Day 58 to 73 - Our 2012 Trip to Oregon & Back

October 1 thru 16, 2012

Vonna and I were talking last night and she said it had been a while since I posted on the blog.  I really didn’t remember it being over two weeks.

Photo of our Mirror.  We have
a lot of them!

We were leaving Whale’s Rest.  The travel day was very nice, driving down the coast, looking at things that we have seen, and then new things that we hadn’t seen before.  We stopped at the Harris Beach State Park just outside of Brookings, OR.  It was a nice afternoon, so we dropped the trailer and off to town to look for dinner. 

We stopped at Subway and got a sandwich.  Then back to the beach to watch the sunset into the ocean.  We went back to the trailer to play a game, but both of us were tired after a long day.

The next morning was overcast, we had a small breakfast, and off to town.  Not much in Brookings to look at.  We were down at the Historic Port and there was only one store that Vonna wanted to look at.  Not even a coffee shop for me.  We drove to where someone told her and there was a two story building that was triangle shaped.  Not very big, but so much stuff that I couldn’t walk through it. 

Harris Beach State Park - OR

We stopped at another small place on 101, and found a nice bakery that I had coffee at, along with a couple of shops.  One had some bird feeders and a couple of other things.  I bought Vonna a peace sign wind chime.  It is nice.  There was a tea shop on the other end.

Back early to the campsite, and walked around to look at it.  It was very nice.  Three or four host in it, and it was not real large.  Off to bed early.  It would be our longest drive of the trip the next day.

Trees?  In California?

We left Harris Beach early the next morning, about 9 or 9:30.  We were headed for Russian River 1000 Trails, about 300 miles away.  It was a 7 ½ hour drive.  We had a nice drive trip overall, but I have a nerve in my leg that gives me problems and we have to stop every couple of hours.  There roads were good, but every time you get to a town you have to slow to 30 – 40 MPH.  Or if you get to hills the freeway stops and it is 30 MPH around curves.  Not like traveling Highway 5.  But the truck pulls the trailer without any problems. 

We got to Russian River, and I think we setup camp and off to town for dinner.  I think we had McDonald's for the first time on the trip.  We also went to the grocery store for things we needed for the next few days.

Russian River is a nice campground, with the river running thought part of it.  We were next to a cabin and the rest rooms were right there.  This will be our last time to have power and water.  We didn’t really set up a full camp, just got a few things out of the truck.  The weather was very nice, about 75 in the day time.

Almost asleep.

Town is close, and on Sunday we went into Cloverdale.  There was a nice antique store, a couple of other stores, and a yogurt shop.  One of the workers said that we should try Healdsburg which was about 15 miles from Cloverdale.  We headed over and there was a few blocks with some nice shops, outside restaurants, and wine tasting stores.  Vonna’s leg was giving her problems and we made it to half the shops and headed for home.   I BBQ’ed after we got home, and played a few games. 

Earlier before we left the next door neighbors said there were going to have some relatives in.  We got back and it was only the lady’s uncle – 85 years old and still smoking cigars.  The nephew and his kids got back after a while from the river and we found out why she had warned us earlier about the company – LOL.  They were good, they BBQ’ed and were really having a nice night.  The lady told us that her uncle had started a winery years ago and that they used to go there to work in the summer when she was growing up.  Anyway, they had a nice evening and called it a night before we headed to bed.

On Monday Vonna wanted to buy me breakfast for the first or second time since we left home.  We also decided to do the laundry.  We spend most of the day just looking around, laundry, and relaxing around the campsite.  A great day.  On Tuesday we decided to go to Healdsburg again.  Vonna was feeling much better, and there was a nice coffee shop there.  We had lunch at a Pizza shop on the sidewalk, and walked in and out of all the shops in the area, but not one of the wine tasting stores.  I bought a hat and Vonna found one or two items that she couldn’t live without.

Golden Gate Bridge

Wednesday was our travel day, a short drive to Half Moon Bay.  We were going over the Golden Gate Bridge, and I was thinking of my mom.  Her ashes were spread just outside of the bridge.  It was a nice day and I can imagine my mom just loving it.

As we were going over the bridge Vonna heard from her sister, Debbie and that they were in the bay area at one of Larry’s doctors.  I told her to let them know that if they come to see us we would buy dinner.  A couple of hours later while I was setting up camp, Vonna told me she had a text from Debbie & they were going to come over. We were surprised & happy.

They got here and we talked for a while.  We went to Barbara’s Fish Shack for dinner and had a great meal, and then back to the trailer and talked more.  It was late, about 7:30 or 8, when they left.  It was great to have company and get to talk to Larry about the elk and his trip.

This was the first time we
were able to fly the flags
on the trip!

Sunset at Half Moon Bay!

