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Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Oregon
We cannot be more excited about this park. The beach is across the street, and the view is unreal. Individual sites are spacious and nestled among beautiful Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir trees. Unable to stop at the viewpoints coming here, we decided to backtrack along the twelve-mile stretch of the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor with our destination at Gold Beach. A visit to Arch Rock which is known for its sea stacks which looks like a rock bridge was well worth the stop. An unfamiliar adventurous thought came out of my mouth as I said to Mitch, “Let’s hike it down there.” My comment came as a surprise, and he quickly agreed. After hiking a quarter of the steep trail, I began to question my enthusiasm. With Mitch’s encouragement, we continued, and the views were spectacular. No regrets.
Continuing down the scenic corridor, the overlooks were plenty and each had views of the offshore rock formations and beaches littered with driftwood. At one point, we were in an area where the trees were narrow but tall. Occassionally, a knocking noise was heard and the realization was strong winds made the trees sway. Their tree trunks connected like the sound of a powerful axe as it connects with the log to be splintered when chopping wood. The knocking noise was odd in an otherwise quiet, serene forest.
There was one sign in various places on highway 101 which we found interesting, and it said either entering or leaving a Tsunami area. Research said the last tsunami to hit was in 2011. The Redwood Nature Trail was our last stop for the day, and it was a prelude to tomorrow’s trip to the Redwood National Park.
The following day, Mitch came back from his morning run and excitedly told me to get dressed. His explorations on the beach yielded a sight I had been waiting to see. In our probing of many tidal pools, starfish seem to elude us. However, this morning -jackpot! There were so many starfish clinging to the rocks. Their size was much biger than those in Florida. The child in me couldn’t wait to find them all until I slipped on an algae covered rock, and down I went, face to face with the seaweed.
After a change of clothes, we drove to the Redwood National Park. We were in awe the entire time. These trees were massive, and pictures don’t do them justice. Not only is their circumference impressive, but to view their height was neck straining. It felt like we were in our own – Honey, I shrunk the kid’s movie. Strolling through this park was like visiting a nature’s art museum. Fallen tree roots created unusual sculptures, one more beautiful than the other. It was a natural amusement park for kids as numerous nooks and crannies were present in tree basins. Once again, this visit emphasized the innate beauty this country possesses.
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Waxmyrtle Campground – Dunes City, OR Florence, Oregon
This campground was a one-night stay to get closer to our next destination. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is close to the beach, hiking trails, and open dunes. Not far is Old Town Florence, which emanates a seaside charm with its coastal restaurants and a great view of the Siuslaw River Bridge. This bridge looks like the sister of Tower Bridge in London. Who could resist browsing the Kitchen Klutter or the Chicken Coop, to name a few of the quaint stores housed in historic buildings?
It was a beautiful day to wander along the boardwalk. The marina couldn’t have been more picturesque with the mountains in the background, the water shimmering in the sunlight, and the mooring of the various sea vessels. How can one visit the coast and not enjoy a plate of fish and chips? Don’t forget the malt vinegar.
The next day, Mitch went for his morning run on Oregon Dunes Beach. Upon his return, he wanted to share his experience. Mitch explained the beach was 200 yards wide and flat as a pancake. On his left, he could hear and see the waves of the water hitting the shore. The sea fog accompanied him throughout his run, and it was so thick Mitch could only see forty feet in front of him. On his right, periodically, he could see 50 to 60 ft. dunes looming. He found it so peaceful he wound up running seven miles.
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South Beach State Park – Newport, Oregon
We rode Highway 101, leaving Washington to arrive at Oregon. I can only say WOW! I enjoyed it more than Mitch as this two-lane road runs along the Pacific Coast. As a passenger overlooking the cliffs, I could see the beautiful blue sea with the waves crashing along the shore. The sea stacks (saying this three times fast is a tongue twister) prominently project from the sea. These are the remnants of volcanos eroded over millions of years. The downside to owning a big 5th wheel is the inability to pull over, as most viewpoints couldn’t accommodate our size.
On our first exploring day, we went to Newport’s Bayfront. People were bustling along the sidewalks visiting shops and eating in the many restaurants. The smell from the fish market wasn’t appealing, but it reminded me of South Street Fish Market in Manhattan. Sea lions lounged along the docks lazily, soaking up the sun barking at each other for no apparent reason.
We went up the coast to Yaquina Bay Recreation Site, where there proudly stands a lighthouse from 1872. Down at the shoreline, there is an array of sea life. Starfish, sea anemones, mussels, and crabs kept both children and adults entertained. It amazed us how quickly the fog crept in as we explored the coastline. The denser it became, the more the lighthouse view faded until it became a mere outline of where it stood. In a matter of an hour, the climate changed as the waves became more frantic, winds kicking up, and the temperature dropped—time to move on up the coast.
Interestingly, one cannot pump your gas in Oregon. It feels awkward to wait while someone fills the tank when you could be doing it yourself. One added bonus is there is no sales tax. It is strange to see a receipt with the exact amount for an item. A visit to Depoe Bay was next. It had a quaint seaside town that offered taffy, caramel corn, and whale sighting trips. We settled for kettle corn as we window shopped. From the shore, we spotted several water spouts and the hump of a whale—a pretty exciting end to our day.
Remember the saying, “Be careful what you wish for?” The northwest has been experiencing a heatwave. Throughout Montana and Washington, the temperatures touched into the 100s, and Mitch kept saying, “Where are the 70s?” Since visiting the Oregon coast, temperatures skipped the 70s and went straight to the 60s and 50s. Time for a wardrobe change. We kayaked Beaver Creek in long pants, sweaters, and jackets. I had my hoodie protecting my head from the wind most of the time, but it was worth it. The scenery was amazing.
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Plymouth Park, Plymouth Washington
Walla Walla, Washington
We stayed at the Plymouth Park Campground in Plymouth, Washington, and probably the least impressive COE we have visited. We did not see the Columbia River even though it ran parallel to the campground. The trees blocked the view from every site. There was no point where we could put in our kayak, so we decided to take an hour’s drive to Walla Walla. Its name sounds like something from the movie Charlie and the Chocolate factory. It was a beautiful drive along the Columbia River. Walla Walla is the capital of wine country and home to 120 wineries. We waved at the many wineries we passed on the highway and went straight to the town. We enjoy strolling the main street lined with a variety of stores and wine tasting rooms. Established around the mid-1800s, the architect of these buildings remain and are impressive. This trip would not be complete unless you take time to relax and enjoy a wine tasting. Most of the wine tasting rooms were outside, and we were able to savor the wine and people watch on a beautiful, sunny day.
Laurel Ridge Vineyard – Carlton, Oregon
We had an overnight stop at this Harvest Host. Oregon has 793 wineries which are second after California. I would have failed that Trivia question. This vineyard was unique as it not only had a vineyard but also harvested hazelnuts. At the last campground, we had a conversation with a farmer who grew rice and walnuts. It helps to diversify your risk just in case one of your crops suffers. On the trees, small hazelnuts were beginning to form. It was a first for us as we had never seen a hazelnut tree. The creative owners used the outer shells as flower bed coverings throughout the vineyard. Harvest Hosts are free of charge to members. However, we laugh because it would most likely be less expensive to pay for a night at a campground than the cost of wine and charcuterie board enjoyed at their tasting and purchasing a bottle for the road. Regardless, these stays provide an excellent way to unwind after a long day’s journey.