Moving to the Coast

May 23-27, 2017
Eugene - Florence, Oregon

Our drive south on Hwy 62 follows the Rogue River. It's a return of our drive up to Prospect, but those "other way" trips often give us brand new views. It is a nice wide road with passing lanes and turn-outs. 

Hwy 227 however, is not. At least for the first 25 miles (half-way) we're on a very narrow road with no passing lanes and less than a handful of turn-outs. With several 20 mph turns, I'm grateful we have very few other vehicles. That one full logging truck is memorable :-) 

The last 90 miles is on Interstate 5, a route we've both traveled individually, but is new in the motorhome. 

We arrive at Armitage County Park in Eugene, Oregon, and set up in Space 1. It is every bit as beautiful as other bloggers have said. It's close proximity to town is a nice plus. With 50 amp FHUs, plenty of green space, a level asphalt site, and open sky for satellite, it's lovely. And it's nice to be back on the grid!

Space 1, Armitage County Park

Nice privacy, very green.

We take a country drive, enjoy a couple brews in town, stock up at Trader Joe's, and chill out in our pretty spot.

Rural Oregon.

Amber Ale and Espresso Stout at Oakhurst Brewery

But by far, the highlight of our Eugene stop is a visit with Marge. She is mom to our good friend Donnie whose house we stay at in Tombstone, and was like a second mom to Bill when he was growing up. She is sharp as a tack and we spend a couple hours laughing and catching up.

Marge and Bill

Friday we drive over mountains to Florence, Oregon. Another riverside route, this time along the Siuslaw River. Both of us continue to suffer from allergies that we've never had before :-(

We're at Woahink Lake RV Resort south of town for 11 nights. Level gravel sites with large hedges between each of the pull-throughs. Picnic tables and enough room to set up the chairs and BBQ. FHUs with 50 amp and good water pressure. The park WiFi works great. However, we are in one of only three sites with a tree that blocks our satellite :-(  They have adequate cable so we stay put. With direct access to the dunes next door for ATVs, many of our neighbors have toy-haulers. Except for some loud-talkers who move-in for two nights, the park is remarkably quiet.

Our original plan was to avoid the state parks over the holiday weekend, but a drive through Jesse M. Honeyman SP on Saturday morning causes us to change those plans. The day use parking area is less than half full so we get a pass and spend a few hours.

Bill fishes and Tessa and I take a nice walk through the forest and flowers. The VC is permanently closed and there's a real need for some TLC throughout the grounds, still it's a beautiful park. 

Cleawox Lake

Lily pads

The park is full of wild Rhododendrons.

And millions of these little cuties.

Several trails meander the lakeside.

Ripples in the lake.

New pine growth adds more color to the forest floor.

Old growth trees line one side of the lake.

Delicate grasses.

Bright ground cover.

We love visiting new places, and after two years on the road, we're excited about re-visiting places we really loved the first time. We've come back to spend more time in Florence, a place we enjoyed in 2015.

With beaches, lakes, a small town, and forests we're looking forward to lots of exploring!