TRAVELING THURSDAY ~ LAEL MOON NURSERY; Rochester Daytrip

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhm6X38bu7s)

This morning, I kept my Naselle Coffee Hour appointment with friends I haven’t seen since I considered looking for a new home – that new home plan has now officially been scrapped … so, I am freed up again, to spend time with my old-new friends 😊

Again, there was a misting rainfall as I left the carport.

But I was not going to be deterred: I intended to see my friends, and visit the Nursery.

The misting rain on the windshield was an annoyance – but there wasn’t enough rainfall to make the roadways dangerous.

Naselle from Heron Pointe; via WA-4 W - 59 mins.

Earlier this week; happily anticipating coffee with friends again, I also planned on a side excursion to Lael’s Nursery in Rochester after the last cup of coffee had been poured and everyone was pulling out of the driveway towards home. I haven’t been to Rochester since the last time Bob and I had passed through there on a daytrip drive – about 5 years ago.

Lael Moon Nursery from Naselle; via US-101 N - 1 hr. 42 mins.

The banana tree I read about in the traveler’s companion booklet I picked up in Randle, earlier this year … was the lure, today 😉

My Ambitions Jar is full of fun Daytrip suggestions gleaned from the Scenic Roadtrip Booklet

Leaving Naselle, I happened to notice the price of gas, driving by Johnson’s: WOW – I decided to gas up back on home turf.

And I also thought, ‘Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t find a house in the country, after all …’: at these escalating prices, I wouldn’t be able to leave my country home, once I settled into it ☹

((((THANK YOU, YESHUA, for protecting me))))

Going to Lael's to check out their 10-ft. Banana Tree.

Address coordinates punched into GPS.

Gas prices at Johnson's 1-Stop, in Naselle.

I spend a lot of time in the country; I plan my daytrips around country roads – I will drive hours out of the way just to enjoy a relaxing drive on a backroad 😊

I spend a lot of time in the country, on scenic backroads.

The annoying misting rainfall was still mucking up the windshield.

I was hoping the sun would eventually make a showing: at least by the time I reached my destination.

I wanted to see that banana tree.

A little past Artic, I turned off on the Montesano-US 12 spur … then a brief freeway interlude, before turning off at the Oakville-Centralia turn to Rochester.

Montesano-US 12 spur.

A brief freeway interlude ...

Oakville-Centralia turn.

Immediately, while making this turn, I noticed the gray clouds were parting to allow blue sky to show through; and the Highlander was heavily scented with the warmed, sweet, aroma of sun ripened August blackberries: the big fat ones, the size of thumbs. These giant, Himalayan blackberries are the most pungent, juicy blackberries!

Blue sky showing through the clouds ... and the heady scent of sun-warmed blackberries filled the air.

My mouth was watering for a blackberry pie 😉

But dreaming of lip-smacking, mouth-watering blackberry pie was curbed by a traffic jam in Porter – of all places.

Traffic jam in Porter.

A heavy, smoke-belching, oversized white truck (it looked like a dump truck; or something along that line of work) & a slo-mo Puma travel trailer, were holding up a line of 14 vehicles (my vehicle, included in the line); the travel trailer eventually pulled over. The white service truck continued belching along.

I eventually parked myself at Lael’s 😊

The Nursery Owners’ Names are Larry and Bethany Lael: https://www.chronline.com/stories/business-profile-rochester-couple-turn-a-shared-hobby-into-a-living,129552

I was glad the misty rain had halted; the sun was shining, and the temperature was perfect to be walking through a Nursery.

I saw some interesting shrubs, flowers, and trees.

I don’t know what I was expecting by way of the touted Banana Tree … but it certainly wasn’t what I was pointed to: when I saw it, all I could think was, ‘That’s it?’.

I was anticipating a tree – what I saw was an overgrown bush.

Banana Tree, in bloom (not my picture; internet pic).

There were no bananas; it’s too cool in WA State for them to fruit.

But I did enjoy seeing all the other interesting/unique plants, too.

And they got me to thinking … and wondering if I could grow some in huge planter pots, at Heron Pointe 😉

I’ll have to give that thought, some thought.

