There is a story about how I ended up at Stubby...it involves poor planning and not properly researching (or reading) information that I had on hand. The day began as most of our adventures do: Tupes' hot breath wakes me up...beady little eyes bore holes into my brain while she telepathically communicates that she is bored as hell of this city life and wants a proper walk.
Sometimes, I do actually plan things a few days in advance, but most of the time, I flip through a book and see what's good. Or I consult my ever growing list of spots to check out. It was the day after Christmas, and I wanted a short hike close to the city because I had some social obligations later in the evening. But I've got rockhounding fever y'all...so that was the initial plan. If you read the last blog you know that I am even in possession of a book that tells you where to look for 'em, how to find 'em, and even WHEN to go these places for the best chance of stumbling upon some goodies. So I, of course, paid no attention when Lars writes that spot #2 on the Nehalem River in Timber, OR is best hunted in the Summer. Not, fall, or Spring, and definitely NOT winter. Summer.
Sometimes, I do actually plan things a few days in advance, but most of the time, I flip through a book and see what's good. Or I consult my ever growing list of spots to check out. It was the day after Christmas, and I wanted a short hike close to the city because I had some social obligations later in the evening. But I've got rockhounding fever y'all...so that was the initial plan. If you read the last blog you know that I am even in possession of a book that tells you where to look for 'em, how to find 'em, and even WHEN to go these places for the best chance of stumbling upon some goodies. So I, of course, paid no attention when Lars writes that spot #2 on the Nehalem River in Timber, OR is best hunted in the Summer. Not, fall, or Spring, and definitely NOT winter. Summer.
Long story short...Tupes and I may have trespassed in areas that are closed to the public. Or not. I won't confirm or deny. No rocks were found. The water was way to scary to wade into and the spot seems like you actually need to get up in it to find anything. Maybe we'll go back this summer and try again. But I digress...
We got to enjoy some snow fall this winter. If you're not around when it snows, you should know that everything shuts down as some clever idiot declares "Snowgeddon 2015, 2014, 2013," etc. Growing up in the Midwest and living out here for 13 years, it tickles me how terrified everyone is of driving in the white stuff. To be fair, our road crews are unprepared, the city bans the use of salt, there is no man power set aside for clearing the city as the mountain passes are declared first priority, and the city is hilly as shit...so if you don't have freshy-fresh tires, and where you are trying to go includes maneuvering through twisty roads and such you aren't going to make it very far. At this point, it hadn't actually hit the city yet, but surrounding areas did get a sprinkling.
So the benefit of stopping by these spots in Timber is that the pooch got to see the snow for the first time in over a year, and she was super stoked about it. You can check out the pdxperfection Facebook page for a video of just how excited she got.
After that yahoo got her fill of belly surfing, we course corrected and hit up LL Stub Stewart State Park on the way back to P-town for a quick jaunt.
We got to enjoy some snow fall this winter. If you're not around when it snows, you should know that everything shuts down as some clever idiot declares "Snowgeddon 2015, 2014, 2013," etc. Growing up in the Midwest and living out here for 13 years, it tickles me how terrified everyone is of driving in the white stuff. To be fair, our road crews are unprepared, the city bans the use of salt, there is no man power set aside for clearing the city as the mountain passes are declared first priority, and the city is hilly as shit...so if you don't have freshy-fresh tires, and where you are trying to go includes maneuvering through twisty roads and such you aren't going to make it very far. At this point, it hadn't actually hit the city yet, but surrounding areas did get a sprinkling.
So the benefit of stopping by these spots in Timber is that the pooch got to see the snow for the first time in over a year, and she was super stoked about it. You can check out the pdxperfection Facebook page for a video of just how excited she got.
After that yahoo got her fill of belly surfing, we course corrected and hit up LL Stub Stewart State Park on the way back to P-town for a quick jaunt.
It's not my favorite park. I've been here before when it was just opened in 2007. I guess that makes it a baby park. Or an adolescent state park? I dunno...
It seems like they have continued to develop, and if all of the fungus present can be used to assess the health of the ecosystem there, which it can, I would say this park is coming along nicely. I thought it would be way too late in the season to see any mushrooms, but they were everywhere. Tons of really beautiful lichen, too. It may be worth stopping by next fall to see if I can find any proper edible mushies.
It seems like they have continued to develop, and if all of the fungus present can be used to assess the health of the ecosystem there, which it can, I would say this park is coming along nicely. I thought it would be way too late in the season to see any mushrooms, but they were everywhere. Tons of really beautiful lichen, too. It may be worth stopping by next fall to see if I can find any proper edible mushies.
I think the real draw of this park is the options for biking and horse riding. There is a disc golf area and campground. The hike itself wasn't really impressive, although I was pleased that we were able to find little pockets of surprises along the way. The trails offer short distances that you can easily do with little kiddos or if you have creaky knees, or you can just keep adding them together for a longer stroll. I think I'm just at the point of requiring a little more difficulty to hold my interest, and when you are surrounded by all of the beauty in the PNW, the park has to really be spectacular to impress me.
At the end of the day, Tupes and I enjoyed a leisurely stroll surrounded by nature, she got to play in some snow, and I got to hunt for some stuff, so we were happy.
At the end of the day, Tupes and I enjoyed a leisurely stroll surrounded by nature, she got to play in some snow, and I got to hunt for some stuff, so we were happy.