Working off breakfast at Kilchis Point Reserve

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Laurel

We seldom stray far from home for breakfast, but we had heard that Wanda’s Cafe in Nehalem had changed hands and wanted to check it out. It’s a 90-minute drive from home, so with a single espresso in our bellies, we were ready to eat on arrival. The new owner is present and very nice, the decor updated, and the food as good as always. Not only did we each clean our plates, but we also bought a marionberry oat bar to have with afternoon coffee!

Wide, level trails make for easy going. Two miles pass very easily.

Luckily we had an hour-long walk ahead of us at Kilchis Point Reserve which is just north of Tillamook near Bay City. This is a historically and ecologically significant place. It was the site of one of the largest permanent Native American villages on the west coast and the first ship ever built in Tillamook County, The Tillamook Star, was built at Kilchis Point. Chief Kilchis, for whom the reserve is named, was the tribal leader when the first settler in Tillamook County, Joe Champion arrived. Joe lived in a large, hollowed out tree stump (the chief’s idea) while he built his cabin. Others followed and one of the trails memorializes their pioneering.

The sweep of history includes the headquarters of a lumber company in the early 20th Century, but the far-sighted folks of  Tillamook County declared it a heritage site in 2010 and the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum now owns, protects, maintains, and holds this land in the public trust. The reserve is also home to several ecosystems.

This is an easy walk. Part of the trail is paved and the rest is compacted gravel with several wide, even wooden boardwalks. Small children and parents with strollers will find the roughly 2.2-mile roundtrip easy and it would be a cool spot on a warm day as much of the site is wooded. The maps and way-finding are clear so there is no chance of getting lost as you follow the three interpretive trails, Flora & Fauna, Native American Heritage, and Early Pioneer Settlement. There are myriad interpretive signs along the way to enhance your understanding.

It was not exactly a workout, but at least we made a dent in those breakfast calories…

Herewith, some photos from our 60-minute visit. Click on any picture for a slide show.

Interpretive signs abound. I think there are 17.
You cannot get lost.
Many benches for resting and enjoying nature. These are memorials as well.
My travel partner on one of the many boardwalks. Although the trail passes through wetland, no need to get your feet wet.
Credit where credit is due. I was impressed at how well maintained the reserve is.
Bird watching station on Tillamook Bay.
The trail leads to Tillamook Bay.
The tide was out in Tillamook Bay. Next visit we’ll time it for high tide.
The digitalis is in full bloom.
From the look of the blossoms there will be abundant blackberries this year!
Columbine in the native garden by the trail head.

This is the last blog I will be posting on Project Easy Hiker. I will continue to include our hikes both at home and abroad over at Girovaga. Please consider following me there if you do already do so. This site will stay active in support of our book, “Walking in Italy’s Val Gardena” and a new e-book on hiking in Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region that we plan to publish this winter 

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A hidden passage in Paris

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Laurel

Paris has some amazing public parks and gardens, the Tuileries, the Jardin des Plantes, and Luxembourg Gardens among them. Of course, there is the Champ de Mars and little pocket parks off the Champs Elysees. Paris also has the famous passages couverts, alleys housing little shops and cafes such as the famous Passage des Panoramas. But this “passage” is a green space three stories above the street, the Promenade Plantee, built on the old railway to Vincennes. We were fortunate enough to have good weather and time to take this high road.

The Promenade invites one to wander along through leafy bowers.

It is easy enough to find the start of the Promenade Plantee near Bastille or even at the other end near Vincennes. In between, one must be a bit adventurous or follow Google Maps very closely as there is a network of paths incorporating other parks and even some community gardens. So if you go, make sure you zero in on Google Maps and follow the thin green line of the Coulée verte René-Dumont. We walked about 5 km and wandered off the track a bit, but it was so enjoyable to have an urban trek like this on a sunny day. All that was missing was a coffee bar. As Ric said, if this was in Italy, there would have been a dozen places to stop for an espresso! Luckily, not too far from the official endpoint, one can find a bus, tram, or Metro to return to the reality of the city.

Herewith, some pictures, with captions, about our walk.

A water feature graced by gorgeous, perfect irises. The space is immaculately maintained.
Little flowers pop up here-and-there.
So many roses, just starting to bloom! Imagine how it will look in a few weeks!
In some areas it is wider, and usually with a separation of pedestrians and cyclists.
There are a few tunnels, lighted, safe. In the case, divided for bikes on the other side of the barrier.
Friday morning Tai Chi in an open space by the Promenade Plantee.
Carytids on the police precinct buidling overlooking the PP.
Apartment buildings overlook the PP in many places.
A Hausemann building overlooks the PP. So elegant!
There is little graffiti, some arty cartoons.
This is a “push me/pull me” chair. One side you push your entire body weight (which I am trying to do without much success) and the other side you pull.
These dog walkers had about 15 dogs, some leashed, some not. On a per hour basis, billings should be pretty good!
The end of the Promenade Plantee, or the beginning if you start at the eastern end.

 

 

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