Naked Beach. There. Let's get it out of the way. There is a naked beach on Sauvie Island. When you say "Sauvie" to Portlanders, they either think of produce or nakedness...there are also a ton of farm stands out here. Mostly they think of nudies. This post is NOT about the naked beach. It's about the 6 mile hike to a lighthouse that I had no idea actually existed and some pretty special cows.
-Here is one of the cows. There were 2...2 cows that were making super-creepy-intense-telepathy-type-eye contact and shit. The second cow (not pictured) was right by the fence. We locked eyes. It moved towards me. I moved towards it. It angled its wet nose towards me while staring me down with those big, dewy eyes and as I reached towards its muzzle with my hand, Tupelo ruined everything by barking and scaring the crap out of me and the heifer. She is such a jealous bitch. So yeah, now I can't each beef. If I ever share a special moment with a chicken I am going to starve to death. And for everyone that's all like, vegetarianism! Veganism! Nope. I did it for 11 years, so I gave it a good try. Didn't stick.
We have been enjoying really sunny and warm weather In Oregon, and the wild flowers are starting to bloom. After several months of testing the doctor has assured me that I am not actually dying...I just have mono. I mean, I thought teenagers caught mono when making out with strangers in the closet, but apparently 36 year-old adults that have ALREADY had mono can actually get it again. So lucky.
This hike was the first "real" hike I have been able to go on in months...because I just don't really count anything under 3 miles as a hike these days. When I first began, it all counted. But I think with time, unless I am continuing to challenge myself or see new things, it doesn't feel as gratifying.
This hike was the first "real" hike I have been able to go on in months...because I just don't really count anything under 3 miles as a hike these days. When I first began, it all counted. But I think with time, unless I am continuing to challenge myself or see new things, it doesn't feel as gratifying.
So there is this 6 mile hike to a lighthouse. You get to it by driving past the nudie beach. You basically just take the same road until it ends. Maybe you'll share a special moment with a cow, maybe not. There were a ton of people fishing on the waterway, which I didn't really know was a thing...and I also don't really know if I want to eat the things that come out of the Willamette. The city is still launching a clean up that should have happened a long, LONG, time ago. There are yummy contaminants and toxic sludge and what not. I mean, I think most rivers have this sort of crud in them at this point because, humans, but I'm just sayin'. And know that I have concerns, but that this doesn't keep me from swimming in it. Although, if I had an open wound I wouldn't chance it.
The hike itself was a bit muddy, but well marked and completely flat. There was a lot of sap from trees and these weird shell/flower part things kept covering the beasts feet, at which point she would prance around like a diva and refuse to walk until I had removed them. For all 6 miles. Stopping, every 100 ft... The lighthouse is adorbs, and incidentally, is the smallest lighthouse I have ever seen.
Don't forget to stop off at the store (you will see signs as you drive) to purchase a parking permit. You will need one to park anywhere on the island. While you're at it, swing by one of the farms for some fresh produce for a picnic by the lighthouse. Here's my fav; they also have a stand on Hawthorne, so you don't have to make the trek for your fruits and veg if you are in the city and have a hankering. At different times of the year you will find farm-to-table dinners, haunted mazes, lavender picking, and pick-your-own berries so Google search that shit before you make a trip.
The hike itself was a bit muddy, but well marked and completely flat. There was a lot of sap from trees and these weird shell/flower part things kept covering the beasts feet, at which point she would prance around like a diva and refuse to walk until I had removed them. For all 6 miles. Stopping, every 100 ft... The lighthouse is adorbs, and incidentally, is the smallest lighthouse I have ever seen.
Don't forget to stop off at the store (you will see signs as you drive) to purchase a parking permit. You will need one to park anywhere on the island. While you're at it, swing by one of the farms for some fresh produce for a picnic by the lighthouse. Here's my fav; they also have a stand on Hawthorne, so you don't have to make the trek for your fruits and veg if you are in the city and have a hankering. At different times of the year you will find farm-to-table dinners, haunted mazes, lavender picking, and pick-your-own berries so Google search that shit before you make a trip.