Canada/Alaska 2019-2: And We're Off, Part 2: California & Oregon

     Eager but sad due to the loss of our amazing friend, we pulled out of the driveway for our summer excursion two weeks later than planned. First stop was San Rafael, north of San Francisco, for a visit with Marilyn's younger son Stephen and grandpup Calvin--regrettably, Jessie was in D.C. on business. Then it was on to Willits to catch up with dear friends Marge and Bill.
    The next morning, we set off for real. We've decided to follow the 300/3 PM rule: no more than 300 miles a day and stop by 3. Since it's summer, we made reservations where we could in California, Oregon, and Washington, and crossed our fingers where we couldn't. Once in Canada and Alaska, we'll wing it.

     First night was Big Lagoon County Park just north of Trinidad CA, site of Marilyn's slip and fall flat on her back, complete with a couple of head bounces, many years ago...could explain something about her mentality.... But it's still a lovely spot and the campground was better than we remembered.

Looking toward Big Lagoon from our campsite.

     The next morning found us in Oregon, enjoying the stupendous scenery.

Typical Oregon Coast view.

We camped at a favorite, Humbug Mountain State Park 

just south of Port Orford. A path leads from the campground 

under the bridge to the beach.

Beach at Humbug Mt SP.

Nature's artwork in stream flowing into Pacific.

From beach back toward bridge over Highway 101.

     We drove the short distance to Bandon for breakfast in the morning.

View from Bandon wharf with paintings in annual art contest to be voted on. In distance is Coquille River Lighthouse.

From Bandon, it was a hop, skip, and a jump to Tillicum Beach Campground in Siuslaw National Forest near Yachats. With our Federal Lands Senior Pass, we paid half the already low fee.

Doug in our campsite--one of only two remaining when we arrived.

Next to us were a couple traveling on Indian motorcycles 
who had the most amazing tent with blow up "poles," 
an Airbeam made by Vango.

It was a blustery day at Tillicum Beach. We were actually glad not to be in one of the campsites right on the cliff above the beach.

Lunch the next day was two huge scoops of ice cream in a waffle cone at the Tillamook Creamery.

Then it was on to our reserved campsite at nearby Cape Lookout State Park on the Three Capes Scenic Loop. 

Beach across from Cape Lookout SP.

     Five days after leaving home, we meandered to Astoria on the Columbia River, one of Doug's favorite towns. We walked, visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and relaxed and warmed up with coffee at Godfather's Books.

Retired Coast Guard Lightship Missouri 
and working Coast Guard vessel, Astoria, OR.

Astoria and Astoria Bridge from deck of Fort George Brewery, 
site of the original early-19th century British fort. 

Looking up into neighborhood of Victorian houses

Looking out to the mighty Columbia rolling and roiling 
under clouds and fog.

The next morning we crossed to Washington on the Astoria Bridge, which has the longest continuous truss in the US at .25 miles.

A Coast Guard helicopter hovered over a fishing boat stuck during low tide on the notorious Columbia River Sandbar, 

known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific."  

Map wants to default to Washington. Scroll to see our California and Oregon route. Scroll or use +/- to enlarge. Click anywhere for more information. RV icons are camp spots.