March 24, 2024 - North Falls, Silver Creek State Park

 

Title: March 24, 2024 - North Falls, Silver Creek State Park
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: North Falls Parking Lot

Trail: Upper North Falls, Silver Creek, Winter Falls

Destination: Loop

Actual Destination: Winter Falls Parking Area 

Distance:  4.86 miles

Start Time: 12:26

End Time:    4:06

Travel Time: 3:40  (1.32 mph)

Moving Time: 2:45   (1.77 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,073'

Descent: 1,030‘

Maximum Elevation: 1,858'

GPS Tracks

Getting ready to hike in the rain

Description:

Last night was a long night. My CGM kept alerting me to a low blood sugar level. I am suspecting most of them were false.

• 12:51 - reading: 62. I had a granola bar. After a few minutes, the levels rose to an acceptable level.

• 4:45 - reading: 54. This is really low and when I saw it, the level had gone down to 51. So I went downstairs and had a scoop of peanut butter and a scoop of Nutella. But even before I took a bite, the reading was up to 98. Was this a false low?

• 5:42 - Reading 64. I was pondering what to do and decided to go to the bathroom. Had to go downstairs. Got another scoop of peanut butter. Already the readings was in the 80’s

• 6:11 - Reading 64. Ignored and went back to sleep.

Upper North Falls

I finally got up around 7:45, definitely not rested. David had gotten up before me and went out for a walk. We had breakfast around 8:45. Lawrence and Andrea are up at 9:15. There had been a request that we not have an early start. That is fine with me,

Lawrence made French toast for those who had not eaten. David and a little bit of me worked on a jigsaw puzzle, that is until word was given that we should get packed and go. You might be asking where are we going? Back up to Silver Creek State Park is the answer. The “backup” is that Andrea and Lawrence have taken us up here before-it is a wonderful place. So it is a good choice by Lawrence and Andrea. It will be David’s first time there.

 

 

North Fork Silver Creek

It is raining-all of us grab our rain gear, including the rain pants Sherri bought yesterday. Andrea makes us lunch. We pile into our car-because there is enough room. Andrea is driving. It is only a short 40 minute, 25 mile drive to the North Falls parking area. This is our first time hiking from this trailhead.

Did I say that it was raining? And raining pretty hard? It was. There were some people at the parking lot whom this was a bit much and they just returned back to their cars. Us? Never! We are in full rain gear mode.

 

 

 

Trail to North Falls

 

Our first stop will be Upper North Falls. (Hint: keep track of which North Falls we are at throughout our adventure.) It is a short walk to these falls. As we get closer, the rocks look a bit slippery, particularly with all the rain. But the falls look pretty nice under these gray skies. This was a good set of falls to start with.

We retrace our steps, going under the road and then down the trail, following the North Fork of Silver Creek. The trail then descends about 75’ by way of stairs. This gets us level with North Falls--no elevation attribute with this one. But the trail continues on the other side of Silver Creek. The secret is that the trail goes behind the Falls so there is no bridge.

Stars to North Falls

I do not stop being amazed whenever we go behind a waterfall. Maybe it is all the times being on the Disney Safari ride and going behind Schweitzer Falls. But this is reality and so much better. This is not the first time behind a set of falls, but I have not lost how awesome it is. May I never lose this sense.

Turns out David took a picture which reminds us all of the eye of Suaron from the Lord of the Rings. All which it needs is a piercing red glow of an eyeball. We stop and have lunch here before moving on. It is a bit cool, but this large overhang keeps us well sheltered from the rain. After about 20 minutes, we move on.

 

 

 

Gary and North falls

We traveled down the trail for about a mile. This mile is a gentle downhill. We gawk at the little water rivulets descending down off of the steep slopes on the other side of the creek. Also, there were little moss covered creeks on our side of Silver Creek. We see the next set of falls-Twin Falls. After seeing the other falls above this one, this one is ho-hum. But if it was not set around the other falls in the area, it would be worth ranting and raving about.

North Falls

The rain is still there, but it is decreasing. And so does the trail descend. We wander past the trail to Winter Falls. The next set of falls is the Middle North Falls-remember to keep track of all of the North Falls. Each is different. This is another “go behind the falls” trail. Only this time it is an offshoot of the main trail and dead ends. Not sure if it is the rain, being tired, having been to this fall before, or we just had the behind the falls experience a little while ago, but I am not as enthralled with this one. Even though last year I thought it was pretty good.

