So – I’m not sure where I left off
We left Seattle and headed south. And went to Nisquali Nature Reserve. Lots of birds and lots of birdwatchers playing Hide and Go Seek. The birds won.
I, however, am not a birdwatcher, so some of the birds decided not to hide.
From Nisquali, we went to see a guy about a guitar. A Fender Telecaster in cherry red with upgraded pickups (Seymour Duncan Dual Rails, if you must know). I bought it.
Then we had donuts and coffee. The donuts were as good as I remember American donuts to be. The coffee wasn’t bad, either.
We continued south-ish and ended up in Cascade Locks on the Columbia River, where we camped in a KOA campground in a tent. It was very cold. Did some attempts to photograph the stars but there was too much ambient light. Not the end of the world.
Next morning we continued south and did some walking – the Astoria River walk and, ta da da daaah, Bridge of the Gods. Some salmon were being processed and there was a ship docked carrying wind generator propellers. I had no idea they were that big. We also found a bench with a personal connection.
We headed west to the coast and started driving south along 101 – the Pacific Coast Highway. Remember the movie Goonies? One-Eyed Willie’s ship sailed out of the cave? Tunnel Beach. Every few miles was another gorgeous beach.
Tillamook Creamery. Tasty mac and cheese and triple Cheese Grilled Cheese
We wanted to see Mt Ranier and Mt St Helens, but they closed the roads due to bad weather. Bummer. But the little town of? was cute.
Onwards ever southwards, we got to the Yakina Head Lighthouse and tidal pools. Cormorants and murres, bald eagles and other eagles (not sure whether they were golden eagles or some other majestic raptor). And the seals, just laying in the sun. A mother seal was being harassed by her pup. Barnacles and starfish and round rocks on which to slip and fall or twist your ankle.
We continued on south and got to Florence Oregon. Picturesque little town, but somehow I got the feeling that they were trying too hard to be unique. Went to Mo’s Restaurant, I wasn’t crazy about the chowder but the cod filet was done to perfection.
From there, we headed to the Oregon dunes and went dune buggying. Half an hour was enough.
We camped at Cape Lookout National Park. This time we were smarter and rented a yurt. Excellent decision, heating and beds. Our neighbors were three very loud blonds on a hen outing. Very real people dealing with very real lives. We spent an interesting half hour chatting with them.
Next morning, that is to say Wednesday – today – we continued south along the 101 and crossed into California. We went to the Redwoods, ate lunch at the Log Cabin Diner in Klamath CA and then headed north and east toward Crater Lake.
Snow in the middle of May.