Eureka Cottage at Chateau Krupberg
Dragon Statue
Hydrangeas at the Cottage
Eureka Books
Founders Grove, Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Tree Hugger
Perspective
Awe
Looking Up
Happiness
Light
Peace
Shelter
Heading Home
C'est La Vie Inn
We only had one night in Eugene, which was a bit of a disappointment, but one night is better than none, right? Paul chose this lovely Victorian B&B, and we were able to walk or take the bus everywhere. It kind of felt like we were missing out on something – I meant to contact friends beforehand regarding where to go for fun but didn’t, and the businesses were almost deserted owing to Labor Day Weekend. I wandered 5th Street Public Market for a bit while Paul had a pint or two down the street and we walked to a Thai restaurant around the corner from the B&B for dinner.
Train Village at C'est La Vie
Our waiter, Gabriel at Ring of Fire was friendly and the food and drink was delicious. Because it was a slower night than usual, we were able to chat a bit with him, and he kindly took the time to recommend a few of his local favorites: The Kiva for their rice pudding and Chocolove selection (btw, Cherries and Almonds in Dark Chocolate is my favorite too, Gabriel), the David Minor Theater for “If a Tree Falls”, Sweet Life Patisserie for the custard eclair and Tiramisu, and Hendricks Park for the rhododendron garden.
Tub Love
We didn’t make any of those places (opted for the tub, wine, and bed instead) but I am grateful for this info and plan on going back to get a better feel for Eugene, a town that is beloved by a few favorite friends of mine.
Backyard Bliss
The backyard at C’est La Vie is absolutely gorgeous and we enjoyed a bottle of red and some cheese outside before bed…comme c’est romantique! The model railroad is charming as well (see above). There are several cats that stay in the Innkeeper’s quarters and have their own outside playground that looks much like a custom chicken coop (sorry I didn’t get a picture as it was pretty impressive). I think they may be a wee bit spoiled.
Driving Back to Portland ~ Pull Over Here, Paul!
The drive back to Portland was lovely…although we weren’t quite home yet. We spent a couple more nights on the road, this time at Hotel Monaco in Downtown Portland. This was because I had a new job (I say “had” because I have since quit. Come to find out “job” was a bit of an exaggeration as that would actually entail a “paycheck”). Anyway…moving along…
Robes at Hotel Monaco
I tried to get Paul to pose for the camera in one of these beauties but no way, no how was that to happen, not even after a few pints at Bailey’s Taproom. Party pooper. We met a cool couple at Bailey’s (she is in the band Eisley, he builds custom guitars), and Silas Weir Mitchell just happened to be reading a script at the table behind us. I actually had the pleasure of being an extra on the set of GRIMM recently and was really bummed that he was not there that day as he plays my favorite character, Monroe. Mr. Mitchell was also at a Live Wire show at The Alberta Rose Theatre that my friend Michelle and I attended a couple months later. Fate? I think not, says the crazed fan.
Eisley ~ Deep Space Tour
Do you have favorite Eugene haunts? If so, please share with us in the comments section. We will get back soon. Oh, and Bend. We haven’t been to Bend yet, but it is hight on the list, so if you have any Bend suggestions, we would love to hear them as well…
SeaQuest Inn on a Foggy Night
The homeowner here in NE Portland had some time off from work and came back for a couple of weeks, which meant road-trip time for Caretaking Couple. Our first stop was the SeaQuest Inn, right along the 101 and just south of Yachats, Oregon. We spent four glorious days and nights there. I have decided…nothing compares to hearing the waves crash right outside your open window on a foggy summer’s night.
Looking Down at the Pacific from our Cape Perpetua hike.
This coastline was another first for us. We took the 101 from San Francisco to Los Angeles back in 2006 and loved it; still people kept telling us how much more dramatic the Oregon Coast is in comparison to California’s. I had a hard time believing that anything could be more stunning than Big Sur, which is one of my favorite places in the world.
Paul, in his happy place
We spent the good part of our days on hiking the trails of Cape Perpetua and at several of the eighty-plus state parks along the Oregon Coast. Nerina set us up with a hearty, healthy and delicious breakfast each morning at the SeaQuest, and we hit The Drift Inn for dinner just about every night. We also brought wine, cheese and crackers back from The Wine Place to share in our room, or in the common room with new friends.
Sunset at The SeaQuest Inn
This was the view from our deck at the SeaQuest. It was perfection. We actually saw a whale from this same angle during breakfast on our last morning there. I don’t have a picture because I could not look away from the whale and my camera would not have done the experience justice. I remember feeling the same way when Paul and I saw a mountain lion right outside our living room window in Evergreen…we were glued in place; mesmerized.
Low Tide ~ Yachats
Everything about these few days was spectacular, with special thanks to Mother Nature, along with Innkeeper Nerina and the rest of the SeaQuest staff. I sincerely hope we are fortunate enough to return for another stay.
