Spirit Mountain Lodge Grand Ronde

OK, the 101 coastal highway is a misnomer in the northwest. You are teased with some vistas but not for long at all. But finally breaking out of the lumber backcountry with all the mixed growth, clearcuts and plantings to be harvested in 2045. The bridge to Astoria area brought me into Oregon and the coastal highway doesn't ...

... saw the new Chinook Winds Casino on the ocean. The sun was just setting but it wasn’t overly spectacular at this point. We didn’t really find a good spot to park, but when we stopped behind the Casino, Dawn hopped out to take a picture. She headed into an unauthorized area and since the casino staff were watching her and about to apprehend her we called her back and moved along. Pretty sure she got a picture first though.

This time we ...

... Some diners were having beer shots, a tray of different varieties of mini beers to try with different dishes. I am coming back one day to have this!

After lunch we headed right for the beach. Although sunny, it was a little cool and breezy and we noticed that there weren’t too many people in the water other than a few surfers riding the waves. Most folks were heading for a humongous sand cliff that loomed over the beach area. It was fairly far off but we decided to give it a ...

... by friends, Jason and Silver, Clooe prevented us
from sliding too far into the abyss of laziness and cheered us when we
needed a boost.

As our time here comes to a close (we plan to depart on a rambling journey back east tomorrow morning), I'm sad to say goodbye to friends and the stability of a home base, but excited by the prospect of seeing more of our country's natural beauty. Yes, new adventures await!

... we explored the nearby shore line. We saw lots of oysters on the rocks and some living coral exposed at low tide. We also ate lunch while viewing the famous haystock rock formation out in the water.

We started to head towards a lighthouse up the coast but we wanted one more shot at seeing some gray whales so we ...

... there all day. We learned a lot about whales though and did realize that spring is a much better time to see them migrating back north.

In the evening, we had a nice paddleboat ride around the cove and then enjoyed an amazing meal on the deck and a lovely campfire with wine and Smores. You gotta' love vacation!! We began dreaming of new places to see the next day.

... Calif. On August 8th.




"I was out one day and [DJ] Blaqstarr called me saying I should
come to the studio because somebody wanted to meet me," Rye Rye, born
Ryeisha Berrain, told Billboard earlier this year about teaming up with
M.I.A. "It was M.I.A. and Diplo, and [M.I.A.] was like, 'I've been
looking for you!' I was looking at her like, 'Who is this lady ...

... this evening. The house is clean, laundry in done, bags are packed, and money is in the bank! I think we are ready! Or, at least everything on my four page "to do" list is checked off. :)

We are off tomorrow at 1:40p and headed to Chicago where I think the weather is going to be okay... so I think we'll make our flight out of there on time. We're ...

... had a beautiful old historic town centre.



Near Newport we visited the Sea Lions Cave. We caught an elevator 200 feet underground to a football sized chamber filled with hundreds of roaring sea lions. They are massive animals & look so awkward on land. This was near Cape Foulweather named by Captain ...

... getting old and tender. Before we make any more road trips I will be investing in the most comfortable seat cushions I can find. I would welcome any suggestions any of you might have. We truly did have a great trip, lots of fun and lots of sights to see and goodies to buy. Naturally I enjoyed the sales the most and hubby enjoyed the races the most, that's a given!! I would like to go again, but hubby doesn't even want to think about it, much less talk about it right now.