Nonetheless, we managed to squeeze in some fun time with friends, most notably a couple of days at Rocky Point on the second weekend in October. It also was the perfect place to launch into our continuing journey of full-time travels.
Autumn colors at Rocky Point
The weather was gorgeous, as it often is in early October in the Klamath Basin. The aspens and willows were turning to gold, there was a crisp coolness to the air, and it was still mild enough to sit outside and delight in camaraderie around a blazing campfire. We enjoyed a communal campfire breakfast, a tapas party one evening, lots of music, kayaking, and just hanging out and appreciating the beauty of nature and the company of friends. How lucky we are!
Reflections On The Morning Of Leaving
On the spur of the moment, Eric and I decide to spend an extra night. The morning was perfect for kayaking, and we couldn’t resist one more day on the lake before beginning our long journey to Florida. This is the epitome of a bittersweet moment—waving goodbye to our good friends as they one-by-one packed up and pulled out of the campground. These are the moments when I think, “Do I really want to be doing this? Do I really want to leave good friends and home behind?”
Waving goodbye to our friends
I wandered around the campground for a bit, taking in the beauty and the solitude, and feeling grateful for the freedom of our lifestyle, mixed with sadness at leaving friends and what is familiar. And then, at the edges of my nostalgia, I felt a tinge of excitement pulling me toward the adventures ahead.
Until next time…
We walked down to the dock and launched our kayak, gliding silently along the mirror-like waters. Our only companions were the Great-blue Herons quietly fishing, the American White Pelicans bobbing along in their choreographed dance, the Marsh Wrens scolding us in raspy voices, the Canada Geese honking in greeting, and the Bald Eagles majestically observing us from perches high in the Douglas firs. It was a glorious send-off.
White Pelicans in the morning mist
Hasn’t the fall been amazing. We were on Pelican Bay the third weekend in October, entertaining friends here in Rocky Point the same weekend you were here. Maybe we even passed each other, since we took our friends down to the boat launch. It was absolutely gorgeous, and yes, bittersweet for us as well.
Yes, the fall is glorious at Rocky Point — it’s always been our favorite time to be there. Maybe someday we can kayak Pelican Bay together!
What a wonderful gathering in a lovely spot!
I hope you aren’t in TX by now…!
Noooo……Texas isn’t in our trajectory this year! We’re heading to Florida via Utah/New Mexico/Oklahoma/Arkansas and then south. Maybe we’ll catch up with you in Cedar Mesa!
Boy you aren’t kidding about a great sendoff. What a wonderful exit strategy. We did all those same “chores” in our hometown but we sure don’t have that huge group of friends to bid farewell. Just left for Florida too but we’ll get there before you LOL.
Oh good, glad you guys are headed to Florida! I hope you still have your reservations in the Keys. We’ll be neighbors! If not, we’ll get together with you elsewhere for sure.
Looks and sounds like the perfect send off.
It definitely was the perfect send-off — great friends and a beautiful location.
Sweet, sweet, sweet. That’s all I can say. I love the spectacular photos of October on Klamath Lake and I love the pictures of you and your friends gathering. Just love it.
Thank you, Janet. I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos. It’s just as sweet as it looks. You should join us next year! ;-)
Haha! Good job getting another blog post out:) But…you are still in Oregon:) Yes, it is tough to say good bye to familar people and territory. But as you said, there is that little tug of the new adventures pulling us along to move back out on the road.
Your photos are amazing!! I especially love the single pelican looking so translucent. And the opening photo with the white against the blue is such a gorgeous contrast:)
Safe travels as you move to Florida to visit your parents:)
Haha, yeah, I guess I needed the “principal” to get on me about being tardy. Next stop, 395!! Glad you liked the photos. It was so much fun spending time with you guys in Lone Pine.
So beautiful. How I would so love to spend a few days with you somewhere in such glorious surroundings!
We miss you guys! It would be wonderful to spend time with you at Rocky Point — or anywhere! oxox
Selfishly I’m very glad you pulled yourself away from Ashland :-) You are truly blessed with so many wonderful friends who share your love of music art and adventure. The water is really peaceful and inviting, glad you got one more morning to enjoy it. That principal was sure motivating :-))))
I’m glad we pulled ourselves away, too — otherwise we wouldn’t have met up with you two! One of the great and unexpected gifts of our lives on the road is meeting new friends. :-)
Looks like the perfect Oregon fall weekend!! Wish we were there:-)
Safe and fun travels to you both!
You’ll have to join us sometime when we’re all in Ashland in the fall. It’s wonderful to kayak with the pelicans. :-)
So sorry we missed the second annual! May we have an invitation for next year? Can’t wait to catch up with you in FL! We’re arrived MA this afternoon; the fall color is still going. We’ll be working our way farther south every few days. Beautiful images!!
Thanks, Karen. Of course you’re invited to the third annual gathering! We missed you this year. Looking forward to seeing you guys in Florida.
I was at Rocky Point with my plein air group the following weekend. We were in a big house right on the water and had rain and wind, calm and sunny, and moonless starry nights. It was glorious and I loved painting the dark clouds and the White Pelicans.
Oh, that does sound glorious! We would love to see your paintings when we return to Ashland in the spring.
A beautiful sendoff indeed! I had not heard of Rocky Point, OR until your post. Looks like another fabulous place to spend a few days.
It’s a very special place for us, LuAnn, and one where we’ve spent many happy days kayaking. You would love it!
Oh, this is a sweet farewell- for- now post. You sure did have a great send off from wonderful friends.
Love the pics of the two pelicans, and the solo one. Great capture.
And the empty campground at the end was a bittersweet image, sad but full of promises on the road.
You said that so beautifully, MonaLiza! We did have a great send-off, and we do have so much to look forward to in our continued journeys.