Oregon Coast

I'm a few days into my roadtrip by now and still enjoying Oregon. It's going well and I'm seeing some beautiful spots, but I'm not exactly meeting other travelers. Campers naturally tend to stick with their own gang and not socialize too much... There is also a huge RV culture down here and I definitely seem to be one of the youngest roadtrippers to hit the campgrounds. So it's been a pretty solitary trip. So far, I've met a strange-but-sweet priest from California who kept repeating that the trees in Sequoia National Park were as old as Christ (indeed, they are) and a family of rednecks who thought it was OK that their kids snooped around INSIDE my tent while we chit-chatted (my teacher voice came out and consequently, the kids did too).  Grrr.  I suddenly have an increased appreciation for hostelling...

The best perk of roadtripping solo --I think-- is singing as loudly as I want to in the car.  So far, road tunes have included CCR (of course), Coeur de Pirate, Les Soeurs Boulay and Stromae (Merci pour les CDs, Julie!), and anything folksy with a beat. I am also getting pretty good at rappin' along to Bust A Move -- I know, I know, I should have learned those lyrics years ago. 

Cape Lookout State Park, Oregon. First night in my new tent was awesome!  Cousin Mark helped me select a 3-person backcountry tent, so it's quick and easy to set up. Got lots of space in there, mattress is cushy, sleeping bag is just warm enough, new camping stove whips up culinary delights....  Game ON!

First stop this morning : a local cheese factory that Matt suggested I pop into.

Mmm.  Look at all that stinky cheddar.  Must smell like Heaven down there.

Let it be said that anyone could sell me ANYTHING if it came out of this little thing. 

Wheeler, Oregon.  Nice.

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon

At first glance, you'd think that all this hazy stuff was mist. But a lot of it is actually sea salt.  My car, face and hair were covered with it by the end of each day. It's actually rather tasty to lick one's lips around here.   ;-)

Astoria, Oregon. Named after America's first millionaire John Jacob Astor, who went down with the Titanic. Also, GUESS which beloved children's movie was shot here.... (Sorry, I kinda spoiled it for my friends on FB).....

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Once I saw the houses I thought, ''Oh yeah, it does look somewhat familiar''....

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Maybe the bridge will help????

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It was The Goonies, possibly the best kids' movie ever!  Chantal and Paul, I belted out a huge ''Hey you guy-uys!!!'' just for you.  I'm sure I wasn't the first to do it, and I'm sure the townspeople are sick of hearing it.  Too bad I won't be in town for Goonies Day -- I could have let my hair go all frizzy, walked around with ice cream on my face and looked like a pretty convincing Chunk.

Many of the pull-overs along the Oregon coastline offer viewpoints such as this one. Not a bad drive. 

C'mon Oregon, give the rest of the country a CHANCE.  So gorgeous.

Neskowin, Oregon

A quick stop at beautiful Cape Kiwanda.  I'm trying to beat the sunshine and get to my next campground before sundown.  I'm doing this a lot -- hurrying to the next place and feeling as though I'm rushing around-- so will slow things down and book each campground for more than one night from now on. You'd think I would have gotten the hang of it while hostelling, but apparently not!

Last night in Oregon, Beverly Beach State Park

Cape Perpetua, so named by Captain James Cook in 1778.

I've learned a few fun things about Oregon in the last few days :

* There are no self-serve gas stations here; all are attended. It was nice!

* Sheldon Cooper Presents Fun With Flags recap : Oregon's state flag is the only one to be two-sided and features a beaver, the State's official animal.

* In Portland, people are banned from whistling underwater. I wonder who ruined that for everyone?

Heceta Head Lighthouse

That's it for Oregon, I'll be crossing the California border today. I'm hoping to see more of Oregon on my way back home; it's just too good to pass up.

Love you all, xxx