We went to Florence, Oregon last week. My aunt, who is very nearly 100 years old, lives there. My cousin (her daughter) lives next door to her, in a private community that is so pretty.
The town of Florence is located on the Oregon coast, about midway between the California border to the south and the Washington Border to the north. This last weekend was the Rhododendron Festival. We left our home in Kelso, Washington about 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Florence about 7:30. My cousin had a delicious pot of homemade soup for us, with hot bread and homemade brownies for dessert.
Pirate by a Rhododendron
I took the dogs for kind of a short walk and luckily missed seeing any bears, although the dogs certainly were intrigued by the scents along the paths we walked. My daughter and her husband, Kevin were also visiting and had parked their Airstream trailer in the campgrounds by the clubhouse, which has nice pools, a hot tub, sauna, and a tennis court. Everyone was tired and after a couple glasses of wine we all left for our respective trailer and RV. Thursday night Kevin barbecued chicken while Laura made sweet potato fries and salad. I took the dogs for several long walks during the day - sometimes accompanied by my cousin, who walks Quest, much to his delight. Happy hour was a wonderful time of catching up - and smelling the the chicken cooking, Quest, joined us and was his silly self, laying on his back with his legs up in the air, rearranging gravel in the campground and talking back to us while we waited for dinner. I took him back to my RV before dinner was ready and fed all three of them.
The Airstream
Journey
Laura is a professional photographer and she had offered to take portraits of Aunt Zelma, in honor of her 100th birthday which is coming up in August. So Friday at about noon she and Kevin set up the portable backdrop and got some truly awesome pictures of Aunt Zelma.
Aunt Zelma
Aunt Zelma in her chair.
Aunt Zelma is my mother's sister. She has always been my favorite aunt and since my mother died, when she was 90 years old, Zelma has been as close as a mother to me. She is a most wonderful woman: intelligent, kind, and she has a wonderful sense of humor. I love talking with her. We talk on the phone at least a couple times a week. I enjoy her so much. We are all so lucky to have her.
On Friday Laura and Kevin left for home. My cousin Dolores and I did some sight-seeing in town. The town was getting ready for the Rhododendron Festival. Hundreds of motor cycles were in town for an event and the festivities. A parade was scheduled for Sunday at noon.
On my bed in the RV, Quest, Pirate & Journey (in back), wait for me to get dressed and take them for a walk. They pretty much take up the whole bed. Sometimes they let me share the bed with them.
We often join up with other dog walkers and and it is fun to watch the dogs interact. Their favorite dog is Fargo. Everyone likes Fargo. He is the nicest dog we have met there. He gets along with everyone. Not all the dogs get along with each other though. Harry pretty much only gets along with Fargo. He does not like my boys, although my boys just ignore him.
We are always trying to guess what breeds are mixed in Fargo. He could have some Shepherd, some people think maybe some husky. His legs really resemble a Whippets, especially his front legs. What ever he is, if you could create it again you would have a winner. He is a proud dog, and so socially savvy!
Harry & Fargo
Harry seems to be guarding Fargo in this picture.
On Saturday we went to the Rhododendron Show. The flowers were gorgeous. I could not stop taking pictures. The colors were amazing.
... and that is just a sampling. I have a couple plants at home, they grow wild. I think I may plant some more though. Really pretty
Back to Aunt Zelma's and more dog walks.
Quest posing by the little lighthouse, at the clubhouse.
I was going to leave on Sunday afternoon, but we were having so much fun, I stayed until Monday. I always hate to leave but the dogs needed some running time and we needed to get home in time for Journey's agility class on Tuesday. So after one last walk we got on the road about 2:00 PM.
One of my very favorite fish and chip locations, in Newport, OR
We found a nice park where I could walk the dogs, and take a break to enjoy my fish and chips while the dogs ate their dinner too.
Journey, Quest & Pirate. Quest was sliding down the hill. I rescued him before he went in the little river.
