FLAMINGOES IN THE FALL SOTF EVENT

It was a 5 hour drive from Nehalem to Kanasket-Palmer State Park near Auburn WA. Making a couple of stops along the way added some time, as did a few traffic snarls along the route. We arrived at camp toward dusk and said our hellos before setting up our camp site.

The leader of this event purposely made it a low key time for relaxing. Our only gathering times were for afternoon board games, then cocktail hour before the potluck dinners. This made for time to enjoy time on our own or with one or two other sisters at a time ;’-).

On Friday we took the trail from our campsite to the river. That is — Green River which is quite rapid in some parts. We are aat the southern part of the river .

Rapid enough to post a warning…

Carrie had joined us for the mini hike.

One needs good boat handling skills to avoid the rocks too.



It was then time for some games if you chose, or for some chatting around the early campfire before dinner.

Did I mention that the theme of this event is everything flamingo??

The following morning Susan and Mame hiked down to the river with fly fishing gear. Though they had a good time fishing, neither caught any fish but did see salmon running ;’-).

The following morning Susan agreed to a bike ride with me. I had found what looked like a decent 15 mile loop from the campground. It turned out to be a very enjoyable ride, I added more to the end of it to get to the grocery store for a purchase of milk for Susan’s morning coffee ;’-).

There are a few things that Susan is not able to pass by without a stop. One is any porta potty on the route, another is any Little Library. We did not come across any porta potties.

This dog house could have been constructed by the CCC workers from back in the day.

In addition to a very large, long spree of discarded beer cans and whiskey bottles along the roadside, we passed several old vehicles by some old homes.

Back at camp for a stroll around the campground and more evidence of the theme, decorating various sites…

Our final gathering brought out a few more pinks.

We enjoyed our last potluck, with oh so many dishes of wonderful food — and desserts — before our farewells to each other. The next morning Susan and I would be going to Jenny’s for an overnight to spend time with the family. Home is on the near horizon for some R&R before taking off for California. See you there ;’-))).

PLEASURE WAY CAMPOUT IN OREGON

Pleasure Way is the company that makes our RV. They have rallies and camp outs in different areas and states. We have attended one (maybe 2) in the past and I have not been a big fan of the events. Susan is more into finding out tricks, tips and details that are useful, so she has more interest and attends the talks, etc.. This one was at the Nehalem State Park on then northern coast of Oregon. 

We were here for four nights with mostly good weather. At times a bit cool (we were by the ocean) but nice enough for walks and bike rides. Susan was agreeable to ride to the town of Manzanita and back for about a 12 mile ride — avoiding hills (almost).

The beginning of our ride was along trails from the park to the road that led us to Manzanita. First look as we entered the trail was a rather eerie looking forest.

Be Aware!

Susan rides on down the trail…

…waits for me to ride toward her. Sure does look like autumn has come upon us.

We reached Manzanita for the ride along the shore line for a bit of ocean ogling.

I can never get too much ocean viewing.



The route took us up a rather steep hill to another steep hill which we opted out of ;’-) One was enough for this ride, which was far from flat!

We met Penelope and Barb as they were (as we were) searching for library wifi, and had lunch at a place they had suggested before our return to camp.

Susan could not help but give me some more time on unpaved trail…

Thankfully that trail was short and brought us to a close up view of a Manzanita Bay shoreline.

Later in the day we invited Cara, another camper, to join us on a walk on the beach. She said yes and we trudged up the soft sandy hill to reach the wide, hard sand of the beach.

Sand dunes of course.

And beach sand hard enough for vehicles to drive on.

The following day, me not having enough bike riding 😏, I took off for another ride. The beginning was basically the same as Susan and I had done the day before, but I continued on for the ride through Newhalem and then my turn around point, the town of Wheeler.

As I again skirted the shoreline of Manzanita, I stopped for the Drifting Sands photo ;’-)…

…and the leaving Tsunami photo.

Not a sign you often ride up over!

Departing town, I had a couple of mighty hills to climb that I know I would have achingly trudged and pushed without my pedal assist. I made it to continue my ride on Rte 101. It is often a busy highway, but it had enough shoulder and only intermittent traffic to make me feel safe and comfortable enough to ride. I crossed the bridge over Nehalem Bay. 

Fishing boats coming through from the other side.

I found this true Nurse Log — more a Nurse Tree — out in the bay.

A couple more bayside shoreline shots.

