![The Oregon Coast ~ Featuring Yachats]()
by Valynne | Aug 29, 2011 | Photography, Travel |
SeaQuest Inn on a Foggy Night
The homeowner here in NE Portland had some time off from work and came back for a couple of weeks, which meant road-trip time for Caretaking Couple. Our first stop was the SeaQuest Inn, right along the 101 and just south of Yachats, Oregon. We spent four glorious days and nights there. I have decided…nothing compares to hearing the waves crash right outside your open window on a foggy summer’s night.
Looking Down at the Pacific from our Cape Perpetua hike.
This coastline was another first for us. We took the 101 from San Francisco to Los Angeles back in 2006 and loved it; still people kept telling us how much more dramatic the Oregon Coast is in comparison to California’s. I had a hard time believing that anything could be more stunning than Big Sur, which is one of my favorite places in the world.
Paul, in his happy place
We spent the good part of our days on hiking the trails of Cape Perpetua and at several of the eighty-plus state parks along the Oregon Coast. Nerina set us up with a hearty, healthy and delicious breakfast each morning at the SeaQuest, and we hit The Drift Inn for dinner just about every night. We also brought wine, cheese and crackers back from The Wine Place to share in our room, or in the common room with new friends.
Sunset at The SeaQuest Inn
This was the view from our deck at the SeaQuest. It was perfection. We actually saw a whale from this same angle during breakfast on our last morning there. I don’t have a picture because I could not look away from the whale and my camera would not have done the experience justice. I remember feeling the same way when Paul and I saw a mountain lion right outside our living room window in Evergreen…we were glued in place; mesmerized.
Low Tide ~ Yachats
Everything about these few days was spectacular, with special thanks to Mother Nature, along with Innkeeper Nerina and the rest of the SeaQuest staff. I sincerely hope we are fortunate enough to return for another stay.
by Valynne | Jun 20, 2011 | Caretaking / House and Pet Sitting, Music, Photography, Travel |
Lake Charles Sunset
Paul and I were contacted by a couple in Lake Charles who are big into travel and interested in doing home exchanges and possibly taking on some house and pet sits themselves. We really enjoyed meeting them before they headed off on their vacation. This couple connected us with their friends as well, who had a beautiful waterfront camp that they frequented on weekends. They even had RV hook-ups for their friends and family when they came to visit! So cool. This picture was taken from the camp. What a beautiful spot. Thank you for your Southern Hospitality, Micky and Martha!
Lake Charles Lawn
Paul loves these riding lawn mowers. He won’t let me mow any of the lawns on our sits. True story. So, here he is…mowing the lawn. We were perched on a rock up on Bear Mountain when we lived in Evergreen, Colorado and didn’t need a lawn mower (the elk took care of random patches of grass). Perhaps he feels he is making up for lost time.
American Alligator
We drove the Creole Nature Trail to Holly Beach and stopped at the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge along the way. This is the first alligator either of us has seen out of captivity. I took the picture from a boardwalk and am not as close to said alligator as I look. I do love a good shot but am not so foolish as to annoy an alligator. Note to Birders: The Creole Trail is considered one of the top ten birding locations in the country, with over 300 species of birds. Three hundred!
Holly Beach Rules
The trail led us to Holly Beach, also known as the “Cajun Riviera”. We parked on the beach (no wheelies were popped) and walked along the shore, meeting lots of friendly people along the way.
Holly Beach Houses
Almost all of the homes on Holly Beach were rebuilt after Hurricane Rita came through and demolished the area back in 2005. Several families have been unable to rebuild due to more stringent building codes. I move around too much to ever feel complete loyalty to any one place, but it leaves me with a heavy heart to think of those that are displaced and then unable to rebuild on their property, which in some cases has been in the family for generations.
Fun in the Sun
We were fortunate enough to have this salt water pool all to ourselves during the two week sit. What a luxury it was (Louisiana gets HOT in the summertime). Some days we were in and out of the pool several times a day. Rough life, I know.
