Sitting down to do our blog this morning when Rob told me to come outside. There is a large group, pod, herd or whatever you call a bunch of seals out on a sandbar below us!
We are still coming up highway 101 along the coast. It is just how I expected Oregon to be. Craigy rocky shoreline with fabulous views of the ocean when you round the corners. The surprise has been the area of giant sand dunes! I would like to come back in 10 years to see where they have drifted. You can see where whole trees have been covered. In one spot they are starting to encroach on the village and highway!
The towns have either been/are harbours or logging centres. Did see some awful clearcutting, just like B.C.. The villages/towns are quaint and picturesque. Very charming. Rob even detoured when I spied a quilt shop so I could see what they had.
We stayed in a KOA last night sitting high on a sand cliff overlooking a lagoon. When the tide goes out there is quite the sandbar that shows up and hence the seals or they could be sea lions as there is a place called Sea Lion Caves that you can go to see them. This KOA is very quiet right now. We must be travelling on the shoulder season. A lot quieter than the previous day!
Tuesday 3 May 2011
May 1/Brookings Oregon
Having been told by our friend, Flo, to watch for the local herd of Humbolt Elk as we headed north towards the Oregon border we were really keeping an eye out. She had told us that they usually hung out around this old red schoolhouse. We passed what we were sure was it but no elk. However, there is a place north of there where there is a sign posted telling you that there are elk in the area. So we stopped at the park, coaxed Daisy into the camper and went off in search of these elk. We did a 2.5 mile hike through towering redwoods, ferns and lots of climbing. Even saw a waterfall. It really was quite the hike. Those trees are HUGE and to get so up close and personal... it was quite something! But, alas, no elk. So we freed Daisy from the camper and started heading back out to the highway when what to our wondering eyes should appear but a small herd of elk grazing in the field. There was probably about 20. It was hard to get pictures as they were so focussed on eating! But did manage to get a couple.
The scenery is full ohs and aws as we twisted and turned catching sight of the ocean or huge trees.
Stayed at what we think is a municipal campground. It's right on the ocean at the port with great views. A little busy with the cars and trucks circling. We had the feeling of deja vu of another campground we had stayed at in Saskatchewan ( but that's another story for another time). It is a lovley park with lots of grass and long beach. The harbour even sprts to immense lazy seals. i take them to be harbour seals (haa haa)The weather was great, meaning no wind and lots of warm sun. Although, I've still had to but the flannel sheets back on. Really not liking this cooler weather! I like my shorts and sandals! Even my lovely tan is starting to fade.
The scenery is full ohs and aws as we twisted and turned catching sight of the ocean or huge trees.
Stayed at what we think is a municipal campground. It's right on the ocean at the port with great views. A little busy with the cars and trucks circling. We had the feeling of deja vu of another campground we had stayed at in Saskatchewan ( but that's another story for another time). It is a lovley park with lots of grass and long beach. The harbour even sprts to immense lazy seals. i take them to be harbour seals (haa haa)The weather was great, meaning no wind and lots of warm sun. Although, I've still had to but the flannel sheets back on. Really not liking this cooler weather! I like my shorts and sandals! Even my lovely tan is starting to fade.
Saturday 30 April 2011
April 30/Eurika
Left the campsite heading for the Avenue of the Giants. They are not kidding! it is another winding , twisty secondary road but those Redwoods are breath taking. Tall and majestic. One thing about the Americans... they knew a good thing and were smart enough to preserve it. We travelled about 60 miles of these awesome giants following the Eel River. Now, there were some kitchy, touristy displays. Such as the 1 log house, the tree house, another drive through tree, and the miracle tree (it's survived, fire, flood and logging). It took about 2 hours of very scenic viewing.
The only thing that is bothering me is that we have gone from shorts and sandals to jeans and jackets. Not too sure I'm liken this! The sun is still shining but the wind is still blowing. Can't seem to get away from it.
Our friend, Flo, from the Kingman KOA had recommended diferent sights around this area. One of the many suggestions was to have a meal at the Samoa Cookhouse. We did just that tonight for supper. We were not disappointed! It is a surviving logging camp cookhouse that is now a restaurant. They serve everything family style at long tables. There is no menu. You get what ever they are serving. Tonight it was homemade soup, salad, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, roast pork and gravy, corn and spice cake.
They rolled us out of there and we are now laying out here at the KOA just north of Eurika moaning and groaning.
It looks like we are heading for Oregon tomorrow. Can't believe we've been on the road for a month!
The only thing that is bothering me is that we have gone from shorts and sandals to jeans and jackets. Not too sure I'm liken this! The sun is still shining but the wind is still blowing. Can't seem to get away from it.
Our friend, Flo, from the Kingman KOA had recommended diferent sights around this area. One of the many suggestions was to have a meal at the Samoa Cookhouse. We did just that tonight for supper. We were not disappointed! It is a surviving logging camp cookhouse that is now a restaurant. They serve everything family style at long tables. There is no menu. You get what ever they are serving. Tonight it was homemade soup, salad, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, roast pork and gravy, corn and spice cake.
They rolled us out of there and we are now laying out here at the KOA just north of Eurika moaning and groaning.
It looks like we are heading for Oregon tomorrow. Can't believe we've been on the road for a month!
April 29th
Highway 1 is everything they promised. Windy, twisty, scenic up and down. I think of you, Nancy, and Cheryl! Wow! They can sure make hairpin corners down here! But the scenery.... bluffs overlooking the Pacific with small villages. Still can't figure out where the people are or where they shop.
Did stop in a couple of spots to get some shots of the ocean and even saw a mother seal with 2 pups.