Tammy got here about noon on Thursday.  It was great to see her.  We talked and  got caught up on what was happening in her life and Chris’.  It was a great visit, spending most of Thursday and Friday here around the campsite.  My outside stove stopped working right on Thursday morning as I was trying to cook breakfast.  We had to go to San Mateo to buy another one.  They don’t make things to last of course we did buy it at a yard sale about 5 years ago for $10 so I guess we got our
moneys worth.

Any way, we talked and played games and had a great time.  Saturday and Sunday there was a Pumpkin Festival in town.  About 300,000 people show up, and my wife & daughter was part of them.  By the time we got up and moving, I drove downtown and dropped them off near the middle of the town.  No parking.  I went back to get my bike and rode it into town.  I parked it and walked to where Vonna was.  Didn’t take long to get claustrophobic.  I was there for an hour or so and came back.  Vonna and Tammy stayed almost until it closed at 5.

Tammy had to leave the next day, so we had coffee at Starbucks, told her bye, and stopped at the festival to see if there was anything that Vonna couldn’t do without.  There was.

Vonna on Beach!

Today was laundry day, and Vonna had a hair appointment.  We have enjoyed the beach and time here very much.  A lot of people come and go here more than other place we have been.  We talk a little to people, but most of them don’t say hi.  This has been a great trip, and we would love to do it again.  One of the best parts has been spending time together. 

Lunch at the Ocean!

Hope to see you all on the road someday.

Day 46 - 57 - Our 2012 Trip to Oregon & Back

September 19 - 30, 2012

We left Pacific City on the 19^th and move to Whaler’s Rest in Newport, OR.  It was a short drive, the easiest of our trip.  We got here and I told the ranger that we wanted a spot with sun.  She was very nice and directed me to the best spots that you can get satellite.  With those spots you don’t have trees around.

We found a spot that was open, and on a clear day, and a little imagination, you can see the ocean.  There are trees on one side and open on the other side.  We can sit in the trailer and see the sun come up.  So far no rain, and only two or three overcast days.  Most afternoons are in the 70s, which is perfect for me.

Animals in action -
Walking to our campsite

A tipical breakfast
at the Nelson's

Newport has two areas that we have walked a couple of times, the Historic Bayfront area and Nye Beach area.  There are a lot of other areas also in town, and we have seen most of them.  I will try to remember most of them, but no promises.  I’m glad that the pictures have dates on them or we would forget when we see things, and where we have been.

Vonna took a bite before the
picture

Wednesday we set up camp, met the next door neighbors, and relaxed.  Thursday is a busy day here at Whaler’s Rest.  First thing in the morning, or 10 am for old people, we had the Cinnamon Roll Social.  They are very large and very good, but we only had one.  A little later in the day, at 2:00, we had an Ice Cream Social.  They have this on Thursday and Saturday.  We had a chocolate sundae.  Then at 4 or 5 they had a free dinner to listen to a lady give a financial sales speech.  No hard sales.  Anyway, it was a busy day.

Great Dinner

On Friday we met Annie and Ervin in Depoe Bay.  This is a small town north of Newport.  Annie and Ervin came to Lincoln City for a couple of days with some friends.  They fished on Thursday – I was a little upset that I missed it.  I wanted to go, but the boat was over 2 hours away and I couldn’t  see driving that far.  Anyway, we were going to meet at about 4, so Vonna and I went early so we could walk the streets, go in the shops, and drink coffee.  I will let you know that we didn’t both do everything, and I will leave it to your imagination which of us walked all the shops and which drank coffee and watched the ocean.

We will miss you both.

At about 4 Annie and Erv found us on the street and we decided to try another place for dinner.  The name of it was Tidal Raves Seafood Grill.  A lady in one of the shops told Vonna about it.  The view was excellent, the food was great, and the company was the best.  We talked, Annie told us about their fishing trip, and Vonna looked up just in time to see a whale outside in the bay.  It was a perfect place to go.

End of the day at Depoe Bay

We left there and stopped to watch the sunset.  It was a perfect end to a perfect day with friends that we don’t get to see very often.  We told them good-by, and that we would stop at their home the next time we get to Oregon.  We are looking forward to it.

Some things are made for
Husbands

Eating McD's in truck at
Nye Beach

At one of the socials a lady told Vonna about Nye Beach and Georgie’s Restaurant.  Over the week-end, or sometime, we headed for Nye Beach to see what was there.  They had some nice benches outside of stores that Vonna really liked.  We even made more than one trip to them.  During our first trip there we found a little pizza place and had lunch.  We also found a glass blowing location that was very nice.  Vonna found a new necklace and maybe one or two other items.

Down at Nye Beach

Chapel on Sunday -
They have been leading for
12 years.

On Sunday they have a Chapel here.  Every Sunday they have it, and it is by the same people.  When the north clubhouse was built they dedicated one of the lower rooms to be the Chapel and it is used for that purpose, not a place that is move every week.  The couple that do the service have been doing it for 12 years and live in the next town south of here.  We really enjoyed the service.