Grayson Capps Has a story to Tell
Did you know that I love Grayson Capps and the Lost Cause Minstrels? I discovered them while on a sit for my cousins in Connecticut several years ago. They had a Netflix account and I watched the film A Love Song for Bobby Long while there. It is based on the novel Off Magazine Street by Grayson’s father, Ronald Everett Capps.
I fell in love with the imagery, storyline, soundtrack (which featured Grayson’s songs)…everything. As luck would have it, the band happened to be playing at The Maple Tree Cafe around about the same time, so I went with my friend Kim and it was love at first song.
When Paul discovered that Grayson Capps and the Lost Cause Minstrels would be playing at The Porch while we were in Lake Charles, I nearly peed myself. I believe Grayson is telling a story about “Washboard Lisa” in the picture above. Don’t you love it when musicians give you a glimpse of themselves and their lives between songs?
John Milham on drums, Christian Grizzard on bass, Chris Spies on keyboards and Corky Hughes on guitar.
I’ve had the opportunity to talk with Grayson Capps twice, and both times have been such a pleasure. The three of us talked about the film and the book his father wrote that prompted it, and Grayson having lost so much of his music and belongings in Katrina, and the passing of Pinetop Perkins.
Grayson & Me
Having the opportunity to experience Grayson Capps and the Lost Cause Minstrels again was the highlight of my stay in Lake Charles. That, and the po’ boys, étouffée and lively conversation at Big Daddy’s Sports Grill. Oh, and the pool. Lake Charles was good to us.
On the Road Again
Next stop? Amarillo, Texas. This was a quick lunch break at a Louisiana rest stop. Quick, because it was over 105 outside. So long, swimming pool. It can’t ALL be glitz and glam, eh?
![The Oregon Coast ~ Featuring Yachats]()
by Valynne | Jun 5, 2011 | Photography, Travel |
Paul in Jerome, Arizona
House of Joy
VW Van
Gold King Mine
Don Robertson with Killer and Valynne
Old International at Gold King Mine
Studebaker & Co at Gold King Mine
Antique Insulator at Gold King Mine
Lucky #8 on an Old Ford at Gold King Mine
Orange Truck at Gold King Mine
Vintage Passenger Bus at Gold King Mine
Michael at his Victorian in Jerome
Boardwalk in Jerome
Daisy House in Jerome
Old Schoolyard in Jerome
![The Oregon Coast ~ Featuring Yachats]()
by Valynne | Jun 4, 2011 | Photography, Travel |
Vegas with a Sedona chaser. What a wonderful idea. We weren’t thinking along those lines when we planned the trip, but it makes sense, doesn’t it? A few days of partying, followed by a few days of rest and relaxation. Paul’s better at the partying, while I excel at R&R.
Primitive Road
After consulting his road atlas (no sissy GPS for us), Paul decided to take…this road. You know why? Because Paul does what he wants. He is an Aries on the cusp of Taurus. You would think my Taurus would beat his Aries when it comes to stubborn but nooo. Not even close. So, we drove the rental car a good fifteen miles down said primitive road.
Primitive Road Part 2
It was just us and the cows until we had almost reached the end, when a cowboy in an old up pick-up truck drove by, looking at us like we were alien invaders. He must have lived in the only house we saw out there.
End of Primitive Road
Here you see Jerome, Arizona…the end of the primitive road. This picture is a teaser, because we were both intrigued by Jerome and decided to go back. And we loved it so much that it gets its own separate blog post.
Sedonaahh
Here we are…this is more like what I was expecting to see. Wow. Gorgeous, isn’t it? People say it has grown and changed. I say whatever ~ it is gorgeous.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
Our Colorado friend Sadie told us about this cool little village of shops and restaurants called Tlaquepaque. We both enjoyed it more than the other more touristy shopping areas in Sedona. Paul does not like wearing hats so I was very pleased that he found and bought one for our upcoming hot weather hikes.
Eat More Beef by Sandy Scott
This is what Paul typically does when I duck into a shop. Ideally, he sits somewhere, calmly. He has been known to pace just outside the door. Makes for a relaxing shopping experience (ha). This time he had a nice bench in the shade and some company, so I took a little longer than I normally might.
