A day at the beach is never lost time. —Unknown Author
Last fall, my husband and I returned to the Oregon Coast. This venture was not unlike other beach trips, but it was twofold. For me, it was a working vacation, but it sure didn’t feel like work. My delightful task was to collect plant photos for an upcoming book. For my husband, it was the beginning of Chinook season; and after almost two years recovering from two surgeries on both elbows, he was eager to rejoin the salmon harvest.
Our beach days were filled with wonderment, from hiking along the sea cliffs watching giant waves crash against the sandstone, to strolling the sandy beaches among the tide pools. We hiked through pine forests inhaling their richness and stood on the peaks of enormous sand dunes taking in the awesome views. Along the way, I collected some photos for my book. Chris got to spend a day fishing the Umpqua River. He caught a Chinook, this time a native fish with flashy chrome scales crawling with sea lice; a handsome buck that weighed 18 pounds. Being able to keep a native fish was extra special. A true gift from the wild that almost wasn’t when a sea lion grabbed the salmon by the tail as it was brought to the boat. Luckily, the fish net thwarted the thievery, and the sea lion released its bite. The tail was left with a large scar, but the precious meat was spared.
The thick salmon fillets filled four bags that were kept on ice for the drive home. These we later brined and smoked over Hickory wood, a two-day process that scented the woods with mouthwatering aroma, and yielded delicious oil-rich protein that would last the winter.
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Nature Chronicles 
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