Category Archives: 2016

I think today is one of my favorite days of this trip.  First of all, we didn’t have to leave early so I was able to do some things around the RV before we left.  Secondly, we finally found a meal to entice our Foodie Friends and us alike.

We arrived in Eugene, Oregon yesterday to a comfortable sunny day with soft breezes and found our RV Park to be a State Park with large sites and with full amenities.RV site in Armitage County Park -Eugene, OR

The combination of location and weather immediately made me happy.

Today the weather was supposed to be similar to yesterday so we thought it would be a good idea to take up where we left off on the Oregon coast the other day.  We stopped at Tillamook and thought we would pick up again at Newport.

By the way I have more Native American names for you to practice.  Try Yaquina, Yachats, Nehalem, and one of my favorites, Tokatee Klootchman.

In Newport we found a retail fish market that gradually became a restaurant and served the most interesting and delicious food we think we found so far.

Restaurant in Newport, OR

View of Newport Harbor from Local Ocean Seafoods restaurant

Absolutely a “best”.  Look at this presentation.

Dungeness Crab Soup

Fish Wives Stew at Local Ocean Seafoods Rest

Black Cod on Sweet Potatoes, Beans & Spinach

Believe me when I tell you it tasted as good as it looks!  By the way, the weather on the coast turned out to be more usual Oregon weather of cloudy low 60 degrees.

Then we backtracked to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse to be delighted by some of our “best” nature sightings yet.  The rocks along the coast were covered with sea birds of all varieties and had been for a long time (based on the white smudges all over the rocks).

View of Cove from Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Yaquina Head Lighthouse – Newport, OR

Thousands of Murres on rocks and flying all around

I was using our binoculars and noticed some of the lighter colored creatures were not birds but Harbor Seal pups.  There they were just laying about without a care in the world.

Seals on rocks off Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Then we were told that there were whale sightings all week and we started looking for them.  Being a big city kid from NY I was looking for whales breaching out of he water like Florida mullet jump.  Then I saw the spray.   This mist of water puffs up and thought, Oh big Whoop!

Whale off Yaquina Head Lighthouse

We watched several more of these puffs and then I noticed after the puff came a black ridge and realized that was the whale diving back down.    Then it occurred to me that the length of time the black ridge stayed on the surface was an indication of just how big the whale was because you saw the ridge from head to just short of the tale.  I counted most ridges remaining about 4 seconds which could be a big whale.  My education was painfully slow.

Finally, just before we left, we saw the puff, the ridge and then the tail.  Unfortunately the camera was not poised and we missed the shot.  You’ll just have to picture it.

Here are the pictures from our other stops which I think were beautiful.

View of coastline from Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Tide pools at Yachats State Park

Heveta Head Lighthouse – Florence, OR

View of coastline from Heveta Head Lighthouse

Finally about 7:30 pm we were lighthouse and beach coast weary and decided to head back to the RV happy with our day.

We had a slow start because Jim had to take the truck to the dealership early this morning, but once we got started to was a jammed packed day.  We found a single highway that runs from the Canadian border all the way to the Mexican border all along the coast and that was our destination.

The Columbia River runs east and west along the border between Washington and Oregon, and then runs out into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria.  Astoria dates back to 1792 and is considered one of the oldest cities in the west,  before Lewis and Clark made their way here to explore the Pacific Northwest.  This Astoria-Megler Bridge is four miles long connecting Washington and Oregon and considered the second longest continuous three-span, through-truss bridge in the world.

Bridge connecting Washington and Oregon over Columbia River – Astoria, OR

The bridge spans over the Columbia so our first real sighting of the Pacific Ocean was when we stopped at Mo’s for clam chowder.

Mo’s Chowder Restaurant – Cannon Beach, OR

It was a good hair day so I let him take a picture of me.

This is what our view was as we ate lunch on the deck.  Evidently this is a favorite of Oregonians and visitors alike.  There were people all over the beach and several really pretty kites being flown.

Rock Formation at Cannon Beach

Grilled Halibut – Mo’s Seafood Restaurant

After lunch, we continued south looking for more beautiful coastal beaches and two lighthouses.  The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse sits on a rock formation out in the water off the coast of the Cannon Beach.  These Native American names have been giving our pronunciation skills a workout.  Try saying Multnomah, Tualatin, and Tillamook fast, then try Nehalem, Netarts and Neskowin.

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse in the distance

View of Pacific from Ecola State Park, Oregon

The Ecola State Park was actually named by Lewis and Clark  after the Chinook Indian word “ekoli” for whale.

If you look hard in this next picture you can see black and white Murres nestled in the rocks.  At first we thought they might be Puffins, but a sign soon corrected us.

