Well….It’s a deep subject.

or a hole in the ground. In this case, it is both. I’ll explain the deep subject soon. After an amazing weekend of firsts, we headed home from Lincoln City OR. Roy had an idea, and some open field running was involved in this trip. As most people know we can no longer pull the Lance trailer with the van we have, however that doesn’t stop us from enjoying the company of fellow Lance campers. The weekend of the 21st of June had the Lance owners gathered in Lincoln City, OR for summer camping in Oregon. We booked a hotel and headed up north. A side benefit was the annual kite festival which I will cover in another post.

On the way home we stopped at Thor’s Well in Yachats, OR. This is what they call a sink hole. Thor’s Well was suspected to be a cave where the roof fell in. The best part of the well is when you have a wave shoot up through the hole. The other part is when the waves come over the wall and it drains out through the well. The best time to see Thor’s Well however is when it is high tide so you get full effect of pulling the plug in the bathtub.
On to the adventures. There is a handicapped accessible path that leads to stairs going down to the actual well. This path also goes down to the tide pool. If I had enough energy I might even have gone to the Cape Perpetua Visitors Center. As it was, I spent over 3 hours taking pictures, talking to people and even helping someone clean up his wounds. Check out the map below to see where Thor’s Well is.

I got out of the van and decided to head out and see what I could see and how close I could get to the well. My ibot can cover rocky ground but not ROCKY ground. I stopped to get my bearings at one of the higher over looks. I had my Nikon P1000 camera which will reach up to 3000mm. So, after the well was pointed out to me, I was able to go up on two wheels and zoom in on the well. Of course, after I went up on two wheels, I had to talk a little about what a game changer the chair is for me. I did answer a few questions about what the chair could do. In answering questions, I was getting information if there was a path I could get close to the well. There is and to my surprise it is paved all the way to the stairs. There is also another path a little steep, but it does head down to the tide pools. So, I knew I would have fun exploring the area.

When I started looking around, I decided to take a video with my camera and zoom as far as my lens would reach. See the video below.

I had a blast watching the look of surprise on people’s faces when the water pops up. It is enjoyable to see the different reactions to the power of the ocean. Right after I took the video, I saw two girls walk up casually to the edge of the Well.

The group of people with me up on the overlook saw a large wave coming in and knew that this will definitely surprise her. (It did.) You can tell she wasn’t expecting it, but the look on her face afterwards was well worth it.

I enjoyed people walking up to the well looking in and turning around I even saw the person I was going to have to patch up. The person in the blue shirt in the image on the left is the one who fell. I headed closer to the stairs and returned to my people watching.

I will say that sometimes when people watching I ask what are you thinking? I had one of those thoughts when I was photographing a woman who I guess wanted to get up close and personal with Thor’s Well and her cell phone. I am just glad she did not drop her phone.

I headed back up to the van just to let Roy know I was still ok, and I was having a blast. (I also wanted to make sure Roy was ok.) I’m greeted however with the question ‘Do we have any band – aids?’ my first thought was ‘oh no, what you do now’? Come to find out it was for the guy in the vehicle next to us. He had slipped on the rock and scratched himself up. We joked a little about what a clutz he was. (It wasn’t until I got home that I found out I had a picture of him.) I asked if he was with anyone and he said his sister and other family. So where are they. ‘Off exploring the trails. They probably don’t even know that I’m hurt’.

After I fixed him up, I was back down another trail. I did run into the sister and let her know her brother was good. She was thankful. I asked how steep the trail was that they came up. Not steep at all. Lesson learned here, do not ask someone who can walk if a trail is steep for a wheelchair. I will say I was a little nervous in some areas of the trail, but I made it.

In making it I was rewarded by getting close to the tide pools. The tide was coming in, so I did not see much exposed sea live. Except for the zillions of muscles. Check out the video below that shows the ocean up close along with some of the tide pools.

One of the pluses to traveling in Oregon is how accessible and wheelchair friendly the outdoor parks and attractions are. I am just getting out and enjoying Oregon, our new mobility van and my fantastic iBot wheelchair.

I did IT!

What was it? I think you can guess. I experienced a whole new world. I made it to the sand without getting stuck. I owe this to the confidence Roy has instilled in me and the ability of the ibot. Check out this video.

I was relieved, amazed, in awe. I spent almost an hour enjoying being at ‘ground level’. My perspective has changed for the longest time or since I’ve been at the coast and in a chair, I have been looking down on the beach. I’m ok with that perspective but I’ve added another perspective (ground level) to my photography viewpoint. I guess for me it was like I was able to get closer to the action. I can describe it as running down a hill to get to the bottom of the action and joining your friends.

