Myrtlewood Factory in Garibaldi OR

Another afternoon, we drove south to Garibaldi to this unique

shop that specializes in all things made from myrtlewood.  Bowls of every shape and size, jewelry boxes, cutting boards to the finest and detailed, fretted ornaments and jewelry.  Amazingly beautiful.  Myrtlewood can only be found in central to southern Oregon and northern California.  It is a very hard wood which is ideal for carving and working with a lathe.  The owner, Stan, who must be close to 80, is very skilled with a lathe.  He shows his skill in all his wares...one of which is the huge bowl below...not sure of the weight, the camera does not do it justice, but it was huge!  Below...an example of the inside of their store!      We bought a few gifty things and as we were leaving, the owners mentioned they will be retiring in June 2015...no family to take over, no probable talented woodworker so they will just sell out!  They say they will become PICKERS!                                     

Nehalem Bay

 Our second week in November found us in Paradise Cove and Nehalem Bay on the Oregon Coast and this was our view for a week....very peaceful, very quiet(except for the elk hunting dudes) and very beautiful.  Mussels are highly sought after in this quiet bay at low tide, and the park even has a large steaming pot where one can steam their catch.  We neither caught or steamed!  We enjoyed our week very much but I  must tell you about getting here.  Our Gertie, the GPS, sent us west of Portland appropriately, but then sent us a "short-cut" via a logging road when it was already getting dark.  The road twisted and turned, we met trucks and cars and we were never so thankful as when we finally arrived at the park.

 One afternoon, we  drove north to Oswald State Park and this was the view!  How can anyone doubt God when they see such a magnificent masterpiece!  Just gorgeous!  I hope there are views like this in Heaven!


The sun gleamed off the ocean like sparkling diamonds and bands of gold!  Awe!!!!!!  The hymn Majesty comes to mind!  At the end of another great day, there is always a sunset!

La Conner WA

 Our first stop in early November is one of my very favourite spots, La Conner WA.  It is a fave, because camp is within walking distance of a quaint downtown as well as to the marina.  Hundreds  of boats are moored here, some American, but many are Canadian, primarily from BC.  It is a beautiful sight to see all this money in one place.  I think of the owners and what they must do for a living in order to afford this lifestyle!  Many are quite large and outfitted with the amenities

  of an RV.  More boats here with logging of  long poles occurring across the waterway and then floated down river.
We took a walk downtown to our favourite brunch spot but because it was later in the afternoon, we chose to have dessert and tea.  They have a great gluten free bakery, so dessert was yummy.






 An unusual sight we encountered one morning as we walked the dogs.  This particular morning was quite cool to cold; in the field, a bit of a wetland area, I counted at least a dozen herons, some on one leg, some on both and some with beak beneath their wing and all of them I am sure, were shivering.  It was quite a sight!

 Because of all the rain, mushrooms were quite prevalent.  Not sure I would want to eat this one though!  Very pretty, but shouldn't there be an elf beneath?