tallulahruby sanctuary

Cottage Grove and Eugene

On to my last stop..

I zigzagged all over Eugene and south of Eugene and spent my last night in Cottage Grove. I had brought tons of addresses of properties for sale and had fun on a little scavenger type hunt. Intermittent phone service made for some interesting detours.

Stopped to say hi to some chickens

Saw so many trailers and funky vehicles

One of the farms I went to look at

One of about 10 times I turned around and went back to take a photo

A covered bridge! Doesn't get much more charming than this.

I really like crossing rivers and streams.

I arrived before my hosts and made myself at home. My little cottage looked like a fairytale! I felt like I was in a life sized dollhouse. I wandered around the property a bit and was hissed at by one of three geese (who I name Manny, Moe and Jack). I saw the most beautiful bunnies with cocoa noses and fur like velvet.

My very own cottage!

Rustic Loft

Yay! I get to cross another bridge. My little cottage for the night. Cottage Grove, OR

Another funky cottage on the property

The third cottage...And he huffed and he puffed and he blew the house down!

Bunnies!!

Orchard

Cute little critter

Neighbor's property

Wish I could have spent some time with this owner...

Bitchin Bus!

Backwoods cottage

Private pond

My host invited me to walk with her to go get her cows and goats who were grazing in the neighbor's pasture. She puts a lead on one of the cows, and the rest follow. Pretty amusing to see cows run so fast and so awkwardly!

The hosts had been vegans for many years and went back to meat diet for health reasons. They didn't want to be hypocrites, so raise their own rabbits, chickens, ducks and goats for food. I appreciate that mentality, but I can't relate at all. I just want to save them all ;)

Later I got to help her son round up all the chickens and ducks for the night. We ran around in circles for awhile as one or two were quite elusive. I haven't held a duck since I was a teenager and had my pet duck, Elmer. I think I love their quirkiness and awkwardness. They always seem to be confused.

Cow kisses! They would not stop licking my gloves <3

Loose cow

Salad bar

Running of the cows. And goats.

Third place I stayed I was told to pee in the woods. It was kinda nice.

Mountain Rose Herbs Headquarters. Drool. Eugene, OR

Drove under this and made a u-turn just cause

Farm for sale

Really like this spot :)

Umpqua River

Just pulled off the road to sit by the river for a bit

Green forever

Despite other, more appropriate dog toys, Thorin ran off with my keys

I saw a photo of this car on Instagram a few days earlier and did not know where it was. I stopped to get gas and looked across the street and there it was! Sutherlin, OR

Another farm for sale!

Just one weeklong beautiful view

Roadtrips are always most fun. But this was probably one of the best trips I've ever had. I felt completely free and inspired. Completely in control and empowered. Overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of beauty I encountered. I think I am in love...

Just hanging out in a yurt on the Willamette River...

My next stop was just outside of Eugene. I was quite excited about spending some time here, but left Portland really late and did not arrive until about 10 pm. My host was so kind and met me with a lantern. Three gates and several acres later, she set me up in my own little yurt, propane heater and all. It was pitch black and I fell asleep to frogs and the peaceful lull of the river close by. It wasn't until the morning that I realized what I was in the middle of. I could barely take it all in. I so wished someone was there with me just to see. I have never spent any time around rivers, but they are my new favorite. I love the ocean tremendously, and I'm not especially fond of lakes. They are stagnant and have slimy bottoms. But rivers and streams and creeks move and have life.

There is an eagle nest and I crossed my fingers to see..next time.

Open my front door of my yurt to this.. are you kidding me??

Shower and outhouse

Fresh eggs and greens from the garden cooked on my little propane stove. Homemade jam and almond milk smoothie

View of the farm from my yurt

Definitely coming back here. I need to spend at least a few hours reading in these chairs

There's my yurt! :)

Strolling down the property along the Willamette River

I wandered around the property and hung out with my host, Shaundele for a bit. She has lived there for 14 years and used to be a school principal. She used to travel a lot and every time she went to a different country, she would adopt and bring back a cat. She has cats from Japan, Egypt, Kuwait, and Bangladesh. She is a vegan and the turkeys were all rescued from Thanksgiving dinner :) <3

Turkeys! Turkey butt hehehe

He had one blue eye and one brown. Sweetheart.

We found kitties sleeping in the greenhouse

Shaundele and Bodhi

Handyman came by. His bus is pretty badass.

The farm. Eugene, OR

I had lots of space to myself

Lush

I would love to have coffee here every morning

Portland Day 2

I spent a few days in Portland and tried to see as much as possible. I really liked the atmosphere and how quaint it felt. I could easily see myself living there. I had great experiences with every person I encountered and I felt so at ease. It would be ideal to find some property within an hour so I could get the best of both worlds..Maybe in Washington?

On the way to Multnomah Falls

So majestic

One mile up to the top of the falls

I want to explore more!

Eek! My car is waaay down there

Mist bath

This garden reminded me of Alice in Wonderland meets Dr. Seuss meets Chris Van Allsburg

Just some gourds on the side of a windy mountain road

My Portland host told me to check out Sauvie Island since I have a thing for farms. During the season, they have u-pick farms and a clothing optional beach. I love that it's only about ten miles out of Portland. There is also an RV park that I am currently considering living at once I finish Felix...