What made it practical and possible for me was a sand mat. Some local communities here on the coast of Oregon will lay out mats so it goes over the soft sand to get to the hard sand.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to get closer to the sand. I need a little more confidence before I totally attack the sand with no training wheels so to speak. The facts are simple, yet I keep going back to my joy and exuberance and feeling of escaping the restriction of not being able to get close to the shore.

Just the power of sitting in front of the ocean. I watched this girl who was running on the wet sand and the joy and surprise that was on her face when a small wave rolled up on her feet. You can tell she wasn’t expecting it. I am so thankful to be able to see the joy and body language up close.

I saw her and her family later in the day when they were walking past me to head up the beach. I asked her if she enjoyed herself and if that was her first time. The answer she gave me was yes to both. It felt like I was experiencing a first with her. I asked them to pick up a rock for me as a memory of my first trip to the beach.

After my excitement settled in, I sat there and waited. I waited for the birds that I knew would come, the people that walk down the beach, and a few landscapes change when the surf rolled in. After snapping some pictures enjoying the breezes, it was time to head back to the parking lot and load up the chair and head back to Brookings from Gold Beach.

Perspectives change and develop when you embrace new tools in front of, or underneath you.`

Kids ask the honest questions

This is what happened Saturday night when I was at Harris Beach photographing the sunset. This was the first time I had been to Harris Beach since I got stuck in the sand. That is a story that will be covered shortly in its own blog. Harris Beach is perfect for sunset shots and is very easy to navigate around. The sun sets in a way so, anywhere in your shot, you can get the beach or rocks. Plus, this is a very popular spot for people, sunsets, and silhouettes.

As I said, this was my first time back. So, to say the least, I was gun shy. I went to the ramp and saw this ‘shelter’ built by someone out of driftwood (the sun was perfect).

Snapped a picture. Then, I decided to go on the grass, which is a semi bumpy hilly area that was facing the setting sun. It wasn’t the type of sunsets that are easy to shoot, but you can get some interesting results.

I’m going to back up a little bit and mention you don’t know if you don’t go. There were no fluffy sunset clouds, just a bank of clouds at the horizon. So my thought was it won’t be good. I am glad Roy doesn’t listen to me sometimes. (I will deny this comment in the future. 🙂 ) I am also glad I listen to Roy sometimes. We were just heading down to a restaurant that is about a block from the RV Park. I was like, do I need my camera? Roy said, ‘Remember you never know what you might see.’

Well, I went into the trailer to get the camera on my way out of the trailer, I looked up. So, glad I did because I saw three turkey vultures soaring overhead. They were out of range of my camera to photograph, I just enjoyed them. At this point and time at a little lower elevation, there appears a bald eagle. It took my mind a minute to realize what it was. Sometime. You just have to absorb the moment. I thought it was amazing how the light hit the white tail feathers, then he was gone.

Back to what happened at Harris Beach. I’m snapping away, and then I see this guy/mountain goat climbing up this rocky hill to get a better viewpoint. I decided his climb and the profile of him shooting the sunset would make some good photos.

He saw me taking photos of him when he got down he asked if he could get a copy. Of course I said. He gave me his number and we chatted about cameras. I have learned, though, that when shooting a scene, talk less shoot more. I got a few more shots once the sunset behind the bank, packed up, and got ready to load up.

I am still wanting to hit the beach, but I’m a tad shy. I see this group of people come up, a trail that I have been curious about since last year. I can see just the top of the trail. It is wide enough but, not sure what is out of sight. I’ve become quite bold. I see a group of people coming up that same trail. So, I ask if this chair could make it down. I also asked what it looked like at the bottom. I guess there is a big driftwood log near the bottom you have to work around. There is also a dropoff that looks like steps right out of sight. Oh, well. I will get on the beach sometime this summer.

As I’m talking to the adults, a boy who was about 6 years old pops out this question. Why are you in a wheelchair? I said I have Multiple Sclerosis. The boy seemed satisfied, especially after the dad leaned over and said, ‘that’s, what Jean has.’ I have to wonder how many adults have that same question and are afraid to ask it when they see someone in a chair.

I know that for me, it is easier to answer a child than to answer an adult. I find some adults to be a little condescending or even disapproving because I have no outward injuries. I have noticed. When I see an adult look or show some interest, I am quick to say I have MS. It was amazing to hear the curiosity and honesty in the boy’s question.

I hope that you take away from this post that it is ok to ask why I am in a wheelchair just please ask out of wonder and honest curiosity.

The Custer State Park Welcoming Committee.