Rhododendrons grow wild in the northwest. You can see them against the edge of forests, along the side of roads, following rivers, you can see them peeking out like beautiful jewels, in such vivid colors. I have always believed that they do not have a scent, but found out I was wrong. There are strains that have a beautiful fragrance. I am hoping to find some of those to plant at my place. I did find a couple of very healthy looking raspberry plants to take home with me. I have blackberries, marianberries, blueberries, and gooseberries, but I did not have raspberries. Wonder how my little "berry buddy" (Journey) will feel about raspberries. He seems to like most berries. Pirate does too. They are all fans of blueberries and they pick their own.
Monday was a wet drive, but as always, so lush and green. I love it.
Pretty little harbor, on our way to Lincoln City to our campsite for the night.
Our campground for Monday night was at Devil's Lake in Lincoln City. We selected our camp spot and plugged in to electricity before going for a nice walk around the camp grounds. It was a little misty and I did not take my camera. We had a nice comfortable evening listening to the rain on the roof. Nice. Everyone slept good. In the morning I made a pot of coffee and fed the dogs while I enjoyed my coffee. There was no wi-fi, so I rediscovered the serenity of a softly misting morning while listening to music. After a leisurely morning, we pulled out of the campground at about 11:00 AM.
Headed into dairy country.
One of my favorite places is ahead of us. It is a wonderful little place that makes incredible goodies. First of all, they make homemade apple dumplings, with brandy sauce. I normally eat one and take a couple with me to eat at home in the next few days. They also make the best scones I have ever tasted. They are moist and delicious. My favorites are the blueberry ones with lemon glaze. Second favorite are the cranberry ones with lemon glaze. The others are all delicious, but just not quite as good as my two favorites. They also have a wonderful selection of fudge. Then in the cooler are some other wonderful things. I love their fresh made pesto; their artichoke dip or spread. They have all kinds of local jams, jellies, preserves and butters. Samples are free! When their apples are in season you can sample fresh wedges of any of the dozen or more varities. They have many other fresh fruits and vegetables. They have a large greenhouse where you can purchase plants, and a garden room with lovely garden and yard decor. It is a wonderful place to take a break from driving and just meander around.
Shopping break.
A very long line of cows, headed for the barn. It would not seem to be time for milking, so maybe they just want to get in out of the rain.
Tillamook Cheese Factory
Next stop, Tillamook Cheese Factory. I no longer do the tour of the cheese factory, unless I have visitors from out of town. The gift shop is something special though and so is the ice cream store. The restaurant is probably good too, but I decided on just an ice cream. This time I was delighted to find that they have a dish with three scoops. The boys will be soooo happy. I got a waffle cone with a single scoop of mocha with chocolate chunks. Yum! The dogs shared the bowl and they each got a scoop of vanilla.
Crossing the bay, heading for Astoria, Oregon - You can see the bridge in the fog.
Downtown Astoria.
My favorite Maritime Musuem , located at the mouth of the Columbia River, in Astoria, OR
Pilot boat, hauled out.
Well, we had better keep on moving if we are going to make it to agility class.
I believe these bushes are called Scotch Broom. The color is so bright, it makes you feel like there is sunshine in the rain.
Clearing up now.
I decided we did not have enough time to go home. Maybe if we head straight for the agility barn I can snap a few pictures before class. I will walk the dogs and probably just have time to chop up some treats for class.
The Agility barn on Germany Creek Road.
One very tough rooster with his hens. I think he is watching for Journey.
One evening Journey took off to meet this rooster, although I told him not to do it. He stuck his nose through the wire and the rooster hurried over to the fence to meet him. Instead of a friendly greeting, which Journey expected, he got a peck on the nose. I decided he deserved it for disobeying me. Since that evening, he does an anxious little "hum" noise when he sees the rooster and the rooster starts toward him. He walks politely at my side then, looking over his shoulder at the rooster.
We made it to class and surprisingly we both got a second wind and the class went well. After class we headed home. I put the RV in the barn without unloading it. It was nice to just relax on the couch and look out the window at the remaining sunset view.
Rivers like golden ribbons in the remaining sunset light.
So nice to travel and so nice to be home. The dogs ran, and ran over the property checking on critters that probably visited while we were gone. They finally came in after dark.
