Tidepools are on my short list of things that will entice me out the door earlier than 9 a.m. I like a relaxed start to the day; enjoying a cup of coffee while perusing our photos, followed by a leisurely breakfast. But when low tide is at 7:00 a.m. and there are tidepools just steps […]
Author Archive for Laurel (AKA chickadee) – Page 28
You didn’t really think we could so easily leave behind the magic of the San Juan Islands, did you? Most definitely not, especially given that our daughter and grandson live on San Juan Island. I know, that’s a bit confusing, right? The entire archipelago (more than 400 islands and rocks) is known as the San […]
I can’t believe it’s the end of summer, and the end of our time on Lopez for this year. Our two months on the island have flown by—which is good because it means we’ve had a fantastic time, but not so good because we’re leaving behind friends and all that we enjoy about Lopez, at […]
If you like hiking, biking, and kayaking, Lopez Island offers plenty to keep you occupied. This is a small island, at only 15 miles long and 8 miles wide. Friends have asked us, “Do you ever get island fever?” The answer is “No.” In fact, it’s hard to pry us off the island. We always […]
Most mornings, Eric sits outside and drinks his coffee while observing the birds in our campsite at Spencer Spit State Park. Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees, and Pacific Wrens are daily visitors to our site, along with frequent appearances by various woodpeckers, including the big beautiful Pileated. Overhead, ravens cavort in the tree canopy. We walk […]
One of the things we enjoy most about camphosting at Spencer Spit State Park is the Junior Ranger program. Working with the kids is a delight, and we feel like we’re helping not only to enhance their experience at Spencer Spit, but also planting seeds that will help them to have a deeper appreciation for […]
Island life suits us, especially life on Lopez, a small isle in the San Juan archipelago just off the coast of Washington State. We love it here. It’s just as laid back as you imagine island life to be, but with the particular twist of being located in the Pacific Northwest, a belt of liberal […]
After one full year on the road, we didn’t anticipate just how unsettling it would feel to return to our hometown of Ashland, Oregon. We love Ashland. But as we entered the gravitational pull of the Rogue Valley, I felt a disquieting mix of excitement and anxiety. Returning Home It was odd to be returning […]
The McCloud River in northern California is one of our favorite close-to-home camping spots. At only 86 miles from our hometown of Ashland, Oregon, it’s just the right distance for a long weekend away. It’s especially lovely in the late spring and early summer, when the dogwood trees and wildflowers are blooming. Meeting Up With […]
In July 1986, Life Magazine published an article about Highway 50, dubbing it “The Loneliest Road in America.” The American Automobile Association warned, “It’s totally empty. There are no points of interest. We don’t recommend it. We warn all motorists not to drive there unless they’re confident of their survival skills.” In our experience, Highway […]
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If you enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, birding, art, music, quirky towns, good food, and good friends—you'll enjoy traveling with us. Join us as we explore the backroads of North America—we love company and comments!