Hilltop House Rental - Southern Oregon Coastal Vacation

Original Blues Brothers Rocker Curtis Salgado Plays Smith River

Legendary blues performer Curtis Salgado (one of the original Blues Brothers and former lead singer for Santana) was in concert at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Lucky 7 Casino’s new Tolowa Events Center. Tickets for concerts are typically $25 each and are available at the Lucky 7 Casino’s Players Club, or by phone at 707- 487-7777. For more information visit www.lucky7casino.com.

Salgado is a legend in blues circles as much for his unique blend of blues, soul, and R&B, as for being the man responsible for inspiring a bit of pop culture and music history. In October 1977, Salgado was a 25-year old singer and harmonica player performing at the Eugene Hotel lounge when John Belushi stopped by. In town filming the movie “Animal House,” the actor was looking for a laugh and found something else entirely – the inspiration for the now-iconic “Blues Brothers” characters.

“Sometimes when I think of the Belushi thing, and The Blues Brothers, I don’t know what to think,” says Curtis Salgado. “I get totally blown away.”

The Blues Brothers reintroduced blues to a whole new generation.

Gold Beach Rocks With Wapala Windsurf Event!

Even though it is narrated in French you won't miss a bit of the excitement watching this action-packed video of the Wapala Windsurf Competition 2011 in Gold Beach.

This is A Great Day For a Jet Boat Ride

One of the most popular attractions for visitors to Gold Beach, Oregon is the jet boat rides through Jerry's Rogue jet. Established in the 1800's the jet boats were originally the way mail was delivered up the river and to this day is the way that people living up the river get their mail.

It has become a most popular tourist activity in Gold Beach and gives you a taste of adventure, the white water rapids, exploring Oregon wildlife and savory local food too.

Check It Out:

Jerry's rogue Jets from Dan Smede on Vimeo.

Pistol River Wave Bash

Pistol River Wave Bash

I wanted to share this awesome event with you. If you are going to be in Gold Beach or in the near vicinity you must attend this event.

It takes place on June, 16 - 19, 2011 Pistol River Wave Bash Gold Beach, OR .

Introducing Trade Wind Event's break out 2011 American Windsurfing Tour. The infamous Pistol River Wave Bash becomes the second stop on the tour.

Here what the Oregon windsurfing organization has to say about it: "The 2011 Pistol River Wave Bash - People naturally tend to expect the next one to be even bigger and better and more widely attended than the last one. Better wind, bigger waves, more pros, more prizes, and live internet coverage? Well expect away. Count on it even. Building on the momentum of last year’s event, look for even more support from the local town and the global industry. And of course, with that comes an even bigger pool of talent bringing it with the state of the windsurfing art.

For more informaton: http://americanwindsurfingtour.com/tour/pistol-river/

Local sponsors include:

Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Organization
Full Sail Brewing Company
Greenlayer Sports
Jerry's Rogue Jet
Pacific Reef

 

Today is the last day to vote in the Japan Relief Fund Charity Accessory competition, please help me help Japan by voting for my necklace. simply follow this link http://www.lindseybaker.com/rising_sun_of_hope.html to a page with simple instructions. For doing so, I will enter your name in a drawing to win it - just email me to let me know you voted. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!!

HELP ME HELP JAPAN - VOTE FOR MY NECKLACE AND WIN IT!

I am asking a favor of you by lending me a few moments of your time to vote for my necklace. I have entered a competition to create a symbolic charity accessory to benefit the Japanese Relief Fund at Design 21. If I am selected my design will be fabricated and sold to raise funding for Japan. As thanks for participating you name will be entered in a personal drawing I will have to win the piece. Simply send me an email to say you have voted. TO VOTE: simply click on this link and follow the step by step instructions. Thanks so much!!

 

Geocaching In Gold Beach - Another Rewarding GB Experience

Geocaching in Gold Beach’ is a current promotion offered by the Gold Beach Visitor Center that continues through the end of April (www.geocaching.com & www.goldbeach.org). All you need for this ‘Hi-Tech Treasure Hunt’ is a GPS & a sense of adventure! Special geocaches with ‘Gold Beach GeoCoins’ have been added to the 300+ geocaches already located in the Gold Beach zip code. Return a ‘GeoCoin’ to the Gold Beach Visitor Center & enter to win monthly drawings. The ‘Grand Prize’ is a GPS valued at $450.00!!! Click on the geocaching site link above to find out more about current caches.

