Dedicated to Rosebud, from whose eyes I saw each image I captured.
I honestly never thought I'd enjoy this camping in my Honda Element as much as I have. I tried it once because a few people asked if I had, so I wanted to be able to say I did. The second time I did it, I used the rationale of stretching my budget on my many trips to the coast; add a night of camping on the front end or the back end of the trip, and my costs go down.
Yes, that helps, but now, after having investigated a few options on the coast, I have learned that I actually prefer it if it's just Oakley and me. I really don't use the amenities in hotels that much. I never turn the TV on. I live on my devices now. Surfing, magazines, books, and Social Media. Operating off picnic benches in beautiful spots beats a desk looking at a wall. The sites I have found have electricity and some have Wi-Fi. And they are like $25 a night. I have more vivid memories after I leave. I don't have to pay extra charges for Oakley (always a waste because he never bothers a thing, and doesn't leave behind a hair. Plus that always puts us in the dog rooms.) It's perfect if it's just the two of us. Clearly a better value.
Not all RV parks and campsites are alike, but I've discovered one "RV Cove" at Seal Rocks, about 10 minutes south of Newport,that I love. Each site (they have various sites for different setups, from large RVs to tent campers) is quite private, and each is different and has its own character. There is no cement. Hedges supply the privacy, and in some cases they have carved out sites from the land. creating these awesome little private alcoves.
The bathrooms and showers are clean, and in fact, the pressure is so awesome in the shower it's very hard to keep to the "Please limit your shower to 5 minutes" request. But best of all, you're one of a few that stays at one of Oregon's most beautiful beaches for the night. You get there by walking across 101 and down this little stairway.
And so you walk a minute as night sets in, and get to this:
Some added benefits: You get to be (have no choice!) outside at night with a campfire going, under the moon and stars, and even hear waves crash.
I love the Fireside in Yachats and some other places, and have been known (by just me and Oakley, thankfully) to go walk outside on the 804 trail there and hang on the beautiful bench overlooking crashing waves at 1am in my boxers. But then you have to decide to retire back to a hotel room.
Waking up in the morning to whatever weather Oregon brings our way is even better, especially now that I got a little hot plate to make my French Press.
I've honed the bed setup so it's really comfortable (Three camping mats and comfy fleece blankets as sheets, with an open sleeping bag as my comforter--two down pillows brought from my bed at home. I sleep better in the Element than I do at home. Crazy. Oakley has room, and provides natural body heat. Sleeping is awesome. I've gotten my storage down to a science now. Where to put my phone, tablet, socks and clothes, etc. The Honda Element is an incredible utilitarian vehicle. It's a shame they stopped making them. But I am glad I have my copy. (I bought it used for the boys. I ended up giving them my car. I had no idea how much I'd really enjoy it.)
I got situated and gave Oakley some marrow bones from our Portland Food Adventure at St. Jack the previous night:
I recently got a new camera with a lens that zooms to 300mm, and enjoyed playing around with it on the beach the next morning.
My site wasn't available the second night, so we switched to one overlooking the ocean. It turns out that we had the entire tent area to ourselves. I love that. I also loved the views from this site (#30).
I worked at the picnic bench most of the day, and then buzzed toward Newport and grabbed something for an early dinner at my newly discovered favorite fish and chips joint, The South Beach Fish Market, although you would be hard-pressed to find their name anywhere in this gorgeously designed and well thought-out signage:
Most awesome--The Captain's Platter: Two Halibut chunks, two gigantic prawns, two oysters (they were huge a month earlier) and two delicious scallops, served with nice crinkle cut fries and extra spicy cocktail sauce.: $14.50
The night was cooler, but the campfire was great with the waves crashing in the background. I got up to a misty morning and singing gulls, took a walk on the beach, wrote about an hour's worth of emails and returned a few biz calls, and thought I'd make my way back to Portland. The heat of the car seemed appealing. I got to Newport, and saw the sun was actually coming out (no way did that look like it was going to happen just a half hour earlier--but this is Oregon, after all.) Without hesitation, I headed back to Seal Rocks to get some sun shots at the beach with the new camera. Oakley discovered a pal or two, I discovered the joys of a 300mm...
And then I discovered this puppy, and again, was glad to have that lens even more!
Totally glad I doubled back. I took a long, hot shower, and then began to head home to Portland. I had come in on Route 20 from Corvallis, and decided to take that back. It wasn't hard for me to let a "scenic route" sign divert me onto Route 223 toward Dallas/Salem. I saw some big-ass vultures and stopped. They had been feasting on a poor dead deer. They did me a favor and circled around, waiting for me to leave.
And then discovered, as I had expected, some beautiful Oregon countryside... always nice to take new routes in this state and affirm that I am exactly where I want to be. I love Oregon so much.
Feeling as though I was frolicking away with my windows open, perfect air blowing my hair back on a beautiful Oregon summer day, I ran across this sign, and decided to check it out.
It wasn't "right there." After a mile or so on a gravel road, I got to this:
Took the left, drove up a hill,and got to this. At this point, I felt invested in the journey. Note how I was now in fog.
And then went up a another long hill (still on gravel) and got to this.
I looked at my watch. 3:50. I hadn't paid attention at the first sign). I drove up anyway, and saw a really cool little secluded area. I wouldn't mind living on this kind of property.
As I was driving out, a man stuck his head out of the window on the second floor and said I was welcome and he'd be right down. Walter was a nice man who started his pottery business a few years ago after buying a potter's wheel on a whim. It was awesome to see this little gem of a gallery in the middle of nowhere (between Dallas and Philomath, in fact).
I bought two handsome coffee mugs that were "blemished" for a bit of a discount. Walter explained that he his cups were designed for one finger holders, two, or just to use one's thumb. They seemed just right to me. I was glad to have a little usable souvenir of this day's adventure.
(I also bought a little gift for my friend Rosebud that seemed perfect for her. Hopefully I will be able to send it soon... just need an address.)
Then that was it... two days a way that seemed like more. A little over an hour, through Dallas (below) and Salem, and I was home.
I love that I can get so lost but feel so at home in a couple of days.