Winger's for Some Road Food
Bad Night's Sleep
Our First Meal in Oregon
Camas Hotel (That's MUCH Better!)
Same Price as the Utah Motel ~ What The?
Vintage Ephemera at Camas Antiques
Keeping it Cool at Camas Antiques
Buttons to Remind Me of Simpler Times
Liberty Theatre
Natalie's
Kevin, of Birch Street Uptown Lounge
Absinthe Nightcap for Valynne
Driving Through Texas
Garden at the Parkview House
Feeding the Carp
Welcome Back (Highland Haven)
Our View From The Gardener's Cottage
Lola, Watching Us Eat Breakfast
Evergreen Lake
Sadie & Gary with Little Hemi
Dancing with Jen at Cactus Jacks
Martinis with Jaime
Emily and Ivy
Lee & Marlee at Bear Creek
I Finally Got to Meet Paula (New Owner of MGO), Scott (Hubster) and Sam
Sadie, Wyatt, and Rev
On The Road Again
Lake Charles Sunset
Paul and I were contacted by a couple in Lake Charles who are big into travel and interested in doing home exchanges and possibly taking on some house and pet sits themselves. We really enjoyed meeting them before they headed off on their vacation. This couple connected us with their friends as well, who had a beautiful waterfront camp that they frequented on weekends. They even had RV hook-ups for their friends and family when they came to visit! So cool. This picture was taken from the camp. What a beautiful spot. Thank you for your Southern Hospitality, Micky and Martha!
Lake Charles Lawn
Paul loves these riding lawn mowers. He won’t let me mow any of the lawns on our sits. True story. So, here he is…mowing the lawn. We were perched on a rock up on Bear Mountain when we lived in Evergreen, Colorado and didn’t need a lawn mower (the elk took care of random patches of grass). Perhaps he feels he is making up for lost time.
American Alligator
We drove the Creole Nature Trail to Holly Beach and stopped at the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge along the way. This is the first alligator either of us has seen out of captivity. I took the picture from a boardwalk and am not as close to said alligator as I look. I do love a good shot but am not so foolish as to annoy an alligator. Note to Birders: The Creole Trail is considered one of the top ten birding locations in the country, with over 300 species of birds. Three hundred!
Holly Beach Rules
The trail led us to Holly Beach, also known as the “Cajun Riviera”. We parked on the beach (no wheelies were popped) and walked along the shore, meeting lots of friendly people along the way.
Holly Beach Houses
Almost all of the homes on Holly Beach were rebuilt after Hurricane Rita came through and demolished the area back in 2005. Several families have been unable to rebuild due to more stringent building codes. I move around too much to ever feel complete loyalty to any one place, but it leaves me with a heavy heart to think of those that are displaced and then unable to rebuild on their property, which in some cases has been in the family for generations.
Fun in the Sun
We were fortunate enough to have this salt water pool all to ourselves during the two week sit. What a luxury it was (Louisiana gets HOT in the summertime). Some days we were in and out of the pool several times a day. Rough life, I know.
Grayson Capps Has a story to Tell
Did you know that I love Grayson Capps and the Lost Cause Minstrels? I discovered them while on a sit for my cousins in Connecticut several years ago. They had a Netflix account and I watched the film A Love Song for Bobby Long while there. It is based on the novel Off Magazine Street by Grayson’s father, Ronald Everett Capps.
I fell in love with the imagery, storyline, soundtrack (which featured Grayson’s songs)…everything. As luck would have it, the band happened to be playing at The Maple Tree Cafe around about the same time, so I went with my friend Kim and it was love at first song.
When Paul discovered that Grayson Capps and the Lost Cause Minstrels would be playing at The Porch while we were in Lake Charles, I nearly peed myself. I believe Grayson is telling a story about “Washboard Lisa” in the picture above. Don’t you love it when musicians give you a glimpse of themselves and their lives between songs?
John Milham on drums, Christian Grizzard on bass, Chris Spies on keyboards and Corky Hughes on guitar.
I’ve had the opportunity to talk with Grayson Capps twice, and both times have been such a pleasure. The three of us talked about the film and the book his father wrote that prompted it, and Grayson having lost so much of his music and belongings in Katrina, and the passing of Pinetop Perkins.
Grayson & Me
Having the opportunity to experience Grayson Capps and the Lost Cause Minstrels again was the highlight of my stay in Lake Charles. That, and the po’ boys, étouffée and lively conversation at Big Daddy’s Sports Grill. Oh, and the pool. Lake Charles was good to us.
On the Road Again
Next stop? Amarillo, Texas. This was a quick lunch break at a Louisiana rest stop. Quick, because it was over 105 outside. So long, swimming pool. It can’t ALL be glitz and glam, eh?