10-31-2024 Oh October!

Even though fall technically begins on September 21, October opened with summer-like temperatures and clear skies. Except for a very few scattered showers on June 16 and again on August 16, there has been no real rain at our home since early May. This isn't unusual for Southern Oregon, but each year it seems like such a long dry spell and we wait impatiently for the winter rains to arrive. Once they do, we can turn off the sprinklers, quit worrying about having enough water to keep the trees flowers, and grass from frying in the dry heat, and relax into the next 6 to 7 months without stressing about the water situation.

October was completely dry until a beautiful midnight deluge dampened everything on October 21. By the time we woke up, it was gone, and by ten AM, the skies were a gorgeous clear blue. The good thing about this time of year is that the days are much shorter, the nights are much cooler, and the temperatures are usually below triple digits.

The plants respond accordingly, with roses blooming again and zinnias exploding with their early fall color. Zinnias are native to the grasslands of Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States and they love the heat. Still, the zinnias in my gardens don't come into full brilliant color until late in the summer when the temperatures begin to cool a bit.

Early in the month, we were treated with a visit from middle daughter Deanna and her husband Keith. It is more than 600 miles for them to drive to visit us, but they made the effort to come so that they could share the joy of daughter Deborah's new home. It was a short visit, just two nights, but we packed it with as much as we could. They stayed with Deb and spent much of the time with her, but came to our house on Saturday afternoon for drinks and flower walks before going out to a family dinner.

Mo Sue Deborah and Keith on the back deck

The Northwest Taprock Restaurant has always been a favorite here in Grants Pass in the past, but we heard some negative comments from folks visiting after it recently sold. Because of the location, we decided that even if the food was mediocre and the service less than stellar the setting was perfect to share with out-of-town guests. It was a perfect choice, with food that everyone loved and excellent service. As always, the view of the Rogue River was wonderful and a great spot for a late afternoon meal.

From left: Mo, Sue, Daughter Deborah, Deb's son Matthew, Deanna's husband Keith, Daughter Deanna

After we ate, the family walked down below the dining deck to be closer to the river and enjoyed the small park and grounds filled with lovely sculptures, murals, and water features. It was a precious afternoon and I was so happy that they made the trip south to visit us.

The following weekend Deb and Mo and I spent an afternoon in the gardens at a vineyard we hadn't visited often. Del Rio Vineyard is located near I-5 between Grants Pass and Medford and has thousands of acres of gorgeous vineyards extending up the slopes on the mountains east of the winery. Mo and I spent some time exploring the history of Del Rio on her birthday trip last March but we haven't been wine-tasting there before this.

Our purpose wasn't particularly wine-tasting as much as it was to enjoy the live music in the gardens at the winery. The duo that played were so much fun, with a repertoire of music mainly from the 60's and 70's. They both sang and played but woman was especially impressive with her ability to sing in French, Spanish, and her final Irish blessing song sounded exactly like music Mo and I heard in Ireland. A wonderful, warm and sunny afternoon.

I put up Halloween decorations and Mo and I finally finished a puzzle from hell that we thought would never end and started a gorgeous Halloween puzzle that was a delight to behold.

We enjoyed an evening with Deborah at the Toasted Barrel with whiskey flights and yummy foods before going to see a play at our local theater.

Barnstormers is a very small but very sweet venue and the play we saw was "Gaslight". Interesting choice for the theater people since "gaslighting" seems to be the word of choice during this election cycle and this play is where the term originated. There was a small warning that it could be upsetting for anyone who had been in an abusive relationship. Even though it was just a play, with a bit of silliness and melodramatic acting and language, I found the loud aggression on the part of the husband emotionally difficult.

Photo taken from the Barnstormer's Facebook Page

The following Saturday Mo and I enjoyed another treat as part of our season subscription to the Rogue Valley Symphony. What we love most about this local symphony company is the conductor, Martin from the Czech Republic, leading the symphony for the last 15 years. There were three separate musical choices for this performance, with a technically strong pianist playing Mozart which left me cold. Sometimes the tinkly perfection of Mozart is a bit much. But the last performance by the symphony was the symphony by the French composer Saint Seans, written specifically to include an organ.

