Fall Road Trip 2023 - Newport to Ashland

We were going to stop at the aquarium in Newport but pouring rain, and knowing that much of the aquarium is outside, made us change plans. Instead, we tried to find a place to pick up a coffee/tea and happened upon these sea lions (probably close to 100!) on a dock by the water. They are so noisy but it was so fun to watch them for a while. 

We stopped early at Sunset Bay State Park (just south of Coos Bay). Andrew went for a run and I did a campground workout with the dumbbells I'd packed. 

The next morning, we went for a short walk to where Andrew had seen these mushrooms the day before. Neither of us thought we'd actually seen mushrooms like this before, even though we both recall seeing them in cartoon type pictures.

Andrew used our van camping lamp for extra lighting. 

The orange coral was aptly named as it looks just like what you'd see under water. 

We arrived in Ashland in the late afternoon and enjoyed the Japanese Garden. Such gorgeous fall colours! 

We stayed at the Ashland Springs Hotel that night to clean up after a few days of camping and to have a nice meal at The Larks restaurant. 

Fall Road Trip 2023 - Port Angeles to Cape Lookout

Living on the island, there's almost always a boat trip before the road trip. We entered the U.S. at Port Angeles via the Coho Ferry. After stocking up on food we can't bring across the border, we drove a while and found beautiful campsite at Kalaloch Creek. We love camping and hiking the ocean beaches along the Washington and Oregon coasts. 

There was also a nice nature trail and Kalaloch Lodge was also within easy walking distance for a glass of wine with a sunset view. 

It's only day one and I'm already taking too many photos! I'm determined to try to keep up this time! We'll see how that goes! 

The next day we stopped at Elixir Coffee (one of our favourite stops along this stretch) in South Bend, and a second stop at Cannon Beach. It was a beautiful warm day and, being in the off season, the beach felt almost empty (this is a huge tourist destination and, in summer, the place is packed and we usually avoid it!) 

Haystack Rock

We found another great ocean side campground at Cape Lookout and walked along the beach and watched the sunset. 

Raptors

On a sunny day last week, Andrew and I headed north to Duncan to visit The Raptors Centre. It was really great to see some of the birds so close up and, in some cases, out of their cages and being highlighted by the staff. I was really pleased with the lighting in some of these! 

In addition, there was a flying show which was also really good but much harder to take photos when the birds are flying, are further away, and not staying still for very long. 

On the way home, we saw this bald eagle along Cowichan Bay Road so had to stop to get a few photos of it as well. 

Of course, Andrew also got some great photos and he adds a bit more information about the birds in his blog post here. 

Seals, Their Babies, and other Harbour Sightings

For the third summer in a row, the tiny island (Colville Island) near our home has been visited by mother harbour seals and their babies. Just one the past couple years but two momma seals and babies this year. They are fun to watch! 

 

On one of the days Andrew and I were out taking photos, they came close enough to the main shore to take some video. So playful! 

Of course, there's always lots of other things to take photos of as well. ;-) 

We spotted this momma deer and her two babies when we dropped Penny off where she was house sitting in Oak Bay. 

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium - June 2023

On the way home from our latest road trip (June 2023), we stopped again at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma. Always at great stop! The tiger was very cooperative and, for once, didn't have glass or a chain link fence blocking the view. :-) 

Penguins always make me smile. Their movements and antics are so humorous!