March 16, 2020 The Prudency of Solo Hiking For Now

While it is best not to panic, caution should be exercised during these times.  Therefore, we all should probably hike, but hike alone.  This is a shame but necessary regardless of what some say.  We all must work to flatten the curve (see above).

The interesting thing about the above graph is that you could change the variables and it would work for hiking as well.  We Walkers would likely be better off climbing the hill on the right rather than attempting the mountain on the left.  Certainly, the one on the right takes longer but while the area under the curves is the same, the mortality is markedly less.  The above is enabled by the incubation time as well as the multi-day persistence of the virus on surfaces.  Be safe.  Still hike.  Socialize electronically.  Look for long-put-off projects that give you a sense of accomplishment.  Eventually, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

March 12, 2020 Bayshore Beach

Even though there seemed to be new wood sculptures at Keady Wayside, there were no other hikers.  I thought about going to Cape Perpetua or the Hobbit Forest but those seem better for group hikes and the regular walkers from Colorado, France, and Arizona should be back next month or so.

It being a clear and cool day with little wind, I opted for Bayshore Beach from the Alsea Jaws to the edge of Driftwood Beach Recreational Area.  Round trip, the walk was a little more than five miles.  Flat too and conveniently ended on my doorstep. 

March 9, 2020 Driftwood Beach

The skies were clear this morning at the Keady Wayside and so was the parking lot.  One of the advantages of being a solo stroller is that you get to pick where you walk.  This AM I opted to walk and look at the small rather than hike high and search for grand vistas.  In this endeavor I went to Driftwood Beach State Recreational Area north of Waldport and decided to walk a few miles looking for agates and taking in the cool but sunny weather.

Looking for agates is not heart-pounding but rather a little bit of a walking meditation that requires concentration and focus.  I suspect that agates are something like a one-in-a-thousand proposition sorted from the raw material above into the "finished" product below.  

Winter

Winter has always been a challenge for this group.  It is the time when the locals get busy or travel.  And it is the time when those who travel here are gone.  We still walk where we are and when we can.  So if you are the only one who shows up on Monday or Thursday, that is okay because people will come back when they are less busy, done traveling, or return.  The important thing, whether the group is large or small, is that we walk.  And we might not always do it on a schedule or with old friends and new, but it seems better when we do.

So Long, Vern

Former webmaster for many years Jim Fitzgerald just notified us that Vern Gardner, one of the original members of the Waldport Walkers, passed away on New Years Eve 2019 at the age of 79 at his home in Gilroy, CA.  Vern was a veteran of the US Navy and a retired law enforcement officer.  We will honor him by walking on.

Late December and Early January Hikes

The holiday season is a busy time and two of the Waldport Walkers most active in organizing the hikes (Robyn and Bob) will not be doing so in late December and early January starting Thursday the 26th of December.

We encourage those who want to hike to still do so and not get discouraged by our temporary absence.  Our beautiful wild forests and beaches are still there as are the obvious benefits of taking the time to visit nature and exercise.  One foot in front of the other...

December 23, 2019 - Gerdemann, Ya'Xaik, and the 804

Today Bob and Robyn (myself) showed up at Keady.  The waves were rolling through the bay, big waves, so we thought we'd go to the 804 to see how they were looking there, but Bob had also wanted to get in a bit of a walk, and since he hadn't yet been to Gerdemann Botanical Preserve and the Ya'Xaik trail, we decided to go there first, get a bit of a workout, and then walk over to the 804 afterwards and walk there too.  It was a beautiful day to be out walking, although the Ya'Xaik trail was a bit muddy in places.

A great day to be out for a walk.  I didn't take many pictures today, just a couple.

Taking a picture of Bob taking a picture

Bob on the 804