Joe's birthday surprise this year was a trip to the coast for the weekend. And by surprise, I really mean surprise, I picked and packed the clothing, gear and foodstuffs and let him know that he would be whisked away no later then 2pm on Friday, but that was it.
We ventured west and then south to arrive in the very small town of Langlois, at
Floras Lake B&B. The weather was not lovely. In fact, given that the main point of the trip was to take advantage of the
Floras Lake Kite boarding, the outdoors was looking a bit daunting. I fretted as the rain fell in fat drops.
It was, however, a rather pleasant experience as the temperature was not too cold (rain be damned!).
On Friday evening we walked out the back porch of our room in the south wing and ventured towards the beach to have a look. It was raining sideways and we emerged on the beach half soaked. The cool part of this particular location as a place for windsurfing and kite boarding is that you get all the wind that you would playing on the ocean, but in the comfort of a freshwater lake. So, the wind offered a challenging walk to the pebbly beach and back. But we changed into dry clothes and headed back north for dinner in Bandon at the Wild Rose Bistro (fantastic!).
Saturday morning found us the only guests in the house; not too surprising considering the shrieking winds and sheets of rain. We had the run of the house and the full attention and conversation of the fabulous caretakers and owners who sat and ate breakfast with us.
The owner, kite instructor and weather guru made claims that the less than fantastic weather would pass before midday and Joe could go out and see about some kite lessons. He was correct and despite a few droplets every once and awhile, Joe (and after a few hours of homework, I) played around with the trainer kites on the beach of the lake.
Sunday greeted us with sunshine which made me feel slightly better (having thrown Joe into this). Joe went out early and donned a wetsuit and watched the wind change over the lake. Eventually the wind began to cooperate enough to get out on the water and he slid around the lake with various kites. I ventured out of the room to sit on the windy beach and do some reading and observing.
I have to say, kiting looks rather fun and with the major advances in wetsuits since
I last wore one (eh...20 years ago) I think I might be tempted to get out on the water myself.
We also stopped at Honeyman Lake, which I have only been to once, about 10 years ago with Toph who had spent childhood days there (calling it Honeymoon Lake, if memory serves). I need to dig up some old photos of it and scan them.
The dunes in Oregon are simply fabulous, but lakes like these will soon disappear in the erosion of the sand (the dock barely touches the water anymore).
I received an email the other day from a friend who is abroad complimenting the garden photos from April....well, what a difference a month makes...
I'm not going to lie, I have spent way more time planting and playing in the garden then should be reasonable for a PhD student.
Joe's birthday surprise this year was a trip to the coast for the weekend. And by surprise, I really mean surprise, I picked and packed the clothing, gear and foodstuffs and let him know that he would be whisked away no later then 2pm on Friday, but that was it.
On Friday evening we walked out the back porch of our room in the south wing and ventured towards the beach to have a look. It was raining sideways and we emerged on the beach half soaked. The cool part of this particular location as a place for windsurfing and kite boarding is that you get all the wind that you would playing on the ocean, but in the comfort of a freshwater lake. So, the wind offered a challenging walk to the pebbly beach and back. But we changed into dry clothes and headed back north for dinner in Bandon at the Wild Rose Bistro (fantastic!).
The owner, kite instructor and weather guru made claims that the less than fantastic weather would pass before midday and Joe could go out and see about some kite lessons. He was correct and despite a few droplets every once and awhile, Joe (and after a few hours of homework, I) played around with the trainer kites on the beach of the lake.
Sunday greeted us with sunshine which made me feel slightly better (having thrown Joe into this). Joe went out early and donned a wetsuit and watched the wind change over the lake. Eventually the wind began to cooperate enough to get out on the water and he slid around the lake with various kites. I ventured out of the room to sit on the windy beach and do some reading and observing.
I have to say, kiting looks rather fun and with the major advances in wetsuits since
I last wore one (eh...20 years ago) I think I might be tempted to get out on the water myself.
The dunes in Oregon are simply fabulous, but lakes like these will soon disappear in the erosion of the sand (the dock barely touches the water anymore).
