By Amelia
Since the trees were closing in on us at McKenzie Bridge we decided to get over to the coast. At least then we would be able to see the horizon across the big wide open ocean. It was pretty nice to get to the 5 and see farther than 10 feet. We also got a few glimpses of blue sky and as the driver I actually felt the sun beating down on me as we headed west across state route 38. I drove the Airstream through her first tunnel and I honked the horn like mad! We stayed at Winchester Bay RV Resort per my dad’s recommendation. The Airstream looked like a lil’ bitty tin can next to all the diesel pushers. Our neighbors were there for seven weeks for salmon fishing and crabbing. We were there for one night and that was enough for me. It just didn’t feel like camping, but we did have some fun adventures while in the area.
We arrived at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area to see what looked like a huge storm approaching. The iPhone said it wouldn’t start raining until 6 o’clock. It was only 4:30, so we took off on the hike to the beach.
By the time we reached the sand it had started to sprinkle. The ominous dark gray clouds didn’t keep us from trudging forward.
The blanket of sand turned into dunes covered with so much plant growth it looked like a mini forest.
The mini forest felt like a different world.
As we emerged from the mini forest we could hear the pounding of the surf, but still had to make it over some more dunes covered in knee-high grass. By the time we crested the dunes and made it to the beach it was raining and really windy. We snapped some pics and started running back to the shelter of the forest.
It was probably only three quarters of a mile back to the truck, but it had started to pour! My jeans were so wet that they were falling down! Here I am holding up one leg as we scooted up the paved trail to the parking lot. We took turns using the one towel in the truck to get out of our drenched jeans and drove home half naked.
After showering and changing into dry clothes we headed back out because it had stopped raining and was only crazy cloudy. This is the Umpqua Lighthouse.
As we left the lighthouse, it started to rain again. Go figure! It was dumping as we parked the car as close as we could to the restaurant for dinner. See those two blue roofs? That’s Unger’s. A floating restaurant. We waited until the rain let up and started running. Of course it started dumping again as we ran. We were drenched for the second time in one day as we barreled into the little place. There were six tables and only one left!
It was a true deluge as we ate dinner. The water looked alive! I treated myself to a Black Butte Porter after hiking it just a few days prior.
Anxious to move on, we left for Cape Blanco State Park. It was a short drive, but much of it was, yes, in the rain. It had stopped raining, thankfully, by the time we got to the campground. I successfully backed her into a lovely spot with a peek-a-boo view of the ocean. By afternoon, we had nice weather and a lovely walk on the beach. As we were finishing our walk we met Chris and Cherie, full time RVers. (Check out their website: www.technomadia.com ) They told us about the whales and we chatted while watching their sprays. I was inspired by their life style and got all excited. While Greg did not like the idea of living full time in the Airstream, he is all for staying for a month in one spot. So I am on the hunt for places that I can get a campsite in exchange for volunteer work.
Our campsite amid the trees.
As we left for our walk it looked as though another storm was coming in again! And straight for us! Did we go back to the campsite? Of course not! We had to chance it.
Looking north towards the Cape Blanco lighthouse.
We lucked out this time! By the time we reached the beach that storm had floated away to the south. They grow seaweed big up here! The driftwood was impressive too.
Very impressive.
We had plans to meet Denise (my stepmom/dad’s second ex-wife) at Harris Beach State Park for the weekend, but she came down with a cold and had to cancel. The weather forecast had more rain starting on Sunday, so we decided to skip any more camping on the Oregon coast in order to get to Jeanie’s (my later in life stepmom/dad’s ex-third wife) in Fortuna, CA while the weather was good. My only regret was that we left without a tour of the lighthouse. We took our time heading south on the 101 and made several stops.
Along the Oregon coast.
Lovely walk on the beach.
The rocks in the ocean are mesmerizing.
This guy sits next to me in the truck working on his phone a lot!
Our lunch stop.
It was wonderful to see my Jeanie Jeanie and get a big hug! We had four delightful days of being treated like royalty, exploring the area, and having fun. We had a lovely time visiting with my later in life stepbrother, James, his significant other, Francine, and their cute as a button daughter, Delaney. Sadly, we forgot to take pictures with them.
Going on an easy morning walk at Founder’s Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
The happy couple with a big rootball.
Another rootball, but on the south jetty of the Humboldt Bay. It was windy and Jeanie was protected here while Greg and I went further out the jetty. We identified three new birds here!
Birdwatching on the jetty.
We saw this sign so many times while on the coast. We also saw the signs telling us we were entering or leaving tsunami hazard zones. It was a little disturbing and I had a hard time falling asleep back at Winchester Bay.
Greg & Amelia's Airstream Adventures 
Wow….do you remember the dune and Umpqiua Lighthouse from our trip??? So many good memories!! Stay dry 😉
The Oregon Coast, nothing like it when it’s sunny! Ya gotta figure when there’s a forest growing on the dunes….well…go figure! Humboldt Redwoods State Park is so awesome, quiet. Hiked and camped in the Tall Tree forest for our Honeymoon trip! Seth has told me all about the tsunami warnings. A huge earthquake sunk that marsh area up there and the wave rolled on in. Love all your pics and glad you are enjoying the “process” of recreating! Love ya to the moon Amelia and Harris, your Dona
Interesting blog now back to cold and soon snow.
________________________________
It is so much fun watching you have fun. Good writing, good scenery, good people, a good beer, what more could you want?
I want to see the Oregon coast…perhaps I need to make a “college shopping trip”!