cold even in July.




The eagle's nest (above) is about the closest we got to any wildlife on this hike. No complaints considering the growing bear population.

Our hike took us along the creek right down the middle of the canyon affording us incredible scenery throughout the entire hike. Lots of places to stop, take pictures, and enjoy the outdoors.


Talus, talus, talus...

These pictures really don't do justice to the grandeur of the jagged ridge that lined the majority of the mountains on our left side. It was truly breathtaking every time I looked up from the trail.

We climbed out on a large boulder and had lunch.

On our way out we stopped for a while by the creek. I sprawled my weary self out on a boulder, watched the clouds roll by, took a picture of the mountains and then fell asleep for a while. 'Twas a most excellent day.

Montana Ghost Towns

In between hiking trails we visited three ghost towns in Montana a couple of weeks ago. I momentarily felt like I was in Walnut Grove.

Bannack



standing inside the hotel safe


We hiked up the hill to check out the cemetary, which I have no pics for yet. A few headstones dated back to the 1800's. Most of the graves are unmarked.


the school house (above)

Coolidge

We hiked the half mile to Coolidge, an abandoned town that has not been preserved (unlike the other two ghost towns we visited). Most of the buildings in Coolidge were falling apart or caved in completely. Yards were strown with old canned goods, rusted cookware, and a couple of beat up wood stoves. It was strange staring at a bunch of abandoned homes and buildings wondering about the people who lived here.

This was the most intact building in Coolidge.

To the left is the remains of what looked like a school or a church. The creek washed out the bottom half of the building.

Garnet

Bruce took all these photos which is why there are no pictures of him. I have a nicer but older camera which requires film. Haven't gotten the film developed yet.

the hotel (above)

Who wants to hit the slopes?