Murres on rocks off Ecola State Park

View of landscape from Ecola State Park

Onward farther south to find the Cape Meares Lighthouse.  They certainly don’t like to put these lighthouses in places that are easy to find or get to.  The winding road with all manner of switchbacks and tight turns made us really glad we weren’t dragging our RV behind us.  But oh was it worth it when we got there.

View of cliffs at Cape Mears Lighthouse

Cape Mears Lighthouse near Tillamook, OR

View of coastline from Cape Mears Lighthouse

This tree is called the “Octopus Tree” and is estimated to be 350 – 400 years old.  They don’t know whether it grew like this naturally or if the Indians did something to promote it but check out the base of this tree.  There are six trees growing out from the root and each one curves upward.

Check out the whole in the base of the largest rock.  We didn’t get home until after 9 pm after a dinner at Subway at 8, but I’m so glad we went.  By the way, did you notice once we got past the mountains we actually had sun.

Tomorrow we move farther south and a little closer to the Central Coast of Oregon.  Plenty more to come!

Another cloudy day today, so we decided to just ride around the agricultural valley and see some sights.

Vineyard in Tualatin Valley near Portland

Not sure what this is.

Clover in Tualatin Valley

Apple Orchard in Tualatin Valley

Apple tree with fruit growing

Nice easy day!

We began the day with crisp temperatures and overcast skies, but nothing was stopping us from our plans for today.  We arrived in Troutdale, Oregon yesterday and spent a very leisurely day.  This park is so close to town that we walked and found a nice little Chinese restaurant that served such large portions we just ate half for lunch and the other half for dinner.

Today we explored the Columbia River Gorge and Mt Hood Scenic Loop.

View of Columbia River Gorge from Vista House

The gorge consists of eight waterfalls along the high cliffs that run along the Columbia River.  We were there with several hundred other people experiencing these sights on a Saturday, but it was no where near the crowds we experienced in Banff and Lake Louise.  Parking was a challenge some times, but all and all it was a wonderful day.  We decided neither of us are “big city” people and nature is more out thing.  We couldn’t walk to all the falls because at some we just couldn’t find a place to park.

We did walk to the Bridal Veil Falls and I knew it was going to be a big day when my Fitbit count  at 11 am was 8,500 steps and the equivalent of 35 flights of steps.

Bridal Veil Falls – Columbia River Gorge

The big deal falls that is most famous is the Multnomah Falls and touted to be the second tallest year round falls in the US.  They even had a real restaurant so we stopped for nourishment so we could keep on going.

Multnomah Falls

Then Oneonta Gorge

Rock formation at Oneonta Gorge

and then Elowah Falls which was my favorite.  The hike back to the falls was only supposed to be 1.4 miles round trip but it was not as “civilized” as the others.  This trail had no paving only loose gravel and dirt, and actually was uphill both ways.  We passed lots of 20 somethings year olds with their dogs, and some 30 somethings year olds with kids and/or dogs, but no 70 somethings at all.  When you got closer to the falls themselves, the trails had some VERY narrow patches where the water had eroded part of the trail to 12-18 inches wide.  I even saw some foot prints at the edges where someone got very close to a very dangerous drop.  Only God can create something this beautiful and man’s cameras don’t come close to capturing it on film.

Elowah Falls – Columbia River Gorge

Back to the truck and onward to the Mt Hood Scenic Loop.  After driving for a while, this picture popped in front of us in the windshield.

Mt Hood from Highway approx 40 miles away

Mt Hood has an elevation of 11,235 feet and we were headed to the Timberline Lodge that is actually at the timberline at 6,000 feet.  The lodge dates back to early 1900’s and is still in exceptional shape and functioning as a major ski resort in winter and hiking destination in summer.

Mt Hood in the Clouds

Entrance to Timberlake Lodge – Mt Hood

View from patio at Timberlake Lodge

We decided to have a light dinner of pureed mushroom soup topped with chopped hazelnuts and sandwiches.  Perfect after expelling all those calories.

View from our table at Timberlake Lodge of Mt Hood

Then back home to write this blog and take some Advil.  Final step count over 15,000 and equivalent of 78 flights of steps.  I’m tired.

We have been watching a TV show called Cedar Cove loosely based on the books written by Debbie Macomber and Jim read somewhere that her inspiration for this town is Port Orchard, Washington .  That was our destination for today.  The quaint, small town feel of Cedar Cove was a place we were looking forward to enjoying with its extensive coast, fishing and pleasure boats and homey feel.  Although Debbie Macomber still lives in Port Orchard, the TV series is not filmed there but in Vancouver.  (And I’m not going back!)  The town and Ms Macomber have actually created a map of her fictitious town and the Chamber showed us some spots that matched reality.  We even had lunch at a place named in one of her books on the water with an outside deck.

