Week 162-163 - The Oregon Coast, then Inland - 09-27-2009

Comments from the Coast,

This travelogue covers three weeks ending Oct 11th, 2009. We started our journey in Kelso-Longview, Washington just north of the Columbia River. We headed into Oregon and down the beautiful coastline. The road and bluffs along the Pacific Ocean here are similar to what you see between Ragged Point and Monterey, California. Our destination in the first week was Newport, Oregon to meet up with our RV buddies, John and Gloria.

Drives along water are always our favorites and the Columbia River was no exception.

The coastal highway varies from being surrounded by forest to cruising right along the ocean.

1) Pete's favorite cheese for 50 years has been Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar. We never knew where it was made, so it was a real delight to find it right on Hwy 101. We stopped for a great tour of cheese and ice cream. 2) What keeps the Mothership happy? It's the cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese!

South of Tillamook is the Air Museum; it was late so we didn't stop until the traffic jam below. We went from 60 mph to zero and thought there must have been an accident ahead.

However, these dozens of vehicles were just trying to not squish this little doggy. As we drove off we could still see this gentleman chasing after his pup.

In Lincoln City, Oregon we stayed at the Ocean Lakes Elks campground which is a few miles south of the lodge.

There are quite a few very nice day-use areas along the coast.

The Yaquina Bay Bridge is at the south end of the city of Newport.

The seals love to sun tan at the bay.

The Yaquina Bay Bridge is a piece of art.

The Newport Elks has eight sites with power, water and cable for only $12/night (09-2009).

1) Pacific Shores Outdoor Resorts is a gorgeous ownership park (with rentals). 2) John and Gloria's motorhome and site.

We snapped this shot of Gloria when we first met. After that, although we had our camera with us for the next two days we did not get any more pictures. John and Gloria are such great hosts and we talked at length catching up on the last three years. Then we met their friends, Mike and Kerry, and it was like meeting old friends. The six of us chatted and had dinner twice. Oh, what wonderful people you meet on the road!

We did manage to get this photo just before we headed out. John and Gloria are heading to their house in Florida. We hope to visit there someday. Thanks J&G.

More of the 101 coast on the way south toward Florence.

Okay, so we broke another windshield! RV Glass Solutions in Eugene installed our new one. Look, it's clean, no bugs! We recommend RV Glass Solutions. They have warehouses in Eugene OR, Phoenix AZ, Elkhart IN and Jacksonville FL. They stock over 100,000 shields for every RV and large vehicle. They were quick and it looks like new.

This park, Casey's Riverside RV Park in Oakridge, Oregon is fabulous. The sites are large and paved, with grass and full hookups: 50 amps, water, sewer, WiFi and cable TV. More that half the sites are right on the Middle Fork Williamette River. All this for $38 (09-2009). Unfortunately, fires in the area brought smoke . . .

as you can see on the road to Chemult. Chemult? Yes, this little town is where you can catch the Amtrak to ride to Paso Robles. That is what Ellen did, a 17-hour trip home. While she is visiting with the kids and grandkids, Pete headed to the Bend Oregon Elks.

Pete will wait here until his sweetie returns :-)

Have a great two weeks.

Love, Pete (and Ellen in absentia)

Photos from Oct 2009