Taft Waterfront Park is a lovely spot for reflection and to find peace while exploring soft, golden sand, and miles of twisted, aged grey drift wood. Turbulent waters enter Siletz Bay from the wild Pacific, yet this restless flow provides a calming affect. Brilliantly blue skies show through despite big puffy clouds unsuccessful attempt in obscuring radiant sunshine. Verdant fir trees set a boundary between this perfectly natural scene and the world of man.
Nothing soothes the soul like a walk on the beach.
Thanks for joining my loving Mother Tory, Sister Peggy, and Brother in Law Dale all ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ along the beautiful Oregon Coast. My Mom’s wish to return and set eyes on the Oregon Coast one more time and feel the magnificent bounty of Mother Nature was our beloved mission. We enjoyed our time together and with Nature. Our nearby condo took in tremendous views of the waves crashing upon the beach in the wild abandonment that only the Oregon Coast can provide. World Famous Chowder is something my family cannot miss out on when going to the Oregon Coast, and “Moe’s” is our favorite. There is always a long wait since it is quite popular, but that is not a problem when you have a place like Taft Waterfront Park to enjoy.
In order to take more adventures into the splendor that is Oregon I invite you to COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you please, checkout the menu above for spots all over this great West of ours that PBTA ventures to. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. You will need Adventure Wear so go to SHOP APPAREL for top quality gear that bears the PBTA logo and mantra.
Staying in Condos on the beach between Lincoln City and Depot Bay sister Peggy and I went for a three mile beach hike to the craggy headlands know as Fishing Rock. It looked interesting as it jutted out into the churning chasm of large violent waves. The jagged rocks were being pounded by a rough Pacific and the crashing swells exploded into the air upon contact.
We were scampering on the rocks when I spied a tiny marker ”Oregon Coastal Trail” that uncovered a steep little path that led up the bluff. Once on top there was a dark and foreboding forest that was impenetrable, but for a trail cut through it.
One direction led into an area devoid of light other than where a few sun beams filtered through in the most curious way giving it an mysteriously enchanted vibe. The cool air formed clouds of vapor from our breath and in the streaming light beams it cast haunting shadows and visions in an incredibly eerie fashion.
The other direction’s course weaved through a brushy maze opening up to the vastness of the ocean as it smashed into the rocks in a mesmerizing rhythm. We were compelled to watch wave after crashing wave as as the ocean had cast it’s spell upon us.
Fishing Rock on the Central Oregon Coast is one of the smallest sites of the State Park System. It is tucked away, obscured from sight of Highway 101 like a hidden secret. The signage on the 101 is discreet, vague and unassuming. Fishing Rock is at the end of a side road through a little neighborhood. There is a tiny parking lot and only after curiosity gets the best of you do you follow the dark colored gravel path that seems to lead to no where, and that is where the adventure begins.
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Click the Pic. There is motion in the Ocean.“There is pleasure in the pathless words, there is rapture on the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music and it’s roar: I love not man the less, but nature more.” -Lord Byron
My sister, Peggy, and I thank you for joining us on this entrancing excursion along the Oregon Coast. For more adventure I beseech you follow these oh so simple tasks that will ensure that you don’t miss out: FOLLOW, COMMENT, SHARE and LIKE. If you take a peek at the menu you will see that PBTA ventures to many different locations, each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Click on SHOP APPARELand you will discovered logo adventure wear. The gear is top quality and carries the mantra of finding ourselves through profound experiences in the healing of Mother Nature.
What a wonderful day to be experiencing Oregon at it’s best. I joined my good friend and Fraternity Brother Bruce for several days of journeying into incredible beauty, as he hosted these first days of Summer “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“. Our days were filled with some of the bluest skies you’ll ever see, stunning views of the snow capped Cascade Mountains and on this day from a kayak, surrounded by deep sapphire blue water.
Waldo Lake is the second largest and second deepest natural lake in Oregon. It’s waters are some of the purest and cleanest on earth. On a calm day it is said that you can see over 100 feet deep. The lake is a little less than 6 miles long by 3 miles wide, and the nearest major city is Eugene about 70 miles south. Waldo Lake is surrounded by thick, green, lush forests of Douglas Firs and Western Hemlock, and it is a perfect spot for hiking, mountain biking, camping, swimming and kayaking.