Harbor at Port Orchard

Marina and Harbor at Port Orchard

Salmon Steak w/onion rings -Lighthouse Restaurant Port Orchard

Mac & Cheese w/broccoli & bacon

Alas, the town was not what we hoped for, but we were directed to another town just south of Port Orchard named Gig Harbor that looked and felt exactly like Cedar Cove.

The Visitor Center told us today was our lucky day because they have a fabulous Farm Market on Thursday afternoons that we would enjoy.  It was lovely, but our Ocala Farm Market makes this look like a kids lemonade stand on the corner.  The size of the market aside, we really did enjoy walking around this lovely town, especially since the weather was perfect today with sunshine and mild 74 degree temperatures.Statue of Fisherman Netting at Gig Harbor

View from Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor

So picturesque just like the fictitious Cedar Cove.

It was such a relief when our GPS returned to tracking miles instead of kilometers and we no longer had to think about pricing considering a conversion rate to US dollars, but don’t even get me started on calculating the gas prices and having to convert liters to gallons and then currency differences.  I am so happy to be back  in our country where, at least for me, life is much simpler.

Vancouver did take its toll on both of us and the RV so we spent two days getting ship-shape again and then off to the big city of Seattle.  Once we got past the horrendous traffic issue, we landed at the infamous Pikes Place Fish Market and watched with amazement the choreographed transfer of sold fish from the front ice filled cases to the back for cleaning and packing.  If you have never seen it you MUST go to You Tube to see what I am talking about.  What a fun way to work!

Ugly Fish at Pikes Place Fish Market

We had lunch in a restaurant that is part of the Pikes Place Market and had a second floor seat by the window where I had fish stew with salmon,  haddock and lots of clams  and a prawn cocktail, while Jim made a feast of his dungeon crab melt.

View from Lowell’s Restaurant lunch stop at Pikes Place Market

Dungeness Crab Melt and Prawn Cocktail – Lunch at Pikes Place Market

The market was filled with stands selling fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, and every other thing you can imagine and mobbed with people.

Flowers in the Farmer’s Market

Shops in Farmer’s Market

Not too far away was our second stop of must see; the Seattle Needle.  No Tom Hanks or Meg Ryan but how spectacular.  Tip to  future travelers:  This is so popular you have to make a reservation ahead of time.  We got there around 1:30 and the tickets being sold were for a 5:30 entry time.  This gave us 4 hours to explore everything around the needle including the gift shop for an extended time.  Like so much in big cities, there was no shortage of people watching opportunities and lots of activity including a band from Ecuador singing and playing guitars and pan flutes .

Check out these flowers that are actually creating solar power.

Solar Flowers @ Space Needle – Seattle

View of Seattle Harbor from Space Needle

When we got back to the RV, we knew although this was not Seattle, we would not be sleepless.

One last thing to see and experience while in Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.  This is definitely for the faint of heart but we took Carol anyway.  Ha ha.  This is her last day with us and we want to send her off with a bang.

The Park consists of three main features:  a 450 foot suspension bridge that is 230 feet high and rocks like a son of a gun, the Treetops adventure which is more suspension bridges, (but lots shorter) that connect you to platforms on very old, very tall trees each one taller than the last, and finally the Cliffwalk which is suspended walkways along sheer granite cliff faces over the canyon.  Here are the pictures from the park:Entrance into Suspension Bridge past Totem Poles

450′ Suspension bridge, 235 feet in the air

On the bridge

Tree Top Adventure

Cliff Walk

Western Red Cedar at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

View of Cliff walk

The views were awesome and so were the adventures.  One observation that I have made while at these tourist attractions is that worldwide, we are raising a generation of self-absorbed/narcissistic young people who pose for “selfies” at the drop of a hat with no consideration for other people and how they may impact them.  I am not just talking about taking a picture, but posing like model glamour shots.  Beware grandchildren.  Never let me see you do this or Grammie will be on your case!

When we arrived at the park earlier this week, we were told there was a good restaurant not too far away, so we decided to go back to the RV and then have dinner before we took Carol to the airport for her red-eye flight back to Pennsylvania.  When we got in the neighborhood, Jim decided he wanted to see where this restaurant was before we went back to the RV.  He made a right turn and found us in line to cross back into the US over the border with no visible way out.  There was a guard standing at a line marked “Nexus” so he got in that line hoping to explain what happened.

What happened was we were tagged as “Nexus Violators” and told we had to go into the Border Office.  So like good terrorists, we parked the truck and went inside.  There Carol was reprimanded for not having her passport and about 45 minutes later we were permitted to go.  By the way, when we went back and finally found the restaurant to eat, they were closed.

The next morning when we left the park to reenter the US, we were pulled over again because we admitted we had bought blueberries and strawberries at the grocery store in Canada.  Another 45 minutes while they inspected our refrigerator.  Glad to be back in the USA and taking the next two days to rest and get caught up on mundane things.  I love mundane things!