Our next stop is Drake Falls. As I was writing this up, I was thinking that Drake was not that big of a deal. But now when I am looking at the pictures, I am thinking that Drake may not be getting its due and it is being eclipsed by the other awesome falls in this park. It has the same problems that falls around Yosemite Valley have. They are awesome in their own way, and yet compared to the Valley’s falls, they seem inconsequential.

 

 

 

 

A short distance further is a short trail to Double Falls-not another Twin Falls. This one is a single narrow fall in two steps. Last year when we were here, I thought the view, particularly of the top fall, was obscured by some trees close to us. Looks lots better today.

Double Falls

We had a small discussion among the five of us. Andrea, Lawrence and David will continue a short way down the trail and see Lower North Falls, while Sherri and I start our return trip via Winter Falls.Sherri and I do pretty good-Sherri actually gets a couple hundred yards in front of me. My excuse is I am taking pictures. But is this just an excuse for a lack of energy?

Behind Middle North Falls

Drake Falls

 

 

 

 

 

 

I caught up with her at Winter Falls. The three have already passed us and will pick up the car and bring it around to the Winter Falls Parking Area. After getting a good, long look at Winter Falls, we climb up to the rim and wait. I read while I wait. That would be about half an hour or so.

Andrea drives us back to Salem. There we rest and recuperate. Lawrence serves us the leftover curry chicken he made last night. Still good. We enjoy each other’s company and then go off to bed.

Extra Photo's

Gary and David at Upper North Falls

Andrea and Lawrence at Upper North Falls

Sherri, Andrea, Lawrence

Lawrence and Andrea at Upper North Falls

The Hiking Men: Lawrence, Gary, and David

Upper North Falls

North Falls

Trail to North Falls

Stairs down to North Falls

North Falls

North Falls

Mossy Trees

North Fork of Silver Creek

Path through the moss

Mossy Creek

Mossy Creek

North Fork of Silver Creek

Middle North Falls

Looking out from behind Middle North Falls

Middle North Falls

Double Falls

Winter Falls

 

Flowers and Plants

Scpuchers Corydalis-I think

Salmonberry

Moss

Moss

 

March 23, 2024 - Salem

Title: March 23, 2024 - Salem
Description :  Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Lawrence and Andrea playing around

Description:

I woke up at 7, discovering that my CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) did not record all of last night. So the first thing was to replace it on my arm. Sherri gets up by 7:45. Why you might ask? We are going out To a place called Word of Mouth Bistro, which tends to be pretty popular. So we leave at 8 and walk down there. Even with this start it is a half an hour wait. We walk around a bit and return right when they are ready for us.

 

 

 

 

At Word of Mouth

 

It was worth the wait. To make fresh food like this, it takes some time. So the food did not come out quickly, except for the cinnamon roll, which came out almost immediately. I ordered a single slice of a creme brulee French toast with a side of two pieces of bacon. Sherri had an egg with biscuits and gravy-she could not finish it all. We just enjoyed our shelves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 After walking back, we piled into the car and went to the

'Drea at her cookie place

Salem Saturday Famer’s Market just down from the State Capitol building. We wandered around, examining some homemade fudge and raspberry juice, Drea’s Cookies, and just about anything with plants. Sherri is interested in some porch planters-not enough room in the car to buy them and then lug them up to Washington and then back to California. We stayed there for about an hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then went to the park across the street from the Capitol. The attraction is not only just a pleasant grassway with plants, but also cherry trees in full blossom. Not only that, but with the wind blowing the blossoms free from the trees, we were in the midst of a cherry blossom storm. The pink blossoms covered parts of the ground, much like a covering of snow. We wandered around and were amazed-probably another 45 minutes.

 

 

 

Upon returning back to Andrea and Lawrence's home, Lawrence and I went and got a pair of running shoes for his birthday at Gallagher Fitness Resources-mission accomplished. Coming back, Sherri, Andrea and David were just sitting around, so we joined them. I eventually fell asleep for a little while. Then Lawrence went out for a run and the rest of us went to REI. Sherri got some rain pants. When Lawrence came back, he made a curry chicken dish which satisfied us all. After dinner we discussed some family matters. Then Andrea and Sherri did some stretching exercises from Silver and Fit. By 10pm, we were all ready to get refreshed for the coming day.

