OREGON COAST VIA OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON

Sept 4^th:   For this leg of my journey, Rob will drive Donna's car and Donna will ride with me.  This way they can go home at any time if the trip becomes too stressful considering their medical conditions.  At any time they can opt to go home.  Hopefully, they will make it as far as Yosemite.   

I wanted to drive the Olympic Peninsula and visit Olympic National Park, allotting two days to do so was not enough time.  However, the drive did give us a taste of the beauty here where the mountains meet the ocean so eloquently.  The park preserves more than 60 miles of Washington State coastal wilderness.  It was like eating only one potato chip out of the bag. Someday I need to come back and explore in more depth.  We could certainly appreciate the flavor of the area that enjoys not only moderate forest temperatures but subalpine forests, wildflower meadows and the rugged Pacific shore.  Because of the park’s relatively unspoiled condition and outstanding scenery, the United Nations has declared Olympic National Park an international biosphere reserve and a World Heritage site. 

I read that “30 million years ago, the plate carrying the Pacific Ocean floor collided with the plate supporting the North American continent.  As the heavy oceanic plate slid beneath the lighter continental plate, the upper layers of seabed jammed against the coastline, crumpling into what would become the Olympic Mountains.  Glaciers and streams sculptured the mountains into their current profiles.”

Our first night was spent Sequim, WA and the second night in Hoquiam, WA.  Once again our neighbors in Hoquiam brought us a spectacular dinner of freshly boiled shrimp smothered in a delectable sauce that lasted us two nights.  She had just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and had bought way more shrimp than she and her husband could eat alone.  Molly about shredded my pant leg trying to get a shrimp!  

Sept. 6^th – 17^th:   We crossed the bridge in Astoria that took passengers across the bay into Oregon.  We then headed to the Oregon coast for more spectacular views.  The Pacific Ocean, in my opinion, is unbelievably more scenic than the Atlantic coast unless you are in the far north in New England.  Similar to Olympic National Park, the coastal mountain forests and jagged outcroppings met the crashing waves of the ocean.  The ice cold waters, undertows and rocky beaches are surfer and swimmer unfriendly. 

 

Bridge to Astoria, Oregon

                     

It took us most of the day to drive to Yachats (yaw-hots), Oregon and Sea Perch RV Resort where we would spent two weeks.  



                                      “Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.” ~ Mary Oliver

Sea Perch RV is literally perched on a small cliff within a stone's throw of the ocean.  We were plunged into a cold front of fog and wind with most days being overcast and windy.  Most of the Oregon coast is a rain forest but we experienced drought conditions with no rain - just wind.  Climate on the coast is unpredictable at best and the few sunny days we experienced were magnificent.  The constant wind of about 30 mph and fog lasted our entire visit and was a bit of a problem in my micro-light trailer.  I had dreams that we were flying to the Land of Oz except we were not in Kansas.  Cape Perpetuia, just a few miles from Sea Perch, is known for bad weather and many sailors of yore lost their ships and lives trying to sail by.  One thing about the ocean is that no matter the weather it is a blessed place to be!

We did have a few sunny days.

The resort clubhouse had a comfortable place to hang out including a full kitchen, game room, laundry and a luxury shower.  One evening we cooked a fancy dinner in the club house and thumbed our noses at the wind. 

Once again, our neighbors were so friendly and helpful.  Dewayne, his wife, and small dog Burdett were also from the Spokane area and he so graciously helped me with my trailer teaching me things I had no idea about from how to clean the windows in inclement weather to the virtues of traveling with water in the water tanks even though it meant added weight. 

Burdett

Hey Burdett, over here.  See what I found.

Burdett and I are in love - a summer tryst.  I waited every day for him to appear and we hung out together.  He was part poodle, too, and had a touch of the poodle attitude.  His lack of self confidence caused the attitude and I can help him with that.   Our short relationship was meant to be.  There were enough dogs in this park to hold a dog show.  One rig had 3 golden retriever show dogs with ribbons and trophies displayed in the camper window.  I couldn’t stay away. Burdett hung back but I encouraged him by showing how much fun the other dogs could be.  Ms. Jean marveled at 15 dogs in a 32 unit park and never experienced noise pollution nor found stray “gifts” unattended.  Frankly, Burdett and I would have loved to find a few more “gifts” to smell.  I bet I could match up each “gift” with the right camper.

The time spent watching waves spill over the rocky beach in a hypnotic rhythm was both soothing and healing.  Quiet reflection descended and engulfed me whether walking on the beach, sitting on my beach front patio or driving back and forth to Florence.  Donna had spent many years on the coast and had an insider’s knowledge to all the good spots.  We stayed pretty low-key just doing what came to mind – nothing planned.  We shopped, admired an old time car show, visited a casino or two, and ate some very tasty meals. Donna and I had many laughs reminiscing about the summer of 1990 when we spent a month at Washburn State Park as state park hosts just a few miles from where we were now.                                 

                      

Sept. 18^th:   Discovered a leak in the trailer and needed to go inland near Eugene to find a dealer to perform warranty work.  Baby K was incontinent and towels were not helping.  Problem was solved by rerouting a refrigerator tube to the outside drain.  Not on the road until 3:00 pm so only got as far as Seven Feathers RV Resort in Canyonville, OR.  Remember the place where my friend struck it rich at the casino?  Needless to say we were not upset by the delay – we knew what our entertainment would be tonight.

Sept. 19^th:     Mt. Shasta was a stopover on our way to Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  The views of Mt. Shasta were impressive as we drove by.  This night’s stay at a park was the only time I had the creeps and wanted to leave.  I can’t even say what was so creepy but we all felt it.  The park was mostly deserted and did not see any people not even office staff.  We woke before daylight and hightailed out of there.  It was strange but I listened to my intuition and left – post haste.  Mt. Shasta is not a destination so much as a sight to see while passing through.  I remember Burney Falls, a nearby attraction, from childhood but I think we were still in flight mode.  Stopped in Carson City, NV for dinner at the In ‘n Out Burger.  This chain is only in the west for now but what a treat for a fast food place - all natural ingredients and extraordinarily tasty.  Rob looked forward to this stop for days.