Today the weather was forecasted to have the least amount of rain so this is the day we chose for our tour to Victoria and Butchart Gardens.  We left the RV at 7:15 am and drove 45 minutes to a “pick up” hotel and then by tour bus to the ferry to Vancouver Island.   Vancouver Island lies west of mainland  Vancouver, and nestled on the southeastern point of the island sits Victoria.   Because it sits in the bay, it is protected on most sides  and has a very mild climate relative all year long to the rest of Canada.  This gives it a longer growing season and the flowers certainly look it.  Of course, it was still 5- 8  degrees colder than usual and not very sunny (our usual luck this trip) but we made the most of it checking out the highlights of the city and having lunch at the Seafood Grille by the water.

Girls relaxing on Ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island

Ferry going between Vancouver and Victoria

Lighthouse on Vancouver Island

Lunch stop in Victoria

View of Harbor from Docks Restaurant – Victoria

Flowers in Victoria

Back on the bus by 2:50 pm, and headed to the Gardens.  This property was the home and work site of a young couple looking to make their future when the west coast of Canada was still young.  Here are the pictures from the garden.

We arrived into Vancouver with a weather report of cool and rainy for 3 of the 4 days we are here.  Planning everyday was the only way to see all the things we had on our list and try to minimize the not so happy weather.   It’s funny how we spend each morning discussing what we will wear trying to match the activity and weather to our clothes.  Wouldn’t you know it though, most people told us it never rains this much or is this cold in July.  Oh well! (or Eh! as they say in Canada)

We stayed close to base camp for dinner when we arrived, and went to a small coastal community just west of our RV Park called White Rock.  Evidently, this is where locals and tourists alike head in the evening for fish and chips and some ocean views.  There were about 20 restaurants on this walkway on the water and every one of them touted their food as the best and everyone of them sold fish and chips.  It seems the thing to do is buy a large order, enough for the whole family, and get it to go.  Then find a place on the walkway and have a picnic at the edge of the beach.  We opted for a table outside the restaurant for our dinner.

Fishboat cafe in Whiterock, BC

Glad I have a doctors appointment already scheduled when we get home.  All this fried food and french fries is killing me!

All of Canada has about 30 million people and Vancouver is the third largest populated area after Montreal and Quebec with about 650,000.  That tells you how sparely populated most of the other areas are except for those cities.  Vancouver is a big city and cruise ship port with all the pluses and issues of traffic and congestion.

Thursday we headed into Vancouver to take a city tour to get the lay of the land and hopefully spend most of the rainy time on a dry bus.  We did have to drive into the city to hook up with the tour trolley, though, where we stood in the rain under an umbrella to buy our tickets and then stand in the rain until our trolley came by to pick us up.  This is one of those hop on – hop off deals but we really had no desire to hop off once we had hopped on because of the nasty weather.

Here are some of Jim’s pictures of what we saw that first day which included  the western red cypress tree that had the hole in it large enough to park a VW bug,  the Olympic Torch for the 2010 Olympics, and Convention Center sporting a 6 acre roof covered in live vegetation including the herbs used in the various restaurants inside, and two beehives.
Vancouver Skyline and harbor

View of Convention Center earth roof

Island Gas Station in Vancouver Harbor

Olympic Cauldron – Vancouver 2010

Hollowed out Tree in Stanley Park

Steam Clock in Gastown Vancouver

Street in Gastown Vancouver

Happy Fourth of July !  It seemed strange not to be celebrating with some kind of festivities and no public recognition of the importance of this day anywhere around us.  Our only connection was the patriotic music we listened to on our Sirius radio station on the way to Calgary.

It completely escaped us that Calgary had been completely flooded in 2014 and there was construction everywhere making moving around the city a little more complicated but we were able to find the zoo and spent a really fun afternoon checking it out.

Before heading to the zoo, we had to have lunch and of course, we found the new location of Bobby’s Place so we could share East Coast  Poppers with Carol.  She was impressed just like we were.

We were very pleased to see that most of the enclosures for the animals were very different to most other zoos.  Each was much larger than normal and made to look more like the natural habitat of the animals.  Having to redo the entire zoo because of the flood gave them the perfect opportunity to make changes that were a great improvement.  Here are some of the pictures Jim took:

I guess every cloud has a silver lining.

Tomorrow is a road day towards Vancouver and Carol’s first exposure to the breakdown and set up processes and the long boring drives of moving.

Here are a few pictures from Salmon Arm where we stayed overnight on way to Vancouver

View of Lake from campground in Salmon Arm

Park in Salmon Arm – overlooking Lake Shuswap

View of mountains at Lake Shuswap, Salmon Arm