I am know for 200 mile bike rides, climbing mountains and Long Beach walks. However, on a night like this I just wants to sits, watch the fire, sips the wine and read a book
Yep, even I can relax sometimes.
Tonight
Author: Mountainstroh (Tony)
The 3rd Beahiversary!
I am a smiling man!
On March 23rd, it was 3 years since we loaded up the Uhaul, pointed our noses southwest and moved to the Oregon Coast!
A lot has happened in the last 3 years (can you spell global pandemic boys and girls??)
But as if I needed it, these last few weeks have reminded me, why I love living here! Allow me to tell you how… Continue reading “The 3rd Beahiversary!”
Wow has it really been that long
So there I was a couple weeks ago, when my boss Jenny sent me a message.
“Happy 30th anniversary at the Mighty P!!
Well you can imagine my reaction!
Has it Really been that long……. Continue reading “Wow has it really been that long”
Agate Hunting Valente Style.
Anyone who has followed the blog for longer than a couple of years knows that Michelle and I loved coming to the Oregon Coast for vacations. We loved spotting whales, going on beach walks, going to lighthouses just walking on the beach.
Oh and sunsets and good food, and waves, and the people, and the food and and and….
Was it any wonder we wanted to move here?
However, one thing I never did, was hunt agates. I knew there was a beach called Agate Beach. But in my head, it never equated with me looking for them. Who knew I’d be good at it…. Continue reading “Agate Hunting Valente Style.”
Long after the thrill of living is gone…
Have you ever heard a song that you have heard for, sadly I must admit it, for decades, and suddenly you hear something new?
This happened this weekend as I was driving back from recycling plastic bottles in Newport…. Continue reading “Long after the thrill of living is gone…”
Looking Back on 2020
Well, we made it! 2020 is in the rearview mirror, and it is a year that will NOT be forgotten soon!
But as always, with the start of the New Year I do like to look back in the year for the most memorable events…. Continue reading “Looking Back on 2020”
Once again the bike was the better choice!
Yes I know, I have not been a great blogger this year. Shoot some of you might’ve thought I stopped blogging all together.
As with all posts this year, I am happy to report that Michelle and I are happy and healthy, and still gainfully employed by the Mighty P! Breaking news: The Man Child, during the time of global pandemic and layoffs, was just hired by the Mighty P last week! VERY proud of him!
With sitting down to compose a blog post, though, like with all things, you just have to be in the mood to do it. I’ve thought about it a time or two this month, but good food, sunsets and big waves have gotten in the way.
But then there was today…. Continue reading “Once again the bike was the better choice!”
A Nice 3-Day weekend
You know, sometimes you just need an extra day off during the week… This week, I was lucky enough to score a Friday!
Before I get into that, the important stuff first. Michelle and I are happy and healthy, and yep still employed! We made sure to get our flu shots last month, and even though we are back in a Covid shutdown for a couple of weeks, we are making the most of it.
We have already decorated for Christmas
And in our backyard, Frosty the snowman is holding auditions for Santa’s Sleigh Team.
We even went out for dinner the day before the shut down began. Tidal Raves in Depoe Bay has done an excellent job keeping people separated and safe, and who would miss a sunset like this?
So all in all, we are doing well!
But I still wanted an extra day off! Continue reading “A Nice 3-Day weekend”
The End of Day Light Savings Time 2020
This is always my least favorite week of the year. The end of Daylight savings means the end of afterwork bike rides for the rest of the year…
But first, as always, the important stuff. Michelle and I are still healthy and happy and employed, we are continuing to survive the global pandemic and avoid people as much as we can!
OK back to the post, the end of Daylight savings time! … Continue reading “The End of Day Light Savings Time 2020”
I have tuned out!
Hi all, long tome no see! So long in fact, they have changed how to do a post. My apologies if I end up messing it up somehow. We’ll see how this ends up!
As always, since the time covid has come amongst us, the important stuff first. Michelle and I are happy and healthy and gainfully employed! We also survived the wildfires that hit our area, almost a month ago to the day today, without any damage at all. The Wind Gods smiled on us!
But now back to the post, what do I mean ‘tuned out’.
