Hiking Cape Falcon. Amidst the Sitka Spuce Forest

-Today we hiked through a forest of old growth Sitka Spruce, Hemlock and other trees along the Oregon Coast at Oswald West State Park near Manzanita, Oregon.  Once again, I didn't take my good camera so had to use the iPhone to capture some pics.  These are not in any order as they were uploaded from iPhone.

Bank looking down into ocean.  too bad you cannot see ocean

Is this Hobbit land?

Burle of tree hosting plants

Big Big Sitka Spruce Trees

How big are these Sitka Spruce trees?  This big!!

View of beach

View of beach from Cape Falcon near Arches Cape

Land's End

We made it to the coast. After an relaxing drive up to Ananda Laurelwood followed by several days of volunteer efforts,seeing old friends and being inspired by others, we headed out to the coast.

Spent 2 night up on Long Beach peninsula where we biked and hiked around Oysterville

We explored Lewis and Clark expedition at the interpretive center. It's been 208 years since their lanark expedition. Amazing journey. Was commissioned by Thomas Jefferson. What a visionary. Opened up the west. Sid you know they spent the first winter in North Dakota with temps falling to 40 degrees below zero? Fascinating to read excerpts from their journals.

Tuesday we journeyed back over the Columbia river to the south side and Fort Stevens State Park. Great bike trails. This morning we rode out to the south jetty where the mouth of Columbia empties into the ocean. This is "Land's End" for Oregon. About 6 miles from campground.

What also is along is to walk throight the old artillery batteries on both sides of the river. Some set up as far back as civil war. Others mainly for WW I and WW II. Then decommissioned after.

Did you know that on June 21, 1943, a Japanese sub fired on the area just south of Astoria? Fort Clatsop near Lewis and Clark's winter camp of 1804-1805.

Land's End - South Jetty on Columbia River

Oyster Crossing at Oysterville, Washington.  

Rest Stop Lumch

Late post.  this is during second day of travel at rest stop south of Salem, Oregon in Willamette Valley.  we stopped to eat some of the fresh foods brought from home.  Corn from our garden and "Heaven on Toast".  The photos tell it all.

feasting on fresh corn on the cob and broiled figs on toast

Corn on the cob from our garden.  we brought it with us.  Yummy

Take ciabatta, add Dolce (sweet) gorgonzola, then layer with figs.  Broil to crispiness.  this is in fact.."Heaven on toast".

Heaven on Toast

And our view from the lunch table.  Charli on right in case you were wondering...

Spiritual Renewal week over. Now OFF to Oregon

Wonderful week of renewing and deepening our inner life here at village while the sun shined and the smoke from fires occasionally drove us indoors.  However outdoor amphitheater is wonderful in summer.  about 400+ people here for week of inspirational talks, mediations, evening entertainment with concerts and plays.

Now off to Oregon to visit and volunteer at the new Ananda Laurelwood campus west of Portland for a few days, then head over to Coast for a leisurely trip back home.  Stay tuned for some photos.  Here are a few from past couple days.

The lotus blossom on Lotus Lake in front of the Amphitheater

Chanting before class

The Choir tuning us in for Swami's last talk

Listening to Swami in Amphitheater

Blessing Swami at end

Swami Kriyananda, the Founder of Ananda Village listening to choir

a moment of humor

Speaking to us all

Satya, who has lived at Ananda since 1967.

Battery replacement

came to stop by O'Reilly auto parts. Where I left jeep running, dashed in and bought a battery, jumper cables and wrench. Whew.. Drove to parking lot by Sopa. Parked.. Met up with birthday party. Afterwards tried to jumpstsrt the jeep.. not happening. Some spent 45 minutes replacing battery with new one. It started of course then.
Made it home finally.  no photos of me, barechested, at 10 PM at night replaceing battery.