Fun in Florence

May 28-June 1, 2017
Florence, Oregon

Our third day in Florence we make our way to the beach. Driving north we stop at Cook's Chasm where we enjoy watching the violent beauty of Thor's Well. 

Large basalt flows formed in the Cape of Perpetua, and a small parking area provides access from Hwy 101. The lot is nearly full and getting photos of the well without people is impossible. Still, watching the spouting water is fascinating, the full views are beautiful, and we spend a long time just watching.

Cape Perpetua, Oregon

Beginning as a sea cave, when the top caved in, Thor's Well became a large opening that shoots large spouts at high tide.

    

Seawater rushes inland, 

carving large shelves in the basalt.

We pass Heceta Head Lighthouse which we'll return to visit with our friends who are hosting there for the month of June.

Further north we stop at Beachside State Recreation Site. We've missed walking on the beach, and Tessa is long overdue for zoomies! The sky is striped with clouds in varying shades of gray and blue, blending flawlessly into the water that mimics it. It is a perfect 65 degrees with light wind. Best of all, there are very few other people here.

Several 50 cent pieces in the sand.

All mine!

I love the blue sand.

One last stop returning south.

Monday is Memorial Day and the main roads are busy with vacationers returning home. We are grateful to those who gave everything to ensure our freedoms, and grateful for this amazing life we live that never requires going anywhere else to be home. 

We choose the forest for our explorations today, ending up on a lollipop route around Siltcoos Lake. This is the thickest forest we've seen, in many areas very little light makes its way to the road. Pines stand tall with hardwoods and shrubs filling the space in between. Ferns line the banks. It feels light years from the open, sandy beach and basalt flows of yesterday.

The "road" becomes a single lane, but not one-way, around the lake, and I'm very glad we meet no other vehicles. Small homes, solid docks, fishing boats (no sports boats), and work trucks define a simple community on lakefront property. 

No idea what the "plan" is for oncoming traffic here.

Locals out for a stroll.

Back in Florence we have a wonderful lunch at Restobar 1285, a favorite of Sue and Dave's, and ours too!

I love their pizzafish logo.

Almost as much as Bill loves his Greek pizza!

Our after-lunch walk takes us to the site of the old Ferry Landing.

The Siuslaw River Ferry closed in 1936,

when it was replaced with this beautiful art deco bridge.

Tuesday it rains off and on and we enjoy a lazy day at home.

While Wednesday starts out bright and sunny, when we head back to Heceta Head Lighthouse to see Jim and Diana, the clouds have returned and the temps dropped. By the time we reach the parking lot, it is drizzling and we opt to wait for them rather than making the 15 minute hike to the point.

Man and dog on beach.

A much different beach.

The crashing waves keep us entertained.

Another fulltimer, Rick, whom we have RV Dreams friends in common with, joins the four of us for dinner and fun catching up at Mo's back in Florence.

Jim, Diana, Bill, Jodee and Rick - fun times!!

Errands and another meet up on Thursday - Pat is Donnie's brother (we saw their mom in Eugene), and he and wife Jennifer live southeast of us in Elkthorn. They have chores of their own to get done in town, and we're delighted at the chance for a visit!

Jennifer, Pat, Bill, Jodee and Tessa - at the Firehouse Grill.

All this and we still have a few more days of fun in Florence!