Hometown Beach Run

My father's predictions of the weather are rarely off, but this morning luckily the sun showed it's face much longer than predicted. While the dogs and I had already put in some decent mileage Thursday, I decided that we needed to embrace the good weather and also do some mileage along the beach shores. Horsefall beach is more of your "true" beach with long open, flat coastline perfect for running and while I was in high school, they'd truck us athletes out for training by having us run mileage down the shore. Back in those days, 17 minutes one way was killer and I was counting down the minutes til we could turn around and head back to the bus :)

Today however was gorgeous:

With barely any other souls on the beach (although we did come across a handful of ATVers), the dogs had a blast just running free and we ended up going farther than I originally intended.

We ran until mile 4.4 where there was a sign posted for "no motorized vehicles, dogs, or kites beyond this point" and some big antenna were located there. I'd stopped to look for whole sand dollars and shells a couple times en route to the turn around (and did lots of processing of thoughts regarding dating, life, etc at this point as well) but we averaged a 9:44 or 10 minute pace into the wind. I knew my watch was about dead (and I left the charger in Portland), so was just hopeful that I'd make it close to the beach access spot where we'd parked before it finally shut off. (It died a mile out from the end which was good enough in my book!)

With the wind pushing us on and the sun on our faces, our return pace was 8:34 min/miles. With the tide coming back in, several times we ended up running through gentle waves, especially when I got hit by a decent sized one when I turned to wave to a passing ATV rider! :) About mile 6ish and once I'd no longer been looking, I glanced down at my feet and there it was...my almost perfect sand dollar. I scooped it up and held it gently in my free hand as we made the final distance back in. The timing of noticing it was perfect to the thought that had just passed through my mind....and I couldn't help but think to myself...."There it is, there's my heart (and my sign)...and solid and full it is...." There's a tiny, tiny hole but it's more than good enough for my liking.

And now, it's joined the other shells and collected items that reside in my car where they continually remind me of that which matters...the little natural, simple elements of life....that frequently appear just when we stop striving and pushing to make it so. 

Feb's Oregon Outdoor Beauty Weekend

This particular weekend is one of those perfect Oregon outdoor advertisements. The opportunity to easily access so many outdoor options within hours of each other is one of Oregon's greatest marketing features.

16 mile Storey Burn & University Falls Loops:

Dogs exploring a random waterfall/creek run-off crossing the trail

Sunbeams through the woods on a beautiful section of trail

An open view of the forest & hills in the distance

Crossing under the highway overpass

A change in the terrain and creek run-off

Crossing the Tillamook River

The dogs & I at University Falls

Pictures of the maps to help guide me

The Storey Burn Loop was a trail outing I had been wanting to cover for a month or two and finally was able to arrange time to conquer toward the end of February. I felt good toward the end of the loop, so I decided to cover more mileage and tack on the University Falls Loop I had done before. I hadn't been able to sleep much the last few days prior to this so I felt like pushing myself to exertion would encourage my body to sleep (plus I also wanted to see if I would feasibly be able to make the 30 mile hike the next weekend). The Storey Burn Trail was absolutely gorgeous this time of year and University Falls was even more swollen than usual. Although not as picturesque as the Gorge, the Storey Burn trail would be a great one to take out of town visitors on.

After the hike, I decided to change clothes and since we were 35 minutes from the beach and my heart had been craving my home environment for weeks, I decided to drive the dogs and I over for sunset and a bit of a beach stroll. Sometimes I just crave an extra dose of spontaneity and its nice to indulge it as well. Luckily I was able to raise my body core back up (which tends to be a problem post work-out and leaves my extremities white and numb thanks to Raynaud's! :)), I looked up the closest beach access, found a tiny market deli where I could purchase some calories (chicken salad sandwich and a PBR!), and navigated the dogs and I onto the sand. My legs were still in tact to manage a bit of a stroll down the beach, so I scarfed down the sandwich and let the dogs roam as we strolled, before settling in on a log to take it the amazing views before me:

Seriously an amazingly fulfilling day!

Twin Lakes Snowshoe Loop

Not to be outdone by the day before, I decided to head up to the mountain on Sunday to get some snowshoe mileage in. I still hadn't slept well but after stretching out my calves, my legs felt good enough to get in another outing. We'd finally been having some good snow and the day was to be sunny as well. This trail is one I have done many times before but the other trail heads I tried were incredibly full and always make me nervous as to how many dogs I'm going to have to navigate Roxi by :)

The day was seriously beautiful, the dogs couldn't believe their good fortune at trail, sand, and snow all in one weekend, and the snow was set enough that I actually only put my snowshoes on once I hit the powder on the backside of upper Twin Lake (about 3-4 miles in).

Lower Twin Lake

Upper Twin Lake w Mt Hood peaking

Drenched from the snow melt crashing from the trees above trail and knee deep in snow in stretches of the back side :)

Seriously an amazing weekend full of Oregon outdoor beauty and adventure, happy outdoor smiles, and  finally sleeping like a baby on Sunday!

Beach Weekends

This weekend will make 2 out of 3 consecutive weekends to be spent at the coast. To me, the beach always feels like home. It soothes my soul, slows my heart rate, and calms my mind. The beach is a place where the pace of life is slower, less of life seems to be monumentally important, and the little things and moments can be enjoyed. I've been craving some beach time for months, and except for a quick hour long trip for a beach stroll a few weekends back, last weekend was the first time I'd been able to get away to meet that need/desire.

I technically don't get an official spring break. This week I've had finals for massage school, next week I start my teaching term again, but cutting back to only one school requirement for both of these weeks has allowed me a few days for more freedom. Last weekend I had arranged to volunteer at the beach clean-up, invited one of my best high school gals, and scheduled some study time, all at the family beach cabin on the northern Oregon coast. I also ended up transporting Granny and meeting my parents there so they could take her on to their home for the rest of this week.

