To the Beach, getting out of town..................

With Cherry Festival in full swing, Laura, Reina and myself headed out of town. The traffic is horrible during summer, during the festival it's unbearable. So best to head out as far as possible. We decided to not go to Leland in the beginning thinking it would be crowded. We instead headed for Port Oneida and one of the lesser known beaches. We got there with just one car in the lot and one leaving. Not bad we thought.



It was windy and big waves churning up the sand but hot and sunny so for me quite pleasant although Laura and Reina were cold.




Gone are the days when we had two little kids with us wondering what had happened that we still had little ones. Life takes turns we do not expect and little kids grow up. Reina is 11 now.

Laura rescued a bee, got him all sunned out and off he went, straight into the water and drowned. Very traumatizing for us

We didn't find too many stones to bring home but enjoyed the walk, and the hike back up the steps was good for us. Groan.
We needed a bathroom so we stopped at the little park at the beginning and used the outhouse. I took my own toilet paper after Laura said there was none. Always have carried supplies in that old van.


We decided to go to Leland after all. Figured we were rock hounding not sun bathing so why not.
There were not that many there in the end. Not at that time anyway. Maybe one or two families. The rules have changed. You have to stay at the very small beach area now. The rest is private property and this year is being enforced. I don't blame them. For our purpose it didn't matter. It is quite legal to walk in the surf and close to it.

Reina found that little guy and he got to live another day, thank goodness.
We did collect a bunch of rocks and it was quiet, when we went back along the beach the entrance was crowded all bunched up in one small area with a cloud of chemical fumes hovering over them. How people can enjoy that is beyond me, but it didn't bother us any, we were up the beach on our own.
We left Leland after stopping at Trishes Dishes for a Reuben sandwich that we took down by the River to eat.

I had my eye on some chap who left his dog in the car. We hoped he was just going to pick up some food and it turned out that was probably the case. Lucky for both of us when we drove past he was back in the car leaving. Relief!!!!!!
We had no time that we had to be home having told Gerry to fend for himself so we headed back to Port Oneida to spot wildlife. Stopped at the old school house lake, one day I will remember the name.


Saw turtles sunbathing

There were little fishes, dragon fly and Red Wing Blackbirds.

So up to the woods we went, through the back dirt roads talking of why we never see cougars or wolves or bear. Got to the top of the hill and saw some people by the side of the road. Wondered what they were looking at, they waved, we slowed down to ask if they were OK (and see what they were looking at, didn't want to miss anything) well apparently they were lost. Sort of. They had apparently (we managed to get out of them), parked at Pyramid point and hiked off through the woods. There they were without a clue, red faced and worried and going the wrong way. Laura offered them a ride. They piled in with much gratitude. Two older folks looking rather red and warm, and a young man and woman, their grandkids (I heard her say grandpa) so she sat on the guys lap and Reina in back with Pops we took them down the trail to Pyramid point. Goodness knows how long it would have taken them to get back seeing as they were headed the wrong way. They never would have found the car park. Anyway.............we dropped them off and started again. So much for wildlife, just tourists.

The only wildlife we saw were a couple of Sand Hill Cranes

The meadows were beautiful though

Lots of bees, we left those alone. After the one who commited suicide at Leland the big ol bumble was in no danger.

He did come and take a look at me before swooping off. Good to see so many bees active in the Cow Vetch. We stopped at Gallaghers Farm Market on the way home. Got me some cherries, blueberries and a big ol Cherrie pie and some ice cream. Boy was that good. I just had a slice. I love farm produce and home baked goods. Gerry was compensated for fixing his own supper as I also got donuts.