Going West 2013

We are on the western side of the Pacific time zone, so sunset is after 9 o’clock and it’s light ‘til 9:30 or so. It was after 9 when we got back to the camper last night so I didn’t get to write. The drive up from Eureka, CA a series of contrasts. The northern California coast didn’t impress us either in the towns or the scenery. As soon as we crossed into Oregon the impression changed. The towns along Rt. 101 are nicer and the coast, although rugged and rock strewn, is somehow more attractive. There seems to be more development along the southern Oregon coast. We are camped in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a stretch of coast with rocky cliffs interspersed with miles of sandy beach backed with rows of sand dunes up to 100 feet high. There are many access points for ATV riders and dune buggy enthusiasts to get off-road into the dunes. Oregon has great state parks along the coast with very nice campground and beach access – if you don’t mind climbing over dunes. Yesterday after setting up we drove around to get oriented, then went to the beach for a few hours. Part of the drive was past Umpqua lighthouse, a nice looking light still operational at a Coast Guard compound. We went for dinner at a fish place, of course, in the hamlet of Winchester Bay, on the Umpqua River. The town has a working waterfront as well as a few shops to walk through.

Today the plan was to go explore Florence, OR and visit the Heceta lighthouse. Florence has an “Old town” section along the harbor with a boardwalk, restaurants, and shops. Again, this is a working waterfront with fishing boats along with some pleasure boats. We walked around, got some coffee, bought some corn and beans at a farmer’s market, and moved on. The lighthouse is on a bluff above the parking area, a half – mile hike. Katie, we were here on our trip down the coast last time. This time we walked up, the light was open, and we got a tour. A beautiful job of restoration, and the light is another working light. We found another beach it the area for a couple of hours, then went to Mass. Another feature of Florence was the fact there was a brewery, the Waconda Brewery. After mass we went to check it out. It’s a real small place, one bay of an industrial complex. The décor reminds me of Keegan Ales in Kingston, NY. We were the only people there, so got to talk to the barmaid who also turned out to be the owner and brewer and everything else. We got a lot of information about her and her history, etc. We learned that the brewery was started by her grandfather, she’s trying to carry on the tradition, but is having a lot of problems. Right now she’s brewing in twenty gallon batches, so it’s almost home brewing. The beer is ok, mom had a stout, I had what she calls a sour lager, which tastes a little like my ciser. There was also a red ale which we didn’t like, but to be sociable we drank it anyway. Didn’t want to offend! We’ll be off early tomorrow to Lookout Point State Park, near Tillamook. I hope the cheese factory is open for tours on Sunday!