Hilltop House GB

Win $10,000 in Gold in Gold Beach

Gold Beach is having a contest for all guests staying in Gold Beach. Participants may enter the Sweepstakes in (1) one of (2) two ways during the period commencing at 12:01 A.M. September 1, 2009, and ending at 11:59 P.M., September 1, 2010. For details go to: Gold Beach Chamber of Commerce website

Or watch the video below:

Hello Again - Storm Watchers

Hilltop House Website It has been a while since I posted to the blog and I plan to be doing so much more often. First, I want to thank all of my  loyal readers and all the people who have supported Hilltop House and enjoy staying there too. We appreciate you patronage and your kind comments and praise.

We are currently offering the house as a month to month rental which makes it a great headquarters for Storm Watching. Hilltop House has extensive decking where you can storm watch in the comfort of it's luxurious rooms. While viewing the storms you can sip wine and enjoy the wonderful smoked Salmon that Gold Beach has to offer in the spacious Gourmet kitchen, throw a Storm watching party in the fabulous Great Room or snuggle up in the master bedroom and watch nature's wonder unfold before your eyes. To take a virtual tour of Hilltop House and see what I am talking about please go to Hilltop House website and click on take a virtual tour.

For the more adventuresome souls, you can hop in your four wheeler and drive along the rugged coast for an up close and personal view of the spectacular Pacific ocean. Here's a preview of what you will see:

MOre Storm Watching videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZZ6cW9xvic

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

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.

...the mail boat must go on

Mail boats based in Gold Beach have been delivering mail up the river to Agnes since 1895, one of only two rural mail boat routes remaining in the U.S. According to a story in the Curry County reporter on October 15, 2008 by Meryl Boice speaking of the late 1800's "Gold Beach was so isolated that a boat ride to Agness was the excitement of the week."

Today, the original Mail Boats still deliver the U.S. Mail to the remote village of Agness, just as they have for over one hundred years, since 1895. And they still consistently deliver excitement. The mail boat ride is reportedly one of the very best attractions in the entire Northwest.

The Legend of the Sinking of the Mary D. Hume in Gold Beach Harbor

This wonderful but sadly sunken steam boat is a landmark treasure in the Gold Beach harbor. Rumors have it that she is haunted by a fishermen named Jack C. Tide who drowned on a fishing excursion in 1892 and and his beloved Sarah. Gold Beach visitors that have strolled by the harbor in the evening after dark have reported to have seen a couple dressed strangely in the shadows embracing on the deck.

My First Gold Beach Experience

My very first time in Gold Beach was quite a unique experience. I woke up to find a baby deer on the deck staring at me as if to say "what are you doing here -- this is my lookout point"! About an hour later, I was visited by a one legged black crow which I later named Peg Leg, because he hopped along the ledge of the deck on one leg very confidently, reminding me of a pirate coming to collect his bounty. Peg Leg revealed a very discerning palette for crow delicacies like popcorn and Salmon skin and didn't take kindly to anyone not giving him his perceived due. If the violator was unfortunate enough to be on the deck, he would mock a lunge at the varmint flapping his wings violently and letting out a high pitched, shrill screech.