Yachats

November 23, 2025

by Lucky

A couple months ago I got the privilege to go to Yachats - a tiny artist town about halfway between Florence and Newport. I got to stay at my friends' uncle's house just south of the city. We explored the tide pools and saw hundreds if not thousands of sea anemones, tons of starfish, and little crabs. We even saw sea lions in the wild!

We went to a local market and I got some salmon - delicious (the fisherman said the catch was good this year for seafood). We went to Styx, Stones n' Bones - quite possibly the best rock shop in the state of Oregon. I bought a gold nugget and a peridot stone.

We hiked at Cape Perpetua and Devils Churn - beautiful, and a little scary - lots of exposure on the cliffs at Devils Churn.

If you like art, seafood, marine life and cute little shops, I highly recommend Yachats!

A Walk in Brandis Natural Area/City Park, Corvallis

November 16, 2025

by Lucky

It was a fairly warm, dry November day - my light jacket made me a little sweaty.

I hiked through an affluent neighborhood above Winco to the trailhead. When I reached the top I walked around a fence that keeps cars out, but allows hikers in.

Entering the forest I heard faint sounds of birds chirping. I didn't see any wildlife but pondered how cougars sometimes wander into this area, and what I'd do if I saw one.

Towering Douglas firs above me, mixed with bigleaf maples. There was lots of poison oak and blackberry brambles in the understory - a beautiful area yes, but not pristine wilderness - an urban/natural corridor.

The hike took maybe 10-15 minutes and I descended back on the narrow trail into the neighborhood.