The Kiss
There were sculptures all around Tlaquepaque and I fell in love with this one, The Kiss by Kim Kori. “Instead of waiting for a kiss from a Princess, this smitten Frog Prince is blowing a kiss to the object of his desire. You see, it’s not a Princess that he wants. He’s been enjoying life in the Amphibian world and a lovely female frog has caught his eye”. Good for him. You go, Frog Prince.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Though Catholic in faith, as a work of art the Chapel has a universal appeal. Its doors will ever be open to one and all, regardless of creed, that God may come to life in the souls of all men and be a living reality ~ Marguerite Brunswig Staude (world-renown architect and student of Frank Lloyd Wright).
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was built into the red rocks of Sedona in 1956 and is a one of the most stunning pieces of architecture I have seen, not to mention the views from it’s windows. Calm and tranquil is how I felt the moment I stepped through it’s doors and didn’t really want to leave. Sadly, the website is mainly an online marketplace, so I won’t be linking it. If you can experience this place in person, do so.
Beeautiful
This picture was taken right outside the chapel. I have a thing for bees. They are remarkable creatures and we would be in big trouble without them. I will name this flower as soon as I can find it. Yes, I wrote it down and can’t remember where.
Prickly Pear Cactus (I think)
This is another shot with the unidentified flower. My best guess is Prickly Pear Cactus, but I could be wrong. If you know the answer, please enlighten me.
Destination Cathedral Rock
Per our Innkeeper Irith’s suggestion, we headed out to Cathedral Rock for the afternoon. The weather held out, but we were warned not to hike in the wash, just in case.
Rock Pilings at Buddha Beach
There was lots of wandering going on, but I think most of these pictures are taken just off of Baldwin Trail (if not, then Templeton Trail, which intersects). We stacked our own rocks, right across from Buddha Beach.
The Locals
Three sweet local dogs decided to pay us a visit while we took a little water break. Their humans weren’t far behind and come here all the time. I am guessing these dogs have it pretty good.
Happy Dog
What a peaceful place. People talk about the vortex spots in Sedona ~ some discount their existence while others swear by them. Whatever it is, I felt a different energy out here…it was wonderful.
Happy Man
Paul felt it, too. We later took a vortex tour with Jaap van Etten, PhD. which ended up being one of our best days ever. You can find out more about Jaap by going to his website, Lemurantis. I did not take pictures while on this tour and would suggest that you don’t either if you are fortunate enough to have this experience.
Boots and Saddles at Breakfast
We broke fast each morning with a cool newlywed couple from the East Coast. Boots and Saddles B&B is lovely ~ a little off the beaten path, which made for quiet nights in the hot tub under the stars. Every single thing Irith suggested for us to do turned out to be perfect. I didn’t take many pictures here, either, but you can get a better idea of what it is like on their website.
Perusing the Menu at Yavapai
We poshed it up for dinner one night at The Enchantment Resort. We asked for balcony seating (be sure to specify when you make reservations) as we both prefer al fresco dining and the views are incredible. By the way, this is how Paul looks when he reads posh menus. He is going to be so very pleased at all of the pics of him in this post. Not really. But sometimes I can’t resist.
Prickly Pear Margarita at Yavapai
Damn, that Prickly Pear Margarita was good. Fortunately for us, we had Steve Simon of Swift Rides drive us there and bring us back. Irith thinks of everything.
Night View at the Enchantment Resort
By the time we left, night had fallen at Enchantment Resort. Another fabulous day and night in Sedona. We drove back to Phoenix the next morning…
Jack Ass Acres
and made a few stops along the way. These are the photo ops I beg Paul to stop the car for. I can’t help myself. Nice contrast between Jack Ass Acres and Enchantment Resort, huh? I meant to do that.
Paul and the Saguaros
Farewell, Arizona. I will be blogging shortly about our adventures in Jerome, AZ. It was only a day, but what a day it was…