I was so enamored with the magnificent Steinway piano on the stage that I completely forgot to take a photo of the great pipe organ when they opened the wooden doors at the back of the stage for the performance.

This particular performance was held in Ashland and the Southern Oregon College Music Building because of the historic pipe organ located here. Our local performing arts center is almost identical except for one minor detail. The huge pipe organ at the SOU auditorium was the only way to fully experience the music as it was intended. Magnificent. When that organ hit those huge notes it was incredible. Needless to say it was a standing ovation that lasted a very long time. Martin was quite pleased with himself and his musicians, obvious from the huge smile on his face as the music came to an end.

Just two days later we were packed and loaded for a trip to the coast, with reservations at Harris Beach. My long-time friend from Coeur D Alene, Laura, just purchased a new-to-her Roadtrek, and she was excited for her first "big" trip to the Oregon coast. We camped next to each other at Harris Beach State Park, which as most of you readers know is a favorite for Mo and me.

From the left: Laura's sister-in-law Judy, Laura, Mo, and of course Mattie

Our first afternoon was a bit chilly, but it didn't rain and Mo built a nice fire for us after our shared taco supper.

The next day was gorgeous, and we did our best to show our friends the best parts of this beautiful portion of the southern coast of Oregon. Laura and Judy were at the end of a trip down the coast beginning at South Beach and camping at the various state parks along Highway 101 on the way to Brookings. Most disappointing to Laura, however, was learning that when camping on the Oregon Coast your site is never actually on the beach, or not even necessarily close to the beach.

First morning on Harris Beach for Laura and Judy

I explained about coastal weather, wind, rain, tides, and soft sand, all the factors that make camping right on the beach nearly impossible.

Mo and Mattie in their happy place at Harris Beach

We spent most of the next day taking our friends to some of our favorite spots in Brookings. It is always fun walking out from the sewage plant to Chetco Point and fun to watch someone's face when we say we are taking them to the "sewage plant".

The view to the south from the beginning of the Chetco Point Trail

We drove down to Harbor, the community adjacent to Brookings where there is a campground almost on the beach. Mo and I camped at Beachfront RV Park last March during Spring Break when there wasn't a space available at Harris Beach.

Beachside RV Park may be right on the water but isn't particularly picturesque

Later that afternoon we took advantage of the warm sunshine and had a delicious seafood meal in the outside dining area at Catalyst Seafood. Mo and I have been coming here since a good portion of fish and chips was only $8.00, but this time we paid $18.00 for the same delicious fish minus the cole slaw which used to be included in the price.

Laura and Judy enjoying outside dining at Catalyst Seafood in Harbor

After two days and nights at the beach, we returned home to Grants Pass by way of Highway 199 following the route of the spectacular Smith River. The road is winding and narrow, but Laura did a great job driving her motorhome on what some of our friends have said is a road they will never drive again.

On the way, we stopped for some time at Jedediah Smith State Park for a visit to the magnificent redwoods. Both women had memories of seeing the redwoods many years ago, but it was nice to share the park and have another chance to walk among the giants.

Friends since 1984

By the time we returned home, unloaded the MoHo, caught up on laundry and household chores, it was Halloween. With no trick-or-treaters visiting our home in the last 7 years since we have lived in this house, I decided I would spend Halloween with Daughter Deborah in her new home. She lives in a nice neighborhood, not fancy or overly expensive, but nice. We thought she might get a few people visiting her door.

Deb dressed up like a happy little bumble bee. The kids loved her costume.

She was prepared with chip bags instead of candy and a few lights to welcome kids to her doorway. At first things were a bit too quiet, but before the evening was over she said there were somewhere between 70 and 80 trick or treaters visiting before she shut it down around 8:30 when the visitors dwindled and the older teenagers started showing up.

It did look inviting on Halloween here at Sunset House

I called Mo on my way home to let her know I was coming, and she answered the phone in a tither. It seems that we got a mother and her two daughters at our door and Mo had nothing to give them. She was appalled and embarrassed and had to explain to them that we had nothing. I do get a bit carried away with the decorating, so with all the lights and decorations, it is no wonder they thought there might be treats. Since we live on a rural road with no sidewalks and no access I have given up on trick-or-treaters coming to our door. Never again. I will always be sure there is SOMETHING in the house to share, just in case.