This weekend I'm heading back to pick up Granny and grant her another few days in her beach cabin, but it also will allow me another 24 hours of slower living and increased quiet time. I spent much of last weekend sitting out in the sunshine on the deck, staring at the river and ocean waters. 

I cooked simple meals, relished my morning coffee, and took the dogs on slow, easy jogs on the sand and through town. 

Volunteering for the first time in years (?!) also was an incredibly reflective experience but allowed me to reconnect with other parts of myself that have long been dormant. My gal Brook and I had the opportunity to chat and reconnect sharing details of life over the last several months, and I think she truly needed some time to just relax and be present individually. Her dog and my gals thankfully got along smashingly and the girls loved teaching him how to enjoy his first trip to the sand!

I slept like a rock, I took soaks in the tub, and I came back to the valley feeling solid, refreshed, and more aware of who I am. The beach just heals me...and is truly the natural environment to which I feel drawn.

The first weekend in April I will also head to my parents home on the Southern Oregon coast for a final long weekend. It's mom's birthday on the 5th and dad's birthday on the 13th so every year I try to make it home for at least one of their days of birthday celebration. While I can't afford much, being present is the best gift I can usually give them. Being in my home town will allow for work to get done, comfortable easy jogs on familiar routes, more time at the sand with the dogs, and quality time with the parents...all before heading straight into another double term. :)

Here's hoping for more beautiful moments like this:

Spontaneous Day Hike

As mentioned, on Wednesday I bailed on my optional work meeting and instead came home, changed into comfy clothes, loaded up the dogs, and stopped by Starbucks for a chai on the way to one of the dogs and my favorite trails in the Tillamook Forest. The dogs have been really squirrely the last few weeks as they're not used to being home so much and to not having me around as much, and it dawned on me that it had been several weeks since they had been out on a drive. To say they were excited is an understatement...and it felt amazing to have that sensation of spontaneous fun and freedom again (something I probably slightly took for granted throughout the last year). I still had to teach that night, but for a few short hours we got to get away and just enjoy ourselves and our surroundings.

Gorgeous leaves lined the trail.

Cement stepping stones to go around the open ground spring.

Gorgeous sky views.

Chilly enough to see the dogs breath.

Peace overcame my soul.

Beautiful trail views....with the sunlight streaming through the trees, happy dogs sniffing and smiling, and the large ferns seeming like sprouting treasures.

The dogs and I at the creek crossing.

Just a few hours....but that freedom was oh so good for the soul. Time in nature soothes and there's nothing like the happy smiles that cross the dogs faces as they sniff and jog along the trails.

Note to self: take time to just enjoy and embrace free days of life...

Tillamook Forest Hike W Dogs

I mentioned hiking with the dogs the other day. It was sort of a spontaneous outing and really I should have spent the afternoon grading, but on the way back from brunch it was TOO gorgeous a fall day not to get out and enjoy it---so we did.

It's a 45 minute drive to one of my favorite hiking spots in the Tillamook Forest and it was nice just to be headed out of the city to a more removed setting. We only did about two miles of a hike UP and in (almost all uphill) and then we ran the whole way back down and out. I did stop lots on the hike to snap some pictures and really soak up the natural setting:

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY! And oh so good for the soul :)

Snowshoe Trek: Twin Lakes

Last night I contemplated snowshoeing again today--I went to bed way late (1:30am) but set my alarm anyway after having checked the roads and weather (sunny til noon with some rain in afternoon). Twice through the snooze, I really just wanted to keep snoozing all morning, but after checking the roads I decided it was time to Carpe Diem!

Threw on my snow gear, packed up a bag, fed the dogs, crammed a hearty breakfast in, and headed out with coffee in hand. 

A quick stop at my rental store up at Government Camp, where I decided to ask the gal if she had any suggestions for a different snowshoe today...and she told me about Frog Lake.

Drove over to Frog Lake and checked out both signs...and settled on heading up toward the lower Twin Lake. This sign is about a mile up trail:

And luckily I decided to take a picture of the area where I was...definite good thing as I had to rely on this picture (and my gut instincts) on multiple occasions. :) 

Initial miles were sunny, green, and with packed and limited snow on what looked like a snowy but regular hiking trail. 

The dogs were SO glad to be out and about again. They're remembering the general drive up to the mountain more and more these days...and that smile breaks out on their face sooner and sooner as they realize we're headed for a day of trail fun! 

Sign heading to Lower Twin Lakes (1 mile away): 

At lower Twin, and here I calculated out about how fast I'd been moving, consulted the map, and decided I'd have time and energy to attempt the next lake (and probably the rest of the mileage).

About another mile along, we were at the Upper Twin Lake: 

Go doggies, go! Running across the lake. 

Roxi couldn't help but plant a cheap shot: 

Headed up through quite a few switchbacks (trail rated: difficult) and eventually reached the summit:

Somewhere beyond here there was an unexpected trail that veered off and the map didn't show everything, but I decided to head the way that felt right and knew I could always backtrack if needed. Through sections of the trail, the snow in the trees melted and in other spots there was some rain, but also some powder like snow and conditions along the way:

Eventually the trail connected back to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), which followed back to the Frog Lake Sno Park. Looking on the pictured map, I'd calculated out about 7 miles, but looking up the actual loop online tonight, it says it was 8 miles--woot woot! Total incline gain wasn't much (700 ft), but lots of up and downs throughout the trail. The trail also seemed like an awesome one to come back to this summer for a mix of hiking/trail running.

Altogether another great day out in the snow. Muscles worked, dogs and I equally smiled, senses were sharpened, mind let thoughts come and go, and nature just stilled the soul. Absolutely lovely!