Flight

Time in my hometown quickly drew to a close. I spent my last days with my good friend Lena, mushroom picking and hiking and finalizing travel preparation. I was able to squeeze in a visit to the dentist and doctor for prescriptions and immunizations....totally free! Thank you, United Indian Health Services!

Gratuitous self-portrait

After packing (for the next several months!), my mom and I left bright and early for the airport. Flying in and out of Port Orford is quite a process. The airport's over an hour away and only allows the tiny turbo prop airplanes. The airport is right next to the ocean which makes for a scenic (and scary) flight. For reference, here is an old picture of me standing in front of Crescent City airport.

Glorified Greyhound Station 

Unfortunately, in the past few years I've developed a fear of flying. Considering my love of travel, this is unacceptable. Flying in a tiny plane doesn't really help matters, you really feel every bump and hear the roar of the engine. I have quite the complex method of making flying more tolerable that includes Xanax, downloaded shows and knitting. Yes, call me crazy.

Las Vegas airport

Finally, 14 hours later, a drive, two layovers and a four hour bus ride I finally made it to Arizona! It's hot and bright and beautiful. I love this place.

Mohave

Blacklot

 About a week ago (ugh, I'm behind) Wojc and I hiked out to a beautiful piece of the coastline called Blacklot. Just recently, some city council members tried to swap this land and build a golf course on it. Thankfully, it was shot down and saved for all of us to continue our hikes and mushroom gathering.

 It had just poured for about five days straight and the trail had massive puddles that threatened to overflow into my rubber boots. It was crazy flooded and Wojc had to take detours in the woods to avoid them. We managed to catch a break in the rain and enjoyed our hike thoroughly.  It's a really magical place out there full of lush swamps, creeks and dark forests.

 After a few miles you come to a more sparse forest and begin to see the blue sky. Take a few more steps and you break out of the woods and into a bright and shiny and spectacular view from the cliffs above the ocean.

God. So beautiful. This place takes my breath away.
On the way back we spent time mushroom picking in the woods. It was prime mushroom hunting time following a heavy rain and we came back with some treasures.

On the way back you can cut out to an old airport that was built during World War II when the coast guard were stationed in my town. I flew out of this airport once in a four person team. Definitely a cool experience.

You can take the girl out of the country....

A little glimpse into life in my hometown. It's one of the most beautiful places to spend the summer (winter, not so much), surrounded by rivers and the Pacific ocean.

bro-in-law fishing

daily swim spot

dad

"at 5 1/2 months, your baby is the size of a trout"

home

dinner (but not for me)

alder branch gives it a certain flavor i'm told

home

family

daily walk/jog spot

A Baby Celebration

A big reason for my trip down the coast was my sister. Not only my sister, but my already loved nephew growing strong in her belly, and my sister's husband flew in from Manhattan.. This will be the first baby in my family and I am beyond excited. I love my nephew so much already, I can't imagine when I first get to hold him and watch him grow. We decided to have a baby celebration. Were not big on baby games and all that but we had to celebrate.

Baby shower dress (Target), soon shed for bikini

We invited good friends, brought food and gifts and gathered way up Elk River to one of the most beautiful secluded spots, Jacuzzi Rock. The water was cold, but the sun was hot and the company good.

The Proud Parents

Grace My Garden

One day, when I get married, I predict I'll wear something simple, borderline casual. I'm no formal, extravagant woman. I feel uncomfortable with many eyes watching me, I love to dress up but never feel like myself. This dress is suited for a walk down the isle. It is white and simple. Flowy and hippie. The perfect combination for a (typically) barefooted wild child.

Digging through my mom's attic, on a search for baby clothes, I spotted the old dress up box and found long lost treasures. And while wedding bells are in a very distant future, in the meantime I am ready for evenings in the orchard and setting sun by the sea.

 Dress-Dress up box

Shoes-H&M

Bracelet-Until There's A Cure

Coming off of an amazing five day weekend, I am inspired to travel and dream. To cancel real life and run off to India. I want to run and dance and see new places. Isn't' it fitting that this dress is representative of my mind?

Now tell me your summer dreams....

I'd Rather Be Fishing

This will be my last coastal recap post. The last day in town was really nice. We spent most of the day at the beach, I got my hair done and then we hiked down to the jetty to spend sunset fishing.

My brother is quite the outdoors man and a really good fisherman. His dream is to travel the world on a sailboat, fishing and swimming. He got us all geared up, we packed in a few beers and set to the task of relaxing with our poles.

I didn't catch anything, which is probably good considering I don't eat fish (or animals for that matter), but it was a really nice evening nonetheless. When we got back to my mom's we decided to enjoy the evening and grill outside. My boyfriend made a fire, my brother grilled some fish and we spent all night by the fire. It was so nice to be home for more than a night, being closer to my family is one of the top reasons I moved back to the west coast and I am certainly making the most of it.

So Spectacular You Can See The Earth's Curvature

 So this beach is pretty special. Agate beach is a very secluded piece of paradise in Oregon. The day we went down to explore was no exception, the tide was out far enough to open up a whole new beach to us. The sky was humongous, the ocean blue and green and not a soul around. It was a magical day of exploring for me, my boyfriend and my brother.

 It was such a beautiful place, I wish I could take each one of you with me, show you this secluded cove and embrace in its glory (wow, the hippie roots are really coming out in this one).Do you have a spot like this? One that makes you feel at peace, in touch with the earth in which all of life's possibilities are within your grasp?

 We spent hours hiking over rocks, climbing in beach grass and napping in the sun. My brother said over and over that it felt like some psychedelic movie from the 70's with everything in technicolor. If you ever find yourself on the south coast, I will direct you to this place.

And in a not so perfect outcome, that beach grass I was frolicking in? Covered in poison oak! I've been suffering the consequences and scratching up a storm. Live and learn, my friends.