Ellen's Trip Log

Sunshine in Seattle

You perhaps can conclude from the dirth of trip logs that we have been having a superb time on the Oregon Coast and in Seattle visiting Heather and Darrin. I believe the last offering was in southern Oregon. After we left Roseburg, and headed for the coast, we were caught up in “ green beauty “. And we had those sights with sunshine and blue skies !

We walked on beaches in Coos Bay, Florence and beyond. One of our favorite seafood haunts is Mo’s, and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed their clam chowder, cheesy bread and fried clams on a sunny bench outside, nodding at the strollers also enjoying the sun. Last August we enjoyed the Oregon beaches with their “ sea stacks “ and sweeping vistas. I jotted down some of the prospective future trailer camps along the way. One was a marina with picturesque seafood places circling.

Heading north, we eventually found I - 5 and picked up our pace. One of our goals along the way was the huge Cabelas in Lacey, WA. We have toured several Cabelas, but never one with two stories and escalators. Having found some must have items, we continued on to Heather’s.

One of the daily visits is to the Dog Park- 40 acres of wood chip laden paths, steps to the river nearby for doggy dips, and a high tech dog washing station with hot water, shampoo and plenty of towels. How I wish we had a like park in Nevada County ! Harper loves his runs with Pete in the Dog Park !

On Monday, Heather and I took the ferry to Bainbridge Island. A small town atmosphere nestled along a marina, with snow capped mountains in the distance across Puget Sound. We enjoyed a seafood lunch at a Pub on dock, and then browsed small shops on the one main street. The sun continued, and we remarked often how much we enjoyed the unusual bright weather. On Tuesday, we toured the History of Flight Museum on Boeing Field. It is an amazing museum- several of our favorite exhibits were the concorde, Nixon’s Air Force One, the original Red Barn where Boeing started his company, models of many planes in the great room, and several capsules from early space flights. The museum could bear several visits to see it all.

Wednesday, Russ, Harper and I took a ferry to Whidbey Island. We have long wanted to visit Whidbey, so our hopes were fulfilled. It has far more trees on the island than imagined, and at several junctures narrows, so Puget Sound on the east, and  Pacific vistas of the Staight of San Juan De Fuga on the west. We enjoyed several walks along the water, and a homey lunch of soup and salad at the Knead and Feed in Coupeville. The drive from south to north was beautiful. Winter on Whidbey finds many of the small shops and some restaurants closed. I imagine weekdays closed, and perhaps open on weekends. Crossing the 1935 bridge at Desolation Pass was eventful, seeing the swift moving sea water coursing through the narrow pass, and water moving the other way along the shore. We drive across Fidalgo Island, with Anacordes to the north, and returned to Seattle.

The remainder of the week held a trip to one of the huge city malls in Bellvue, with some window shopping, and this country girl gawking at the stores and glitter. Today we plan a visit to the Pike Street Market in Seattle to observe some fish throwing, a tour of Seattle Underground, lunch and shopping for some fresh seafood for dinner. Saturday fare may be lunch and a drive on Camano Island ( it has a bridge ) and preparing for our launch on Sunday.

We have had far more sunshine than we ever anticipated, and the only rain has been infrequent, and brief. We could not have asked for better weather. We will keep our fingers crossed that it continues again on the Oregon Coast.

May your travels be often and enjoyable !

Arrived in Roseburg, Oregon

We launched this morning near 9 am, heading for Rachael’s to load up the Girl Scout cookies, and a beach duck that Harper had left in the yard. Then we headed for I - 5 via Riego Rd. Fortunately, the fog had abated, and we found only a few puffs on the way North.

By the time we reached Redding, the sun was shining, and blue skies and puffy white clouds lifted our spirits immensely. Mt Shasta was a blazing peak of white snow, against the azure skies. It is good to know that Oregon’s Rest Areas are not only open and welcoming travelers, but also clean and well kept. That was not the case in Southern California, where over 2/3 of the Rest Areas were closed.

We ate lunch in Red Bluff, and stopped yet again for coffee at a McDonald’s in Weed. We had a most lovely view of Mt Shasta. And the McDonald’s was unique in that it had a gas fireplace, merrily flickering, and beautiful metal sculptures decorating the walls. Perhaps the most attractive McD’s we have ever seen.

Traveling North, we sped over mountain passes, and cruised down into jade green valleys. We were full of wonder at the beauty of Northern California and Southern Oregon. We arrived in Roseburg and checked into the Windmill Inn. Harper was thrilled to climb out of the car and explore the hotel room. He is a born traveler, and was so well behaved in the car, and on his brief forays to the Pet Areas. We had a Seafood Feast dinner at Elmer’s next door. The seafood included fish and chips, and the fish was Wild Salmon !

Our first day out has been lovely, and we look forward to the ocean tomorrow, and a trip to Moe’s for lunch in Florence. Ah the trials of travel ! We will endure.