Day 11 - 18 - Our 2012 Trip to Oregon & Back

August 14 - 21, 2012

It has been about a week since we wrote on here.  The weather is nice, but a little more sun would be nice.  It gets down to 50 at night and a high of 65 to 73 or so.  Sun has been coming out in the afternoon for a couple of hours.  A few sprinkles, but no rain.  One of our neighbors who comes here 6 or 7 times a year said that he has never been here that it didn’t rain at least 2 or 3 days during the two weeks they spend here.

We received a nice note from my sister on the last blog about places to go.  We did go to Coos Bay, but never got to the gardens.  We shopped, and even bought a couple of things, and it was 5 before we knew it.  Hope we get to try it the next time we go, but we have been having a great time.

Tippi & Clohe on beach

Vonna on Beach

First thing on Wednesday – clean-up day.  We worked on the trailer, cleaning and vacuuming, putting things away.  I took the washing to the Laundromat.  By noon we were finished enough that we decided that the sun was out enough that we loaded the dogs and drove to the beach.  It was nice to be there.  Vonna was getting a little claustaphobic with all of the trees in the campground, so we drove as far as we could go, and walked over a levy alongside of the river to the sand and ocean.  It was really nice, except foggy.  The dogs loved it, I put there long leashes on and they were running and playing.  Vonna and I looked for rocks, shells, and small pieces of wood.  It was a great couple of hours.  There were quite a few people out there, even one or two surfers.

On the way back had to put some fuel in the truck.  It is really hard to get used to sitting in the truck waiting for someone to fill it up.  You are not allowed to self-serve yourself in Oregon.  Seems really strange after so many years without someone else filling up.  I was even asked if the windows needed to be washed.

We went back to old town in Florence again to look at a couple of things.  We forgot the garden flag, and Vonna wants one that looks like the ocean, or area at least.  The sun was shining, we found a place to eat.  Very nice afternoon.

Lighthouse on way to Coos Bay 

On Friday we decided to go to Coos Bay.  It was a nice day, a little overcast, but nice.  We stopped on the way at a couple of the pull outs overlooking the ocean.  At one there was a couple and Vonna started talking to them.  After we got their life’s story we found out that they were staying at a cabin in Florence that belonged to her sister.  They stopped at an estate sale and said that the house was for sale and they were thinking of moving from Eureka.  The house was about 2400 sq. feet and under $250,000.00 all custom and flyer made it look nice.  Anyway, just thought I would fill you in what can happen when you stop to take a few pictures.

Coos Bay

We stopped in Coos Bay, walked around to all the shops, and found at least one thing that was really nice and we both thought we couldn’t do without.  A nice bread keeper that will help keep somethings off the counter.   We found some friendly people, talking and visiting.  Most were very helpful on places to see and ways to get there.  We ate at a small little fish market, 2 tables, and had a nice fish meal.

Then we headed for the gardens that Michele had told us about.  We saw an interesting town with a few shops and by the time we looked into them it was a little after 5 and we decided it was time to head back.  We will have to look at the gardens next time.  No way can we see everything in one day.

We drove back and it was a finish to a great day, a great week.

Saturday we went into Florence to pick up a few items.  I don’t know what we do with everything we get.  Most of the stuff is groceries, so maybe I need to cut back on the food.  We spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Sunday was a really relaxing day.  We both read most of the day.  We had signed up for a dinner and had to be there at 4.  We showered before we went, thought it was time.  Shaved and cleaned up a little.  We enjoyed the talk and dinner.  We sat with five other couples, all on the road full time except for us.  It was really interesting to talk to them and hear all about their travels, problems, and experiences.

Great Day at Heceta Lighthouse

Monday was a nice day.  We woke up to sunshine.  A very nice day.  We decided to go to the Heceta Lighthouse.  We enjoyed the drive, and took a walk up to the lighthouse even though it is being refurbished.  It was about a mile round trip, uphill and then down.  Loved the walk, took pictures, and enjoyed being outside, looking at what God has created.

View from walk way

Walking up to lighthouse

Light keepers house

Lighthouse is being refurbished

Not another picture

She can find a gift shop everywhere

We drove on to a small town north of the Lighthouse, and stopped to look at the shops and eat lunch in a fish market.  This one was larger than the one in Coos Bay, had about 6 or 7 tables inside and some outside.  We had a great meal, all fresh fish, and finished looking at the town – took about 30 minutes.  Not a big town.

View from small town

We stopped at the Sea Lion Caves again.  The sea lions are gone for a while, so we didn’t take the tour.  Vonna was looking for ear rings.  I will stop here to tell you what we talk about on our trip.  There was a lady, maybe 35 or so, with an older couple, maybe 75-80.  We decided that the lady was taking very good care of the couple, making sure that when they crossed the road that they waited for the traffic – she held them back with her hand.  She held the door open when they went into the store and out.  She drove and made sure that they were taken care of.  Vonna said that she was either their daughter or granddaughter.  I told her that she picked them up and was going to steal all of their money and that they didn’t have a family to take care of them. 

I’m sure that Vonna was right, but we have to use our imagination.  We talk a lot about people as we drive.  We stop and talk to people in shops, other campers, and just enjoy our time out.  So if you see us out and about, you can make up a story about us.  I know that we are not as busy this trip, but we are enjoying ourselves.  We are both having a great time and know that we are going to have many more.

Vonna Painting Corner Studio

Today is Tuesday, the 21^st of August.  I was going to get on before today and finish.  I will publish in by tomorrow.  Time flies when you’re having fun!

I will try to get back to this blog in the next few days.  We are here for another week or so.