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« 2,346 Miles in One Big Loop | Main | Back to the Music (of Other Minds) »


On The Road, Trip

DSC_1166.jpg

The common refrain was "Why don't we do this more often?". Especially along the Oregon coast. On this trip, we spent most of our time in Seattle and Port Angeles, visiting friends and family. This left little time to explore the beach towns along the WA/OR coast. 

And while this wasn't our first trip down Highway 101, we did find some places we need to get back to soon.

Cape Disappointment (Fort Canby) State Park is right near the beach. Campsites are within a short walk to a long white beach that looked more like a sandbar. And, like many of the WA and OR campgrounds we've visited, it rates a 10. Cape Disappointment (the name relates to part of the Lewis and Clark story) has its lighthouse, and it is paired with Fort Stevens State Park on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. Another great campground we've been to, but not on this trip.

We also camped at Sunset Bay, near Coos Bay, Oregon. And Harris Beach, both Oregon state parks. There are many other spots in between. We need to come back and explore them all.

At this point, we're "lite" campers. Backpacking doesn't seem to be an option any longer. And this trip we didn't even bring a tent, preferring the inflatable bed in the van. Very cozy. Had we planned to stay in one place longer, a tent would have made sense.  

Some observations:

  • Crows are everywhere. They seem to have replaced blue jays. And they're noisier.
  • At Harris Beach we saw the same red-billed oyster catchers we saw at the Seattle acquarium. Equally noisy.
  • State park campgrounds in WA and OR were nearly full. On our last trip, at about the same time of year, they were mostly empty. Either more people are camping, or there are just more people.
  • Need to spend more time in the beach towns. Like Rockaway OR. They remind me of Long Island (NY) where I grew up. Had strong urge to stay. Beach towns are very mysterious.
  • Gas prices vary widely from state to state, probably due to local taxes. 2.83/gal in WA, 3.11 in CA
  • Station attendants in OR pump your gas .. there is no self-serve. The human interaction was interesting.
  • Someone should do a book interviewing campground hosts in the state parks. These retired folks volunteer their time to act as the den mothers/fathers, and keep the place comfortable. They have interesting stories, as we found out. Many are totally footloose, going from state park to state park all year round, with no fixed home except their RV camper.
  • We really need to do this more often.

Posted by rchrd on August 19, 2007 9:04 PM |

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