Made it!

A nice day for a stroll.

Interesting leafed Hydrangea; I LIKE IT😊 'Munchkin' Oakleaf Hydrangea. Pretty cool.

(https://springmeadownursery.com/plantfinder/munchkin-40740)

An interesting Pine - kinda cushy spike leaves; and not sticky. Very nice.

(https://www.umbrellapines.com/)

Pretty bi-color pink Hydrangea - large blossoms. 'Star Gazer' Double Delight Hydrangea.

(https://www.newlifenursery1.net/products/star-gazer-double-delights-hydrangea)

An Australian Fern with a sturdy stem that looks like a tree trunk.

(https://www.monrovia.com/australian-tree-fern.html)

Lael's 10-ft. Banana Tree.

Dinosaur Plant.

( http://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/gunnera/gunnera_1352.php)

The Dinosaur Plant is a marsh plant; grown here in a discarded Jacuzzi tub with soil mixture to mimic marshland.

A Dogwood blossom (?) bush. Hmmm.

Leaving the Nursery, I saw a sign for U-Pick Blueberries: this might come in hand! I love blueberries, and though my own bushes put out quite a bot of berries … they are dwarf bushes, and the berries I get – though significant, all things considered, is not enough to carry me through the Winter.

If I can get through the liquid fertilizer stench (very strong today!) of the farm fields without sucking the life out of my asthma inhaler, I may give this berry farm a try next Spring.

U-Pick Black River Berry Farm down the road from the Lael Moon Nursery.

(https://www.thurstontalk.com/2017/07/14/black-river-blues-farm-blueberry/)

I backtracked to Raymond, and took the Pe Ell route home.

And, passing through along the route, I was glad to see that the gravel turnout I occasionally use has been cleaned up: ((((YAY!)))) A couple weeks ago when I passed through that way, there was a charred truck – either abandoned and burned by rowdies … or stolen and destroyed by rabble-rousers: either way, I didn’t like seeing it along this peaceful drive route I always take. There was also strewn garbage along the chain link fence.

For the first time in decades of driving that route, I felt nervous about being alone on a backroad.

That feeling made me feel violated.

I felt violated because my sense of peace and wellbeing had been shaken by citified violence touching a quiet corner of the backcountry.

That pissed me off.

I don’t like to see city violence spreading to the country.

I don’t like to see places I frequent vandalized – it makes me feel violated and unsafe.

I drive the backcountry roads for the peace it promises; I drive backroads to escape city bullshit. Seeing that violent behavioral activity in off-the-beaten-track places of tranquility, was more than a bit unnerving.

I am glad it has been cleared away.

The charred truck and garbage have been cleared from the backroad turnout.

I hope they found the morons and slapped them silly with fines – jail time, too.

Nearing home, and glancing at the gas level on the Highlander’s dash, I thought I might stop at Lexington to top the tank and wash the bug guts off the windshield before sliding into my carport (the Highlander, and me, were tired) … but the gas prices urged me forward, into town – which would take me about 5 minutes longer to slide into my carport.

Lexington gas prices.

Tank topped off, and tail dragging; I nipped into Hart C’s Thai to grab Supper; it was a long day, and I couldn’t work up the energy to cook at home.

Thai. Combo Chow Mein; Crab Fried Rice; Stuffed Won Tons.

There was enough for 3 more meals.

3 Freezer meals for later on.

** Sunday~Fundays ~ 2021:

#21/=1 for 2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/sundayfunday-21soul-food-clandestine.html

#22/= 2 for 2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/sundayfunday-22olympic-peninsula-loop.html

#20/2020 – The last of the 2020 Sunday~Funday’s – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/09/sundayfunday-20-deep-river-eden-valley.html (plus 10^th thru 19^th SUNDAY~FUNDAY links)

#9/2019 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020_04_27_archive.html (plus 1st thru 8th 2019 SUNDAY~FUNDAY links)** 

Meaningful Mondays ~ 2021:

#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/meaningful-monday-mccormick-park.html

Wandering Wednesdays ~ 2021:

#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-day-to-remember.html

Traveling Thursdays ~ 2021:

#3/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/06/lincoln-city-thursday-solo-lobo-daytrip.html

#2/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/traveling-thursday-sulkum-huff-and-puff.html

#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/traveling-thursday-3-county-hopscotch.html

Freewheeling Fridays ~ 2021:

#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-boarishboorish-day-centralia-daytrip.html

WATER ~ WHERE IS THE WATER?