That’s what these buffalo were for us one morning towards the end of the summer we were heading around the loop. Roy has been pretty good at finding the buffalo because they move about 2 to 3 miles a day. The fun thing was trying to figure out where they would show up. It was kind of a surprise when we pulled around the corner to see this.

There was a small group hanging around the self-pay entry station to the park. (I’m glad we had our pass park.) The buffalo were just hanging around the start or end of Wildlife loop depending what direction you are going. This was really fun just watching them scratch and hanging across the road. In this area is also where the volunteers that work in the State Park stay with their RVs.

They also wanted to make sure we knew buffalo are dangerous do not approach as they stood under the sign.

Just a side note I ran across this article 15 Fun Facts about Our National Mammal

After our welcoming committee it was off to find the burros and maybe my stalker again I had more carrots. Yes, I saw my stalker and I did feed him. All was forgiven and he promised me no more kisses. I do have to say the baby is getting big and has started to let people touch her. Although I do think she is still a tad nervous you can see it in her eyes. Here are a few more pictures of baby and mommy. It is nice that she is still nursing.

We also got to see a mutual petting/cleaning session going o between two of the burros. Roy even moved the car to get a better video. I tried to get a shot of the two but could not get an angle until I moved and caught one of them being a butt licker. It also seemed like Roy needed cleaning because his headlight got some action.

It was still early in the day so we decided to take the dirt road that runs between Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park. It was here where we had seen quite a few prairie dogs in the past and the bunny who would not move. They seem to have spread out this year. Although we were able to catch a few enjoying peanuts.

We also saw a bluebird and he let me capture his best side. After lunch we ran into the burros again. This time we let them be.

Not to be forgotten I did get my butt shot of the big horn sheep.

It happened I got Kissed!

Yes, I did. It wasn’t a buffalo or a pronghorn, it wasn’t even Roy. You ask who or what was it then. My resident burro stalker. The only Jack in the herd had to have a crush on me. I am not sure that burros can recognize cars or people my bet they do. He was the first burro I fed, and I only did it to get close to the baby he was protecting. Every time that we fed them there, he was on my side of the car. I would get out of the car and there he was. I will come back to my kiss later on.

Our day started early we were on a mission to find where the whole herd of buffalo were hiding and to find and feed the burros again. We also had a chance to have a scout for a small group of pronghorns and then the small group crossed in front of us.

So, about the buffalo I have to say it was one of those times when it seemed most of the herd was in one place. Everywhere you looked you could see buffalo. I caught them rolling around, coming towards us on the road crossing in front of us. After we turned around to head out of the herd, we have a car speed by us and park in amongst the herd. As you can see from the video I think they are a special breed of stupid. When we drove past the car we did see that the crew were from the park. I guess they have to get in among the herd to get those epic shots people enjoy. Speaking of shots here are a few of the ones I took that day.

After the herd we took a short cut to see if the burros were where they usually hang out. This was where we were lucky enough to watch the pronghorn scout turn into crossing guard.

After we got back underway again, we found the burros. The baby is learning the art of begging early as you can see. Here are a few photos of Roy feeding them. The last picture he ran out of carrots.

So, about my stalker. I was out of carrots and wanted to take some pictures because other people had stopped to feed them and that act always make for good photos. I get out of the car and he starts to follow me. I decide to ignore him, as you can see from the video, he did not like that.

After a full morning of animal fun, we decided to grab a bite to eat then head home. Looking at each other we said the only thing missing from the animal sightings were the big horn sheep. Ask and look what appeared around the corner. Our day was complete.

stupid

No Luck with the Night BUT

the animals shined this year. I will be summing up my nighttime adventures soon. I will say that it was nothing like Joshua Tree. After striking out in the Badlands we lucked into seeing deer in the daylight as we headed out in search of the burros. I was only able to get their little white tails though. The deer do move fast especially when someone has to change camera settings. (Yes, I had to do this.)

We did not find any burros that day which was good because we would not have been able to feed them, we had no carrots. As you know if you ain’t got the carrots they ain’t got the time. We did have to do some errands and stuff so we grabbed lunch and then headed around Wildlife loop. We thought maybe today might be a bust until we came upon the most reliable animal in the park the buffalo. This year it has been funny they have been turning up in so many places you would not expect. It’s good because it keeps me on the look out. We saw them just hanging out near the road and hurrying across it when they did cross. So, there was not an endless buffalo jam. I think they were on a mission.

We ended the day with a look at a few of the young pronghorns that hangout near the start to Wildlife loop. We saw one set of the twins.

