July 27&28: Oregon Coast

We skipped over a couple states since the last post in Missoula. We left early to avoid the heat.....but it didn't work. We had a lovely and cool breakfast in Coer d' Alene, ID, but it was downhill from there. Eastern Washington is very desert-like anyway and at scorching temps we just kept driving (and sweating) with a few stops to let the engine cool down. We spent the night in a hotel (ahh... cold A/C!) in The Dalles, OR and left early the next morning to sprint along the Columbia River Gorge (again) to the coast in search of cooler temperatures. It felt strange to pass by Hood River and Newberg where we had been almost 6 weeks ago....feels like forever ago! We headed straight for Otis and the cafe we had gone to a few times last summer when we spent a week in Neskowin with the Nalley's. The weather was perfect and the food was as good as we remembered! We then headed down the coast and ended up in Waldport and had a great campsite right on the ocean. Highlights of this spot were Jake renting a three wheel bike, jumping off the cliff into the soft sand (joined by Clover)over and over again, a sand-spit full of seals, and needing a sweatshirt! Then, Tuesday morning, we were back on the road heading south along the gorgeous Oregon coastline. We have done this drive a few times now and we always love it. Oregon continues to be a favorite spot for us. We stopped at Heceta Head park and hiked up to the lighthouse. A great spot. We ended up spending our last night in Oregon near Gold Beach, although it felt like we were in Germany, except for the ocean views! The "Honey Bear Campground" was classic. The owners make every kind of sausage, wurst, wiener, etc and have a family style restaurant at the campground. After dinner, the owner entertains. Jake, in his usual fashion, was very involved and got himself invited up on stage to play the harmonica with him. It was a great spot and we hope to come back and spend more time.

Honey Bear Campground...Vintage Camping!

Jake the Entertainer

Heceta Head Lighthouse