Just got back from a whirlwind trip up to Oregon for some much needed battery recharging. What a delightful trip! I only wish we were able to stay longer, like say 20 years or so…
Getting out of town (SF Bay Area) was a disaster. Traffic was so bad it was unbelievable. And that was BEFORE we hit the hour delay at the Richmond Bridge, where some super-genius motorist tried playing tag with a motorcycle. Yeah, not a great plan. Mechanical carnage but no meat-wagon, so I can only assume the rider was OK, but geez… How you can cause an accident that bad while slowing down to go through the toll booth is beyond me. Some people’s stupidity knows no bounds, I suppose.
The drive up took us a tad over 11 hours (with a couple pit stops) which is way too much driving for a weekend trip, but once we arrived, it somehow all seemed worth it.
Our home-base for the weekend was in Gold Beach – the TuTu’Tun Lodge – which is simply phenomenal. This was our 3rd stay with them, and it most certainly won’t be our last.
We spent a lot of time cruising around, exploring the general area between Brookings and Bandon, and had a really nice relaxing time.
Bandon was a place I’ve wanted to visit for years, but this was the first time we made it that far north. And we LOVED it. Seriously, I’d move there tomorrow if given the chance. Beautiful place, friendly people, just a great, laid back atmosphere.
Another exceptional find was the “Semi-Aquatic Gallery” in Brookings. We found about 30 pieces of art we would have been thrilled to leave with, but whittled it down to two prints – one for home and one for the Mrs.’ Classroom. And a couple postcards and a very cool t-shirt to boot. Gotta support the Arts, people!!
The trip came to an end much too soon, and we were back on the road about 10:45am Sunday. The ride was mellow and easy going for the first 7 hours, but once we hit Santa Rosa there was no question we were back in the muck of the Bay Area. By the time we hit the Richmond Bridge, it was a traffic nightmare once again and I found myself asking the Mrs. “what on earth are we doing coming back here?” It seemed like a horrible mistake. We finally rolled into home about 9:30pm., unpacked and hit the sheets due to an early wake-up for work today.
All in all, it was a great weekend, traffic aside. Very relaxing and somewhat “intoxicating” – I am completely, unabashedly in love with the Oregon Coast. It has literally everything I love – ocean beaches, rivers, dense forests and farmlands. I cannot imagine a better combination!
The trick now is figuring out how to make the place “home” rather than a getaway!
Thank you Oregon and all you fantastic Oregonians we met along the way! We had a blast and can’t wait to get back!
Thanks for stopping by!
The Boring Old Man 
Maybe I need to reconsider which coast to go coastal to,,,,
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As it happens, I did see a great many kayaks on the rivers (and roof racks!). I’ve never been to KY or TN, so I can’t compare, but the southern Oregon Coast is AWESOME!
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You’re gettin’ old. “What am I doing here?”. At 66, I want to live in the subtropics, either in a town of 48,000 or 51,000. A place on (or near) the beach. Fewer sirens, fewer shouting people at midnight. Fewer people driving past with ethno music playing loud in their cars. Enough “infrastructure”
I’ve had enough culture and “funky” stuff.
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I hear you Klaus! I’m all about quiet, serenity and access to waves I can surf. I’d much rather have goats and chickens as neighbors these days than people and their annoying habits!
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Yeah, it’s a bit different. My boy has a visa for Australia. He’s just finished learning his trade. No job, no girlfriend. We go to my homeland, a fascist police state and HE decides, on the basis of the “vibe” and work possibilities, where he wants to live.
I show him the prettiest paces I know to live.
Failing that, Sydney. Jobs “like sand grains on the beach”… but in the Big City.
We’ll see. I’m: cook, maid, bodyguard, “cultural interpreter”. I pay the rent. His job pays the bills.
On or near beaches which are ACHINGLY pretty. I (gently) force him to take more responsibility. He decides whether he wants to make something out of the possibilities available – culture: zero. nature: 100. Whales swim by.
If he can live with Australians for four years, another passport for him. He returns to civilization – “socialism that works” – Germany. High pay, high taxes, generous social benefits, 200 people per square kilometer… but has, when I’m gone, a “get-out-of-jail-card”.
“Boring Old Man”…it’s time, in retirement, to say, “F**k you” to the world and to try and give my boy an opportunity.
We make excuses. “Oh! I have to wait a bit!”. I’m about ready to risk ridicule.
In vino veritas.
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I forgot to write…oh, you surf? Hell, bodysurfing is about the ONLY thing I can do well.
Long live the internet! Kindred souls can communicate with one another!
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I was an avid surfer way back in my late teens and 20’s, then took a 20+ year hiatus due to life being what it is. I started up again about 3 years ago and I’ll tell ya, it’s NOT like riding a bike! I’m nowhere as good as I used to be, in fact I’m not “good” at all, but I do love it. It feeds my soul in a way nothing else can. And from time to time I see fellas with 10-20 years on me still out there hitting it, so I’m hoping to continue as long as I can still remain upright!
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