California, Oregon, - Oraingon - day 31

Here are a few more photos taken when we left Crescent City, CA into southern Oregon, through Grants Pass then down to Talent, Oregon for two days. Before we left Crescent City we walked to the lighthouse at low tide to snap these. Notice the pattern on the curtains. Remember, you can double click any photo to enlarge it.




These are of the beautiful and fast moving Smith River before it empties into the Pacific



Then the welcome sign.


On the way through Grant's Pass OR to Medford we sighted the "Sheriffs Car" from Cooper's favorite movie CARZ.
We also saw this "service" truck with the humorous caption on its side which said "A Royal Flush beats a Full House Anytime."



We stayed with Peg's Aunt Cleo, in Medford OR, and while there, took a day trip to Crater Lake. It was raining off and on, but still worth the trip. It was so rainy and misty when when we arrived in Crater Lake, even though the lodge was open, the rim road drive was closed because it still had not been cleared of snow. There was over 200 inches of snow this year, which seems like a lot, but in past years 300 to 400 inches a year was not uncommon. There was so much fog and mist in the crater you could not see down to the lake, which was 900 feet lower then the lodge which was at 8200 feet.





This photo was taken through a window at the lodge where you would normally be able to see down to the lake 900 feet below.

On the way to and from the Crater, we stopped twice at Beckies Cafe on US Rte 62. This old and historic little place was a wonderful respite on the way up and again, on the return trip. We had wonderful Chicken and Rice soup and hot tea in the morning, (Sorry Roy Callahan, but Beckies was really good). On the return trip we had a super hamburger, well done fries and the very best totally home made blackberry pie. Beckies is famous for all their home made pies and most people stop by just for the pies. Their most famous pie is Huckleberry Pie but they only have that in August and September when Huckleberries are in season. Yes, Sara Lee, even the crusts are from scratch.
Right up the road from Beckies, is a view of the Rogue River and the moss covered rocks and trees around it. This river was originally much lower then it is now but when the mountain that now houses Crater Lake blew up millions of years ago, it buried the river until the water found new ways though the lava tunnels. It is a lot of water going though a very narrow rock formation. It was pouring rain so I didn't stay around for a lot of photos. Color me whimpy. 8>)




We left Aunt Cleo's on Thursday morning but before we got on the way, we drove 5 miles south of Talent to see Ashland Oregon. Aunt Cleo had lived there for many years and at one time had her own restaurant and made her own pies, from scratch. No store bought crusts (again, sorry Sara Lee) and no canned fillings. We were fortunate to have some of her own home made apple pie.

Now, let me tell you a story about apple pie. I NEVER liked apple pie, I hated it. It was right down there with liver, brussel sprouts and beets. As a kid my mother would make it, or her minced pie with hard sauce, and I couldn't stand it. She thought I was a da---- communist because I didn't like apple pie. I'll tell you though, Aunt Cleo's apple pie is a five star pie. Even Beckies would jump at the chance to serve it. OK, enough about Aunt Cleo's fabulous pie, back to Ashland Oregon. What a wonderful and charming city. Kind of a cross between Asheville NC and Blowing Rock NC. The beautiful scenic backdrops and the wonderful dedication to art and music and the open mindedness of the people. The boutiques, the bistros, the galleries, they could be sister cities.

We arrived Florence after being on Rt 38 from I 5. This was an hour long drive through deep, dark, and beautiful redwood groves and rolling farm country. There were many "Elk Viewing" areas along the way and we did see some elk on U.S. Government preserves. We hopped on US 101 again to Florence then took a side trip into the historic downtown. more fine art and great restaurants with views of the bay and the ocean.


We had a great lunch at "Bridgewater" ocean fresh fish house and Zebra Bar. Peg and I both had delicious oyster sandwiches accompanied with great wine wine. Peg had "Evolution" by Zokol Blosser Wineries. Both served by a nice waitress named Jesmine.



We continued up the coast to Newport in a continuing fog and rain. All was not lost though, we did see more elk in the interior and when we stopped at some vista points on 101 we still had nice things to see, including a bunch of barking, noisy sea lions on the rocks below our viewpoint.





We arrived Newport on a dismal, cold, rainy night. Our room had a great view and internet access but no heat. We were moved to another room, with no internet, plenty of heat and a great view which we appreciated more this morning because it was finally dry.

We would continue up the coast, stopping along the way to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory (largest in the US and international prize winner for their cheddar cheese)

We then went on to Cannon Beach to view "Haystack" the most photographed spot in Oregon and familiar to those that enjoyed the Osker winning movie "The Goonies." By the way, this is the 25th anniversary of "The Goonies". There will be celebrations, events, and visits by some of the original cast members. Many will visit Astoria Oregon for these festivities from June 4th through June 7th. For all you "Goonie" followers, or Goonie Goonies, check out www.gooniesanniversary.com.







We arrived Seaside Oregon on Friday afternoon. This is near the terminus of the Lewis and Clark Expedition back in 1804-06.


Other then that, Seaside is like a small west coast version of Myrtle Beach SC. Tomorrow we are off to Astoria OR then to Portland to meet and visit with John and Marie Stewart of Hood River Oregon and to see the Columbia River Gorge.