Day 16, 16 June 2015

Hidden Beach South of Crescent City in the Redwood National Park

Today we were not open due to the tides during our slated working hours of 10 am to 4 pm. So we took advantage of that and slipped out at 10 am. I was still feeling awful and wanted to go to urgent care. First we stopped at the Del Norte Historical Museum, our parent organization and handed in some sales and donation amounts to Karen. I stayed in the car since I felt so bad and Fred handed in the funds and got a box of resin magnets that we needed at the lighthouse gift store. We then headed to urgent care for relief of my suffering. The first place was closed for 2 days, so we went on down the street to a county place, which was open. I was told I would have to wait till 7 pm to see a doctor and I said fine and set up the appointment. The tides would be good till about 8:15 pm to get back to the island so that should work. So we took off as planned to explore sites in Crescent City even though I still felt like crap.

Flower along the Beach

We went to the Marine Mammal Center which was very close to the lighthouse. I was told by several visitors to go there since you could see the seals that they rescued and were helping to get back to the wild. We arrived there to see the indoor center was closed but a children’s group was having a session inside. We could walk around the enclosures for the seals on the outside and met up with a local volunteer who was explaining the care of the seals. We introduced ourselves as the keepers and he was so nice and informative, explaining about the baby seals they were caring for. Some of them were only 4-5 weeks old and absolutely adorable with their big dark eyes and cute behavior. They had harbor seals and even a young elephant seal. We learned a lot and got to slip inside their gift shop when a volunteer let us in before hours. We had a nice chat with Lee and bought some goodies and donated which directly helps the care of the seals. Off we went to a few other close by organizations in town.

Wild Iris in the National Park along the Coast

We were getting hungry so we drove out through the redwoods to get burgers at She- She’s on the way to Grant’s Pass. When we got there they were closed (on Tuesdays) so we tried another café down the road but they were closed. So we went back to Crescent City and finally had burgers at CC’s. We went back to the museum and I had a list of stuff to resupply the lighthouse gift store. While waiting to see Karen we met another lady involved with the museum and she was so fun to talk to and quite a feisty little lady – what a delight! We got a bunch of stuff to bring back to the gift store.  After the museum, we explored a bit of downtown looking in some shops for my elusive bamboo tongs. No luck in finding them, but fun looking in the stores. Then we headed south to a little local tie-dye joint where we got a t-shirt and a dress. We continued further south where Fred got some gas for the car and we returned to our beach area to take a nap. We were both quite tired from our illnesses. Fred went out for a beach walk and then a nap on the beach. I stayed in the car for a nap for about 5 minutes and then took a walk down a coastal trial. I felt better walking and it was a gorgeous afternoon and the trail was intriguing. I wasn’t sure where Fred was so I kept walking. The trail went through cool shaded forested areas and sunny warm grassy areas, both with mini flower gardens of various beautiful flowers. It was absolutely delightful and made me feel much better to be out and moving. I had gorgeous views of the rocky coast and ocean and of big old trees, ferns and flowers. The coastal trail actually went 4 miles to the Klamath River and also had a loop – Yurok Loop – that went back. I went about a mile down the coastal trail and saw some gorgeous hidden beaches and coves.  I went back and hooked up with the Yurok Loop which brought me back around near where I started. Fred caught up with me near the parking lot. He had been napping near the car the whole time but I missed seeing him. Oh well we caught up with each other. I told him about my fun little hike, which was about 3 miles total. Not bad for feeling like crap! Actually the hike really felt good and I needed it. It was 2 hours before my appointment so we went over to the Fisherman’s Restaurant and had a nice chowder and salad bar dinner. We had enough time to go back to the lighthouse to drop off the inventory and stuff we brought for the day. There were people coming and going to the island as we dropped off our stuff. I was feeling tired again from the constant headache for a week, a full tummy after dinner and the exertion to and from the lighthouse. Off we went to urgent care and I finally got to see a doctor at about 7:10 pm. A little black lady doctor walked through the door and I immediately liked her. We talked a bit and agreed I had a sinus infection after enduring a cold for 6 days. She sent prescriptions to Rite Aid directly and I was on my way after we gave each other heart felt hugs. I told her I was a keeper at the lighthouse and she would try to get over to see it and give me a check-up – HA! Off we went to Rite-aid to get the prescriptions before the tide rolled in. There was a little confusion on my birth date but it was cleared up and I got my drugs. We told the Rite-aid crew we were keepers and needed to get back soon. They were very nice, worked fast and were very interested in our lighthouse duty.

Another Beautiful Sunset with our Resident Seagull Watching Us

We got back to cross over to the lighthouse at about 8 pm with no problem. Again it was so good to see our little sentinel standing guard and she welcomed us home. I took down the flag that I had raised in the morning and fed the gulls and doused some flowers with water. I took my medication and we watched the end of the basketball game – yea Golden State!  I got some knitting in, snapped a few sunset pictures and resupplied the gift store with the new things I got from Karen earlier. Off to the cozy bedroom with the stove going and blog writing to be done. I was finally feeling better in my sinuses without a headache. The drugs work fast, thank goodness, enough suffering for 6 days. The throat will take a few weeks to heal but it is on the mend. So off to sleep I go with thoughts of the serenity of being totally alone with such beauty and healing surrounding me on a delightful little hike to soothe an aching body and soul.