So what do you do….

when Sturgis is in town and you are not a biker? Roy and I decided to get up early and explore the park some more. We went out one morning after a day and night of rain which left water in the rivers and streams. The reason I bring up the water and rain is not to whine about it. The rain was able to provide water so these Turkey Vultures could bathe and dry their wings. The funny thing is we have not seen them in that spot since. I do say photography is 80% timing. There were at least 20 turkey vultures siting in the trees. I was able to take my time and enjoy, observe and yes, photograph these birds. I don’t think I realized until that morning how large of a wingspan they have. Here is more details on the turkey vultures.

That same morning we also had the opportunity to feed the burros. (This was the first 5lb bag of carrots). I am getting better with the burros being as close as they are. I know they are just looking to be fed. The best part about the burros is how much Roy enjoys feeding them and getting close to them. Leave it to him to find out how soft their lips are and how flat their teeth are. (Yes, he did touch both.)

The first thing we encountered were some pronghorns. I’ve said this before. This year we have seen quite a few more than the last time we were here. I know there are at least two sets of twins.

Right before we stumbled upon the turkey vultures we drove up right next to a buffalo who was close enough to pet. (I did not) The rest of the herd was down the hill.

We were just driving the loop and came across this berry branch encased in spiderweb

That evening we were treated to deer crossing the road right in front of the car.

The Whole Herd or

most of it. A couple of weeks ago we had to head into Hot Springs SD to the VA to pick up another one of my prescriptions. This is a story in itself. Needless to say the confusion created by a simple automated text from the VA gave me an opportunity to see the whole herd of Custer State Park Buffalo.

It is the season that the rut is starting so they are starting to gather and some of the bulls that have been on the perimeter of the herd are starting to make their voices heard literally. We came round a curve and saw a bunch of buffalo grazing in the field wallowing in a couple of mud holes and drinking from the river. Everywhere you looked you saw them. We were stopped here for about twenty minutes at least the pharmacy was open until 4pm so there was definitely no rush.

One of the things I noticed was how the babies with their red coats are growing and getting small nubs for horns and the loss of the red coat. The little ones are getting bigger.

We left the buffalo as they were headed on a dirt road (4-Mile Draw Rd) back into the park. It turned out to be an all-day affair for them. I say this because we were lucky enough to catch the tail end of the herd finishing up their journey into the park. 4-Mile Draw Rd is a road that connects HWY 87 with the park.

We have driven this road a few times mainly looking for Prairie Dogs. We knew that they were headed down that road in the morning, so we decided to take 4-Mile Rd on the way home. I’m glad we did because we encountered one of the big daddies bringing up the rear. So, we get to the junction of 4-Mile Draw Rd and Wildlife loop and are greeted by a buffalo traffic jam. Another amazing sight to see. The funny thing to this is that they kept coming and coming and still coming.

I am thinking there were more here than what we saw in the morning. That tells me that we missed seeing some of the herd in the morning.

I do have to sit back and wonder if I am awestruck by this number of buffalo, I can’t imagine what it would have been like for the settlers.

Here is a slide show of more of the buffalo from that day.

Up Up and Away

We woke up early and got to see two deer on the way out the drive, a doe and a fawn crossing the road plus two deer on the side of the road all before the first balloon launch. Click here for the videos. I do know Roy saw an elk but we did not get it captured on dash cam.

After shooting everything in sight yesterday today was all about picking certain balloons to concentrate on. I changed camera lenses to my wide angle so I could take in the whole scene. After we get Roy’s scooter out, I head up the little hill and start taking pictures. The sun had just risen so there were sun beams to take advantage of.

I was taking pictures from a distance and a woman came up to me and stated if I wanted to get closer I could. The balloon she was crewing for is called Morning Manna. (They will also be at the Hotsprings balloon festival in August.) I did journey closer to the balloon and took some pictures of the flame from a close distance.

When the crew told me to come closer. I do have to say that I would not make a good balloon crew member it was too hot. I enjoyed getting close enough to see all the way up into the balloon.

Most of the morning was spent chasing the balloons after lift off.

We decided to follow Morning Manna to see where the wind would blow. It would be a journey of 14 and 1/2 miles as the crow flies. This is where the game lodge is and the landing zone for multiple balloons. They all seemed to go in every which direction you could imagine.

We had to wait at a few different turn outs for either the balloon to catch up to us or the balloon to radio down to the chase car what direction the wind is carrying them.

Once we got to the landing zone there were other balloons touching down. There was a moment when it looked like a balloon was coming in for a hard landing. The hard landing wasn’t as hard as it could have been because of the fast thinking of the ground crew. Everyone was ok just a little shook up.

Last balloon standing. The balloon touched down at the landing zone then lifted off so we followed it. It was cool how they had to walk the balloon to the edge of the road so, they could pack it up.

Looking forward to more balloon chasing in my future.