Winchester Bay, Oregon

Well, it's been raining all day--they do rain really well here in Oregon. I can't go outside to play so I'm updating my blog.

The crabbing has been the pits. I've heard many reasons why but I don't think anyone really knows why. You are allowed 12 crab a day, but Art has only caught 10 in one week! I've caught none. Last year people got their limit everyday. The photo shows Roving Rod members Art and Paul cleaning their meager catch at the fish cleaning station.

Some folks really get into preparing food for the coming year and also for gifts. For an example, Roving Rod members Elaine and Mary bought a whole tuna off a commercial boat here at the harbor for $1.75 pound and then canned it outside their rig. Other folks vacuum pack the crab they catch and freeze it. And there is much talk about what is the best way to vacuum pack the crab and also how to cook it; boil it or steam it. Recipes are freeing exchanged among the club members.

Yesterday Art, Pat, and I took a trip down to Charleston and the coast beyond. A charter boat had just returned from an outing and we were able to see the fish cleaned. Most of the fish were rock fish. They fish near rocks and you never know what will be caught. This time it was blue and black fin rock fish. Charters for rock fish go for about $65 a person. The season is getting late now and you can't go out for salmon any longer.

When we left Charleston we went down to several wonderful spots on the coast. At one place, Sunset Beach, we had our South Beach and Atkins lunches. While we sat at the picnic table, we watched a fellow row his small boat into the cove and handle his crab traps. He didn't get any crabs either.

Further down at the Simpson Reef we stopped at a viewing place to see the seals. You can see 4 kinds of seals there; harbor, northern elephant, stellar, and California sea lions. Boy are they noisy! We also were able to see 4 whales frolicking just beyond the rocks.

This coming weekend I'm expecting Bevie's kids, niece and nephew here at the marina. They will be disappointed in the crabbing--but it might always pick up.

The picture below it where I pick up my general delivery mail in Winchester.

This next photo is a shot of the Umpqua oyster beds--or locally know as the oyster triangle. The mouth of the Umpqua river is just to the right of the photo. You can't get fresher or better oysters anywhere. They are shipped worldwide and served at better restaurants up and down the west coast. They have a store here at the marina where you can buy osyters and watch their employees shucking them as you wait. Last year when our Roving Rods got together one of the members bought several hundred and the club's cooks prepared them four different ways. I loved them. But this year no oysters for me because they contain too many carbs.

I had a rack installed on my car this week in anticipation of buying a kayak.

Oh, nine pounds and counting.

Chuck's Surprise Birthday Party

Chuck is a member of our Roving Rods fishing group and he recently celebrated his 70th birthday. His family threw a surprise birthday party for him here at Winchester Bay. His kids, grandkids and great grandkids came up from California to join in the fun. I wish you could meet Chuck because he always has a story to tell and is a master of corny jokes.

First Day at Winchester Bay, Oregon

http://www.co.douglas.or.us/salmonharbor/

I arrived here this morning at Salmon Harbor Marina, along with my friends, Art and Pat . It's located about 5 miles south of Reedsport, Oregon. I will be here until about October 18th. We have wonderful spots on the marina. Dry camping is $185 per month.

We are here to attend a Roving Rods gathering. This is a group of us that like to fish and get together to........fish. This is an annual crabbing event for the group at Winchester Bay. We have heard that the crabbing leaves a lot to be desired right now, but we are hoping that it will pick up.

I'm looking forward to crabbing for the first time. You use large crab cages and bait them with chicken parts and throw them into the water and wait for the crabs to crawl in and get trapped. Then the cages have to be hawled back up and the crabs are taken out. Then you go to the fish cleaning station here at the marina, and clean the little guys. Next you cook the crab and pick out the meat and make wonderful dishes. People also vacuum pack the meat, or have it canned at a cannery in Winchester.

I finally have a level place to ride my new one-speed bike. I really gave it a workout today and probably will feel it tomorrow. Riding is part of my new program to get fit. I'm also back on Atkins and have lost 5 pounds already.

While sitting here making this new post I've seen a mama duck float by with her flotilla of babies behind her. And just a moment ago I saw a seal poking its nose out of the water giving me the eye. And of course there are many sea gulls here too, looking for bait left by the fishermen.

Blackberries Galore

Art, Pat, and I have been picking blackberries to make freezer jam. There were blackberry bushes right behind our coaches at Darlings RV Resort. We also found them on trips on the back roads around Florence.

We now have freezers full of berries but we haven't made the jam yet--we don't want to rush into anything--after all we are retired persons.

FMCA Convention Arial Photo

This is a photo of the 2007 FMCA Convention we attended in Redmond, Oregon last month. Close to 3,000 motor homes. Robert, my brother, was on the parking crew that laid out the parking for the whole convention, hard work. Everyone had an address with street name and lot name. We were in Lot 7, 2nd Street. You can see us in the lower right hand corner waving.

Darlings Resort-1st Day

We have arrived at Darlings Resort, just south of Florence (541 997-2841). We had to travel all of 10 miles to get here from the Florence Elks Campground.

We did a little fishing tonight from the docks. Tomorrow we are going out on Art's boat to do some serious fishing. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Two photos are of the view from the windshield of my coach.

Purple House, Ft. Umpqua Days, Fishing

Yesterday I went over to Heceta Beach, just north of Florence, OR and walked down to the North Jetty. I stopped and sat on the sand and leaned against a huge driftwood log and read my book and soaked up the sun. It was wonderful. I spotted a whale and took some video for my blog but you can't see it--darn.

When leaving the beach I saw the purple house. Isn't it great. Oh, it's for sale if you are interested. I wonder how long it's been on the market.

Last Thursday I went out on a chartered salmon fishing boat out of Winchester Bay and went fishing on the ocean. Actually I didn't do much fishing, the deck hand baits and casts the pole. The only time you touch the pole is when a fish happens to snag the hook. And no fish happened to snag my hook. But it happened twice to my friend, Art (what a show off). Out of the 6 people fishing off the boat only 3 fish were caught.

Art the show off!

I must say that it wasn't the most fun I've had in a long time. I couldn't get my old sea legs together, kept falling every time I tried to walk on the deck. Also it was very, very cold. The sun never came out.

Michelin Girl

My friends; Art Barkley and Pat Reno, full-timers too.

Saturday, Art, Pat, and I went to Elkton. A little town of 197 folks east of Reedsport, OR. They were holding their annual Ft. Umpqua Days. Had more fun there. First we saw the parade, lots of old cars. At the event grounds they had vendors, fruit/veggie market, music, butterfly pavilion and they also had an encampment there--people camping out like the old mountain men of the past.

There was a homemade pie auction and they raised some big bucks. The money goes toward building a replica of the original fort that stood along the Umpqua River. Oh, and the Lions Club was selling Swedish pancakes----mmmm goooood.

Afterwards we stopped in at the public docks in Reedsport and watched fishermen bring in their salmon for a fishing derby they were holding. One young family brought in 3 large salmon.

We ended up the day in Florence were we walked the boardwalk and had clam chowder at Mo's.