Friday, August 3, 2012

Coasting for a change....

A change of course is not a problem!  It's just too hot along I-5, so we decide to detour over to the beautiful Oregon coast.  We have a week (from last Monday) to get to Port Townsend; plenty of time and much more scenic.  From Medford our route of choice is Highway 138 to 38, along the Umpqua River, into Reedsport.  Don't miss the wildlife viewing area where the elk are en masse; just not in any photos!  The Oregon Dunes are a unique area of windswept sand, stretching from the Coos River to the Suislaw River in Florence, approximately 40 miles; the largest expanse of coastal dunes in North America, some towering almost 500 ft. above sea level, providing lots of recreational opportunities for off-roading, hiking, and photography.


Reedsport, OR dunes


We overnight in Florence at the Port of Suislaw Marina & RV Park, right at the docks and downtown.  We are so craving fresh fish and walk a few steps to find just caught tuna fillets which are soon seared to medium rare on the barbie with Howard's tartar sauce on the side.  An hour's walk in the morning with camera in tow gives a pretty fair impression of our surroundings! 


At the docks in Florence

Tuna on the barbie

Signs of Florence

Bridge over Suislaw River

Colorful whirly things

Then to Lincoln City to meet up with friends at the Devil's Lake RV Park, a high end park (for us) but fun for a couple of nights.  (We're boondockers ya' know!)  Don and Joan are beachcombers and agate collectors.  We had a great lunch at Mo's Seafood Restaurant in Lincoln City....


I want some Mo!


Showing off her agates!

.....followed by a walk along the beach covered in driftwood and Harbor seals!

Huge tree washed ashore

Harbor seals...really they are!

Walking through town we happened upon a glass blowing shop with a demonstration in progress.  What an impressive and beautiful art form this is.  Maybe I could rig up a mobile unit to take on the road.  My gourd carving buddies would be envious!


This will be a beautiful bowl with scalloped edges

Finished products

See ya' up the road in the Great State of Washington!


Yours truly!



4 comments:

Beth 'n Chris said...

Si, Pepecita!

Donna K said...

Love the pictures of Florence - sure looks familiar!! Glad you got a good meal at Mo's. Sometimes they are not as good as they used to be. I always enjoy watching the glassblowers at work. Takes a lot of talent to turn that glob of molten glass into a beautiful work of art.

Gaelyn said...

Love the Oregon coast. Great rock hounding. I actually learned to blow glass, many long years ago but not a very portable craft.

Mark and Chris said...

Love the Oregon coast! Safe travels. Thanks for popping by our blog today.