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May 25th & 26th:
We left Astoria at noon Wednesday, and traveled east on Highway 26 towards the Portland area. We stopped at the Camp 18 Museum & Restaurant for lunch and continued on to I-5.
Traveled south on I-5 to Canyonville, Oregon and the Seven Feathers Casino. They have the cheapest fuel in central Oregon and we spent the night in their rest area.
We woke at 5am on Thursday and headed south to home. We made it to Rocklin at 1pm.
Next trip is in two weeks to central Oregon and the 2022 Arctic Fox RV Rally.
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May 24th:
After breakfast, we drove into Astoria to check out some local shops in the downtown area.
We had a picnic lunch on the hill overlooking the town, at the Astoria Column. The hill is 600 feet above the river below.
The column was built in 1926 to celebrate Northwest history and it’s explorers. The column is 125 feet high, has 164 stairs inside to the top observation platform, with an original cost in 1926 of $27,200.
We walked the circular stairway to the top of the column, where we had a 360 degree view of the area.
After lunch, we did a little grocery shopping and filled-up with fuel. Tomorrow we leave Astoria and head south towards home.
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May 23rd:
The Clatsop people controlled this area of the Columbia River for generations. The Hudson Bay Company came to this area in 1825, and settlers came soon afterwards.
Fort Stevens was started in 1863 as a civil war fortification to protect the nearby mouth of the Columbia River. During WWII, a Japanese submarine shelled the fort, making this the only attack of the U.S. mainland during the war.
We rode our bikes from our campground two miles along a forested bike trail to the old fort. During our ride, we came across a couple of Elk grazing along the trail.
We later drove to the south jetty and out onto the beach for a picnic lunch. We watched the large ships entering the canal traveling up the river towards Portland.
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May 22nd:
We left camp after breakfast and drove near Astoria, to the Fort Clatsop National Monument.
Fort Clatsop was the winter encampment for the Lewis & Clark party from December 1805 to March 1806, to protect from winter storms and replenish food & supplies, before heading back home to the east.
We then drove north into Washington state and to the 1898 Cape Disappointment State Park and lighthouse.
Cape Disappointment is a headland of the Pacific Northwest located at the extreme southwestern corner of Washington, on the north side of the Columbia River.
We hike to the lighthouse and the Coast Guard / Columbia River look-out.
We then traveled within the park to the North Head Lighthouse. This lighthouse was also built in 1898 to warn ships below, of the shallow sea and rocks in the area, before entering the Columbia River.
We then stopped at Middle Village, which was a Chinook Village for hundreds of years, but now only a small church has survived.
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May 21st:
After breakfast, we went to the nearby Costco and traded our old trailer batteries for new ones. The old units were almost 5 years old and we wanted fresh batteries for our Oklahoma trip this fall.
After returning and installing the batteries, we rode our bikes to the beach and visited the old Peter Iredale Shipwreck.
The shipwreck is just bare bones now, but it was once a 275-foot-long, four-masted steel barque sailing vessel out of Liverpool, England. The wreck occurred October 25, 1906 as the ship struggled through a storm on its way to the mouth of the Columbia River. Luckily, no ghosts haunt the ship remains – the entire crew made it safely to shore.
The ship was so embedded in the sands by coastal storms that it ended up being stripped down for scrap instead of being towed back to sea. All that remains is the bow, a few ribs and a couple of masts. Today the weathered and fossilized remains are lodged in sand on the Clatsop Spit, now a playground and curiosity for Oregon beachcombers.
We then drove about 20 miles south to the town of Seaside. We met with Donna’s sister Lori and walked the streets and had a seafood dinner.
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May 20th:
We left Bandon at 7am and traveled north on Highway 101, through the coastal towns of North Bend, Reedsport, Florence and Newport.
During our drive, we were passed by the Oscar Mayer ‘Weiner-Mobile” going south. What a sight in the middle of nowhere.
Stopped for lunch in Tillamook at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Took a walking tour of the cheese-making process and of course, sampled the cheese!
Continued through Seaside to the Astoria area and the Fort Stevens State Park. Today’s drive was 250 miles in total and we arrived at the park at 2pm.
Ft. Stevens is the largest park in Oregon. We’ll be here for four nights.
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May 19th:
After breakfast this morning, we did a few housekeeping items and fueled the truck for tomorrows journey.
Danny and I went on a bicycle ride north about 8 miles, back to the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, riding among the trees and golf courses, while the girls stayed in camp.
We all met up later in Bandon and walked the downtown area. Went out to dinner for Donna’s birthday at a local seafood restaurant at the wharf. Explored the south jetty beach area after dinner.
Bright and early tomorrow, we’re off 250 miles north to the Astoria area. Danny & Stephanie head south towards Rocklin.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA
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May 18th:
We woke up to about an hour of sprinkles, then cloudy skies. The temperatures are in the low 60’s’.
