The Last 20ish Years...

I recently got back in touch with a roommate from when I was about 19. She asked what I had been up to for the last 20 years. Great question, what have I been up to? So here is a little summary of my life for the past 20ish years!!! 

From Eugene Oregon moved to Utah. Worked in some pizzerias, made some lifelong friends, decided to serve a mission, received endowments in Manti Utah Temple.

Served mission in Manchester NH mission. Served some amazing people, Learned how to love all men, fell in love with church history (and Ben & Jerrys ice cream!).

Lived in Utah along university ave near BYU. Served in Relief Society presidency in various positions and became a temple ordinance worker in the Provo temple.  Went to cosmetology school and then worked in a couple salons. Made more lifelong friendships. Learned to value all people and tried to make sure they felt included. Another random calling I had was the co-chair for group dates. Yes, my ward experimented with having us randomly match everyone up on large group dates. The point was to get everyone comfortable with just dating. (I did have a wedding come out of it though- great story!)

Lived in Coos Bay Oregon. Worked at a craft store and another pizzeria! I'm still not sure the purpose of this move or what I was to learn. 

Moved to Chelan Washington. I got my CNA license working at a long term care facility. I loved the dry summer days! I did a lot of country line dancing and served in the YW. 

Back to Utah. This time I lived west of University ave. I met some great people here. Intelligent, caring. I did hair at a salon and picked up the hobby of genealogy. I got to teach this class and really enjoyed the seeking of ancestors. Served again in the Provo Temple as an ordinance worker. 

Maryland! I became a nanny. Worked with one family for a little over a year, then took some time off for a college math class and sold health insurance. I then worked for a family full time for over a year, then part time for 4 more. I went to college and got an associate degree in science and license as a RN. I served in YW, stake YSA, and was the 4th year leader at girls camp for 3 yrs. I got to explore our nations history, as well as continuing my love for church history. I served in the DC temple as an ordinance worker, and kindled friendships with some amazing people. 

Family called me home to Oregon and I lived in Coburg for a couple years working first as a RN in cottage grove, then in Eugene in HH/hospice. 

After my dads death I moved to coos bay and worked at the hospital there. Even after my mom sold the family farm and moved to Beaverton I stayed in CB and had a great time learning to preserve food, hiking, exploring, and living life. Got my bachelors of science RN through an online college. I expanded my nursing skills as a clinical educator for the local college nursing program. Taught Sunday school 16-17yr olds and more YW! 

Seeing that my nieces would be gone before I knew it I moved to Portland almost two years ago and am working at Portland providence. I love being close to my immediate family and participating in the last years at home my nieces have. 

Diet Coke

Last fall I successfully gave up Diet Coke. I say Diet Coke loosely since I also loved Diet Pepsi. These had to be the full caffeine versions, and not the knock-off colas. Man I loved me a "fresh" Diet Coke from McDonald's. Only 1.00$, cool and refreshing. How could I go wrong? Well, besides my health. Trying to get a grasp on my health I eliminated these refreshing beverages from my life. Every once in a while I'd order one at a restaurant but in general, finished. 

What is it about summer time??? Knowing that the temperatures are rising, and cooling off by a river, lake or pool is in my near future. All I want is a Diet Coke! 

"One large Diet Coke please" -sip -fizzy burn -enjoy!!! 

Don't you love Portland in the fall?

One of my favorite lines and scenes in 'You've Got Mail' is; "Don't you love New York in the fall"? I keep repeating this in my head this week, changing it to; " Don't you love Portland in the fall"? 

Something about the old city streets with the giant Maples and Oaks dropping thier leaves of color, painting the streets with golds and reds. 

The air changes too. It becomes crisp with a sweet taste. 

The sounds of squirrels and birds preparing for winter, combine with the crunching of leaves under your feet. 

Fall begins the time of being cozy and drinking tea. Watching the world change from green to gold, to winter bare. 

Don't you love Portland in the fall? 

Adventuring: 40:40:14 Gold and Silver Falls

 I have posted about the Gold and Silver Falls before in my post Adventuring: Above the Falls. This is a place that has historic meaning to me and many Coos Bay/Coos River/Allegany originals. The falls are located approximately 23 miles up the Allegany side of the Coos River from Coos Bay Oregon. Although most of it's visitors are locals it is a State Park and many fun adventures await those that take the time to drive out there.

