Klamath Lake Wildlife

We had a great visit with Alexis in Bend, then headed south. Next stop, Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. We were treated to a visit and hike with Traci and Doug, then a spectacular sunset. Ginger seems very nervous. It may be the hunters, and periodic gunfire, or maybe flashbacks to her “childhood”- she was picked up as a stray in Klamath Falls 9 years ago, spent 2 months in the shelter. Portland Humane Society got her off death row, and brought her to Portland to find a forever home. More than happy that it’s our home!

Pelican Butte Sunset, Klamath NWR

Ginger on the Queen of the lake trail, Klamath NWR

Morning Mountain bike ride overlooking Upper Klamath Lake.

I got out for a morning Mountain Bike ride on Spence Mountain trail complex. It’s a fantastic place to ride, and right out of our camp!

We grew legs overnight!

We’ve seen so many birds here, that will need to be a separate post. I think the White Pelican is my favorite, Susan says the White Pelicans landing in formation is tied with the Bald Eagle that flew over when we said we hadn’t seen them yet.

Mt. McLaughlin, and Pelicans landing in Shoalwater bay, Upper Klamath NWR- a view from camp!

Clear Lake colors

We drove over Santiam pass, watching for fall colors, then detoured to Sahale Falls and Clear Lake.

The Campground at Clear Lake was closed for the season, but the trail around the lake was open and beautiful. The fall foliage and the turquoise water were awesome. We had to hustle a bit as the trail was a lot longer than we anticipated, and we're headed to bend to see Alexis.

Transitions!

On the eve of retirement, it’s time to reflect on the past and look to the future.

Please bear with me as I collect my thougths :)

My W2 life is complete, and now I have the opportunity to chart a course forward. I’m beyond grateful to all you friends and family that guide and encourage me over the decades!

Long ago I witnessed others retiring from the VA with the grandiose goals of “sleeping in” and “not going to work”. Though honest, these benefits fell short of what I had in mind. I made the conscious decision to retire to something, rather than from something. I changed the word from “retirement” to “graduation”. I prefer to view this as a graduation to the next phase of my life. With Susan, we’ve charted a way to explore, and even practiced retirement for a few years. So with immense gratitude to the folks that I have worked with, been friends with, charted our W2 years together, let’s get out and explore, share and enjoy life to the fullest!

This will be a developing space to share what we’re up to. I hope that it’s entertaining, informative and inspiring to you! At the very least, it will help me to gather my thoughts, and remember the adventures we have.

xoxo, Dave, Susan and Ginger