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Geocaching: Pacific Northwest finds and a trackable on a mission

Geocaching started in the Pacific Northwest, after all, so it is only fitting that StringGrrl and Kam make it a point to log a few visits while visiting Portland and Seattle areas this summer. Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, OR Geocaching is a global treasure hunt game, played by a community of GPS equipped individuals. Object is simple, place a weather proof container (a cache) of a variety of sizes out in the world, record its GPS corrdinates and register at https://www.geocaching.com. Other registered users will be able to look up caches near their location and try to find it. Sometimes these are easy, difficulty or terrain 1.0, or very hard, difficulty or terrain 5.0, on a scale of 1-5.  Painted Rock Tributes decorating GZ While in Oregon exploring the area before work requirements up in Seattle area, we went exploring Coastal Oregon. Visiting Cannon Beach and the famous Haystack Rock, before making our way to Tillamook (that will be another post) and its famous Cheese Fac...

Turnip Rock, Port Austin, MI

A frequently photographed piece of lower peninsula Michigan is "Turnip Rock", named so for it's resemblance to the root vegetable. It is located at the tip of the "Thumb" of lower Michigan, about 70 miles (115km) Northeast of Bay City or 133 miles (215km) due North of Detroit.  One of the more interesting bits of Geology in the Lower Pennisula To access the rock, you can launch from Port Austin, where I have read that the local Kayak rental place will charge you to launch your own boats if you choose not to rent. Alternatively, a little further east is Eagle Bay Public Access, which is free to use if you have Michigan State Park Recreation Pass ($13 per year added to your automobile registration).  The approach from Eagle Bay From Eagle Bay, it is nearly 5km or 3mile paddle to the Rock. When the lake is calm it is not too bad, though if you straight line it from point-to-point you will be further offshore than is comfortable at times. It was very calm when we ...

Mourning the (near) loss of StringGrrl

 Woke up in the tent on Sunday, last day of Blissfest, to the panic inducing knowledge that StringGrrl was not in the tent, not on my campsite, nowhere to be found.  tl;dr  Fortunately, someone found her and dropped her off on a sign near the camp entrance.  StringGrrl waiting for me to come back to the Camp Entrance  As some may know, this is not the "First Avatar" of StringGrrl and unlikely to be the last. StringGrrl 1.0 was the first incarnation and was made of very thin wood and was prone to broken and lost limbs.  StringGrrl 1.0 enroute to Japan summer 2008 StringGrrl 1.0 in Zurich StringGrrl 1.2 a new outfit and less one arm StringGrrl 2.0 (Amber is SG's travel companion) and StringGirl 1.2  The last known pics of StringGirl 1.2 and 2.0 before they ran away I was a wreck that morning when I arrived in Dusseldorf after a flight from Zurich. It was an early morning flight too early for breakfast in the lounge and instead hit Sprungli Cafe in the te...

Boston Seaport and PTC Liveworx

Lil Bird, South Boston Lord Hobo Seaport Pork Belly Tacos from? Lord Hobo Flight StringGrrl makes friends wherever they go mead at Row 34

Post-op Paddle

Last season I had to finally remove the Canoe 🛶 from the Sue-Bee rackjust before Halloween after spending all summer and fall there or on the water. It was idle from November until now. One PT goal after ditching the crutches was recovering sufficient strength to lift boat from beach and place on rack and strap in. April 9, Easter Sunday I reached that personal goal and put in at Belle Isle. Now to see how long we keep them in service. Blue Heron Lagoon let's out onto Lake St. Clair where recreational boats, powered or not, mix with commercial freighters. Sunday morning paddles with coffee is just our speed. proof of post operative paddle, scar and ink as timestamps.

Hotel Tramserhof, Landeck, Tirol, Austria: Convalescing in Style

  As a result of the 15 or so broken ribs sustained in the " incident ", StringGrrl and Eric had to find a place to remain nearby the hospital for 2 additional weeks, before we were deemed "Fit-to-Fly". Quick internet research yielded many hotels and Inns in the "Inns River" area. A standout was the Tramserhof Hotel which promised a wellness center with Sauna, Waterbeds, Ice cold Kneipebecke (wading pool), and rooms with Bathtubs (needed since I cannot stand up for a shower).  Jan was Elwood, to my Joliet Jake, & drove Bluesmobile to Tramserhof post release from House-of-pain Southfacing patio provides stellar views throughout the day Essential Supplies: Alkoholfrei Biers und Scharfsaus Bayerische Sauerbraten, Sehr Gut Room packages included very reasonable Single-rooms with options for Room Only, Room with Breakfast, and the Half-Board option (half-board includes breakfast and a 4-course dinner nightly).  Soaking in Bathtub is a joy, our OnlyFans and ...