Dec07
Posted on Dec 7 by Ruth Davis
Last week I shared how much I enjoyed the litter picking part of our job, because we were outside, walking trails, and driving in the golf cart, singing and making a game of it. I had even said to Marika, “I want a litter picker upper for Chanukah.” Because everywhere we went, I honed in on all of the litter that needed to be picked up, and I never had a bag with me. Marika, the ever money-conscious part of this team said, “New raingear, new shoes, the radiator and the dehumidifier?” You already got your presents.” And I let it go, realizing I could simply carry a plastic bag and wear rubber gloves. And then, during our first shift at the Lighthouse Museum, Marika found a litter picker in the hall closet, next to the cleaning supplies. It was even nicer than the one I used at the campground, with two rubber circles at the ends of the grabbers for better pick up accuracy. I took it home, along with a plastic yellow bucket and...
Nov23
Posted on Nov 23 by Ruth Davis
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been on the road, living this life, for seven months. Each experience seems to open us up just a little more, to who we are, what we love, and how we can serve. We really loved our time working at the Cape Blanco Lighthouse last month, meeting people from all over the world, sharing the specialness of the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Oregon coast. And we realized how much we enjoy having a schedule, being of service, and staying in one place for a month to settle in, spread out, explore the area. This month our volunteering has us cleaning yurts at the Umpqua River Lighthouse Campground in Reedsport, Oregon. The deluxe yurts are octagons, twenty four feet in diameter, with wooden floors and thick, vinyl fabric that has been stretched over an exposed wooden frame to create a sturdy, weatherproof shelter. Each yurt has two queen futon sofa beds and a three-person bunk bed, built-in shelves, and a coffee table. There is a kitchenette with a fridge and microwave,...
Oct12
Posted on Oct 12 by Ruth Davis
(Note: I wrote this six years ago, in September, 2010. Seeing the life I have created since then, I know it’s because I committed to a plan.) I was never one for having a long-term plan. When people asked “what are your goals for 5 years, 10 years?” I’d look at them blankly. I had no idea. I would tell myself, I live in the moment, I can’t possibly know what I’ll be doing in 10 years. And yet, in the deep of my heart, I DID have a vision of what I wanted to be doing, where I wanted to be living. I just never shared it. Not even with myself. Because some voice inside of me said that, if I wasn’t doing it NOW, then I must be a failure. I only knew how to have short term goals. I didn’t know how to create a long term plan. And so I tucked my secret dreams deep and away and continued to believe that the only long term goal I needed was to just be happy doing...
Oct05
Posted on Oct 5 by Ruth Davis
After years of dreaming about it, I finally bought an inflatable kayak. It came with two deluxe seats, two paddles, a carrying case and a repair kit, big enough for two for when Marika wants to join me. We inflated the kayak on the asphalt next to the RV to try it out. It was easy to inflate and comfortable to get into. But it had a small tear in the skirt of the bow (front of the boat). I called the manufacturer and they said they would send a replacement skirt. Meanwhile, I was anxious to try the kayak out, even without the skirt fully inflated. So we folded it into a manageable 2’x5’ bundle, and hoisted it across the backseat of the RAV4. I chose to take my maiden voyage in a small lake at a city park, instead of the river or slough where I’d have to deal with the tides. And this way, Marika could walk the trails and look for birds, while I was on the water. I cried on the drive...
Sep07
Posted on Sep 7 by Ruth Davis
We are in Charleston, Oregon, a small fishing village situated along Coos Bay and the South Slough, forming the largest estuary on the Pacific Coast. Ocean access is just a quick drive from here, and right across the street is a short beach at the clamming mudflats where we take our family time walks at low tide. The city of Coos Bay, the biggest town on the coast, is 20 minutes away with a Walmart, Safeway and Fred Meyer, but no Costco. So before we left Florence, we drove into Eugene, an hour and a half each way, to get dog food for the next 2 months. We also got haircuts at a recommended woman barber, the best we’ve had since our long-time hair stylist in Phoenix! We’re in space #28 at the Charleston Marina and RV Park. It’s essentially a big parking lot with laundry, a rec room and a crab cleaning station, adjacent to the marina where private and commercial boats come in and out. We are backed into our double wide spot so there’s...
Aug24
Posted on Aug 24 by Ruth Davis
We’re still in Newport, with wind and fog, cool air, some sun. This morning it was clear blue and gorgeous and we were out in it, exploring the Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Headlands. We even hiked the quarter mile to the top of Salal Hill with a 36% grade! Marika’s knees are still pretty sore, but we’re walking every day! And it is so much easier for me to breathe here!! We decided to stay three extra days to make up for the days we lost not being here sooner. We’re eating local Dungeness crab, fresh, off-the-boat halibut and salmon, clam chowder and oysters. And the Farmer’s Market is gorgeous and delicious, with peaches, peppers, sweet carrots and heirloom tomatoes. On Friday we went to the free “Shop the Dock” program at the commercial docks and learned about the different fisheries in the area and the difference between trolling, catching one fish at a time on a line, and trawling, using a large net to catch many fish. A halibut fisherman demonstrated how fast you have to work when...
