Bikes, Berries, Basil & More

BIKES

We finally took the bikes out yesterday for a 100 miles trek around the back roads of the coastal range.  We left the house about noon and headed West on Hwy 20.  At Blodgett we turned north onto Hwy 180 - the Summit Highway.  All kinds of twists and turns and 20 mph corners.  It is a favorite with the locals. This roads loops us back around to Highway 20 at Eddyville.  A right turn takes us west towards the coast.

We made a stop at Chitwood for a picture of the covered bridge.  It is one we've never stopped at before and I needed it for the E2E rally and Troubadour needed it for his covered bridge page.

Back on the bikes and we turned north at Toledo onto Hwy 229 - the Siletz Highway.  Another beautiful road full of sweepers and tighter turns north of Siletz.  Before we popped out on Highway 101 we stopped at Strome County Park and boat launch for a picnic lunch of leftover broccoli salad and a Strawberry Lemonade Starbucks Refresher.  

We had the map out and were trying to figure out whether to go to Highway 101 and loop north or return the way we came.  We opted to turn around and head back the way we came but with a change. We'd head east on Hwy 410 in Siletz and ride towards Logsden.  This loop took us back to Hwy 180 at Nashville.  I'd never taken this road before, probably because of the 2 miles of gravel.  I didn't mind the actual gravel because it was well packed, but I wasn't a fan of the steep downhill grade with switchbacks.  Deep breath, loose on the bars, first gear and steady as she goes. It was well worth it because of the beautiful curving road. 

From there it was back to Highway 20 and home.  We got home at 4:00 pm to 92˚F (33.3˚C) temperatures in Corvallis.  Sure could feel it warming up as we rode out of the hills and back into the valley.

It was nice to just get out for a putter on the bikes, in no hurry, and with no place to be.

BERRIES

On Saturday we opted to drive to coffee and go berry picking after.  Our window of opportunity for raspberries was closing quickly and we knew the variety of blueberries we wanted we at their peak too.

So to Anderson Blues north of Corvallis for blueberries we went.  We picked 23.5 lbs of Spartans and ate a fair amount as we were picking too.  Good thing they don't charge for those.

We went home for lunch and to get the berries out of the heat then headed out to Childers Raspberry Farm east of Albany.

We picked 12.7 lbs of Cascade variety raspberries.  Nice and big.  They didn't seem as big as last year though.  The raspberries need to be processed for the freezer right away so I didn't get any pictures but I did get a few of the blueberries.

Both farms are family owned and friendly.  If you are in the area in the summer, I highly recommend them for fresh berries, both u-pick and they pick.

A blueberry sitting on a quarter.

Most of the blueberries have been washed and put in the freezer as well.  We did keep out a bowl of the larger ones for munching.

BASIL

Every once in a while I pick up the camera and try to take a good picture of Basil.  Some times I luck out, some times not. Lately he has been mid-yawn or sleeping outside.

AND MORE

A week or so ago we headed to the coast in the car on a Friday intending to meet some friends and fly kites.  We got away late due to a Team Oregon obligation of hubby's and our friends had already headed home by the time we got there.  We went south into Florence and had a picnic lunch and then headed inland at a relaxed pace on Highway 126 to Hwy 36; a favorite motorcycle route.

We saw a single blue heron resting in the river.

We stopped at a Alderwood Wayside while scoping out future camping spots.  There was no one around.  Just nice and quiet by the river.

We followed a little foot bridge over the Long Tom River but it didn't lead anywhere, just a short path through the woods that ended in overgrown brush.  I still managed to take a few pictures.

And finally more blooms from the garden.  Under where the sequoia was a few sunflowers have grown, buried by a bird I am sure.  A few weeds have also popped up in the yard, but I thought they looked like little daisies and took a picture.  The Tahitian sunset Rose is also blooming.

- Au Revoir

" In winter I get up at night, and dress by yellow candle-light.  In summer quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day." - Robert Louis Stevenson

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