Siuslaw Bridge at Florence, Oregon
Siuslaw River at sunset.
Here we are at Aunt Zelma's place. The dogs and I love it here. Well, except for Journey, because he has never been here and doesn't know yet, how much fun we have. Aunt Zelma and my cousin Dolores live in Florence, Oregon, next to the Siuslaw River, just a few miles from the ocean. Florence is on the coast about midway between the California border to the south, and the Washington border to the north. I feel that Oregon has about the best coastline of the Pacific States. Northern California's coastline is equally beautiful but less accessible. Oregon has many little fishing harbors that are not as spoiled with so many tourist spots. The road, Highway 101 is mostly two lane and can be crowded in the summer. Many cyclists ride the length of the state - about 339 miles from Astoria in the north to Brookings, in the south. It is an amazing trip and at one time, when I was younger I might have been tempted .... but I like traveling with my pack and bicycling would not work for us.
My home in Washington is about 200 miles from Florence, Oregon, if you go via the coast. That is my favorite route. If I go south on I-5 to Eugene, Oregon and then west to Florence, I believe it is a little shorter trip, but with more traffic and not as scenic. I usually go that way when I am on my way to Florence and then return up the coast to Washington. I try to allow two days for the return trip. It is like a story book unfolding. I have all the locations of the little fresh fruit and vegetable stands memorized. I have dozens of favorite campgrounds all along the way. Best of all, I know where to stop for the best fish and chips, smoked salmon or clam chowder.
There is a little store near Cloverdale that makes homemade apple dumplings and serves them hot, with a wonderful sauce. Their brownies come in all types and are very good too, but the dumplings and the berry scones are to die for.
Aunt Zelma at our favorite coffee and talk spot in her kitchen.
My Aunt Zelma has always been my favorite aunt and she turns 99 years old in August. What a wonderful woman she is! She is my mother's younger sister. Zelma is so close to me and I love spending time with her. We talk on the phone a couple times a week, but there is just nothing like spending time together. She listens to all my dog stories and seems to enjoy seeing us, so we try to visit several times a year. It has been longer this time due to some back problems I have had.
The park that Zelma and my cousin live in is so pretty, with winding roads to walk and beautiful pools to swim in. There are tennis courts and recreation buildings. My aunt and my cousin live next door to each other. Florence is a beautiful little town with the "Old Town" part right on the river, next to the Siuslaw Bridge . It is such a friendly town with interesting little shops.
I enjoy walking the dogs around the park. We always meet so many nice people and my only concern is watching out for bears, which spend a lot of time in the park but seem to co-exist fairly well with the residents.
Pirate ready for our walk.
Journey getting acquainted with Carol and Fargo.
Fargo and Carol are some of our favorites to walk with. Fargo is such a nice dog. Carol rescued him and he is just the calmest most pleasant guy. He tolerates anyone and most dogs. He adores Carol and once he even stood his ground and barked at a bear they encountered on a walk.
We walk several times a day as the dogs enjoy it and so do I. On this visit my cousin's daughter also came over to visit, (from Portland). She brought her dog Albert and we had more walking friends.
Albert, Quest, Pirate & Journey with Cousin Dolores.
Here is everyone ready to go, including Dolores' daughter Lynda with Albert.
Life at the park is easy to adapt to. At about 5:00 PM we go to the clubhouse for a swim and some social time in the large hot tub. Then we go back to Zelma's home where we have "happy hour" and then dinner. I always hate to leave.
Siuslaw River - looking out to sea.
The four days we had pass all to soon. It is time to head north. Sea Lion Caves, Cape Perpetua, Yachats, Ona Beach, Lost Creek, Newport, Yaquino Head Lighthouse, Depoe Bay, Agate Beach, Lincoln City, Devil's Lake, Neskowin, Cape Lookout, Netarts, Rockaway Beach, Nehalem, and Manzanita ...... one beautiful place after another. I finally decided on a campground and we got settled in before dark.
Quest
"We just added a few more foot prints mom!"
Journey, Pirate & Quest
This is a busy campground with lots of kids riding bikes past us. It sure kept the dogs attention.
"Come on Quest, lets wrestle".
"Did you want to get on the bed too mom?"
After morning coffee we went for a nice walk, then breakfast and off to our normal late start. I love camping though. and who is in a hurry .... not us! Today we will get to the apple dumpling shop, so that will be lunch for me. I fed the dogs and we were ready to go.
Journey: "I will just sit here on the table mom, I can see great from here."
The little dumpling shop has all kinds of new things. Home made pesto with pine nuts and some with walnuts. I could not resist some new strawberry jam with rhubarb. Then they had the absolute most delicious artichoke dip to sample with crackers! I had to buy several scones: blueberry-lemon, cranberry lemon and best of all, raspberry with lemon drizzle.
I also had to walk along the entire front of the building where guests are encouraged to sample each of about a dozen different apples. The apricots were about the size of apples and they were just ripe enough without being too soft. They were so sweet, as were the plums. I had to get one in each color. Well, having bought too much, as usual, I decided to skip the Tillamook Cheese Factory. That was hard to do. I generally always get an ice cream cone and a scoop of vanilla to split between the dogs. I encouraged them to look in the other direction as we drove past.
I always enjoy driving through Astoria at the mouth of the great Columbia River. There are always at least several large ships anchored in the bay. Astoria sort of reminds me of a miniture San Francisco. It is very hilly and has many pastel Victorian houses that overlook the huge bridge that crosses from Astoria to Washington and the historical Lewis and Clark campsite. We stay on the Oregon side and take Highway 30 east, for about 50 miles to the Lewis and Clark bridge which crosses the Columbia River into Longview. We are always happy to be home. I remember when I used to live in Southern California and I was returning from a trip. As I drove back into the busy Los Angeles area on the crowded, smoggy freeways. I always had the urge to turn around and run north to the Redwoods, or the Gold Country, or almost anywhere other than Los Angeles.. I never felt that I belonged there, and I didn't.
As we climb the hills in the RV, I always feel so happy to be home at our little mountain top paradise. The dogs are always so excited to get out and race around to see what animals may have visited while we were gone. This is home. It took so long to find it, but no matter, we live here now and love every minute of it. .
