Hilltop House GB

Summertime is here! Great time to go the Aquarium!

From Storm Solstice to Inner Stillness

Many of you know that I am a big fan of the writings of Eckhert Tolle. I have awakened to so much about myself by reading his books and studying his teachings of Inner Stillness and The Power of Now. I originally wanted to post about the storm watching opportunities on the Oregon coast this time of year. But after finding and watching this breathtakingly beautiful video of an Oregon coastal storm, I realized that this post is really meant to be about the stillness that comes out of the storm when we allow ourselves to be fully conscious of it.

So I felt that it was appropriate to follow with a wonderful flower meditation video as well. I hope you will pause a moment and enjoy them both and I hope you have a chance to visit the Southern Oregon Coast this winter or sometime soon.

Winter Storm Oregon Coast

Take a Moment to Breathe - Flower Meditation

Be Well - Peace, Harmony, and Abundance to all

The Horse, Eckhart Tolle and the Southern Oregon Coast

The Horse

I wanted to share a video that is a bit off the topic that I usually write about, in that it is not specifically about traveling to Southern Oregon coast. (however I did include a wonderful video clip about the Oregon coast at the end of the post). But this post is really about a feeling that has grown in me since I have been spending time on the coast and through the research and experiences I have had while authoring this blog. In light of that idea I have found a wonderful clip on You Tube that I want to share. It may seem a bit random because it is about horses and the fact that we share higher consciousness with them and all living and non-living things on the planet. And, it is about what we can learn from them.

Eckhart Tolle

I am not sure how I came to find the writings of Eckhart Tolle. Tolle speaks of a spiritual awakening that leads to the realization that we are all connected. By this he means the big WE -- everything on this planet and beyond. I think my visits to Southern Oregon have confirmed that feeling of knowing in me. The wilderness and wildlife that one can experience in southern Oregon confirms for me what Tolle and other spiritual teachers through the ages have been saying. I recommend reading the “Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. Here is a clip of him speaking.

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The Oregon Coast

Since this blog is about southern Oregon here is a stunning photo montage of the Oregon Coast – can you also feel the connection?

Four Day Gold Beach Itinerary

When you visit Gold Beach,there's so much to do but here are just a few of the things that you can do on a four day adventure/vacation.

Day One - Ever Go Tidepooling?

There is nearby access to some of the most incredible shore habitats filled with so much colorful life, at first glance of this video, you may think this woman is wearing a jeweled bracelet in stead of a starfish! One word of caution, be mindful of strong waves suddenly sweeping in and knocking you over, when caught off guard. Although its tempting to pick up everything you see, remember that these are live creatures and if you wrench them from their home, they may be permanently damaged or destroyed. If you do pick up something be gentle and be sure to put them back where you found -- its good karma.

Day Two - Trying Not to Catch a Fish

If you're not an angler (like me), you might become a lifelong fan of fish themselves if you watch this video. Here’s a thought rent a boat or hire a guide and float up the river and enjoy nature without feeling the need to take home a “trophy trout”. Watch this video and I think you will agree that observing them in their natural environment enough of a prize.

Day Three - Jet boat Trips

If you didn't get wet enough drift boating or tidepooling, you must try Jerry’s Rogue Jet – I am not getting compensated for the plug. There are three levels of experience from easy does it to wet and wild. After a great tour of the coastal wildlife you will stop up the river for a wonderful lunch at one of the riverside cafes up stream. Want more excitement? Try something daring like white water rafting -- all challenge levels are available. Watch the movie:

Day Four – Ride a Real Painted Pony

Imagine yourself on the back of a beautiful horse, gracefully cantering down the beach as the sunsets over the ocean. Siskiyou West Day Lodge is one the places that rents horses for just such an adventure.

Or Take a Scenic Drive

If you don't want to ride a horse on the beach, driving trips are as scenic as it gets and you'll see some of the finest coastline in the country. Might as well keep going a bit further south and visit the redwoods. From Gold Beach you can also go east up Jerry's Flat Road on up to Agness, a nice little community to visit, with its one-room schoolhouse, RV park, hiking trails and the Old Agness Store, where you can get a quarter pound old fashioned hot dog with the works.