Drove a few minutes north to the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This fancy resort has lodging, cottages and several world renowned golf courses. After walking the grounds, we drove into town for groceries.
Went for a several mile bicycle ride out to the harbor jetty and the Bandon Lighthouse.
Had dinner at Danny & Stephanie’s campsite where Danny used his professional style griddle to make fantastic fajitas. We played board games after dinner.
HAPPY 91st BIRTHDAY DAD!
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May 17th:
We left the Harris Beach State Park (Brookings) at 10:30am and drove north on Highway 101.
Stopped just north of Humbug State Park for lunch along the highway, overlooking the ocean. We had clear blue skies during our drive.
Continued to Bandon and arrived at the Bullards Beach State Park at 1pm. Met up with our neighbors (Danny & Stephanie) who were already at the park.
After setting up camp, we all drove into Bandon and to the Face Rock Beach for a walk along the surf.
We’ll be staying three nights here in Bandon.
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May 16th:
We awoke to sunshine and clear skies today – highs in the low 60’s.
After breakfast, we went down to the beach for the day. Had lunch overlooking the ocean waves.
Tomorrow, we leave Brookings for Bandon, which is 90 miles north along Highway 101.
We’ll be staying at the Bullards Beach State Park for three nights.
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May 15th:
Went for an evening walk last night and saw the sunset for the first time in a couple of days.
Woke up to fog and by noon, it was raining again.
Sun came out about 2pm – sure glad we’re not camping in a tent this trip.
Forecast is for sun tomorrow.
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May 14th:
Went out to a local Mexican restaurant with Danny & Stephanie last night.
Played a group board game into the evening in the trailer, due to drippy weather outside.
Danny & Stephanie (and Luigi) all left today, for a campground they had prior reservations at, farther north up the Oregon Coast.
The storm dissipated today and we warmed to the high 50’s by noon. Walked the beaches before dinner.
Tomorrow is hopefully a ‘Beach Day’ and ocean picnic.
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May 12-13th:
Had a great BBQ chicken / rice dinner and campfire gathering Wednesday night.
Rain returned into the area Thursday morning and continued most of the day.
Due to the rain, we had our Thursday evening group dinner inside our trailer and had to skip the nightly outdoor campfire.
Susan returned back home on Friday morning, but we aren’t due to leave Brookings until Tuesday.
Hoping for a beach day tomorrow.
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May 10-11th:
We had a nice time by the campfire the last two nights visiting and telling stories.
Has been bright blue skies with temperatures in the high 50’s. No rain in the forecast until maybe tomorrow.
Lots of hiking, walking and bicycle riding during the days.
Today, Susan, Donna and I drove south to the Crescent City area to explore the town, ocean and lighthouse.
Each evening, we all gather for a group dinner (we even brought our BBQ smoker) and an evening walk / campfire.
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May 9th:
After setting up camp last night, we all went into Brookings to Wild River Pizza for dinner.
We had rain, sometimes heavy, early this morning, but woke up to mostly sunny skies.
Went on several walks and hikes, and explored the ocean tide pools.
Late this afternoon, two more friends (Barbara & Rick) showed up for a few days of camping at Harris Beach (our group of seven is now complete).
It’s ‘seafood night’ for dinner and a group campfire this evening!
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May 8th:
Had a nice dinner in the rest area last night with our friends, Danny & Stephanie (and of course their furry-child Luigi).
Played a board game after dinner and had a great time. Was a cold night (in the low 30’s) and woke up to moderate snow flurries (nothing sticking to the pavement) in the brisk morning air.
Left the Ashland area at 10am and drove north on I-5 to Grants Pass, then west on Highway-199 towards the ocean.
Stopped for lunch at the Collier Tunnel / Rest Area, then continued on to the Brookings area. Had heavy fluffy snow at times during our drive, but no snow / ice on the roadways.
Arrived at the Harris Beach State Park at 2pm. The rain had gone away and only clouds in the sky – temperature 50.
We were later joined by or daughter Susan, who will be staying in a tent in our campsite during the week.
We’ll be staying in Harris Beach for nine nights.
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May 7th:
We left Rocklin at 10am, along with our neighbors, following in their Airstream trailer.
Made good time to I-5 and had lunch at the Corning Rest Area.
Continued north along I-5 and over the Cascade Mountain Range. The temperatures dropped from the 70’s, to the low 40’s.
Arrived in Oregon and the I-5 Welcome Center just south of Ashland at 5pm. We’ll be spending the night here.
Forecast for tonight is rain, changing to light snow by morning (nothing to worry about).
We’ll be leaving for Brookings at 10am.
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We’ll be leaving on May 7th for a full Oregon coast trip from southern border @ Brookings, to the northern border @ Astoria. Check back for daily updates.
Rocklin Roamers 