Larch Mountain Oregon, Oh, The Views! THE Trip, THE Encore'

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Back to THE Trip, THE Encore' on June 28, 2013.  Yes, the date is correct!  No, we are not in Oregon today, except here on Reflections we can go anywhere, virtually, at any time.

We decided to go have a look at Larch Mountain's Sherrard Point, that has views of nearby Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Jefferson, Mount Rainier near Seattle and Mount St. Helens.

We started out at an elevation of 65 feet, but, with a 10 % grade road, we quickly climbed to 3873 feet near the parking area for our hike to Sherrad Point.

Pretty drive to the parking area:

Bloomers:

Believed to be beargrass:

Trail started out this way, level surface, but, going up:

Wasn't long and this is what the trail looked likes, stairs and more stairs.  

The summit, at 4056 feet:

Some puffy clouds hung low enough to cover the tops of the 5 mountains.  And, since it has been so long I won't swear I have the right names with the right photos.  So, I just won't name them.  (LOL)  Due to the low (?) hanging clouds, I could barely make out several of the mountain tops.

Mountains, water, evergreens, pines, bliss:

My fav photo of the day:

In a few days we would move to Packwood Washington to wait out the 4th of July holiday. The only place we could find a campsite at short notice.  The internet connections were non-existent, but, the scenery took our breath away.

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University of Georgia Aquarium, Skidaway Island Georgia:: Rolling, Rolling, Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

The University of Georgia Aquarium is just a few miles from the state park on Skidaway Island.  We had tried to visit a few years ago, but, we arrive 5 minutes after closing. Stayed on the bucket list, till this trip.  

After paying the nominal fee, we decided on the short walk to the pier first, as the wind was kicking up and it was getting cooler.  Just outside the building, huge oaks, and spanish moss.

Zoom, look how the moss is just barely hanging on.  I am not sure I have ever looked this closely before.  

The pier:

Of course we walked to the end of the pier, the view looking back.

We spied this fella fishing for dinner:

After our walk we went into the aquarium, horseshoe crabs:

Someone has a neat looking home:

A spiny lobster, can get up to 3 foot in length:

Loggerhead sea turtle:

And, one of my all time favs, the sea horse.  I have taken a lot of photos of sea horses over the years, they are extremely hard to capture, and have the photo be in focus. This try is not too bad:

Red lionfish:

The facility is not huge, what a plus.  Sometimes the places we have visited are so large they really are almost overwhelming.  The young lady staffing the building was polite and interesting.  All in all, a nice afternoon.

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Hiking at Skidaway Island State Park, Georgia:: Rolling, Rolling, Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

From James Island/Charleston we wandered down to Skidaway Island State Park, outside of Savannah, Georgia for 4 nights.

It is always enjoyable to take a hike in parks, so, we did.  You can read about this trail.

We picked a low tide time.

Zoom a little, yes, those are oyster shells.  I have no idea if they are human trash or left over nature treasure.

Trail was pretty much flat, but you had to keep an eye out for wet mucky spots and roots that were trip hazards.

A very pretty resting spot, with a goodly amount of spanish moss and a nice bench.

A shelf mushroom of some sort:

Looking out over the marsh:

The trail was the site of a 30 some mile run that morning, the majority of the runners were polite, some were spent, our hats off to all of them.

After lunch at a local infamous BBQ joint, we had two choices, Wormsloe or the Center for Marine Education and Aquarium of the University of Georgia.  As it was spitting rain and another mile hike/walk was involved at Wormsloe, we opted for the Aquarium.  Coming to this blog sometime soon.

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This Year, We are Thankful for Much, Including Cousins With Open Hearts and Homes.

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As roving RVer's we frequently spend holidays in different states, cities and parks.  One year in Texas, one in Arizona, one in Florida, etc.

Sometimes we are with family, other times with dear friends, and other times, at a park where we know no one.  There was a year in Jasper County Missouri that we had our holiday meal in a local restaurant.  Many RV parks sponsor meals, usually a "carry in", with all contributing, the food is awesome and surely plentiful.

This year we were blessed to spend the day with Bowen cousins, Barb, Connie and Mary.

Man and I had met Connie a couple of years ago. Today, we had the pleasure of meeting her older sister, and her younger sister.

The food was great, the company was better.  Thank you for the invitation and the warm welcome into your lives.

  and Man

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Edisto Island, South Carolina: Rolling, Rolling, Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Our only full day in the Charleston South Carolina area was spent out at Edisto Island, and of course getting there and back.  An enjoyable leisurely drive.  Leisurely, enough, that I now realize that I took almost no photos.  Really.

We started the day off by having a pulled pork sandwich at Bessinger's in Charleston. We have rarely visited Charleston and not had at least one pulled pork sandwich from Bessingers.  It was a good way to start the day.

When we got out to the area of Edisto Beach we found a beach access parking area, walked out with Winston, took a few photos, and because it was windy and I needed to find the local rest room, we left.  So much for the beach combing.  

You will note Winston was sticking his tongue out at me.  He did not like the wind, nor the roar of the surf.

We stopped at a local museum, chatting with the docents, but, decided to not go in.  Man stopped at a shrimp shop and came out with about a pound, boiled and spiced.  He enjoyed, I plugged my nose.  LOL

Not much of a report, but, we really did enjoy the ride.  Back roads, covered by huge pin oaks and dripping spanish moss. A bit of beach, and some shrimp for Man.  Yep, a good day.

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Folly Beach, South Carolina:: Rolling, Rolling, Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As Man and I make our way south via the east coast we have received some great suggestions for places to visit when we stop in wonderful southern cities, such as, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Savannah.

Oh, the suggestions are wonderful and bring back such memories.  We cannot thank you all enough.  

However, for the most part, we are just stopping a couple of nights and moving on.  Not a lot of time for serious sightseeing (well the way we sightsee, slow and easy.)  As we are stopping in some very familiar spots, we are for the most part, just hitting a favorite restaurant or two, and perhaps, stopping to see something new.

Such was the case while we stopped at James Island/Charleston South Carolina.

We wanted to visit a family home, which we did.  Also on the to do list was to drive down to Folly Beach, which we also did.

Folly has changed, it has grown.  But, it is still beach.

This guy was having a blast playing in the surf:

It was overcast.  But, the surf was up a bit, enough for a few guys to be surfing:

She was taking photos of the surfers.  Sorry, too cold for me.  Note the surfers have on wet suits, she has on short shorts.  And, sorry, I doubt I would be taking my camera out in that rough surf.  I am clumsy, and I am sure it would be dumped in the drink.

Sea mist, makes lovely views of the surroundings.  As long as it is light and I don't have to drive in it.

Rolling waves:

These flowers (black eyed susans??) sure looked bright and cheery on a dull day.

Critters are frequently entertaining:

They sure were enjoying their bathing opportunity:

The next day we would drive out to discover Edisto, we had never been.  It was laid back, and easy and a nice drive. Yes, I have photos.  To share.  Sometime.

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Columbia Gorge, Blue Skies, Bridges, Boats, Beauty Beyond Words:: THE Trip, THE Encore'

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

The last post from our western trip, date, June 28, 2013.  Read that date again, carefully. We are NOT in the western states today.  

Our drive home this day took us north a few miles to the Hood River Toll Bridge.  We saw bridges (love bridges), boats, blue skies, and tons and tons of beauty.  OH, and a few train tracks, tunnels and more beauty.

No more words.  Just look - - 

Then, the Hood River Toll Bridge and back to Oregon we go.

It has been a great day, which took me months to post on Reflections.  Our next day of exploring took us to Larch Mountain and a nice hike.

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