Travelogue - Oregon Coast

 Jan 11 -15

Six months ago, Cathy and I drove to Newport, OR where we intended on staying three nights before driving to Bend, OR, a drive of about two and a half hours. Newport is on the coast; Bend is inland on the lee side of the Cascades known for its sunny warm days and fantastic beer. We arrived just as an onslaught of fowl winds filled with smoke invaded Newport during the night. We woke up to a red ball sun and unhealthy air conditions. We departed and went home, which was a trick in itself as we dodged the fire ridden hills. Another 2020 delight.

Despite still threatened by Covid, we traveled to the Oregon coast again. Some may consider this foolish. After all, the post Christmas surge in cases is evident and vaccinations are dragging. That said, we aren't going to beach parties and bars. Oregon is doing pretty well in containing virus spread and has a good culture of distancing and masking. 

For those unfortunate enough not to experience the Oregon coast, it's hard to explain. Yes, it is much like the California coast, but there isn't anywhere near the population density near the popular expanses. It has seemingly endless state parks showing the dramatic changes of sheer cliffs and crashing waves. For example, we hiked around Devil's Churn:


This is a stock photo. Our actual shot had looked like the water was covered in melted ice cream due to the series of storms that preceded our visit.

The storms. We traveled on Monday, the first of two days delivering two inches of rain each day. Tuesday had to be the most boring day of vacation ever experienced due entirely to the constant deluge and ferocious winds. The resort we stayed at, Salishan Resort in Gleneden, had an operating restaurant with room service or pickup service and I braved the gale force winds to get dinner. That was the extent of leaving the room outside of a couple brief periods to get the dogs a chance to relieve themselves. Lots of reading and naval contemplation. Loooonnng day.

A couple of days at the resort in Gleneden was followed by a couple of days at the condo in Newport - only 20 miles apart. More beach roaming, bird gazing, woods walking, and eating.


Oh, eating. That was one of the more successful endeavors. After Wednesday's failed attempt to hike a trail off a national forest road due to trees blocking the road. we found solace in eating some local seafood. Newport is a fisherman's port and fresh seafood is caught every day. But if a break was needed from eating seafood, we found some really good sushi and breakfast goodies. 

We had a good trip and it was good to get away for a brief trip. A little rainy, a little blustery, but wonderfully scenic.  

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