I discovered this beach years ago and each time I return I am never disappointed. It is the perfect blend of Carmel, California and Sea Ranch, California. Cute grey shingled cottages with white trim, adorable main street with unique shops and restaurants (lots of gluten-free options! Yay!) and looooong beaches that you can walk for hours on.
I rented a studio on VRBO and enjoyed an entire week of relaxation and picture-taking. This was the perfect way to end my 6 state road trip and a lovely way to end my detailed travel blog. My next adventures will still be shared but instead with more focus given to my visual creative endeavors.
The last KOA I stayed at had a beach, Clatsop Beach, just down the road. On it was part of a ship that had gone aground when the captain offered his crew bonuses if they could make it to Portland 5 days early. (Guess that crew never got their bonuses.) While most of the ship was dismantled for parts, the front was left for people view a bit of history.
Oregon-A trip worth taking! Here are a few parting pics I took. I hope you visit this amazing place.
I left Oregon with a few things learned:
* Oregon leaves curly hair soft and not frizzy. The soft water here is a curly haired girl’s dream come true.
* If you think Duck and Beaver decals for your home might be the next big trend, “you might be a redneck.”
* Highway 101 is safer than Interstate 5 (Saw many near misses on 5)
* KOA’s Kampgrounds are great but read the reviews first because they are individually owned.
* Scheduling a nice hotel after camping (or what we called “glamping,” glamour camping) for six days was a smart thing to do.
* Oregon beaches seem to stretch forever. You do not see many people this time of year exploring the beaches, however, don’t be surprised if you see a truck.
* Beachside homes are way cheaper than in California. You could get a nice place for 2 million verses the 8 million range on the sea shore. Definitely a good place to think about retiring. If not by the sea shore here is another option:
Astoria is a cute little town with a few shops to visit on main street. A few movies have been filmed there (Kindergarten Cop, to mention just one) Here, in Astoria, I found my dream shop. Seriously, it is called Vintage Hardware at the Astor Hotel. I love looking at salvage materials from old homes, antiques, art, and incredibly old architecture. This shop had all this inside one big old hotel. Here are a few pics from the internet:
One of our KOA staffers suggested that we go to Astoria’s Column. The Astoria Column has served for over 80 years as a beacon on the Pacific Northwest Coast. It sits in a wooded area 600 feet above sea level on Coxcomb Hill, Astoria, Oregon’s highest point. To be honest, not knowing anything about it, we thought it was strange to be going to see what looked like a big poll. Many may pass this up thinking the same thing we did, but don’t. You arrive at the top of the hill to what is an amazing view. I would have taken pics of it except it was raining. The Column is not just a poll but instead a work of art that is a summary of triumphs, conflicts and turning points of the frontier. It is beautifully crafted. You can even go inside of it and climb to the top.
If you are thinking of bringing your kids up 101 and need a fun car game? They can play count the Dairy Queens along the way. I know you Californians think DQ’s were a thing of the past but you will be amazed as your hear your child count well above 100. Or, if you prefer to mess with your kids on a summer trip, have them look for Oregon’s State flower, The Oregon Grape. No need to tell them that the yellow flowering plants they are seeing everywhere is the state flower. Let them keep looking for grapes. This may keep them busy looking for quite some time and give you peace from hearing the “Are we there yet?” question.
The weather was a bit better today.
I stopped for a short hike to a waterfall.
I stopped by a few beaches.
I stopped by the side of the road to take pictures.
I found a fantastic antique/collaborative store along the way! Couldn’t resist buying a few things at this store and would love to visit it again.
Cheese anyone? Tillamook is halfway between Lincoln and Astoria. A factory is a factory is all I am sayin, however, a factory with cheese and ice cream is well worth the stop! Yum!
A cute furry little baby even if it does spend it’s life in a cage.
I really have a hard time visiting places that have animals in cages. I really feel bad for them. However, put a sign-up that says you can hold a baby bear, how could I resist?
Yvonne and I visited the West Coast Game Park petting zoo. Many of the animals had been rescued (which made me feel better), but still some are being bred there as well. I decided that this would be a great opportunity to take some pics of animals that my students may study during the school year. I figure what better attention grabber at the beginning of a lesson than showing yourself petting a bear, right?
Smiles are contagious!