 

Extra Photo's

Cherry Blossoms at the State Capitol Park

Andrea

Cherry Blossoms at the State Capitol Park

Farmer's Market

Sherri and Gary

Photo Shoot gone wrong: Gary, Lawrence, David, Sherri, Andrea

Cherry Blossoms at the State Capitol Park

Cherry Blossoms at the State Capitol Park

Cherry Blossoms and Azalea

Cherry Blossom storm

Cherry Blossoms at the State Capitol Park

Sherri and Gary with the Chinese Lanterns and Cherry Blossoms

Sherri and Andrea doing the Cherry Blossom storm dance

Sherri and Gary

Cherry Blossoms at the State Capitol Park

Gary

 
Flowers and Plants

Azalea

Azalea

March 22, 2024 - Go to Salem

 

Title: March 22, 2024 - Go to Salem
Hike Info : Description : Background 

Hike Info:

Type: Car

Mileage: 367 miles
Time: 9:50 with a couple of breaks

Description:

Last night was a pleasant surprise-no alarm for low blood sugar. I did wake up at 3am, but slept until 6:45 when I got up. We are scheduled to leave for Andrea and Lawrence’s at 8 this morning. I got the car mostly loaded last night, but this morning I need about ten minutes to load the last minute odds and ends.

Movies shot at Redwood

Well the odds and ends were not ready for me until after 8, so we did not start moving until 8:25. We then stopped at Dutch Brothers in Eureka for a caramel latte for Sherri. I do not think we will make it to Roseburg at 1 like Sherri told Bonnie and Dennis. We actually stop a couple of more times to take care of some personal business. And then there was a pretty good rain going on all morning.

When we got to Redwood NP/SP, we decided to go down Drury Road. But first we stopped at the Visitor Center and looked around the gift shop, without actually buying anything. We were under the impression that going down Drury was only three minutes slower than the highway. Somebody must have been speeding to make it that fast.We took it more speed limit wise and enjoyed the redwoods, ferns, road and rain.

We continued down Highway 101/1 until Crescent City, then took Highway 199 along the Smith River. It is a beautiful ride. But with all of the windy, curvy road and the rain, there was no zooming-that is going fast, not online video. We made it into Oregon and to Cave Junction. There we stopped at Taylor Sausage. David bought a half a pound of their Trailblazer jerky. It definitely was not dry; it was tasty.

At Lilly's

At this point, David drove and I relaxed. He drove the rest of the way along 199 until we reached Grants Pass and I-5. There we turn north to Roseburg. We get into Roseburg around 2pm and head to Lilly’s Mexican Restaurant. We met Bonnie and Dennis there. Dennis was my best man and my last roommate before Sherri and I married.

It was a nice lunch/dinner. Both because the food was surprising good Mexican food and because the company was unsurprisingly warm and enjoyable. We talked about our children, travels and things in general. Then after our meal was over-David paid our bill-thank you David, we went over to the airport. Dennis is into the very final part of putting his new plane together-it has been certified, he just has a few things he wants to do before taking off. The plane looks impressive, all in a light blue. Looks like they will have many hours of enjoyment. Note: While we were on our trip, Dennis made his first flight.

Bonnie in passenger seat

After leaving them, we stop and get gas at Costco and then it is off on our final leg to Salem. I am driving this again. We arrive at 6:15. Lawrence and Andrea are at Costco when we arrive. We are able to unload, finishing up right when they arrive.

We talk and relax the rest of the night. I am reluctant to make our bed as Sherri has high standards. Andrea gives me a new phrase: weaponized incompetence. I like that. She comes up and we make the bed together. Now it is time for bed, about 10:30.

 

 

 

 

 

Background

Lilly’s Mexican Restaurant. I am surprised!We are from out of town and it has been our experience that Mexican restaurants anyplace north of Sacramento are suspect in how they make their Mexican food. At Lilly’s, the servings are hearty and the food is tasty. Close to what I would expect at my favorite Mexican restaurant at home. Those I ate with agreed. I had their enchiladas with rice and beans-it was pretty good and more than I could eat. I saved half for another day’s meal. While the eating situation is basic, when you have friends and family, that is sufficient. The staff took care of our needs.