Folks, I am tired of the news. Especially the political news. I know who I am voting for, and I bet y’all can guess who it is! But keeping to my rule of NOT being political on this blog I will leave it at that.
But since I know, there is no need to watch debates. or listen to what the candidates said or tweeted yesterday, or anything else for that matter. In fact I have, for the first time in since I got here, changed the car radio from NPR to KCRF 96.7 classic rock!
OK, when did my 80s music become classic rock!!! Am I truly that old????
But I digress!
I am doing my best to enjoy the remainder of daylight savings time and getting outside after work. Beach walks and bike rides take the place of seeing or hearing people fighting and complaining!
Now I am not safe from ALL battles. There was this epic one recently in a tide pool. Who knew hermit crabs have knock down drag out fights?
(Quick note, I made it go back to old school blog post writing!! We will get this done!)
I will freely admit that I did get sucked into one online debate.
One day, I was walking along the Salishan Spit and found this
This is the same piece after the first big waves of the year hit (same waves that dug up the whale!) I took this last week.
We humans sometimes think we are in charge. Momma Nature, though, every now and then, lets us know we are wrong!
OH! And speaking of waves, here is my public service announcement: When the waves are big, do NOT stand on or near big logs. Why?
Every year we loose someone to waves and driftwood. Even that big sucker above I have seen rocked by waves…
OK, on to better stuff. The last few weeks have been fun (well outside work, work is never fun, that’s why it is called work!)
First off, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse is open again!
This is one of my favorite places to bike to! I’ve been there twice now, which is a good 44 mile round trip. These are the longest rides of the year. AND I hit the 2000 mile mark for the year! Not too shabby for not having a single 100 mile ride in 2020. (Ok I just looked on Strava 2137 miles to date! And counting!)
We did have a brief revisit of smoke! Nothing like when the fires were just up the road, but the NorCal fire smoke hit us for a couple of days.
The nighttime red moon was REALLY creepy!
But it soon cleared and sun came back! One of the things I love about this time of year is that it is still light late enough after work to go on a bike ride, but the sunset is early enough for me to catch! There have been 2 nice ones this week! This was Monday (I snuck down after cleaning out the gutters)
And this was Tuesday at the end of the bike ride.
After 2.5 years of living here it still does NOT get old watching the sun set!
Wildlife has been fun too!
The birds love our back yard bird bath. He is a pine siskin.
Last night, no photo evidence, there was a young possum looking in the patio door at our car looking out at it! All I could think was that Mewson was saying, “You are one ugly cat” While Pete the possum answered “You are one funny looking possum!” I just let them stare at each other!
Blue Herons, Egrets and kingfishers are all over, though eagles have been scarce.
Whales are coming in closer again as well!
And just yesterday, for the first time ever, I found a Roughskinned newt! I had parked the fat tire bike for a cookie break.
He was hanging out near the fish ladder I found this summer.
Cute little guy, just sorta hung out for a bit then disappeared into the moss.
I have found quite a few NICE agates lately.
I have them tumbling now, hoping they turn out as well as I hope! This one, perfect for halloween, also came home with me.
I am also on the look out for a person! He or she has some serious mad skills! (sorry its blurry, but check out the balance!)
I have tried, there is no way I could do this! I would love to watch one being done!
All in all, as you have read, life is pretty darn good here!
I am a lucky man to have a beach 3/4 of a mile from my front door. I am lucky I can saddle up my bike and see things that make me forget the world. I am lucky to have a loving wife who takes car of me.
And I am even lucky to have Sal here who keeps seems to be watching me every chance he gets!
I swear any time I am near the water, on the bike or walking, he is there! I choose to think he is just keeping an eye on me!
OH!! One last thing! Not a big deal but I thought it was cool! One of the Facebook groups I am a member of, dedicated to the rocky coast lines here at the coast, chose this picture at the banner for October.
No money or fame, but I won a tshirt! Not bad for a point and shoot.
Ladies and gents I hope this post finds you well. I can’t tell you enough how important it is to get outside, breathe fresh air, and love life. Get away from the TV and radio and take a walk. Plug in your favorite CD or mixed tape and take a drive. Get the hell away from the evil and hate and just love life for a bit!
Like the wind y’all!