May 19, 20, 2013

Sunday May 19, 2013

Well, we're a little slow this morning, but it's time to leave Eureka to head north to Oregon.   Dennis has what he calls "motion" - from driving so much yesterday.   It was up & down, twisting & turning in the mountains of Northern California.   I feel it a little, but not too bad.   We packed up, got Buttercup some diesel, and cashed in my big $4 winning Powerball ticket!!!  


On the road, up the coast!!!! We stopped on the side of the road for a few minutes and ran over to the beach so we could touch the Pacific Ocean!!   Looked like a couple of kids.   Then it was back on the road.

                                                         Highway 101, up the coast.

                                                         Had to stop at the beach.

                                                                       Step by step.

                                            She almost got wet. You should see the video.

Today was pretty much a travel day, but we did have a nice stop to see the giant redwoods.   Parked Buttercup in an elk viewing area off of Rt. 101.

                             Look in the middle and the slightly left you will see a brown elk.

 Unhooked the car, and rode to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove.  President Nixon dedicated this area to her back in 1969.  Hiked a couple of miles through the forest - WOW - what a beautiful site!!!    We felt like tiny little ants next to these huge trees.

 This is a burl which is a growth on the tree which helps in the longevity and growth of the tree.

                         Dennis wasn't to far back, but look how little I look in front of the redwood.

  On the way back Dennis spotted a herd of elk.   I was so excited because we didn't see many in the designated viewing area.   Good eye Dennis!!!

  Hooked the car up and off we went.   Had lunch a little further down the winding road - sandwich & chips.   Still heading north on 101 and passing some stunning coastline scenery.   The pictures just don't do it justice.   The sun was shining, but chilly and really windy!!

   We journeyed up to a little town called Bandon, Oregon.   We were glad to finally pull into our campground - Bandon by the Sea - and set up camp for a couple of days.

Beautiful flowers were in bloom!!

   It was grilled chicken, potato and a salad for dinner.   A little TV and then we fell in the bed!!   Until tomorrow.......

Robin & Dennis


Monday May 20, 2013  

Up at 7:00 - the sun's out and not a cloud in the sky.    Decided to take the scenic beach rode into the little town of Bandon.

 Stopped at a few overlooks to view the ocean and coastline.   One place was called Face Rock.   The rock looks like a big head with the face looking up at the sky.

                                                 A man's face leaning back in the water.

  At another stop there were some professional birdwatchers (wonder which one is the pro :) that had high powered telescopes that were setup to view the birds out on the rocks.   We saw the Common Murre, Western Gulls, and were supposed to see the Tufted Puffin, but we didn't see them.

Can't really see the birds without the telescope, but there were bunches

One of the birdwatchers suggested we ride down to Simpson Reef (where there are lots of different kinds of seals),  and Cape Arago (for the views) which we thought we might do a little later.   Then rode into the little town of Bandon.

  Of course we had to have lunch at Tony's Crab Shack.  Just a little hole in the wall type place.    Best clam chowder I think I've ever had and a fish taco.   Dennis had a shrimp and crab sandwich.   Was very good!!!

 

  Shopped a little trying to walk off our lunch!!   Then hopped back in the car and drove to find Simpson Reef.   It took a little doing, but we finally found it.   Was neat seeing the seals and the beautiful scenery.

                         Dennis took these through the telescopes that the educators had set up.

  Rode around a bit stopping at the different overlooks and also made a quick stop at a botanical garden where lots of rhododendrons were in bloom.   Up here the locals say the "rhodies are in the bloom".

 After exhausting this area, we drove back to Bandon. We did see a several cranberry bogs.  It's the cranberry capital of Oregon, and they have a Cranberry Festival here in September.    It was neat and "Tis tasty"!

 

  Stopped at the grocery store and picked up a couple of steaks for dinner.   Then back to the Face Rock Creamery that had just opened recently.

 

  Dennis dropped me off to go in to buy some cheese while he scooted back down to Tony's  Crab Shack to get two of the huge crabs we saw earlier for our "dinner appetizer".   I think one of these crabs equals about six of our crabs!!!   Boy, were they good, as were the steaks for dinner.    I know our doctor is not going to be pleased with us at our next checkup :))

We'll be pulling out tomorrow morning heading north.   I think our luck is running out though - it's supposed to rain for the next couple of days.   Oh well,  we'll just take it easy and make the best of it.     Until next time........

Robin & Dennis