Nice new bike

After the service we drove to Newport and drove around the bay and other places of interest.  We found Georgie’s Restaurant and had a nice dinner.  It 

was overlooking the ocean and the food was good.  A nice ending to a perfect day with the two of us at the ocean.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse 

Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Visitor's Center

As I go on from here my days get a little mixed up.  We spend a day going to the Yaquina  Head Lighthouse.  This is a federal location, still a working lighthouse, and they have a great center that tells all about the lighthouse and the history.  We read all of the stuff, watched a movie, and looked through the gift shop.  Even did some of the interactive stuff that is for the kids.  We then drove to the lighthouse, walked around it, looked at the ocean and tide pools from above them.  They have a walk up to the top of the lighthouse, but we decided not to try it.

 

She beat me back to the truck

Otter Crest State Park

There is a whale somewhere!

On another trip we went back to Depoe Bay to look around, and 

have some coffee.  On the way back we made a couple of stops, on at the Seal Rock.  This was a beautiful place to see some new view that we hadn't seen before.  There were a group of people looking into the ocean for whales, and a couple of them were seeing whales.  I wasn't sure if I was seeing them or not.  They were out some distance.

Help!!!!

On our way into town we will go to Wal-Mart or Fred Meyer to get groceries.  Surprising how much groceries two of us can go through.  We find other things too, a movie to watch or a new game to play.  Sometimes stickers for Vonna to do her crafts, or just a look around to see if there is anything new.

Newport has a very nice Aquarium.  We spend a lot of time looking at everything, Vonna even went into the Bird aviary.  We looked at the sharks swimming over us, and beneath us.  All of the seals and otter’s, and what the different types look like.  Different types of jelly fish, how the tides change and how it affects the ocean floor and the tide pools.  It was a great time.  We even went in the kids’ location and looked at all of the different things in there.  They had a gift shop and I told Vonna to spend all the time she wanted to in there.  I didn’t get to drink my coffee before she was out and ready for a cup herself.  There was a lot in the gift shop, but she enjoyed the Aquarium more than the gift shop.

We also stopped at some antique shops and they were large.  We looked through them, but didn’t find anything that we couldn’t live without.

There are two lighthouses in the Newport area.  The on is the Yaquina Lighthouse and is part of an Oregon State Park.  The other is the one I talked about, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.  The Yaquina Lighthouse is at near the entrance to the Yaquina Bay.  It was in operation for about 3 ½ years.  It was no help to the boats and so the other Yaquina Head Lighthouse was built. 

Yaquina Lighthouse

Notice the Fog?

I found the gift shop!!!

We stopped to look at the Yaquina Lighthouse and we were not sure that we were going to walk the stairs up to it.  Then we saw that there was only a few stairs and the rest was a walkway.  We were glad we went there.  It was the only lighthouse that we were able to go inside of the house, watch a movie, and see all of the rooms and what they were for, and it even had a gift shop.  We were both glad we stopped and climbed the stairs.  The day was strange, the fog sat just off the shore, and the lighthouse was in the sun.  It was a small home, with the lighthouse on top of it.  The family that lived there for the 3 years had 7 children, the youngest born in the house.   A lot of history.

Coffee anyone?

We spend some time south of Whaler’s Rest in a town called Seal Rock and Waldport.  Waldport had a couple of nice shops, antique shops, and small restaurant that we ate lunch in.  Nothing to write home about.  Seal Rock had a couple of nice shops, a couple of wood crafters shops and a glass 

blowing shop.  We really enjoyed the shops, talked to the people, and felt at home.  One lady had a long haired Chaiwawwa and it sat in the shop and didn’t bark.  It was not related to Chloe.

We spend a couple of afternoons at the Historic Bayfront area.  They had a lot of shops, and a lot of things different from other shops that we have seen.  I looked in most of the shops, but not taking as long as Vonna in each one.  We never buy a lot, but we can spend days looking at these type places.  A lot pictures, crafts, one store that had only items made in Oregon, all different things.  We even found a coffee shop with sitting on the bay to watch and listen to the seals. 

Over all, Whaler’s Rest has been my favorite place.  We loved Florence, but the campground was not as nice.  We liked Pacific Citya, even parts of the campground was nice and it was great going to the ocean.  But the people here have been extra special, the staff is very nice, seeing the sun come up from the trailer is an added plus. 

I was trying to get the sunset
out the window of the trailer

Sitting accross from out trailer at
the campsite.  Perfect view.

We will leave here this Thursday, before the Cinnamon Roll Social.  We are looking forward to seeing Tammy and getting home, but we will miss Oregon and the friends that we have met.  People are getting ready to head south for the winter.  We have met a lot of full timers, and a lot of people that are on the road for a week or two.  It has been a good experience for Vonna and I to talk to people at the Socials and get some ideas of what to do next, where to go next, and how to do it.  We are looking forward to heading South.  I will let you know how we do on the way home, and how it is at Half Moon Bay.

Looking good!!