We arrived in northern California at Crescent City on August 18, 2007. It did not take us long to drive into the Redwood National Park….our proposed goal of this jaunt of our trip. We wound through tree shaded gravel roads trying desperately to look to the tops of the trees. Their craggy bark looked impressive. At points we waited for an oncoming car to pass. These were trees that we could not embrace unless they were less than one thousand years old!
Our campground, Shoreline RV Park, was right on the Pacific Ocean. The park left a lot to be desired but it was convenient to the Redwoods. Within bicycling distance and in sight was a light house. When the tide is in the house is on a rock island. At low tide we could walk across and right up to the house. It is an active home. I wondered how it would be to be isolated from shopping for several hours in each twenty-four hour period! The house was open for tours just after our departing date.
Crescent City, Caleeeeeeeeeeefornia….acknowledging Governor Arnold S, was devastated in 1964 by four Tusami waves that wiped out the downtown. That was not so long ago. We brought a son into the world that year.
There was an abundance of street people all over town. The campground was making efforts to keep them out of the easily accessible park but walking alone outside the large park was out of the question. The reasonable climate of cool summer days and winter temperatures of 30-60 degrees likely makes this an attractive place to live on the street. We did not learn of any efforts to give these folks help. Yet….we had to be careful and guarded.
Most of the 4 days we were in Crescent City the wind blew very hard. On the only calm day we put on our life jackets and put the kayak into the ocean and paddled in a bay adjacent to the marina. As we floated more peacefully in the jetty protected marina we observed rugged sea boats rigged to deprive the ocean of fish for our tables. We had our own escort around the marina. A sea lion popped his head up, gave sigh and gulped air and disappeared. I only hoped he did not resurface under our green kayak. And, yes…we did get splashed generously launching and turning around to “un-launch!” Thank goodness it was fairly warm because we were drenched for the ride. And…no, the camera did not make the trip.
We departed northern California on August 22 and headed for the Oregon coast. Highway 101 skirts the impressive Pacific-Oregon coast. The views were continuous of foreboding rocks guarding the shoreline and giving a frame to towns along the way. Charles loved the roller coaster driving and I and the cat held on tight. Cat did not like it.
We arrived at the Port of Newport, OR, Marina and RV Park on August 22. Again on the Pacific we found ourselves in a brand new campground. Our views were of sea worthy pleasure craft as they came out of the water for a rinse off of sea water. We walked easily to the waters edge, biked out a quarter mile pier, and biked across the street to the Oregon State University School of Marine Science. While there the wind blew hard all day and harder in the late afternoon and early evening. To bike each evening we wore winter coats and hats!
We found two lighthouses in Newport, Oregon. The active lighthouse has been totally refurbished and is open to the public. My mate climbed the 110 steps to the top. I retreated to the car to get out of the cold wind!
Then by chance about a mile from the campground we found another lighthouse that was active only 3 years with people living there. That was 1871-1874. It was closed when it was determined that the light was too dim. Falling into disrepair it was saved by the people of Newport and refurbished and outfitted with appropriate furniture. It was beautiful and complete with a vegetable and flower garden.
August 25, 2007 we rode through the Columbia River Gorge and viewed the beautiful river all day. Such path is part of the Louis and Clark Expedition. No doubt our passage on I-84 was a bit smoother. We spent a night at Cascade Locks KOA, OR, on the river. By car we went the 2 miles into town to roam in a beautiful park and talk with the locals.
We are spending two nights at Boardman, OR as we continue our eastward pace back to TN! This beautiful campground is on the banks of the raging Columbia River. There is a 3 mile paved bike path covered with burrs released by the wind directly onto the path. Having already had burr induced flat bike tires in Salt Lake City, UT, we turned around, plucked out the few burrs and vowed to stay away. However, there is a lot of good biking inside the campground.
It is always fun to hear from you. Thanks for coming out to recess with us.
Our campground, Shoreline RV Park, was right on the Pacific Ocean. The park left a lot to be desired but it was convenient to the Redwoods. Within bicycling distance and in sight was a light house. When the tide is in the house is on a rock island. At low tide we could walk across and right up to the house. It is an active home. I wondered how it would be to be isolated from shopping for several hours in each twenty-four hour period! The house was open for tours just after our departing date.
Crescent City, Caleeeeeeeeeeefornia….acknowledging Governor Arnold S, was devastated in 1964 by four Tusami waves that wiped out the downtown. That was not so long ago. We brought a son into the world that year.
There was an abundance of street people all over town. The campground was making efforts to keep them out of the easily accessible park but walking alone outside the large park was out of the question. The reasonable climate of cool summer days and winter temperatures of 30-60 degrees likely makes this an attractive place to live on the street. We did not learn of any efforts to give these folks help. Yet….we had to be careful and guarded.
Most of the 4 days we were in Crescent City the wind blew very hard. On the only calm day we put on our life jackets and put the kayak into the ocean and paddled in a bay adjacent to the marina. As we floated more peacefully in the jetty protected marina we observed rugged sea boats rigged to deprive the ocean of fish for our tables. We had our own escort around the marina. A sea lion popped his head up, gave sigh and gulped air and disappeared. I only hoped he did not resurface under our green kayak. And, yes…we did get splashed generously launching and turning around to “un-launch!” Thank goodness it was fairly warm because we were drenched for the ride. And…no, the camera did not make the trip.
We departed northern California on August 22 and headed for the Oregon coast. Highway 101 skirts the impressive Pacific-Oregon coast. The views were continuous of foreboding rocks guarding the shoreline and giving a frame to towns along the way. Charles loved the roller coaster driving and I and the cat held on tight. Cat did not like it.
We arrived at the Port of Newport, OR, Marina and RV Park on August 22. Again on the Pacific we found ourselves in a brand new campground. Our views were of sea worthy pleasure craft as they came out of the water for a rinse off of sea water. We walked easily to the waters edge, biked out a quarter mile pier, and biked across the street to the Oregon State University School of Marine Science. While there the wind blew hard all day and harder in the late afternoon and early evening. To bike each evening we wore winter coats and hats!
We found two lighthouses in Newport, Oregon. The active lighthouse has been totally refurbished and is open to the public. My mate climbed the 110 steps to the top. I retreated to the car to get out of the cold wind!
Then by chance about a mile from the campground we found another lighthouse that was active only 3 years with people living there. That was 1871-1874. It was closed when it was determined that the light was too dim. Falling into disrepair it was saved by the people of Newport and refurbished and outfitted with appropriate furniture. It was beautiful and complete with a vegetable and flower garden.
August 25, 2007 we rode through the Columbia River Gorge and viewed the beautiful river all day. Such path is part of the Louis and Clark Expedition. No doubt our passage on I-84 was a bit smoother. We spent a night at Cascade Locks KOA, OR, on the river. By car we went the 2 miles into town to roam in a beautiful park and talk with the locals.
We are spending two nights at Boardman, OR as we continue our eastward pace back to TN! This beautiful campground is on the banks of the raging Columbia River. There is a 3 mile paved bike path covered with burrs released by the wind directly onto the path. Having already had burr induced flat bike tires in Salt Lake City, UT, we turned around, plucked out the few burrs and vowed to stay away. However, there is a lot of good biking inside the campground.
It is always fun to hear from you. Thanks for coming out to recess with us.
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