Manzanita, OR - August 2012, pt. 2

Some yard art that we liked.

Relaxing on the porch with a sleepy doodle.

Dinner and beer from Idaho.

On the beach.

Canon Beach.

Like the Sphinx - timeless.

Mountians of the moon.

Jeep changes, Pt. 1

Big changes in store for the Cherokee. General maintenance completed on Saturday, and new front end from Logans Metal 4x4 mounted on Sunday. Also, roof sanded and primed in preparation for... something wonderful!

Manzanita, OR - August 2012, pt. 1

 Manzanita Beach looking north at the Nehalem Point

Sleepy doodle at the beach!

 In Oregon, it is usually a good idea to bring a sweater to the beach. But this day was epic!

EPIC!

 Little buddies!

Doodles LOVE beaches!

Hammond Canyon Trip Report, Memorial Day 2012

Headed out to Hammond Canyon for a short overnight on the Memorial Day weekend. We avoided strong winds and *chilly* temps on the first part of the weekend by heading in Saturday evening.

Abajo Mountains seen from the SouthEast

Hammond Canyon from the south (hiding just behind the trees)

 We camped at the top of the canyon, just across from the access road to Dark Canyon

This is the trailhead at the top of the canyon. We decided that it would be better to descend to the bottom and enter that way. Turns out, both are steep drops into the canyon proper and this access may have been the better choice.

Heading in to "Dwarf Flats" and the mouth of the canyon

Hammond Canyon Lower Trailhead (Eastern most access)

The trail traverses a ridge and drops down to the canyon floor over the course of a mile

A the mouth of Hammond Canyon

 Inside Hammond Canyon

Guess that funding making this a heritage site didn't come through

Wow!

 Double Wow!

Back to camp for beer:30

Our guide

 Doodles LOVE hikes!

This is the area known as Dwarf Flats

 BEHOLD! THE DWARF!

 Left the area by the way of the Bears Ears

Costa Rica, August 2011, pt.4 - Isla Tortuga

Our last day on Nicoya, we took a day trip out to this island, Isla Tortuga, by boat.

The ride was a lot of fun, and the weather was unbelievable.

Smile Mon!

PURA VIDA!!

Costa Rica, August 2011, pt.3 - Santa Teresa

Playa Santa Teresa looking north towards Playa Hermosa.

This was the best beach in the area, and went on for miles.

Lots of great surfing, and breaks all along the coast. We got some boards, took a lesson, and are hooked.
Saw a lot of great surfers, kids living down there for the waves. Having seen them, and surfed them, I think I get it.

Costa Rica, August 2011, pt.2 - Mal Pais

A few miles as the crow flies, but on the Northwest side of Park Cabo Blanco and a 40 minute cab ride lies the strip of coast called Mal Pais, "Bad Country". This is the sweep of rock where the fishermen have their boats. We rented a quad (4-wheeler) and drove all the way up and down the stretch of road, from here up through Santa Teresa and past Playa Hermosa to Playa Manzinillo, beyond the reach of the tourists and development.

These are looking north up the coast.

This was at a small resturant that seemed to be closed for the season. Too bad, because you could sit at tables right by the hammocks and get dinner or drinks. I think it was called Playa Azul, and is in the Lonley Planet guide book. I think this picture came out really well. It may be my favorite of all that we took.
This is the beach at Playa Carmen, right at the Mal Pais Surf Camp where we stayed for a couple of nights. I'll be putting all of the hotel reviews into Tripadvisor.com. Check it if you are headed to Central America, everyone we met was all over it on their iPhones, regardless of nationality (lots of Europeans down there in August ,which was cool). Wi-Fi is available everywhere, and there isn't really a reason to pay for international cell service for your smart-gizmo.
With the wild waves and rip current making surfing a little rough for beginners, we improvised.

After the litro of local cerveza, the monkey decided to go find a coconut for a refreshing drink.

Opposable thumb led to the success of this mission.

It craked open pretty easy and the water was sweet and delicious.