We really lucked out the morning we saw the animals. The weather was cloudy but not rainy. It was the perfect day to travel to our next kampin Kabin. (I am getting in the KOA campground mode and making all my c’s be k’s now.) Our next site was only a few hours away. Highway 101 takes you along tree hugging roads to cliffs next to the ocean. The views are amazing.
We arrived at our next KOA in Lincoln. It was ok. The bathrooms were not as clean as the first KOA and the room a bit dusty. Boy, did I sneeze a ton. Anyway, by this time it was raining. We expected this on this trip due to the early timing in the season. We felt a bit timid about going hiking in the weather so what do these California girls do best? Shop!
Antiques here we come! Or so we thought… they were more like over priced garage sales taking place in buildings. Oh, well. The highlight of the day was visiting a glass blowing studio and ceramics shop. Both had unique items. Lincoln has beautiful beaches and hike possibilities, however the weather really affected these plans.
After very little thought, we decided that staying four days in Lincoln was too long and changed our next two camp nights to a KOA 2 ½ hours up the road.
Thelma and Louise are at it again…aka…Celia and her BFF, Yvonne Hyatt. Have you ever had a friend that you can talk and laugh with for hours on end and never tire of their friendship? Well, Yvonne and I have been friends for over 21 years and still make each other laugh those belly ache laughs that just won’t quit.
My first trip this summer is up the Oregon Coast. Yes, away from the farmland of last summer and keeping it coastal this year. (Don’t be surprised if I can’t resist taking a picture of an old barn or two along the way however.) Yvonne and I took off in a car packed to the brim with camping gear. Of course, I we had the trusty essentials in the front seat: GPS, Pandora and homemade granola. It was Oregon or Bust!
Yvonne Driving
GPS
Pandora
But then…things distracted us along the way. First, we just had to stop at Pour Girls Coffee. Great little country coffee shop owned by some sisters. Then, because I am often confused half the time, we had to stop at Confusion Hill. (Don’t ask-just someone trying to make a buck.) No need to stop at if you are traveling up Highway 101.
BUT DON’T MISS THE REDWOODS! Yvonne and I stopped and with my trusty hiking shoes, we walked a little trail while surrounded by these great giants. (What? You don’t hike in flip-flops?)
This was a great spot to have lunch, and a healthy one at that. YUM, Mango Salsa Chicken Salad! It really was like having a “fiesta” in my mouth. Thanks Yvonne!
Back on the road again and low and behold we were going over a hill and came across the most beautiful site! Clam Beach! We just had to stop and roll around in the sand for a while. The sand dunes were so amazing that you could hide between them.
But we were on a schedule, or so we thought, so we only stayed for a short visit. Elk, did I mention you have to watch for elk along 101? As you get closer to Oregon you definitely hit Elk Country. Yvonne yelled, “ELK!” and I pulled over to a lovely area that consisted of a drift wood carving store, campground area, an old schoolhouse with an old fire truck in front of it, someone selling hot dogs and of course, elk. Yes, elk lounging around looking like they were waiting for someone to feed them one of those hot dogs.
A few pictures here and there and we were off to experience a tall tale. It was at the Trees of Mystery that I got to visit my old friend Paul, yes, Paul Bunyan and his beloved ox Babe. It was great to see and talk to him. Yes, I said talk to him. It is easy to confuse the statue verses the real Paul sometimes but don’t be fooled. There Yvonne and I were just casually taking pictures reminiscing Paul’s great Tall Tale. I commented that Paul sure had a hairy chest and to my surprise he assured me (loudly) that it was ok because the hair kept him warm at night.
(Ok, this is where I just have to say, “Wouldn’t that be an awesome summer job?”)
WELCOME TO OREGON!
Camping, camping comes in many forms. Before my forties, I would scowl at the wimps not roughing it. A tent and only a tent meant you were camping. Bathroom and shower? Those were for softies!
Then I hit the forties, ok I’ll admit I am forty-six. Yikes, that is hard to say. You know you are getting old when your birthday rolls around and you think you are turning the age your were last year. Sadly, that is exactly what I experienced this past May.
Anyway, imagine you are hearing angels sing from the heavens now. Ok, that is what I heard when we drove-up to our cabin at the KOA campground. You can see by the pics how cute it was. I know, that is a girlie thing to say, but seriously, it had hanging flowers and a swing on the porch! Cabins had nice beds, WIFI and electricity-need I say more? Oh yes, I have never been in a cleaner bathroom and shower facility in my life. It was perfect!
My Travel Treasure 