Whale Watching - Best times of Year are coming!

Here is a note from the "Whale spoken here site" that lets you know more about the upcoming whale watching season:

Winter Whale Watching Week -
Thurs, Dec 26, 2008- Wed, Jan 1, 2009
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trained volunteers will be present at the 26 sites listed on the map (see previous post) to show visitors the gray whales.

This is not the only time you can see the whales. About 18,000 gray whales will pass by in about 4 weeks, from mid-December to mid-January. The same locations are still great viewing spots.

The main body of whales is about 5 mile off shore, but some can be seen as close as 1-2 miles off shore.

During the southern migration whales seldom stop to eat, but travel steadily to the Baja lagoons of Mexico.

Free Spirits - Save the Whales - Save Ourselves

Who says fish can't fly? Watch the Video

I started this post with the intent to talk about the Southern Oregon Coast and to spotlight all the places you can visit if you are interested in whale watching. I do cover that later in the post, including a map provided by Whale Spoken Here a site dedicated to whale watching on the coast. I also will follow this story with a part II since there is so much amazing information and resources about the whales available. What a great way to get your kids interested and involved in saving our planet so we will have a legacy to share!

Before I go on that I would like to share this video:

After watching how alive and intelligent these creatures are, I realized how much I take for granted. I think that it's great to take a vacation and get" in touch" with nature. And I certainly can't deny that one of the reasons that I write this blog is in the hopes that people will want to come and experience Hilltop House and all that the Southern Oregon Coast has to offer. But I can't help thinking, what happens if someday soon, when you come it isn't there anymore? I do believe that when brought into their awareness most people really care about what is happening to the planet and the creatures that share it with us.

So I hope that you won't mind that before providing information about what you can come to see on the Oregon coast; particularly the whales watching opportunities that are available, that I bring some information to your attention. Here is some information I got from the site Whale Spoken Here

Save the Whales - AGAIN!

Apparently the whales are in danger of extinction again due to human greed and the obsessive need to consume and then irresponsibly dispose of things. Here is part of the article I read:

"The Gray Whale was hunted almost to extinction twice: in the 1880s and again in the 1920s. The International Whaling Commission was formed in 1946 by whaling nations, including the United States, to divide the annual catch into national quotas. A massive public outcry (Save the Whales) in the 70s culminated in 1986 when the International Whaling Commission adopted a 10-year moratorium on commercial whaling. All of the endangered whales are internationally protected from commercial harvest, but Japan is leading the demand for a return to commercial whaling and is currently hunting endangered whales even in the International Whale Preserve in Antarctica.

But all whales today face a wide variety of threats, far more than were present in whaling days. They all face severe pollution and degradation of their habitats and destruction of their food sources. Larger, faster, and more plentiful ships cross their migratory routes injuring whales. Each year many whales die as a result of entanglement in fishing gear. Twenty-one countries including England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa oppose Japan’s hunting in the International Whale Preserve."

What We Can All Do To Help

• Keep garbage, especially plastics, out of the ocean.            
• Pick up litter and put in receptacles            
• Don’t put paint and hazardous waste down drains            
• Use non-toxic household cleaners.            
• Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly.            
• Recycle used motor oil and old tires.            
• Be thoughtful: Reduce - Reuse - Recycle.            
• Volunteer, Support or Get Involved!            
• Call or write the president or your congressional representative.            

For more information on how you can help, please visit these sites: International Whaling Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The Humane Society

A World Worth Saving

As promised here is some information on where to go to see these beautiful creatures.

Stay tuned for part 2 ...coming soon.

A Southern Oregon Coast Tribute to a Hero - watch the video

Since this site is about Hilltop House and traveling the southern coast of Oregon, most times my posts cover sightseeing and all the wonderful things that are available to do on the coast. But this week ends on a sad note for me, because my uncle Dan Tauriello died this week at 89 years of age.