Both are a LIE from the pit of Hell: there is no freedom - or prosperity - in either.

3 weeks ago, I was buying 4 cases of water … my normal amount for decades … when the cashier said, “I’m sorry ma’am, but I can only allow you buy 2 cases of water.”

I asked, “Why?”

She said, “I can only allow you to buy 2 cases of water – you can put the other 2 under the counter, here.”

There was no explanation given, just a statement: and a confiscation.

I threw 2 cases under her counter – and huffed out of the store.

This afternoon, I drove into town to buy a couple cases of water; and there wasn’t any.

NONE

Racks of potato chips and bakery goodies were lined up in the space that used to hold crates of water for decades.

But there was no water today. 

Stores are notorious for rearranging their goods, so I thought maybe they decided to place it somewhere else in the store.

I flagged down 2 store workers walking aimlessly around with nothing to do.

I asked, “Where’s your bottled water?”

The fella said, “There isn’t any, and there won’t be any.”

I asked, “For now … or, forever?”

The fella said, “We haven’t had water in here for weeks; and we don’t expect any. The trucks are on strike.”

The girl standing next to him, said, “It’s the covid thing.” And shrugged.

UNBELIEVABLE.

WTH

No clear explanations ...

As I was walking away, the girl said to me, “If you do find water someplace, get it.”

That sounded pretty ominous.

So, I scrapped my hiking plans, and went water hunting.

Why are truck drivers striking? Honest to God, people have become demigods.

Of course, with governments handing out free paychecks for ‘no service’ due to covid – people can just sit on their fat asses and issue demands.

Just like politicians: $$$$$ for nothing. 

demigods are as worthless as politicians. 

Right now, America is overrun with both. 

Leaving the store, I noticed another sign; this one about a coin shortage.

Why is there a coin shortage?

WHY are people hoarding coins?

Coins today have no value, other than the value they carry when in commerce play: there are NO solid coins (gold, silver, copper, ect.) in public flow, today. All coins being passed from hand to cashier are bastardized metal mutants. So, whoever the deadheads are that are hoarding them, hoping for a big payoff, need a thorough shaking; they are in for a rude awakening when they try to flood the banks later on, for their great {score}.

Numbskulls have gone off the rails. 

I stopped next at Safeway.

I managed 3 cases of water (I didn’t want to appear greedy).

Found water at Safeway ... but the pickings were slim; very slim.

I buzzed by Fred Meyers; and stopped at Wal*Mart on my way back home.

Wal*Mart had water: but their bottled water was packed in 38 bottle packs – I’m 64 freaking years old, and small: there is no way I can heft those extra-large packs (1) they are literally placed a head above me on shelving (2) they are too heavy to heave from car to house … even if I could flag down a tall Good Samaritan in passing, and ask for help to get the case into my shopping cart.

They would not have posed a problem for Bob.

But, Bob is no longer here.

They pose a problem for me ☹

So, I came home with a small portion of the water I went to fetch.

I am pissed.

I am seriously fed up with all the covid bullshit – from DC demonrats; from local demonrat officials; from demigod public servants (employers and employees); from fearmongers; and the fearful.

I.A.M.F.E.D.U.P. 

And the rest of the population is getting fed up, too.

None of this nonsense is going to end pretty; satisfactory; or beneficial to anyone – including, and most specifically, for the stoopids pushing the covid agenda, and climate change rhetoric.

The People are tired of the never-ending political power grabs that are destroying our Nation, and pitting the population against one another.

The People are tired of empty store shelves due to governing mandates; striking workers morphing into demigod lunacy; an illegal dysfunctional {president} retreating into hiding after creating worldwide chaos; and a highjacked DC congress that puts foreigners above American Citizens.

