Checkswrecks said:
Congratulations - I love that area so much that I made sure it was an overnight stop this summer for the long ride that my son and I did. The winters can be a bit raw, but they aren't long and everything else sure makes them worthwhile.
Too bad that the kids are all near where we live in Maryland.
Winter.... No getting around the fact that we've had 43" of rain, official NWS in town, since late October. More even, here at the house. Sometimes a gentle drizzle, sometimes stormy, sometimes a rainbow, sometimes a dark day.
But winters here have another side. The winter surf, as they call it, is up, and dramatic. The forest is vibrant with moss and lichen and mushrooms and views. Gardens have color. An abundance of nature's bounty beckons: the dungeness crab is in season, mushroom hunters offer the days finds, farmer's markets offer fresh produce and eggs. The local grass-fed beef is available just down the road. We had a crab and chanterelle omeltte for dinner the other day.
Sometimes the sky clears and we get the most amazing sunsets. Sometimes the sky doesn't exactly clear, but a break in the clouds proves dramatic.
And, we are riding. We've had a week of dry sunny weather with highs in the 50's. It's been all yard work, clean air, and rides.
When we aren't riding, we hike the beaches and capes and old growth. Indian Sands, our latest discovery in the cape category, just about 2 miles from the house, offers fiords and cliffs, and spray. The Francis Shrader Trail winds through ancient grizzled Douglas Fir the size of redwoods, intermingled with slender, elegant ancient Port Orford Cedar. Yin and Yang. 300' tall.
I'll post some pics later.