Then we turned inland to Highway 101. Still windy but huge redwoods. We even saw for ourselves the tree that you can drive through!! Our truck wouldn't fit but we saw cars that went through. It doesn't look that big until you see it for yourself!
Stayed in a campsite along the Eel River. Nice sites but the bathrooms were a little sketchy!
Did stop in a couple of spots to get some shots of the ocean and even saw a mother seal with 2 pups.
Then we turned inland to Highway 101. Still windy but huge redwoods. We even saw for ourselves the tree that you can drive through!! Our truck wouldn't fit but we saw cars that went through. It doesn't look that big until you see it for yourself!
Stayed in a campsite along the Eel River. Nice sites but the bathrooms were a little sketchy!
Friday 29 April 2011
April 28/Highway 1
Said good-bye to the peacocks and goats ready to see the Pacific Ocean. It started with great promise. Saw what we thought would be the first picturesque ocean village complete with the seaside restaurant. Little did we know that would be our last! It is a very scenic drive with lots of coastal cliffs and great twists and turns on the 2 lane road. We did have to go through some road work where they were fixing the road. Not sure if that was were it had gone into the ocean or were making sure it doesn't. The winds don't want to leave us! Very gusty! There are small villages that we went through but it looks like fine dining and wine tasting not to mention the inns with spas seem to be only places to eat. Not a fish and chip stand in view! It isn't what we thought it was going to be.
We have camped out at a small, crowded campground on a little bay called Caspar Cove.
We have camped out at a small, crowded campground on a little bay called Caspar Cove.
Thursday 28 April 2011
April 27/San Franscico
It felt great spending a day just camping out. The two previous days were long and grueling with lots of miles covered. We did see lots of country though! The only beef about the campground was that they didn't have their pool open yet!! What the....! I had to lay out in my chair but that was okay.... got some quilting done and worked on my tan at the same time.
Met a nice couple that had been from the Toronto area originally but had lived in MapleRidge for a while and still use it as their mailing address. But they are really full time RVers. They go from campground to campground working. They gave us some tips on Highway 1, such as the best place to pick it up to get to the coast and how to get trhough San Franscico.
Well we made it through San Franscico and over the Golden Gate!!! It was the Billy Bob Economy Tour (no stopping, pictures taken from moving vechicle). We did stop long enough for a pee break (thank goodness for that) and get our picture taken with the bridge in the background. Was surprised at how cool it was. Still accustomed to that desert weather.
This KOA is the nicest we've stayed in so far! Also, the most expensive! They even have us wearing wrist bands. Rob figures they only do it to us old people so if we wander off they know where to return us! It does have lots of green grass and big trees. I guess we didn't realize how starved for greenery we were after being out in the desert for so long (almost 2 weeks).
Guess what Sofia? There are peacocks here! I feel like we are camping out in Beacon Hill Park! They have a petting zoo with lot s of animals and the peacocks roam free. Daisy isn't sure of what to make of them! There is even a playground almost the same. This is a great spot for families.
So we're off to the Pacific Ocean and the state parks. They are forcasting sunny (I don't think they have any othe kind of weather) but with wind gusts (what else is new). but the temperatures are supposed to rise to the mid 80's by the middle of next week. It get quite cool at night!
Met a nice couple that had been from the Toronto area originally but had lived in MapleRidge for a while and still use it as their mailing address. But they are really full time RVers. They go from campground to campground working. They gave us some tips on Highway 1, such as the best place to pick it up to get to the coast and how to get trhough San Franscico.
Well we made it through San Franscico and over the Golden Gate!!! It was the Billy Bob Economy Tour (no stopping, pictures taken from moving vechicle). We did stop long enough for a pee break (thank goodness for that) and get our picture taken with the bridge in the background. Was surprised at how cool it was. Still accustomed to that desert weather.
This KOA is the nicest we've stayed in so far! Also, the most expensive! They even have us wearing wrist bands. Rob figures they only do it to us old people so if we wander off they know where to return us! It does have lots of green grass and big trees. I guess we didn't realize how starved for greenery we were after being out in the desert for so long (almost 2 weeks).
Guess what Sofia? There are peacocks here! I feel like we are camping out in Beacon Hill Park! They have a petting zoo with lot s of animals and the peacocks roam free. Daisy isn't sure of what to make of them! There is even a playground almost the same. This is a great spot for families.
So we're off to the Pacific Ocean and the state parks. They are forcasting sunny (I don't think they have any othe kind of weather) but with wind gusts (what else is new). but the temperatures are supposed to rise to the mid 80's by the middle of next week. It get quite cool at night!
Tuesday 26 April 2011
April 25/ Sequioa National Park
Left Visalia around 10:00 am to see the giant Sequoias. We went from the lush orchards and started climbing. The start elevation was under 1,000 ft and by the time we hit the sumit it was around 7,000 ft.! And lots of snow... don't know what we were thinking... we should know there would be snow in the mountains in April!! Rob had socks and underwear flying to dig out his longjohns! But I had hidden them well. The twists and turns to get to the top (not to mention the construction) had Daisy looking at the back of the seat! We were literally up in the clouds! And the trees!!!! They are astounding! What those loggers must have thought! There's one sequoia that took 2 men 13 days to cut down. Imagine that! So what goes up must come down. So down we came and started looking for a campsite... how hard can that be? Where are they when you want one? So we drove and we drove and we drove! We finally hit one at Los Banos, just off of Highway 5 at about 8:00 pm. Boy were we glad... that was too long of a day! So tomorrow, if the wind dies down we are going to plant ourselves here for an extra day just to unwind.
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