Monday, August 20, 2018

Cherries!

Aug. 18 2018

We're in the same campsite we had last year and there's a cherry tree right behind our site.  Last year there were only a few cherries and as soon as they ripened, the birds got-em.  This year there was a bumper crop, the limbs were hanging low with cherries.



One of the rangers asked why we weren't eating the cherries?  I told him we were, there's just so many!!!  We've had cherry pancakes, cherry muffins and one of my favorites, what we call a Cherry Cordial smoothie. Remember the boxes of ultra sweet Cherry Cordial candy you'd sometimes get at Christmas time?



We make it with almond milk, banana, apple, ground flax seed, cherries (of course) and chocolate protein powder.  Once blended we add just a splash of Gingeraid Kombucha (fermented tea) for a little kick.

Or, for a quick treat, just pop a dark chocolate kiss in your mouth followed by a cherry, you get the same effect.


Some nights, we'd be watching a movie and eating cherries like they were popcorn.  Not necessarily recommended...

This little Douglas squirrel didn't look so good, leaning against the fence, holding her tummy and moaning.
Too many cherries?

Alas, the cherries are done for this year...


... but the Blackberries are just starting!!!

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Revisited.

July 11, 2018

On Aug. 1 2016 we came to Newport, Oregon to visit friends.  With a day to kill we were playing tourist and Yaquina Head was our first stop.  By this time we were in the habit of inquiring about volunteer opportunities at places we thought were interesting.  It just so happened they had a volunteer leave with a family emergency.  So, we walked in as tourist and walked out with a job.

Now we're back in Newport and decided to visit our old haunt and say hi to the friends we made there.
Here's some pictures...


In true Yaquina Head fashion, the wind was howling out of the north making a pleasant day cold and blustery.

Handing in tickets for the Lighthouse tour.

They have various members of the staff conduct the tours and today we had Kath who's playing the role of a Lighthouse Keeper's wife in the 1880's.



The large containers (called Oil Butts) where the oil for the light was stored.




Demonstrating how the 1873 First Order Fresnel lens (still in use today) can project the light 20 miles out to sea.
Panaramic view from inside the modern day light, still used for navigation.



Looking north, the Marine Layer (fog) riding a stiff  north wind, typical summer day on the Oregon coast.
Looking south toward Agaet Beach and the city of Newport, lost in the fog.