Welcome to Chaos !!

Well.....the great solar eclipse came and went. It's over now and was kind of overhyped or should I say, people were getting way too worked up over this I think. Freaking out that there would be a shortage of water, gasoline, food.....you name it.
No shortages here, well I don't know what happened in your neck of the woods but I did not lack anything.
I drove to Terrebonne which was in totality but not in the direct path of the eclipse. I put on my protective eclipse glasses and watched, it was like looking at a new moon. With a reddish golden tint. Then the moon covered the sun for about a minute which looked pretty cool and then it was over.
It did not get completely dark where I was at, it looked like evening, perhaps it got completely dark in the areas that were in the direct path of the eclipse. I don't know. What I did notice though was stillness and quiet coming on as the totality drew closer....there is something special about these events for sure.



Next time there is a total eclipse here in the US is in 2024.....then it is expected that there will be peaks of totality for about four minutes, which will be longer totality than today's eclipse. I don't have any knowledge on this subject whatsoever.....the sun, the moon, the stars.

EDIT
This was the frontage of yesterday's Bulletin (a paper).

When looking at a map of the Oregon Coast I saw several lighthouses along the coast, I decided I wanted to see a lighthouse and went to Haceda Head Lighthouse and here are the pictures.
From the parking lot and the beach you take a trail up to the lighthouse.



And there it was! How pretty!



Somebody told me to make sure I would continue the path up behind the lighthouse and look at the view from up there, which I did.



There is a couple that lives in a house adjacent to the lighthouse, here is some information about caring for a lighthouse. Could this be a job for you?



It was windy up there.....my hair was all over the place as you can see.



But here I am.....HELLO! 🙂



After the lighthouse I went down to the car, took Chhaya out and we went to the beach.



Chhaya's ears were flopping in the wind. ❤



The sun came down.



And the moon came up.



It got dark and chilly after a while. We hopped in the car and drove off. I stopped a bit down the road to look back at the lighthouse and yes.....the light was on. The light makes a circle so when it's facing your direction you can really see it.





I would like to see one more lighthouse, Yaquina Head Lighthouse. A future trip is being planned in my head......

I took a drive (together with Chhaya of course) along the Oregon Coast Highway, which is the famous US 101 and stopped at a few places on the Oregon Coast.
I definitely have to go back and see more because it is absolutely beautiful.
Here are some pics from the trip....
I found a pic of me on a wall.




Pretty Chhaya enjoying the view.



Cape Foulweather.









We went down to the beach and dug our toes into the sand.







Hopefully I get to go back and explore this beautiful part of the country soon!

Today was a good day for another trip so me and Chhaya picked up Desi at 3 and we took off.
So we were going to go to Clear Lake because I read that there are some more than 3000 year old trees under the water in the lake and that this lake is considered one of the best places for diving in the US.
On the way there I had to stop at the sign for the Pacific Crest Trail that Cheryl Strayed hiked (1100 miles of it - impressive!) and then penned about that adventure in her book Wild that I just love.



It was a windy and gloomy day today which was nice after many days of relentless sun and heat but it didn't make Clear Lake any justice. The water IS very clear, we went out on the boat deck and as the water got deeper it still remained clear and you can see the bottom of the lake. To view the underwater forest you need to probably either dive or take a boat out to the location of it. Maybe have to come back here another time because Chhaya tried to get in the row boats several times, basically telling me she wants to go boating.









Fed the ducks, Chhaya that normally would not eat plain bread wants to scarf down all the bread that the ducks get because she does not want to share HER bread with them.



And then we continued driving and got to Sahalie Falls.....



I hiked down to Koosah Falls when I was there last month and today we scrambled down to Sahalie Falls, well as close as we could get. It was muddy and the water from the falls sprayed us down, we basically got a shower. Chhaya was not too excited at all over her shower. Here I am showing her the falls from up at the viewpoint and she got kind of stiff.....like what is THAT?



But we got a picture with the waterfalls behind us. Mission accomplished!
Took some pics, or attempted to at the bottom of the hill behind us but the water spraying everywhere made it difficult. I do suggest a hike down to Koosah Falls for an up close experience for those that can handle a rather steep climb.



Then I realized we were close to Belknap so we went there too. A visit to the amazing Secret Garden can never be a bad idea.....it is so beautiful at Belknap.
If you happen to be in the area you have to go there!



When the plants are taller than you....









Then it started getting dark and we drove home. What a nice day!

So during my stay at Belknap I went on a hike to Tamolitch Pool, also known as the Blue Pool. It's a 2 mile hike each way from the Blue Pool trailhead and fairly easy and very scenic, in other words - a great hike. The whole area here is spectacular.
The Blue Pool itself is quite a view when you first see it, crystal clear water and a gorgeous intense color.





There were plenty of visitors at the Blue Pool enjoying themselves, some were jumping into the water from far up but the water was way too cold for me.
I dipped my foot in and that was enough. No swimming for me.





I see a face in the roots.



A short drive or hiking distance away (your choice) there are some waterfalls.
Had to go there of course. Sahalie Falls first.





Thunder of the sky; thunder of the drums; thunder of the falls. A timeless song cycle.....





And then Koosah Falls.









I am so grateful I got to see this. I love the outdoors.

A few weeks ago, on a Sunday to be precise, I packed enough stuff for me and Chhaya to last for a week and drove to Belknap. It was time to do some exploring here in Oregon. I just haven't gotten around to write about this wonderful adventure until now......better late than never.
Upon arrival we checked into one of the cabins. There are some really cool spots for tenting there as well. Plus the lodge, some larger houses for rent and RV spots.



I was in awe over the clean and clear water, probably the clearest water I have seen so far. And remember, I lived in Alaska for years and traveled around there too. So I have seen some clean water before. Belknap is situated on the McKenzie river.



Here is one of the hot spring pools. I was soaking my tired bones in the other and less populated pool though, I prefer less people if possible when it comes to hot springs.









Belknap is in the middle of a beautiful faerie like forest, I felt like I had stepped into a different time....the trees are tall and the vegetation thick, everything is so green. I loved it, Chhaya as well. Little paths connect you to where you want to go.....



To a bench for a rest perhaps.



This is the entrance to the Secret Garden. I want to bring my Mom here, she would LOVE it. I loved it, so gorgeous. I would not mind spending several weeks at this enchanted place.













After two nights and days at Belknap we got on the road again.....more about the next Oregon adventure another time.
Have a nice weekend everybody! ❤