America, under the obamanite coups is quickly escalating towards a 3^rd world status.

A COUNTRY MONDAY

I woke up this morning thinking of some things my friends said to me over the weekend: “You can still enjoy a country life, here, Val. I love you – I’m glad you aren’t moving”.

They are country folk; also, city transplants.

We grew up in the same County – went to the same schools; rubbed elbows with relatives, friend, neighbors, and enemies. Our husbands worked, hunted, drank, bickered, and matured to adulthood together – our children were diaper changed side-by-side, went to school together, and shared a life together before leaving home and moving on to other States.

We have a LOT in common: we have ‘history’.

We support each other’s choices.

We pray with/for each other.

We honor each other by speaking honest truths.

We share the same life goals & values.

We love each other.

We stand together.

Some of my friends live smack-dab-in the city, a few live in citified rural areas (like Lexington; which is becoming more urbanized every year) – and several of us live on the far-flung-outskirts of the city: and though the city is spreading out this way, the corrosive tentacles of city trappings have not yet reached this far on the West end.

City congestion and liberal policies are getting closer to home, for sure; but for the moment, our small pocket of city real estate is holding its own in quieter/cleaner living … and rustic tranquility.

For the time being, we are all enjoying a good life; despite the ever-grasping city.

And, at any given time, I can escape deeper into the countryside when I feel the need for comforting solitude: in this, I know I am luckier than most.

I am blessed.

I am thankful.

As I woke up, I also thought I’d like to have a country breakfast at Omelettes & More; so, I washed my hair, pulled some clothes on, and drove the back way – down Industrial Way.

Omelettes & More from Heron Pointe; via Industrial Way WA-432 E - 9 mins.

The sky was gray: and it was misting while I drove Industrial Way. The mist was light when I pulled out of the carport … but it increased in wetness and density so much so, that I had to use the medium speed of the windshield wipers to keep my vision clear.

Misting gray clouds heavy with humidity - and Industrial Way 'environmental asthma' stink.

Treated myself to breakfast this morning. I like it here.

Something new to my eyes: a ‘hillbilly beard’ covered with a paper beard net; it had actual ear straps.

I ordered a big breakfast: that way, I can enjoy it later in the week, too 😉

'The Works' - brought half of it home, for later this week ...

The booth I was seated at, had a low sitting bench seat: I felt like a midget sitting there … but at least my feet were touching the floor 😉

The table edge hit me high on my breasts – the fork didn’t have to be lifted very high to get to my mouth. LOL

Breakfast finished (half of it boxed); I topped the gas tank off (prices have gone up a.g.a.i.n.), and drove to 46^th, to walk a portion of the Pacific Way Trail. There was road work going on, but traffic was not backed up.

Safeway Gas Prices this afternoon.

Directly across the street from Safeway’s terminals ... WOW!

FM prices (other size of the pricey Chevron) noted on the way out of town.

Slipping the Highlander into park; I slid my backpack-purse straps comfortably over my arms, grabbed my walking stick, and was reaching for the cell phone … when I spotted the box of books slated for the Library at Heron Pointe.

CRAP!

I have been hauling these books around for weeks because the Library is only open for a brief period of time Tuesday mornings ☹ … and I’ve been busy Tuesday mornings, missing that brief window of opportunity. I have been hauling that box of books around for so long, I forgot it was even there.

The Louis La'Amour books I had checked out at the Park Library before the first round of covid nonsense - the children's books I am donating, since I'll never see my grandson again in this lifetime. It hurts my heart to see them ... and I'd rather other children enjoy them.

I had to drive back to Heron Pointe to unload the books, before driving back to the dike to go walking.

So, I slid my backpack-purse off my arms, put my walking stick back into the backend of the Highlander; and drove back to Library at Heron Pointe – and the door was locked. The ‘librarians’ were in the back, playing pinochle! Mind you, the Library is only open on Tuesday mornings, from 10 AM to Noon: very brief … and that’s why the box of books has been in the Highlander for weeks. So, I tap on the door glass to get their attention – point at the box cradled in my left arm – and wait for one of them to lift their butts off a seat and unlock the door. I mean, really!; if the Library is supposed to be Open – it should be open.

