A Final Stop Before Moving on to Washington

 June 21 - 26, 2021

Astoria, Oregon - Montesano, Washington

Astoria, Oregon, is always a bittersweet spot for us. It's a beautiful area with lots to do, but also means we're leaving our lovely Oregon Coast. Every time we arrive I immediately feel like I didn't schedule enough time at our previous stops! And with the temps warming up quickly I'm very much feeling that way this time :-(

Although we love exploring new places, and are looking forward to some of that in the weeks ahead, our preference for the summer months is always the Pacific Northwest, especially the coast. We'll still have some time on the Olympic Peninsula before moving east.

Not sure what I'm thinking when I reserve our time in Astoria but this is the second time I've only planned two nights! What?? I luck out and we're in the only site that we can extend our stay an additional night so I do that when we arrive. 

Lewis and Clark Golf and RV Park is our default for the area. With clean, level gravel sites surrounded by well-maintained green lawns and forest views across the beautiful golf course, it's hard to beat. 50 amp FHUs all work well with easy access. Interior roads are wide, satellite connects, facilities all look clean. Their WiFi is hit-and-miss for us, and our cell coverage is strong. The owner is friendly and helpful. Checks only - no cash or credit. 

No water view, but still pretty.

Unlike Tillamook, Astoria has a plethora of eateries and breweries to choose from. New for us is the Bridgewater Bistro, and it's fantastic. Views, food, service, ambiance - I highly recommend it. 

Astoria-Megler Bridge across the Columbia from the patio dining area.

Hard to beat carrot rings around radish sprouts - and super fresh everything.

Tuesday we make a loop along Youngs River, through Jewell Meadow, and back out to Hwy 101 in Canon Beach. It's always a treat to discover new places in a familiar area. There's little opportunity to stop by the river, but it's a pretty drive.

Jewell Meadow

Canon Beach

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse a mile off shore from Canon Beach, "Terrible Tilly" is one of the great stories of the Pacific Coast.

While our day is bright and sunny, the fog we drove through the previous day lingers to the south. The view changes with the wind.

In my "when we win the lottery" daydreaming I often look at coastal properties. One that grabbed my interest recently is near Canon Beach, and on our way north in the motorhome I happen to catch a glimpse of it's grass roof from the highway! Knowing where it is I figure we might as well see what a $5M 2-bedroom home on the beach looks like in person.

Wow!

I didn't realize that in this photo the top of that dirt drive is Hwy 101 - no place to park outside the small garage, and no place to easily turn around :-( That negative aside, it's a stunning modern home. I couldn't figure out, even with the price, why it has been on the market for 250+ days. Then I realize it has to be impossible to keep that glass clean on a beach! Oh well.......I'll just have to find another one.

We "attempt" the village of Canon Beach where there are a million people lining the sidewalks. The farmer's market is very small, and there aren't many shops, so they must all be going back and forth to the beach from the gazillion motels, hotels and vacation rentals. No thanks.

The drive through Seaside and Gearhart the day before was heavily congested and Tuesday is no different. We're glad to get back to Astoria where it's much calmer!

Our "extra" day is spent over the bridge in Washington at the Willapa National Wildlife Ridge. It's too warm for there to be much wildlife, but we always enjoy the peace of these protected lands. On our way home we stop to catch the views from Fort Columbia, a small but well maintained fort of battlements and residences where the Columbia reaches the Pacific.

Back at home Bill has a Zoom call with his college buddies - one he hasn't talked to in over 40 years. They enjoy an hour of catching up and agree to do another call in the near future. It's great being able to connect with so many people in so many ways.

Thursday is a nice and easy drive where I'm able to use cruise control for the first time in a couple months! The road is still lumpy, but much flatter and straighter than the beautiful coast drive. 

Friends' Landing in Montesano, Washington, is a first time for us. We've stayed in the Grays Harbor area but in other parks. It's a lovely surprise on the Chihalis River. Level paved sites with shade trees in the perimeter sites, 50 amp and water with dump station. The park is full but surprisingly quiet and very dark (which I love). Large shower house, didn't see a laundry. No swimming as the river is fast here, but several docks for fishing and a narrow boat launch. The road in is narrow with a couple tight turns, but it's an easy drive, and there are a few rigs longer than ours already here. We'll stay again.

This is the heart of logging country, and clear cutting is the norm. Our Friday drive to Wynoochie Lake takes us through several 100 acres of freshly destroyed and slowly recovering timberland. There is also a lot more uncut forest surrounding us, but it's still sad to see that select-cutting isn't done anywhere. 

Like a mother who weaves a colorful scarf to cover the bald head of their child battling cancer, Mother Nature attempts to lessen the scarring with beautiful wildflowers. It's beautiful, and bees and birds are everywhere, but still.......

Adding to the anti-environment theme we stop at the dam that creates the recreational lake. As ugly as the lake is beautiful. Owned by the city of Aberdeen, the dam was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1972.

Wyoochie Dam

Wynoochie Reservoir

I own both a wood house and a diesel-powered motorhome, I've enjoyed a large wood deck and playing on reservoirs, so I'm not unaware of my own contribution to the use of resources. I could do more to be a good steward. I also know that we are held hostage by the industries making millions off the rape of our planet when other sustainable options have been available for decades. 

We've been loving our cool temps since we left Central California and now we're heading into a nasty heat wave on Puget Sound. Of all places! On the water! 
But I have a long-awaited reunion with a cousin that can't be missed so we'll make the best of the weather!