June 21 - Mount Ranier

Pulled into the Sahara Creek Horse Camp. Have stayed here several times in the past. It’s about 10 miles from the entrance to the Park. 

Ashford is the little town where we stop at the Art Gallery before heading up the twisty, windy road to the top to see Mount Ranier. So many pretty, artful things. 

Unfortunately, it’s been raining most of the day and the mountain was fogged in completely. Mount Ranier is there somewhere behind the clouds. 

Played more Skyjo. Since there wasn’t any sun, the solar wasn’t able to keep up so had to run the generator. 

Tomorrow is another day. Hope for a brighter day. 

June 16-17 - Fort Stevens, OR, Canon Beach

Left Tillamook and drove to Fort Stevens State Park. Will be here for 2 nights. 

Drove immediately to the beach to look for sand dollars. When Jillian was here, she found several. We weren’t as lucky. Found lots but the sea gulls had already pecked them. We’re going back tomorrow morning to see if we can find whole ones before the sea gulls wake up. 

There was a mist coming off the sand that made it look like the twilight zone. I didn’t capture it very well though. 

The Peter Iredale ship wreck that ran ashore on 1906, headed for the Columbia River. 

For our entertainment in the evening, we played Skyjo. 

And ate Tillamook Carmel swirl ice cream sandwiches 

Tuesday morning we walked the beach 2 miles one way looking for whole sand dollars, only found half

dollars.  😢

Took a drive to Astoria to get more chowder and a beer from Astoria Brewing Company. Both were delicious. Sat outside to watch the barges in the Columbia River.

Visited the Astoria Column. 

The Column is a testament to the natural riches of the Pacific Northwest. 

There are about 155 spiral steps to the top that give 360 degrees view of Astoria. 

Back at the RV, we decided to have a fire and just relax. We already have 19,000 steps in today from our walk on the beach, walk around Astoria and a hike in the State Park. Saw some pretty flowers. I think they are Lady gloves. Our only wildlife was the banana slug. 

Had to look at the map to make sure we were going the quickest way back to the campground. Didn’t need extra steps today. 

Tomorrow we head to Washington state. 

June 15 - Tillamook, Oregon

Route 101 up along the coast has a lot of elevation and is windy with beautiful views of the Pacific and cute little towns. 

We had a FaceTime call with Arlo and Shannon. Their camping trip to Scots Flat was successful and a lot of fun. A pic of the little man. He looks so grown up in this photo. 

Finally made it to Tillamook. Stayed at the Blue Heron Cheese Factory. Then drove to the Tillamook factory. Took the self-guided tour to learn about the cheese making process. Shopped in the store a then ice cream … what we really came for!  Andrea and Shuff had a flight, 3 different kinds and I had a cone. A flight of ice cream, what a novel idea!  

Drove to cape Meares lighthouse. Perfect timing with the sun on the lighthouse. 

Cormorants were sunning themselves on the rocks. 

Hiked to the Octopus Tree. 

Look at the size of the base. It measures 14 feet at the base. It’s 105 feet height and approximately 250 years old. 

November 25 - Last full day in Bandon

What a full day we had for our last day in Bandon. We first took a walk on the Face Rock beach. 

Tony’s seafood one last time for chowder and hot crab sandwich. 

Then a short drive to Shore Acres for sunset and lights at the Botanical Gardens. A perfect ending to a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Cali kids. 

As you can see, the waves were high and crashing on the rocks shooting water high. 

Lights reflecting on their little pond. 

November 24 - Devils Kitchen Beach Walk

Another sunny day in Bandon and another beach walk. This time we went to Devils Kitchen beach. 

Erin decided to try flying her kite. Perfect day for that. She had it flying high. Arlo loved watching her. 

Family photo

Carl and Bandit had to try rock climbing a little.

On to the Cidery where we played a competitive game of Yahtze. Surprisingly, I won. Arlo was our referee. 

Sunset at Face Rock before we went back to the house. 

I got to do the Nana Peg thing and watch Arlo while the kids went out to dinner. Bath time and then a little rocking and singing You Are My Sunshine. Arlo was tired from his time at the beach.