DO IT NOW

DON'T WAIT

DO {it} now …

Time is a shifty thing.

There may not be "another time", coming around.

The paychecks may never get heftier.

The person you want to enjoy time with may not be by your side, tomorrow.

The TIME IS NOW.

Make Now count.

DO IT, NOW 😘

SUNSHINE ON THE DOCKET :-); Ocean Park-WA

I'm happy to report that the lure of Yuma-AZ's warming sunshine has overrode the call of Kelso-WA: we'll be pulling stakes here and leaving around sundown.

Holland's body has been feeling the ache of rainy weather here.

And he's not liking that I've been ooching and ouching with my body's painful effects of the rainy weather here.

So, he hauled out the Road Atlas, and set a course for sunshine.

Winter in WA, is not happening.

(((YAY!)))

We slept in this morning, planning to leave WA around 6 PM; so when I woke up around 9:30 AM, I woke up to sunshine to enjoy with my pumpkin pie spiced coffee. The day's forecast is favorable for a traveling day :-)

I let him sleep … he's got a long drive ahead of him.

We're going to take our time getting ready to leave Ocean Park-WA, headed towards interesting places, new faces, new experiences: Holland has planned a route to Arizona that will take us on roads I've never been on, before.

My wild heart is happy, and my gypsy soul is smiling with satisfaction :-D

Last year we had bought subscriptions (Good Sam Club, BLM Land - suppose to be free, but there is still a hefty fee to stay more than 14 days, Harvest Hosts, ect.), planning to boondock the majority of our adventure time: this year, we aren't renewing any subscriptions (the RV Resorts are wildly expensive, and 95% of the lower-end campsites could not accommodate Independence's size; so promised subscription 'savings' could not be enjoyed by us) - and though boondocking was fun for me, it involved a lot of hard work for Holland (hauling water every day, packing Independence up and hauling her into town weekly, to a dump station, and chasing after fuel on alternate days; to keep the beast generator running, so we didn't bake in the desert heat). The sunsets were beautiful in the open desert … but, we have learned that they can also be beautiful when viewed from a paved parking space in an RV Park ;-)

Last year, we learned a lot while traveling through, and hunkering down, in 21 States: this year, we know roads to avoid & have ear-marked favorite located RV Parks that can and will accommodate Independence (older Parks without fancy draws, but very nicely maintained with friendly hosts); and Saguaro cactus' are all over the place - no need to camp off-grid to enjoy seeing them.

These prickly green giants only live and thrive in the Sonoran Desert region.

I love Arizona - I like e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. about Yuma. I wouldn't mind one iota if we made Yuma our "forever abode" ;-)

COAST GUARD STATION #309; Klipsan Beach-WA~Shabbat 2024

Today was an interesting day, from start to finish ;-)

It started out with Holland telling me as we drank our morning coffee, that when we get to Yuma, he wants to attend a Messianic Fellowship there - we know where it is, and he's game to give it a "Go": this is a major breakthrough, & a true miracle :-)

After coffee hour, we drove into Long Beach; and decided to drive back down the Klipsan Beach Access on our return trip … by memory of the other day's adventure, I was guiding Holland to the side road, when he spotted the sign (a little dinky sign, for Pete's sake!).

We drove out the Klipsan Beach Access, this afternoon.

The Beach Sign is only visible as you drive towards Ocean Park, from Long Beach - that's why we always missed it; but today, we had our eyes peeled for it ;-)

What a grand adventure that split decision turned out to be!

I was glad we chose this beach to watch waves, at.

Freshly torn and beached seaweed … still right green & sparkly.

The waves were rocking & rolling - and the breeze was briny.

I could see the kites flying at Ocean Park's Access; Holland says that's a mile+ away.

Every portion of the beach has it's own appeal; rocks & seaweed, here ;-)

 Seaweed & wave tossed rocks; these are not pumice rocks - they are solid. Probably basalt.

Basalt Rock:  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt#:~:text=Basalt%20is%20used%20in%20construction,be%20an%20excellent%20thermal%20insulator.)

Brave souls; the water here is ice cold!

Metallica - 'Nothing Else Matters' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34EHhM_HS64)

Pelicans; I love watching these weird prehistoric looking birds …

Pelicans are not dinosaurs, but they do have a prehistoric appearance and have existed for a long time … though their appearance screams "Jurassic Park species!", they actually appeared in Earth's timeline after the dinosaurs became extinct: they look ancient in form because their form has not evolved as some birds, have; their appearance is as ancient as their existence. So, technically, they can be correctly classified as prehistoric.

I find them fascinating, and I always get excited when I see them ;-)

We watched them - and we watched other birds swooping and diving, on the far horizon; the gulls were being lazy.

We watched … and listened to the furious rolling waves crash on the sand directly before Betsy's tires.

We listened to Holland's choice of music; and talked about our plans for Yuma-AZ, in our prospective future.