It was early in the season, as we did hit a few patches of snow driving along our route, but it was crazy that we had this big beautiful lake all to ourselves. We launched from Shadow Bay and we only saw a few other people- some hikers and a mountain biker. There was a light, but building breeze as we paddled through the indigo water, and took in views of the mountains to include Broken Top, South Sister and Middle Sister. We headed across the lake against the wind thinking if it really came up strong that it would be at our back for our return trip. We also figured that once we got to the other shore the forest would provide a wind break as well. We put in some miles as we struck out for Rhododendron Island which wasn’t in bloom, but full of natural beauty just the same. We circumnavigated the small island taking pictures and video to recreate Bruce’s daughter‘s perfect day, which the two experienced last year together.
If timing is everything then it sounds like we hit the nail on the head. Not only was the weather perfect, but it sounded like we dodged a bullet. We kayaked Hosmer Lake earlier in the morning, and met a Stand Up Paddle Boarder that told us his favorite lake was Waldo Lake because of it’s vast beauty and it’s deep blue water, but that he would never go there again due to the mosquitos. Well, we seemed to have escaped that issue. We experienced none of that, although we did bring the insecticide and head nets. The hikers we encountered in the parking lot, who make this an annual pilgrimage, said that this is the perfect time to come. It is all timing when everything just opens up with the snow melt and before the mosquitos are out in force.
The water was amazing, the scenery was stunning, the exercise was perfect, recanting our college days was awesome, what a great time! When can we do it again?
The pictures you always hear don’t do the experience justice, nor does video clips, but video is a little closer because of the moment of water. We launched into Waldo Lake out of Shadow Bay.Shadow Bay at Waldo LakeBruce lands his kayak on Rhododendron Island.Worry less, paddle more.
Thanks for joining Bruce and I as we paddled- “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“, on this pristine and gorgeous lake in the Wilds of Central Oregon. It doesn’t matter the question a little wilderness is the answer. Good, friends, paddles, blue sky, blue water- “Ya’ Just Gotta Love It!“ Bruce and I still have adventures left to put to pen. So make sure that you COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE– you don’t want to miss a single moment to be inspired by nature. Hopefully this will get you out there in the wilderness taking it all in. It’s good for the soul. Need a hat like my PBTA logo cap? The answer is yes you do, lol. SHOP APPAREL. Need adventure? Again same answer- yes you do, so go to the menu- there are suggestions for adventures all over the West. Each of the locations has a separate website and you should check them out. They all need to be FOLLOWED independently.
If you like waterfalls then the Pacific North West is definitely the place to be, boasting more waterfalls then anywhere in North America. Oregon has some splendid falls and Tumalo Falls, a short drive from Bend, is a good one. Be advised that the last couple of miles or so are unpaved gravel, washboard National Forest roads. It can be done in everyday vehicles, but it can be a rough ride. Also this is a popular spot so plan accordingly as parking can be tough in the small lot at the trailhead. If you don’t have a Northwest Forest Pass then it will be $5 cash.
Tumalo Falls in Tumalo State Park is 89’ tall and is on Tumalo Creek, part of the Deschutes River watershed area which is glacier fed. Tumalo, it is believed, is an Native American word for icy water. That would make sense if it is glacier fed. But one thing is for sure it is a grand falls and the whole area is magnificent. There are two viewpoints a short distance from the parking area. After taking in the beauty of the falls I headed out with Bruce Petersen, my good friend and fraternity brother, whom I had not seen in decades. Bruce is from Bend and he guided me along the North Fork Trail, which was easy to follow, along Tumalo Creek. We took in multiple wonderful smaller waterfalls along the route including Double Falls. Double Falls has a similar drop to Tumalo Falls but broken up into several drops.
It was late in the day, and although Central Oregon brags about 300 days of perfectly blue skies, on this day a light rain began to fall, (lovingly referred to as “liquid sunshine” which of course keeps Oregon green and beautiful), and a few lightening flashes accompanied by the rumble of thunder aided in our decision it was time for us to head back. Also Bruce was a trooper as he was rehabbing from knee surgery, but was quickly on the mend and his doctor okayed our couple miles or so hike, but if you have more time there is more trail and more waterfalls to be enjoyed.
Educational Display
Bruce Petersen at Tumalo State Park
About Nature – A Waterfall Never before had I seen such a splendid sight of grace and beauty as a waterfall. Life was being given to the green flowing lush vegetation on either side of a glittering strip of fluid motion moving down the land like a snake through grass. How enchanting the sight was and oh how comforting. -By George Krokos
Waterfalls are enchanting, magical, places of awe… let’s find some more because who doesn’t love waterfalls? If you love waterfalls like I love waterfalls then please LIKE, FOLLOW, COMMENT, and SHARE. Thanks for joining Bruce Petersen and I while ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’.
Oregon Hiking 