Once in the park the short walkable road to the left brings you to a view looking at the Silver Falls. At one time this road/path extended across the bottom of the falls and then continued up the path to the top of the Golden Falls and beyond. My uncles tell stories of my grandmother driving back down from the top and then they (the boys) would have to get out when crossing the Silver Falls to make sure the planks were there for my grandmother to drive across, and that she was not missing them.

Starting at the beginning again at the park entrance, if you take the path to the right and across the wooden bridge you come to two other trail possibilities. This trail splits. Taking the trail to the right will bring you to the base of the Golden Falls. This is a favorite photo spot to travelers and a fun rambling area for kids to climb on rocks and logs.

Taking the trail to the left will take you first to the bottom of the Silver Falls where you can adventurously climb up and stand a little under the falls, and then the trail continues up and up to the top of the Golden Falls. This is a breathtaking view of the forested valley.

 

Continuing on this trail you enter some forested lands that once were great homesteads. Only a trailer or two may remain from the mid 1900's, but the history goes far and beyond that time. My Uncle laughingly tells the tell of having Boy Scouts up there and throwing a rock, aimed for a friend, that hit his instructor in the head. What a mischievous family I have.

Plan for easy to moderate difficulty depending on how far and how long you adventure. 1/2 - 10 miles depending.

Adventuring: 40:40:11 Whiskey Run Beach

 

Not far from the lovely coastal town of Bandon Oregon is the well known beach Whiskey Run. It is really near the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and is well traveled by locals and visitors alike. Access to this beach can be used by off road sand drivers, horseback riders, agate hunters, kite surfers, and beach walkers. There is generally a large wind blowing so prepare yourself with a hood and glasses. The views are spectacular though and you never know what the windy tide will bring ashore! After your beach adventure swing by either the Bandon Dunes for some amazing comfort food at McKee's Pub. Or head into Old Town Bandon for chowder at the Minute Cafe, or fish tacos at Tony's Crab Shack !

Lighting the Way...

I have a fascination for lighthouses. Their history, their beauty. As much as I love that there is technology that can aid ships around the shores, it also makes me sad that this technology is making lighthouses more and more obsolete. Whenever they are mentioned in songs they are strong and immovable. They represent safety and guidance. Plus.....

They're so pretty....

Coquille River Lighthouse, Bandon Oregon

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Florence Oregon

Cape Meares Lighthouse, Netarts Oregon

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport Oregon

Umpqua River Lighthouse, Winchester Bay Oregon

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Newport Oregon

Cape Arago Lighthouse, Charleston Oregon

Only four more to go till I see all of Oregon's!!!
For more information about Oregon's lighthouses click here!

Adventuring: Sunset Bay

If anyone has been to the coast off of Charleston, Oregon they have been to Sunset Bay. I can also add, anyone who has grown up in Coos Bay/North Bend has been to Sunset Bay. It is an easy to find, beautiful place that offers rock exploring, tide-pools, sand volley-ball, a camp ground, and a bit more. What I love about it is that it is a great starting point to a maze of connecting trails that extend all the way to the Cape Arago State Park. For the Sunset Bay Loop start at the trail head by the southern bathrooms. There is a map at this spot, so it's a great place to collect yourself and decide just where you will head to. Continue on this trail following it up and around the cliffs, ending back on the road at the entrance to Norton Gulch. To complete this "loop" just retrace your steps back to your car. I know, it's not really a loop, but with all the little side trails to explore it feels like one!

Sunset Bay Trails

 

Adventuring: Above the Falls

I have hiked to the bottom and top of the Golden Falls multiple times. What I hadn't done was hike "above the falls". At one time there was a whole settlement above the Golden and Silver falls. The last family I believe moved  around 1957. I have always wanted to go exploring and see if there are any old homesteads still there without the earth reclaiming them. We followed the trails pretty easily leaving from the top of Golden. This connected with the  Old Glen Creek rd. We emerged from the thick woods to a view of a valley meadow still dotted with an apple orchard that was abundant with fruit. We wandered down to the heart of the orchard and I soaked in the thought of the history of this place. How children once played there. I didn't get to see any old homesteads, but I'm sure they are out there. We decided to stop there since there was fresh bear scat. I loved this hike and am looking forward to going up there again sometime.