Born in Newark, Dan is a US Marine Corps Veteran of WW II who saw action on Tulagi in the Pacific. He joined the Newark Fire Department in 1948 and was promoted to Captain in 1954 and Battalion Chief in 1963 before retiring in 1984. In 1967 he was recognized for heroic behavior during the Newark riots that resulted in many rescues of people trapped in the burning buildings. Dan was a former weight lifter, Golden Glove boxer, fight trainer and started the Fresh Air Fund in Newark to help get inner city kids off the streets.

Uncle Dan never visited Hilltop House, because by the time we bought it he was older and it was harder for him to travel, but I know he would have loved it. So this coastal moment is dedicated to you Uncle Dan, I hope you enjoy it.

Southern Oregon Coast - unusual moments by Andre

I came across some cool video footage of the Oregon Coast by this guy (I don't know) named Andre. This dude seems cool -- he's got a good sense of humor and he shares my fascination for string theory. I wanted to credit him for sharing this video so here is his site YOU TUBE Andre's Videos.

Oh and don't forget to watch this one it is worth it!

Driving Up the Coast - HWY 101 - part 2 - Sea Lion Caves

When I began this story I planned to take you up the coast with some general information, hoping to tempt you to want to come to see more. But as I began to research pictures and information, I became mesmerized by all the wonderful things I encountered and decided to slow it down quite a bit and write short posts about things that can be seen and things that can be experienced while driving and visiting the Southern Oregon Coast.

Sea Lions

Sea lions pups are about four feet long at birth and weigh from 40 to 50 pounds. They are slate gray in color for about six months, turn dark brown until approximately two years of age, and they begin to assume the lighter tan color of the adult. They remain with their mothers well over a year and grow rapidly, averaging about six feet long at the end of their first year. The pups continue to grow, perhaps all of their lives, but the growth rate decreases each year.

When you see those innocent eyes you wonder how anyone could possible want to harm them. But there is a war that is raging between the fisherman and the sea lions. Recent scientific studies indicate that fish such as salmon constitute a very minute part of the sea lion diet. Although sea lions are good swimmers, they find it much easier to capture more sluggish victims than game fish. but they have learned to adapt to some very clever ways of stealing fish from game fisherman and this is the cause of all the upheaval.

Driving Up the Coast - HWY 101 - part 1

America’s Wild Rivers Coast is home to Gold Beach and several other coastal towns that I will talk about in this post. Highway 101 offers 101 miles along the historic Southern Oregon coast. If you venture to Gold Beach you will discover beautiful coastlines, breathtaking natural forests and most importantly some of the last remaining wild rivers in America. I agree with so many others, who have inhabited that area both historically and who live there today that this precious areas must be preserved. The activities that you can enjoy include world-class salmon fishing, numerous hiking trails and historical landmarks at every port. But I hope that if you decide to visit, you will appreciate this natural treasure and treat it with the utmost care and respect. Here is a list of the cities you can visit if you travel up the coast from California.

BROOKINGS

Brookings is the home of the spectacular Salmon Run Golf Course, making the area very popular with golfers, although it is still best known for fishing. With superior weather conditions and many recreational activities available it is easy to see why it is so popular. The rugged Siskiyou Mountains create a series of dramatic rocky headlands and offshore sea stacks. Many of the 80 miles of undeveloped coastline are dedicated as State Parks and all of our offshore islands are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

GOLD BEACH

Gold Beach (home of Hilltop House) Hilltop House Vacations is an oceanfront community where the famous Rogue River meets the spectacular Pacific. Gold beach is unbeatable for it's lodging with ocean vista views. Hilltop House offers 1000 feet of decking to view the Rogue River and the Pacific Ocean. If you enjoy hiking, the trails are magnificent and provide the best beach access along the Wild Rivers Coast. From May through October, the famous jetboats make their run up into the “wild and scenic” sections of the Rogue and passengers get to enjoy unsurpassed up close and personal views of creatures in teir natural environment, without disturbing the wildlife.

The salmon and steelhead fishing in the area is second to none, and an excellent group of licensed guides are available. Ocean charters for fishing and sightseeing are available on a daily basis with stop-overs at a variety of restaurants with menus to please every appetite.  Gold beach visitor's center can provide you with more information and suggest an itinerary. Gold Beach Visitors (See next Friday's post for more information on itineraries).