Handing the box over, I drove back to the Pacific Way Trail, along the dike. I drove the Old Pacific Way backroad, because there was a water main being excavated/worked on, when I drove 46^th earlier. Driving this route to get to the Trail, would have me on the wrong side of the street to park … so I took a side trip out Dike Road to turn around at the Dead End – which would turn me around the right way to park when I got back to 48^th.

I didn’t mind doing that: I was curious what that street looked like now – in decades past, Bob used to visit the junk yard at the end of the blacktop, when he needed out-of-date-pieces for various machinery/vehicles that needed fixing. The place looked pretty much the same … except that blackberries are covering most of the ‘dead’ machines/vehicles that used to frequently be cannibalized before everything manufactured became digitalized. It was sad to see those abandoned things in the creeping grip of blackberry brambles.

Along the Dike Road ‘for old times sake’ drive, a woman was walking her horse. I was glad to see she was managing it so well; some horses balk & get antsy around traffic – I was glad to see that would not be the case, in that particular moment 😊

A horse on the Dike Road; owner managed it very well - some horses rear, near traffic.

Finally parked along the Pacific Way Trail, I set out on my walk.

Again, I only intended to walk a third of the Trail. 

Pacific Way Trail - 2 miles round trip a third of the way; 200 calorie burn off.

It wouldn’t do much by way of calorie burning (especially after this morning's breakfast)… but it would strengthen my muscles, and loosen my joints for a longer walk, soon 😉

Under the low-lying gray clouds, I enjoyed a country mile walk 😊

I saw a flock of Swedish Black Ducks, enjoying their wet community.

I saw 2 deer grazing in tall field grass. 

There was very little foot traffic on the trail.

I walked among spirited swallows, on the wing – swooping and darting along the path in front of my feet.

I stopped and listened to birds, busily congregating in a leafy bower on the opposite side of the dike slough.

I saw that since I last walked this trail; someone had bought the rundown, windowless house along the trail route: it’s got new roofing, and has been painted … but it still only has 1 upstairs window. In the whole house – 1 window.

A whole flock of Swedish Ducks - I've never seen this many together; I only ever saw just 1 among the other duck varieties.

2 Deer I spotted at the beginning of my walk, today.

Boisterous bird cheeping; I stopped and listened for a few minutes while watching various birds darting in and out of leafy bowers.

1 window in the entire house - very odd. There is another windowless house between Cathlamet & Skamokawa.

It was 63-degrees during my Trail walk; and the gray clouds still hovered. Humidity was 50%: and the misting, which was light from the start of my walk to the gated turnaround – escalated to a full-on-glasses lens-mucking: there are no water clearing glass wipers on my glasses: by the time I had made the turnaround and reached the parked Highlander, I was glad I had kept my walk short 😉

I did a little light grocery shopping on my way home, and grabbed some color spots when I passed them. I like color. I think these will do nicely to liven my new life 😊

These pretties caught my egg when I was shopping ...

Stores are already setting Fall themed Holiday décor on shelves; but, I was not tempted to buy anything Fall related – yet.

Exiting the store, I was hit with a wave of miserable hot – not hot, like burning sun hot … but hot like sticky, muggy, heat: 62-degrees, and it felt like 100% because of the heaviness in the stifling air.

And the air conditioner was useless because it was not hot enough to warrant turning it on. I drove home with all the windows open to create a breeze tunnel, that kinda helped tamp down the muggy stickiness.

Now that I am no longer looking for a new home, I will be driving to Naselle again, come Thursday; to enjoy the company of my country friends there 😊

Keeping that in mind, I also decided to delve into my ‘Ambitions Jar’ and pluck out a destination to visit on my way back home from Naselle 😉

Thursday afternoon ambition.

Tonight, I started working on my own design knit ‘Angel Baby Gown’, to match the tiny blanket I finished the other evening. I will make 2 gown to send off with it: 1 for a girl … 1 for a boy; both will match the blanket.