And then the old fishing village.

This was my U-turn spot where I fortunately found a public restroom ;’-). There was not much to this town, and as I started out of town I mused how these small towns on the west coast are old and weathered and sometimes with abandoned buildings and boarded up businesses. This is unlike some of the small shoreside towns on the east coast which are often charming and attract many tourists; or the unique little villages in Europe that seem to maintain their charm and beauty. Perhaps the rough weather and the hard life for those who live here on the coast make it less likely to maintain charm and vitality as tourist a town. Many of the small fishing villages are just that and may always be that. 

This would end my (our) adventure at Nehalem State Park as we began our goodbyes to those we have met. The PW club had a farewell continental breakfast for us, and we joined Penelope and Barb at their site for farewell morning coffee/tea and shared breakfast time with them. 

MILLERSYLVANIA SOTF CONTINUES

The following day, Friday, the gals arrived. Our leader, Shari had set up a table and tent enclosed kitchen for our gathering place. She went all out for us. I missed a chance to get a photo of her kitchen, but here is the table setting, candles and all because — well, we like to rough it!

Shari had set up an agenda of activities and down times for us and our first was a leisurely, fun tour of trailers. Josepha’s was the first stop and most colorful.

When we got to Robin’s trailer we found that she was tidying up and not quite ready for us so we patiently (?) waited for her to allow the tour.

It was worth the wait to see her “speakeasy” decor.

All that in the small trailer is quite impressive. Very nicely done.

We visited a few other vans and trailers of these creative women and soon it seems, it was time for dinner! Shari supplied our first night’s dinner of chili dogs, chips, and non-alcohol drinks plus dessert items. Most generous. After dinner we had a ‘white elephant gift exchange’ which held some good laughs and giggles. 

It was the night of the Harvest Moom.

We have kept our sharp awareness of  the wildfires that have been happening, and the air quality was still ok for our fire on this night, unlike the next night when we made due with a reddish color lamp!

Josepha on the guitar and Tami on the ukelele entertained us with great music and song before we bid our goodnights to each other.

The next morning it was time for most of us to take a hike ;’-). Deep Lake offered a nice backdrop.

We elected Robin with long arms to try for a selfie of us all, and she did a great job. Front row is Shari, Susan and Robin. Back row: Ally, Nancy and Alisa.

Through the woods and to another photo op.

A couple of views along the hike.

I found the roots of great interest. Great trees with roots popping up at lakeside looked almost creepy in a way.

After some individual free time it was time for our bike ride around. Oh no I thought!! Not those trails again. I might just have to hang back and wait for them to return to me. But Shari was gentle, and took us on the campground paved roads and actually avoided those unpaved lumpy trails. Thank you Shari!

This park is one that Shari comes to often to camp with her dog while her husband is working or otherwise busy. So she is very familiar with the park and all its nooks and crannies. We rode to the “Glamping” (Glamorous Camping) neighborhood.

Several large tents fully equipped with beds and amenities are placed in spacious sites.

Here is one of the glamping tents

This trailer was too cute!

Too cute to pass up having our photo taken by it.

Biking Sisters unite! Linda was taking the photo so is not in this picture.

Linda’s neighbors run a company called “Pampered Wildness” and they operate the tent side at Millersylvania. The tents and vintage trailer are nightly rentals in the park. Linda searched her archives and came up with some photos. These photos of the trailer give us a peek of what it looks like inside.

From here we scattered to our own devices — some went for time at the lake to kayak, swim, noodle or soak off the heat, some found the rocks and paints Shari had set out for them to make their own designs, some read or napped. Whatever the choice, each enjoyed the afternoon time.

It was potluck dinner this time and more fun as Robin entertained us with some ukelele songs she has written. Creative and fun songs. 

I think I got a little lazy by this time — or tired — as I did not take any other photos. We had nice chats around dinner, and a choice to follow the music makers for some music, or to stay for a movie that Shari had masterfully set up with projector and sheet screen on her van! It worked beautifully. Susan and I watched a little of it and had to finally say good night as our eyelids were drooping. 

It was a great SOTF event and this was Shari’s first event. Not just to host — but to actually attend an event. She did an outstanding job and thought of all the little details without making it look daunting. With all we did it was relaxing because the pace was right and Shari’s personality was calming and inclusive. Nicely done Shari. And let me add it was such a good group of women that we could do nothing else but have a wonderful camping event.