Coelho Harvest Party

Mike and Laura made a few trips this weekend with out me.  Yesterday evening, they drove to house and vineyard of Dave and Deolinda Coelho. The photo is of the Pinot Noir vines, ready to harvest, as the moon is rising. They had a barn dance and all sorts of food and wine. all the guests were asked to bring a wine to share, so there were lots to choose from. Mike tried several Pinot's, one from a "mystery" bottle, no label. They walked around the vineyard for a bit but Laura, like me, didn't like the propane cannons going off every few minutes. The noise is supposed to keep the birds from "harvesting" the grapes. As the sun went down and the birds roosted for the night, the cannons were shut off. The grounds were very nice with interesting plants and fruit trees and bushes, they are farmers, so they are good at landscaping. They didn't stay too long, but talked with Deolinda for a while and met other guests. They took a back way home and may have discovered a quick sort cut form Pacific City to Amity.

Coelho has a tasting room in downtown Amity. They have re-used an old building and is one of Mike and Laura's favorite places to visit.

Saturday, Mike and Laura went to another place where dogs are not allowed.  The opening of Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge that I wrote about here.  They parked in the lower lot and were shuttled up to the upper lot.  Hiked up to the new platform and heard the ribbon cutting ceremony.  After all the official business and great views of the Bay, Haystack Rock and Cape Kiawanda, they joined a bird watching tour that took them to places off limits to regular visitors.  They hiked down the trail and road to a power line road out to the Nestucca Bay / Little Nestucca river inlet.  They saw and heard many birds.  It was great to have a walk like that guided by a person who really knows birds.  Mike got to add a few to his life list.  They got a quick visit by a belted kingfisher, common to the area but limited in range, the sighting was in a perfect spot where you would likely see one.  When Mike lived in Piedmont, California, he watch a kingfisher fish out a neighbors koi pond in a few days.  The migratory birds haven't shown up yet but there were lots of local geese and ducks on the bay.  Mike will be out there many more times I'm sure.

After the hike, Mike and Laura went down to the Neskowin Valley School Harvest Festival that I wrote about here.  They toured the silent auction and check on how their donation was doing in the bidding but didn't stay long as they needed to get ready for a new group of guests here at The Craftsman B&B.

So this was about the kinds of things Mike and Laura do with out me, but it shows that they do know about all sorts of different events around the area.  Come on down to Pacific City, there will be something for you to do, just ask.