Grief is hard.

It is important the grieving know someone cares.

I started MOD Angel baby Gown, while Supper cooked.

PLEASANT SURPRISES

I went to the Lexington Community Garage Sales on Saturday … and left early because the wildfire smoke in the air was so strong, my eyes were burning and my lungs were struggling to work properly.

I only spent 75-cents while I was there: a baby doll for a quarter, and 2 terra cotta pots for 50-cents/pair. The rest spread out on lawns, and on tables lined up in garages, was crap – and I never did see the Elephant Ears Wagon, that was advertised.

I drove the streets on the backend of Lexington to check the old neighborhood out after the smoky air kept me inside my car following my 75-cent spending spree (LOL) ... and I saw what I at first assumed was an apartment complex (they are going up all over the place!); until I saw the sign: a school! The population must have really increased in the short 4 year span we've been gone from there.

 

Right off the bat, I found the perfect size 'baby' for my Angel Baby Designs; a very pleasant surprise 😉

Lexington has its own Elementary School, now! Wow - we moved from Lexington 4 years ago; and it wasn't even in the Plans, then.

Even though I was disappointed in the community sale, I did visit for about 1½ hours with a longtime friend, who lives in the same street we used to live on, when we lived in Lexington: it was a good visit 😊

I then ate at the El Ranchero restaurant Bob and I used to frequent – the owners remembered me, and knew what I wanted 😉 While I ate, I thought of how things have changed so much over the past 4 years (it is always a surprise to me, and others that Bob has been gone for 32 months; it seems longer, yet shorter, too). I am always happy to know others loved/miss Bob: I do, of course … but it is nice to know that he greatly impacted the lives of those who knew us as a couple, too.

The Community sales of Terry-Taylor, and Lexington (we hosted 4 of the Lexington ones, ourselves), used to be fun, and selling quality stuff people were tired of and wanted to switch out (good bargains at good prices); but the last few years, it’s just been junk they are too lazy or too tight-fisted to haul to the dump where it belongs, priced at ridiculous prices. I’m thinking I’m done with ‘community sales’ that have played themselves out over the years, and am better off sticking to sporadic garage sales in flung out places, in various counties.

This morning I talked to my eldest granddaughter – what an enjoyable surprise!

I had to run into town after the phone call ended, and surprisingly ran into an old friend I haven’t seen for a few years; at Baker’s Corner, when I popped in there for a split second … a welcome surprise: we hugged, caught up on the years, and exchanged phone numbers – making plans to walk around the Lake, in town. A bit later, I had a nice short visit with my friends out Coal Creek – and they were very happy I am not moving, after all: I knew they would be, and we had a good laugh over that. They said, “we’ve been praying that you wouldn’t move; we said, ‘God, Val is getting older …’  and I said, “Okay, stop right there!” And we laughed again.

But, they do have a point.

I am getting older.

The income & help I had to work with then, is slimmer – and more expensive to work with, now: their prayers are the ones Elohim is honoring.

Bob and I bought 5 houses since 1993 – and we sold 4 of them; I’m currently living in the 5^th. I’m not new to buying and selling homes … or remodeling them; but I am older now working on 1 paycheck and needing to hire helpers, and the house buying market just isn’t right, right now, even with the low interest rates. Under the current restrictive policies of the current political deadheads, the market is in freefall – and like the garage sales … realtors are attempting to put lipstick on pigs and hoping someone buys the clownish pigs. I’m no fool – I know a pig is still a pig under all the makeup: and there won’t be enough $$$$$ in the long run, to keep the pig fashionable.

So, I am staying put. 

My friends are happy.

And I can be content. 

After I got back home, I pulled the plants in my veggie beds that needed to be pulled … and saw a little green tree frog in the garden area; a startling surprise 😊

A little Tree frog in my garden area this afternoon.

I didn’t even have to entice the little frog; so, I must be doing something right 😉

But, for those who would like to have a resident frog in their garden area, here is a link on how to accomplish that: https://wildlifeinformer.com/how-to-attract-tree-frogs-to-your-yard/