Kelsey Hart - 'Life With You' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URePUcWfFGU)

And we quickly skedaddled out of the way, when greedy waves made sudden surges & anxiously reached for us: Betsy's heavy & we don't need to be forking out towing fees ;-)

The waves were coming in, fast & furious. Holland says a 9 ft. tide tonight.

Tonight's high water will reach where those gulls sit, by suppertime, tonight; seaweed line shows this morning's  last high water mark.

Tonight's high tide surge reached 10+ ft.!

Tomorrow's high tide will be a bit lower - not much, just a tad.

Waaaay off - on the horizon, we could see a HUGE swarm of birds trolling back & forth, scouting for fish to snag.

That's what you get when you don't pay attention ;-)

The swarm flew closer; hundreds of birds.

Lynard Skynard - 'Freebird' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWsE5lEnd0I)

And the greedy waves reached for us a second time …

With each retreating back up, Betsy's back end is getting closer to the seaweed 'line in the sand' ;-)

Ooohh - a bright orange-billed gull! The other gulls looked very drab in comparison; I later learned that the flamboyant bird I thought was a fancy seagull, is actually a Tern: these slim, fancy looking birds are quite different than sea gulls. Terns are described as “sea swallows” or “flying scissors,” as these birds are built for maneuverability; the bulky sea gulls are referred to as "sea chickens", and ancient sailors would actually eat them as they would a regular chicken.

Common Tern: 

(https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Tern/overview)

On our way home - to where Independence waited for us in Ocean Park, we passed a fenced compound that was posted as being on the Historical Registry: so, I researched it, after Supper:

This {house} is actually a historic Boat House.

'This Nest of Dangers': Frightening start: Ilwaco Beach Life-Saving Station in 1891: (https://www.chinookobserver.com/life/history/this-nest-of-dangers-frightening-start-ilwaco-beach-life-saving-station-in-1891/article_79374bec-932d-11eb-a542-839291a3ec0d.html)

This building is part of the Klipsan Beach Life Saving Station Compound, first known as the Ilwaco Beach station … and was established in 1889, to help confront a mounting toll of maritime disasters on our coast. The station is on the National Register of Historic Places. The station's name was originally Ilwaco Beach, and only later became known as Klipsan Station. The station was one of several assigned to provide protection in the area known as the Graveyard of the Pacific.

During World War I, the U.S. Navy built a radio tower so that signals could be passed to and from passing ships. By the end of World War II, the station was deemed to no longer serve a purpose, and was closed in 1947.

Klipsan Beach Life Saving Station, established 1889.

'Surfmen' rowed out to rescue shipwreck victims; before & after the Station was built; 1909. Surfmen were men who worked at life-saving stations during the time of the U.S. Life Saving Service, which later became the U.S. Coast Guard. They were often seasonal workers who were sailors, fishermen, or lobstermen during the summer. Surfmen used a variety of tools and methods to rescue people in distress, including life-saving boats and the Lyle Gun. Lyle Gun: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyle_gun & Rescue Men filming of the Breaches Buoy Drill: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RENMwYoI_Zw) Surfmen was the terminology used to describe members of the United States Lifesaving Service. It is also currently the highest qualification in the United States Coast Guard.

Wagon on North Beach circa 1892; before the Railroad came to Klipsan Beach . Before the construction of the railroad a wagon like this one was the only way of access to the Long Beach Peninsula.

The "Clamshell Railroad," also known at the "Railroad that Ran by the Tide," and the "Rambling Never Get There Railroad" made frequent stops at the Klipsan Beach Life Saving Station so passenger's could view shipwrecks and rescue drills.

Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company:  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilwaco_Railway_and_Navigation_Company)

When the U.S. Life Saving Service joined with the Cutter Service to become the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915, this station became known as Coast Guard Station No. 309.

#309 Historic Coast Guard Station: 

(https://historicstation.com/station-history/)

Klipsan Historic Coast Guard Station is a private-owned Airhub B & B, now.

The dunes we see today, that keep the ocean waters from main street - weren't originally in place, as they are today: the unruly ocean waves literally lapped at the back end of the Life Saving Station.

W.O.W.

I can't even imagine how frightening that would have been to experience …

The Coast Guard called the Klipsan Station #309 was registered as a Historical Landmark on April 11th, 1979: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/c84f7e47-807e-4591-86c1-1e74fe6c5d4b

I'm really glad we visited this beach, today :-)

I experienced an exciting high water rush.

I saw a pretty sea bird.

I learned a lot about the importance of the side spur beach access at Klipsan Beach - really important stuff!

And Holland wants to attend a Messianic Fellowship with me.

What an enjoyable Shabbat :-)

SUNDAY~FUNDAY IN TWO COUNTIES-WA

August 11th: I woke up this morning, to hear Holland say, "I think my Baby needs a day out … how about we go see if we can find that spot across the river you've been hankering to check out?"

YOU BET!

I was out of bed, and dressed in a heart-beat :-)

Our exploration adventure started in Ridgefield - one freeway exit up the road.

Clark County.

