Thursday, June 18, 2009

Greetings from Cannon Beach Oregon

Hello from beautiful Cannon Beach. I didn't get a chance to post a few pictures of the beach last time because I wanted to get to the post on the skeinwinder that I had promised a while back. Here I have my husband and our dog Twill posed in front of Haystack Rock. The picture is very deceiving because we are actually quite a ways down the beach from the rock. It stands about 200 feet high and is home to many sea birds. I haven't had a chance to stop by the mobile interpretive display on the beach but hope to soon so I can post a little bit more information on the flora and fauna.
I have been taking nice long walks on the beach with Twill in the mornings and exploring the little coastal town bit by bit in the afternoons. It is one of these towns that survive on the tourist trade but is still charming none the less. It is also one of the art towns listed in the 100 Best Art Towns in America by John Villani.
I must also mention here that Ashland, Oregon, the town we are moving to, is also listed and is in fact number two in the top ten list.
Cannon Beach does have a yarn store. I popped in for a bit of a browse. The store has quite a nice selection on yarns that cater to the knitter or crocheter. Alas nothing for the weaver or spinner although I have used knitting yarns in my weaving on occasion.
This picture on the right is a bit goofy I know. It is essentially a self-portrait. I set my camera up on a driftwood log and set the timer then ran out in front. The problem is Twill thought is was a really fun game and kept trying to grab my drop spindle. I am leaning away from her while trying to spin and get it all in motion before the timer goes off! It took a few tries and some of the pictures look pretty funny. It was a lovely sunny day but still quite cool. We have a storm moving in at the moment but I hope to break out my spinning wheel and loom soon. It has been too long and I am itching to get back to it before I get bogged down in school.
I have been enjoying the art galleries and the farmer's market as well. There are a few art events coming up which will be lovely to see. We are still catching up on sleep but the area is beautiful and peaceful. Just what we needed to restore the color and sparkle in our faces.
It is starting to sink in that I have a bit more time at the moment to catch up on the blogs I am following and post a few tidbits myself. I shall return soon! -Renee

7 comments:

Susan said...

I have looked at Ashland ( thanks to google earth) and it seems like a lovely place! I sold a table loom to a weaver there. If you visit my page Thrums, there are a couple of links to weavers in Ashland or nearby. Camprunamok/ Theresa and Eweniquely Ewe/ Cindie
Theresa is away in New England right now... There is a vibrant weavers guild there!

Congrats!
Susan

Life Looms Large said...

I love that you have a dog named Twill! Very cool!

That rock in the water looks interesting....I'm curious now about what kind of birds live out there.

Now I want to look at that book - the 100 best art towns one - to see how towns in New England rate. Interesting!

Sue

R. Delight said...

The 100 Best Art Towns in America (includes a bit of Canada too) lists 11 towns in the New England area. There is New London, Connecticut; Portland and Rockland, Maine; Great Barrington, Nantucket, North Adams, Northampton, and Provincetown Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island;and finally, Brattleboro and Burlington, Vermont. The book is worth looking at as it describes the towns and cities, has short interviews from artists who live and work there, and seems to be fairly straightforward on cost of living and climate challenges.
I have been using it as a starting place to decide where to settle eventually. Ashland is just a stop on the journey! -Renee

R. Delight said...

Thanks for the contact information Susan! -Renee

Cindie said...

Hi Renee, saw you are now following my blog. Drop me a line with your email address so I can send you the guild newsletter for our two local guilds here in Southern Oregon. We'll be starting up with meetings again in September.
Cindie

Sunrise Lodge Fiber Studio said...

Ooooh!!! Looks (and sounds) like you are having fun!!! I can almost smell the sea air from here:)

Life Looms Large said...

Renee,

Thanks so much for the scoop on the towns in New England!! I'm surprised that Portsmouth, NH didn't make the list. But perhaps I'm biased!!

Northampton, Mass does seem like it would be great for weavers! But if I relocate, I want warmer winters for sure!!!

Thanks again for saving me the trip to the library or bookstore (for now at least!)

Sue