Squeezing in the Last of Summer's Wonder

All images copyright  2013 Chris Angelus/Portland Food Adventures

This title is a bit misleading.  In Oregon, depending on your locale and your definition, the summers may be perfect, but that doesn't mean the fun ends there.

Noting the Portland weather forecasts were ready to hit the high 90s, I looked at my calendar and realized that I could get what I needed to get done from my remote office:  in this case, a campsite and a picnic bench somewhere cooler- like the coast.  Full on AC there, with temps in the 60s.  I was in.

I was torn between the shorter drive to Nehalem Bay State Park or my new discovery, Seal Rocks RV Cove.   It's an hour difference in driving.   The thought of taking more pics with my new camera swayed the needle toward Seal Rocks.   There are many great routes to get to that area from Portland.  My favorite is to go to Salem and buzz over to on 22 and then to 18, and then head south from Lincoln City on 101.  But I didn't feel like congestion in Lincoln City, so I chose to go to Corvallis and take 34 and 20 over directly into Newport.   

It's a fairly easy drive (the less lights, the better, and this is way better than Route 18.

On the eve of 9/11, I caught a glimpse of this and stopped to get a shot.

While I was snapping this covered bridge, we ran across a woman walking her dog who was very concerned with Oakley being off leash around her dog, who was one year old and had never seen another dog!!  

Oakley and her dog got alone just fine.  One of the first requisites to being a dog owner--PLEASE socialize your dog.  It makes such a difference.

Once we hit the coast, the temperature dipped so nicely.  I thought I would grab some dinner there and then make sure to catch sunset over Seal Rocks--the real reason for going this far south.

First stop, an early dinner at The South Beach Fish Market, which has the best fish and chips anywhere.   It's a dive... a great dive.  And I nominate it for the worst website ever.  But that has no bearing on their food.

I tried something new which I hadn't ordered in my four or so visits here:  two pieces each of tuna, salmon and halibut for $12.  Seriously.  Where else can you get that for that price?   And it is prepared perfectly.  Never overdone... delicious and tender.   I love this spot.  So I ordered that for a change.

I ordered one crab and cheese stuffed shrimp on the side.  They gave me two.  They always seem to throw in one more of something.  It's one of the things to love about this place.

We made it to Seal Rocks RV Cove by 6 or so.  I had a delightful conversation with Myna, who was so nice and gracious.  She and her husband Ray are from Louisiana, and surely an added nice dimension to "roughing it" at in my Element.  They are quite gracious and told me of the history of the park and showed me some pictures.  It's now owned by a retired attorney in Lake Oswego, who is the grandson (I think) of the man who bought the property in 1913.  A stately hotel once stood there, before Route 101 came through.

We made it down to one of the prettiest places in Oregon (which would make it one of the prettiest in the world!)   we had some time to play on the beach and catch some rays--Oregon style.

Oakley has a way of attracting people.. they take to him immediately if they are so inclined, and he takes to them.  Although everyone knows whose dog he is!

There were other animals there... preparing for the sunset show.

Then the sun started to set.

And then she was gone.

That night, I was talking to a friend on the phone and somehow I just happened to walk over to my car.  I saw some smoke eminating from the shoplight that I use... totally dumb design (I know now!).   The plastic casing had melted and then the upholstery was starting to melt!   I swiped at the plastic to get it off of the material, and burned my finger.

Had I not gotten to the car at that moment, I think I might have been in for a dramatic disaster.  Starting my car on fire in the middle of the woods... in a campsite.  Nice.

The next morning this was the evidence:

There seems to be a couple of subliminal images in there, depending on how you look at it.

So, when I awoke on 9/11/13, I felt like the day was one of those days to be truly appreciated.  Not only because of the significance of 9/11, but because had my car gone up in flames, I surely wouldn't have had a drama-free day in front of me.

I made coffee, savored the air, and then we buzzed down to the beach.

Some more playing time with a new doggie friend.

Don't ever let it be said that you can't play ball at 64 (in dog years)

And then we ran into these pups.  (Love my new camera, a Nikon D5200 with a 55-300mm lens)

15 miles or so to the south is Yachats, and I had a hankering for breakfast with a view at the Adobe.  I recommend this place to ANYONE.  It's good food--fills the bill for sure--and the views and the service are fantastic. I asked them to sub bacon for ham and had a spinach, bacon and mushroom scramble, which I enjoyed a lot.

Then we wandered a bit on the 804 Trail, one of my favorite places... (I have taken a zillion pictures there--I won't add more to this blog).

I had asked a couple if they wanted me to take a picture of them.  The guy in the couple, Alex, was a defector from Poland--a physicist.   We started talking about appreciating the opportunity to take in this beautiful scenery, and we ended up moving on to governments oppressing people, conspiracy theories (to him, not theories) and then moving on to the existence of God.  For someone to keep me engaged in that discussion was remarkable.  He used logic and math to make his case.  I was intrigued.

He asked me if he could return the favor and take a shot of the two of us.

We enjoyed some time in Yachats and then went back to Seal Rocks, buzzing around Newport for a while.   I had planned on going to Local Ocean Seafoods for dinner, but frankly didn't feel like being around a lot of people, and figured I would enjoy another early cheap dinner at South Beach Fish Market, where Oakley could sit with me.  (I do enjoy Restaurant Beck, which boasts one of Oregon's best chefs making incredibly beautiful and interesting food, about 20 minutes north, but when I am with myself, the hour long round trip to sit at a white tablecloth place when I am dressed to camp just has me waiting to go some other time).

Captain's Platter.  Add some salmon.  $17.50.

We switched campsites.  Again, we were the only ones in the tent area.  Note the view in the background.  I slept with my back hatch open.  It was truly wonderful.

The next morning we took a long walk as far as we could go south on Seal Rocks Beach, and then packed it up and headed north.

No fried fish.  We stopped for a crab sandwich ($12) again, at South Beach.  I assumed it would be grilled or toasted.  Next time I shall ask.  Still, the crab was fantastic.  I had it with a tomato and some onion.

This is one of my favorite bluffs just south of Depoe Bay.

Best, most patient travel dog ever.  No leash required.

Then, not knowing my plans for the evening, I continued north toward Nehalem Bay State Park, thinking I might stay there to wait out one more day of heat in Portland.   I should have taken some pictures of Neskowin.  I had been to the beach before, which is beautiful, but the little town was so cute.  I saw two houses for about $290k each that made me stop and think.  And then I stopped and thought some more and headed north.

 I took the Three Capes scenic route, which took me through Pacific City.

Abort!! 

I was dead tired by the time we hit Nehalem, and decided to camp one more night before heading back. Nehalem Bay State Park it was.  More beach play that night and then relaxing before a good night's sleep.

Awoke, had coffee and a pastry I got from Depoe Baykery on the way up,  And then we went for a four mile walk on my favorite dog/walking beach of all, Neahkanie Beach.

(This is one of my previously taken pics.)

Then home.  A good night's sleep.

And then Austin and I went to the Lake Oswego Farmer's Market.

And now we are home with an abundance of healthier food than I just ate for three days, and surely healthier than that which I will be consuming at Feast Portland next week for four days and nights.  

All images copyright  2013 Chris Angelus
Any unauthorized use of these photographs in any form is prohibited unless permission is expressly granted.