This exploration adventure is Holland's idea ;-)

Holland had guessed that today's destination was somewhere behind the Ilani Casino-Resort (long a-lynn-long a); so, that's where we went.

A cute little windmill, on a back country road.

Sunny days bring out the old vintage cars …

Ford Model T: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_T)

This has got to be the right road...

FOUND IT! It was exactly where Holland said it would be, the other night when we drove by it along the Woodland Dike Road.

Pekin Ferry, Ridgefield-WA from Woodland-WA; 8 min (5.8 mi) via I-5 S

We are usually looking at this place … across the Lewis River, on the road directly across from it; when we drive one of our nightly river loop drives in Woodland-WA

We could never get Independence down that road - but, at least now {we know} ;-)

Holland could 'do it' - but it would be very tricky. We both agree that it probably wouldn't be wise to rise to the challenge.

When we left Ridgefield, Holland surprised me by extending the out-of-house drive :-)

He drove to Amboy-WA, on a road I'd never been on before - I have been to Amboy many times over the decades & I have driven myself to Amboy before Holland and I were "a thing".

Even though this new route tied into Chelatchie & Yale, I had never been on the route Holland drove.

I don't think Holland had been on this particular route, either. We were trying out the new Garmin GPS.

I love new adventures :-D

When we got to Amboy, I recognized the landmarks, and asked him if we could take a side road because I wanted to show him the ancient volcanic cinder cone - he agreed.

Back on the main thoroughfare, I kept mum on what lay ahead: a skinny bridge, and miles of winding switch-back roads. I wanted the bridge to be a surprise when he came to it (and if Betsy was too wide for it, he'd turn back); the snaky road ahead - over the bridge - couldn't be avoided; and I was hoping we wouldn't turn back.

I like this drive and have been missing it: being on it today, was an actual answer to prayer.

So, this brat (moi) kept quiet ;-)

And everything worked out just fine :-D

Holland is surprising me with an extended country drive - YAY!

Amboy-WA from Pekin Ferry-WA; 29 min (17.4 mi) via NE Lockwood Creek Rd

Ancient Cinder Cone in Chelatchie, WA - an old friend; across from Amboy Ranger Station.

Tumtum Mountain: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumtum_Mountain)

Yale Suspension Bridge; State Route 503 Spanning Lewis River, Yale-WA

Yale Suspension Bridge~12 pics, following each other:  (https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.wa0439.photos/?sp=1)

And the Sunday~Funday just kept unfolding with loving intentions.

It was clear I was being spoiled … and because I am a Queen, and not a princess, I was profuse in my praising acceptance of the loving Kingly surprises ;-)

We were now passing from Clark County, back into Cowlitz County.

We got to Cougar (and I was expecting a quick hot hog & coke lunch = road food), when a new idea was formed: pizza at Eagle Cliff :-)

(((Oh, yeah!)))

A nice long drive, and food I have been trying to get Holland to spend money on for weeks, because I know he likes it & is missing it: Holland hasn't enjoyed pizza since Quartzsite-AZ, last year … it was time :-D

Road work was still going on (we never see crews, but the machinery and horrible road tear ups are very present); we could see where cars have scraped their bottoms passing through the deep-drop road top removals :-(

My husband IS 'a good guy' - BONUS, all the way around ;-)

Road work still going on, on this mountain road - slowly; the teeth rattling road top drop-offs, are 6-in & deeper … like dropping the tires off a steep curb.

DEEP, and bone-jarring painful, road tear drop-off's.

Both our stomachs were growling by the time we reached 'The Pizza Place' at Eagle Cliff: Gifford National Forest Rd. 90 Mile Post 16.1; #NF-90, Cougar, WA (360) 558-1431

Eagle Cliff Campground: 

(https://www.eaglecliffcamp.com/)

Eagle Cliff, Cougar-WA from Amboy-WA; 54 min (35.0 mi) via WA-503 N and NF-90

When I saw this dog, & I thought it was 'an oversized Beagle'; but Holland said 'Hound Dog'; I'd never seen one before.

AND … of course, Holland parked right in front of the sign ;-)

The Crystals - 'He's a Rebel'~1962): 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_SXJ18EkNw)

We decided to backtrack down the road a bit, and eat our pizza where we could enjoy the quiet buzz of nature all around us … and I ate more than my usual 2 or 3 pieces of pizza (the main reason Holland hasn't bought a pizza before this afternoon = there is no room for left-overs in the RV, or motel, fridges'): today was different - there wasn't any left by the time we pointed Betsy's nose back towards Woodland ;-)

Woodland straddles both, Cowlitz & Clark Counties.

Pizza was a 15" pie; tasty, and priced right: I can't remember the last time I had a good pizza for $20.

Song of the Trees; Eagle Cliff, Cougar-WA

A full tank of fuel … and a country road; and I'm yours for life ;-)

Woodland-WA from Eagle Cliff-WA; 1 hr. 8 min (47.5 mi) via Lewis River Rd

Today was as perfect as an Earth day can be.

I love spending time with (and being loved by) my King Bee ;-)