Vacation 2021: Hwy 101, Trees of Mystery, Avenue of the Giants, Oceanside, and Wyoming

I have never been too keen on traveling to California. The traffic and noise I heard were horrendous, not to mention how bad the crime was in the bigger cities. However, my husband's adopted sister was getting married at Balboa Park in San Diego, and she wanted him to officiate the wedding, and he agreed to marry them. So, on October 3rd, on my birthday, we ventured out down Hwy 101 towards Oceanside. California, where our lodging was located. 

Hwy 101

Our first stop was Port Orford, Oregon, along Hwy 101. Before the arrival of white settlers, the area was occupied by the Tututni. The Tututni were a Native American tribe. An online source states that they were "one of Lower Rogue River Athabascan tribes from southwestern Oregon who signed the 1855 Coast Treaty, and were removed to the Siletz Indian Reservation in Oregon" (Wikipedia contributors. "Tututni." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 Nov. 2020. Web. 16 Oct. 2021.).

Traveling along Hwy 101 along the southern Oregon coast is beautiful and breathtaking. The highway winds through coastal towns displaying awesome ocean views. 

Trees of Mystery

And one must not forget to stop at the Trees of Mystery along Hwy 101 and get their picture taken with Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox. The Trees of Mystery is located 36 miles south of the Oregon border in Klamath, California. Hike the trails through massive, awe-inspiring redwoods and learn all about the history of Paul Bunyan. After hiking along the trails, be sure and check out the gift shop and museum.  

Avenue of the Giants

Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile scenic drive through an ancient old-growth Redwood forest. At one time, the giant redwoods grew naturally in many places within the Northern Hemisphere. But now, due to climatic changes, redwoods only grow in a coastal strip from southern Oregon to Monterey county in California. Redwoods are one of the oldest living things. The oldest redwood tree recorded was 2200 years old. 

Oceanside

Oceanside, California,  is a coastal city located along California's southern coastline. Originally the city was inhabited by Native Americans, the Luiseño peoples, or the Payomkawichum. Now it is a city that is bustling with a population of over 167,086.

Oceanside has a harbor with several gift shops, boat chartering businesses, and restaurants located along the harbor and at the pier. In the morning, grab a cup of delicious coffee and pastry at the Nautical Bean. A must place to have lunch at is Joe's Crab Shack. I discovered they have delicious Fish and chips and friendly service. And be sure and check out the Oceanside Broiler. They cook Terrayki Top Sirloin steak to perfection. It is the bomb. On Thursday nights, they sometimes have a group of people come in and play some oldies using ukuleles. 

Butterfly Farms

Our daughter discovered this amazing little place to visit called the Butterfly Farms. The farm is located in Encinitas, California, and is just a short drive from Oceanside, California. I could have stayed at this farm all day taking pictures of butterflies. 

Their mission is to educate, conserve and do research on native butterfly species. They were established due to the decline of butterfly species and other native pollinators. They have a 3000-foot butterfly vivarium that you can walk in and look at all the species of butterflies. 

Be careful where you walk. You don't want to step on any butterflies that are on the ground. If you look real closely, you will spot some snails, honey bees, and other insects as well.

Mission San Luis Rey

Mission San Luis Rey is located in Oceanside, California. It was founded in 1798 by Padre Fermín Francisco de Lasuén. It was occupied first by the Luiseño Indians, then became a Spanish Mission, and then was occupied by the American Military from 1847-1857. As you walk through the buildings, around the facility, and the cemetery, you will discover magnificent architecture, bronze statues, beautiful gardens, and has the oldest living Pepper Tree in California.

 Wyoming

The next day, after the wedding, we decided to head to Pinedale, Wyoming, to see if we could spot that elusive mythical moose. I have to say I was not disappointed, and the drive up to Pinedale, Jackson, and the Grand Teton National Park was beautiful.

Alpine, Wyoming

Palisades Reservoir at Alpine, Wyoming

 

Pray you all have a blessed week!

Keep on Creating! 

Mt. Hebo, Fern Hill, Adventures Around Home

 

Mt. Hebo

Last part of August, we got to go on an adventure to Mt. Hebo with my brother-in-law, David.

Brother-In-Law and Hubby

If you have never traveled to the top of Mt. Hebo, it is a must add to your adventure list.

At the top of Mt. Hebo, the view is spectacular. You have views of the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Valleys. You can see Haystack Rock in Pacific City and see Tillamook. 

If you visit Mt. Hebo in the spring, there is an abundance of wildflowers that grow in the fields along the summit trail. I discovered a few stragglers and late summer bloomers along the trail. There is Goldenrod, Tansy Ragwort, Penstemon, Western Pearly Everlasting.

From 1956 to 1980, Mt. Hebo was used as a weather station. In addition, it was a U.S. Air Force radar outpost that was used in case there was a Soviet missile attack.

Fernhill

Fernhill is one of my favorite local places to go hike and photograph nature. We were so blessed with the opportunity to go yesterday morning for a hike and observe all of God's beautiful creations. I highly recommend going early in the morning before all the joggers and runners arrive, as the noise they can create scares off the birds. 

Fernhill is a frequent stopover area for wintering waterfowl and migrating birds that travel the Pacific Flyway.  At Fernhill, you will discover that there is a wide assortment of bird types, from Canadian geese to greater yellowlegs. 

There is an abundance of various wildflowers and native plants within the habitat. My previous posts in my adventures to Fernhill would have shown the spring blooms. However, the glowing beauty that can be discovered in the late summer or fall is just simply breathtaking. One can find remnants of flowers, or fall growing blooms. Below are just a few of what I discovered: Snowberry, thistle, Queen Anne's Lace, Clarkia, daisies, Trefoil, St. John's Wort, chickory, and Cascade Aster.

Home

Just a few snapshots out in my garden and a few of the beautiful clouds in the sky.

Pray you all have a blessed week!

Keep on Creating!