March 21, 2024 - Eureka: Ferndale and Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

 

Title: March 21, 2024 - Eureka: Ferndale and Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Extra Photo's : Animals 

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking : Car

Trail head:  Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Trail: Unnamed

Destination: None

Distance:  1.7 miles ¹

 ¹I did not track on the GPS. The mileage is from plotting out the route on Google Earth. The relative elevation gain or loss was negligible.

Hadley Gardens

Description:

Last night my slumber, and Sherri’s, was interrupted by my blood sugar monitor going off. I took care of that but it certainly breaks up the sleep. I think it was a false alarm-at least 90% of them are and I was not feeling like I had anything going on. After falling asleep for a couple more hours, I did manage to get up at 7:30. I have been sleeping a bit long the past couple of days.

I had my breakfast and then played like a dog and followed David around as he reworked my jigsaw puzzle tray. He does such good work-he got talent. We did a few things but mostly just lounging and enjoying each other’s company.

Downtown Ferndale

 

 

Today we will at least go to Ferndale. At 10:25 we leave David’s house for Ferndale. Even though Ferndale is not too far away, it does involve crossing the famous Ferndale Bridge-sorry, no pictures. Shortly, we get to Ferndale.

David parks right in front of Hadley Gardens. This is a pretty small park. Being little does not mean it is for children, even though it has a miniature Victorian house. The park seems like it is both a demonstration area as well as a quiet place just to rest your mind at. There are local plants growing as well as a nice lawn area. Also a solar powered flower is employed to power all of the park, including the waterfall, and feeds into the power for Ferndale. 

An Abrakas hat

 

Went up and down main street, stopping at various stores like the Golden Gait Mercantile and the Ferndale Fine Arts-where we looked over the exhibits of various local artists. Confession: 90% of the work was not anything which I was interested in. Maybe the most interesting place was Abrakas. In the back they had hats, and more hats, and still more hats. We stayed in the back for a good length of time. Confession #2: After being in several stores for a few minutes, I would go out to the street and enjoy the sun and read.

 

 

It is getting to be about noontime and we are a bit hungry. David spots a place called Ferndale Meat Company

Sherri spotting wildlife

. The building looks old-I think you have to have that in Ferndale. Once inside, I had the feeling of a butcher shop from the 1950’s. There was not a whole bunch of decor to it. But you cannot eat decor, the question is, do they serve sandwiches and do they taste good? The answer is yes to both. Though they are inexpensive, this is a winner of a place. I had a pastrami sandwich and was satisfied. If you are looking for a full line of lunch selection or a comfortable dining experience, this is not it. The eating section is more of a back office area with a capacity of about ten. That is OK after all you cannot taste ambience it is the food which matters and the food is good.

I think we have had enough of Ferndale. David asks, Are we up to doing a bit of walking? Yes! So he takes us up 101 aways to the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. While the visitor center is not open, the outdoor area is. We hung around the visitor center, looking at signs and through a telescope. Then headed out into the refuge, along well marked trails.

Our walk is definitely not at a march pace, or even at hike speed. Probably someplace around a stroll or saunter. But then again, we are not out to make time or miles. Instead we investigate every bird, from a seagull to an egret to ducks and geese to even a whimbrel, whatever that may be.We stopped to take pictures of whatever moved and some things which didn’t. It is good to have curiosity and even better things to be curious about. This occupies us for a couple of hours. After only going 1 ¾ miles, I am tired and glad to be back at David’s.

Usually at the end of the day, I will write a few bullets about what we did during this day to remind myself of what I felt was important. Today, I did not write anything down. So as I am writing this up two weeks out, I have forgotten what happened after we returned, including what we had for dinner. I do know that we packed and got ourselves ready to go for an early start tomorrow.

Trail Lesson: It is good to have curiosity and even better to have things to be curious about.

Background

Trip Advisor: Ferndale Meat Company. The building looks old-I think you have to have that in Ferndale. Once inside, I had the feeling of a butcher shop from the 1950’s. There was not a whole bunch of decor to it. But you cannot eat decor, the question is, do they serve sandwiches and do they taste good? The answer is yes to both. Though they are inexpensive, this is a winner of a place. I had a pastrami sandwich and was satisfied. If you are looking for a full line of lunch selection or a comfortable dining experience, this is not it. The eating section is more of a back office area with a capacity of about ten. That is OK after all you cannot taste ambience it is the food which matters and the food is good.

Extra Photo's

Animals

Geese

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Whimbrel

Egret