Unfamiliar with Geo Caching? Watch this video

Happy New Year From Bandon

It's been a while since I posted mainly because of the holidays and family activities, but I wanted to post about a day trip I took with friends to Bandon. We took a ride up the coast from Hilltop House, the trip took less than an hour along the scenic hwy 101.

We arrived at Old Town Bandon and headed straight to the shops.   We visited the Second Street Gallery on of the 79 unique shops. I bought 3 Sergio Lub bracelets for myself, one for my mom and one my husband John. The bracelets are handmade and mde from solid silver, brass and copper. They have magnets in them that are supposed to help balance the energy forces in your body. The copper is said to help relieve swelling and pain caused by arthritis. In additon to that they are beautiful and can be worn all the time.

We also visited the Cranberry Sweets and More an amazing confection store with lots of free samples - yum! Then we headed to Lotus Grotto Gifts and I found a beautiful scarf that was hand-dyed silk in two shades of green for $15.00! The last stop was at  Tony's Crab shack where we warmed ourselves on with clam chowder and a glass of wine.

It was a great trip and we all really enjoyed ourselves and came back with lots of goodies to share with John, who was waiting at Hilltop House with a fantastic dinner on the stove. We ate pasta with wild catch Salmon (John went fishing at Thanksgiving) marinara sauce, John's famous Salmon cakes, a great big salad with all kinds of vegetables and for a little unreality check we watched the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on the tube. For dessert we ate Marionberry Pie and vanilla ice cream. Nice way to start the year!

101 things...in Gold Beach - Gold Beach Books

Continuing with the 101 things to be thankful for in Gold Beach I give you # 7

Gold Beach Books

It is the largest book store on the Oregon Coast, you'll find 50,000 volumes of new and forgotten lore in Gold Beach Oregon. Sip, Read, & Browse in the Biscuit Coffeehouse and Art Gallery. I visited it today after doing a little shopping at McKay's Market. I couldn't resist stopping in and I was glad that I did.

My first impression brought back memories of the movie starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks - You Got Mail - it reminded of the book shop that Meg's character owned only it much much larger. What reminded of the shop in the movie was the nostalgic charm and the feeling that it was a friendly place to view many literary and artistic treasures. I love Amazon's convenience and Barnes and Nobles' , but this book store is truly special and one of a kind. the people are super friendly too.

I found some great novels about the old west by author Zane Grey, some wonderful paintings from local artists a very reasonable prices, a treasure of rare used books, a Gourmet coffee and Biscuit bar where folks gathered to discuss politics and literature.

It was really great! Here are some photos I took while there and a movie from You Tube that will fill you in on the rest. I could easily spend a day there and come back time and time again. I am sure each time tht I would experience another amazing find.

 

 

 

 

 

101 Things to Be Thankful for in Gold Beach # 6

# 6 Elk Valley Casino in Crescent City - Roll the Dice!

Southrn Oregon and Northern California have some of the best gaming establishments in the area. ELk Valley Casino in Crescent City has tons of slots and Vegas-style games. For those who don't want to gamble or have had their fill -- check out the live entertainment.

Antlers Event Center, an intimate 250 seat entertainment venue is your home for great entertainment. Their 2010 Tribute Series has been a great success with these talented acts:

Tickets are on sale now at the Points Club and by phone (707-465-2666) with credit card or at the Casino Cage (cash purchases).

 

For more infor visit Elk Valey Casino website

101 Things to be Thankful For in Gold Beach # 5

101 Things to be Thankful For in Gold Beach # 5 - Agate Hunting

Gold Beach Blue Agate

For those big city dwellers (like me - former Jersey Girl - turned So. California transplant - turned part-time Gold Beach Resident) who are unfamiliar with wildlife in Southern Oregon, hunting agates does not require a bow and arrow or a rifle. (a little cabin fever humor here - I have been indoors for almost 24 hours waiting for John to return from his fishing expedition).

Anyway back to the agates... they are a member of the quartz family of minerals. They are centuries old and can be polished to a high gloss. They are perfect for making handmade jewelry especially  wire-wrapped rings (one of my favorite activities) because they are very hard stones. Here are some tips to consider before you begin your Agate hunt:

1. A site where you can learn more about how to identify them. Go to 4facets.com

2. Start at the beach just north of he north Rogue River jetty

3. The best time to hunt is following high tides and or a storm

4. Most agates will be found in the gravel among larger stones, furthest from the surf line.