Silver Falls

Golden Falls

A valley meadow spotted with an orchard

Old apple tree still bearing fruit

Where children once played

I would rate this hike easy to moderate. There are easy dirt paths to the bottom of both falls and to the top of the Golden. There is very rocky terrain close to the bottom of both falls. If you want to go "above the falls" it is a moderate hike. Don't forget that wildlife is highly populated in that area.  Get directions HERE.

Goal "Queen" Accomplished!

A year ago in August I had expressed my desire to be the "Canning Queen" at the Coos County Fair. Well goal accomplished! It was a bit of a surprise since I did not preserve near as much as I had planned. I guess I just did  a good job on what I did preserve! I admit that I am pretty proud of this achievement and happy that now folks are asking me to share this talent with them! Maybe I'll even get certified as a master food preserver..... Today I traded the pressure canner in for a dehydrator, oh the possibilities!!

Adventuring: Shore Acres Loop

One of my most favorite places to go is Shore Acres. It was one of the few places that my Dad, Ben, loved to go. As a child we would wind through the garden, smelling all the roses and picking out our favorite to grow next in our flower garden a home.

Simpson Beach was a place for picnics and  playing in the sand. The sand there is different than any other sand in the area. Beautiful.

At the look-out area many people gather and watch for whales, or witness the amazing waves crash against the shore.

Shore Acres State Park contains many trails and walking/hiking adventures. Since I love them all I decided to blog about them all individually.

Shore Acres Loop:
This loop can start in the park itself, or outside about a quart mile before the park entrance. Since there is a fee for the park many people like to start from the later starting place. About a quarter of a mile past Sunset Bay there is a parking area with a beautiful view of the Cape Arago Lighthouse. Take the stairs down from the parking lot. Turning left puts you on the Shore Acres Loop. After a short distance there is a Y. Either trail will take you to the park. Going straight will take you along the original trail into the park. There are still stone entrance markers to establish the grand entrance.

Taking the trail to the right has you follow the cliffs along the shoreline till you reach the look-out area. For some reason I like going this way. Once at the look-out parking area follow the park entrance road to where the original entrance road enters the park. (Approximately across from the toll booth). Completing this trail takes you back to where you parked. The loop is approx. 1.8 miles and is an easy trail with dirt paths. It is good to note that in the really rainy months the trails are sometimes flooded, but still fun!

Adventuring

I have a love for the outdoors. Whenever I get to explore a little I call it: Adventuring. Here's a few shots from my last adventure.

I Want to be Queen!

I admit, and I may have admitted this before, I am a fair nerd. Growing up I started in 4-H as soon as I was old enough. I would spend my summers making projects for cooking, sewing, and other home ec. areas. I would also train one of my cows to tolerate me and let me lead it around. I was blessed with talent in theses areas and still have some of the trophies and ribbons I won. Luckily as grown-ups they still provide ways for us to use our skills and have friendly competitions. My focus is usually in the food preservation areas. Besides the Blue, Red, or White ribbons there are rainbow ribbons for special awards. You can also win the "best" in each  category, as well as a few other special awards. A couple years ago my mom won the Best White Bread entry. The one I want, the one I am hoping to wrap my hands around this next year is: "The Queen of Canning". In order to achieve this the winner usually has well over 60 items entered. The 2011 winner entered 92. I have about 20 set aside at the moment, so I know I have my work cut out for me! But a goal is a goal and for now I shall, Can On!

Ocean Boulevard.

Some people not from Coos Bay/North Bend have asked me if Ocean Blvd leads to the ocean. In a way it does. It definitely is one of the main roads that gets you heading in the right direction. My draw to Ocean Blvd is that this is where I am residing. Last November I made a change and got a job working at Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay. This of course meant that I then needed to move to Coos Bay. In January I got a call from some amazing family friends and in February I moved to Ocean Blvd. It has been quite fun to set my stuff up, decide if I need more, and eventually hang stuff on the walls. I like my style. It's comfortable. I makes me happy. I promised some friends that I would post photos, so here goes:

Ocean Blvd, Krista Style