Gd'-bye Oregon, HELLO California!

Shannon works @ the Sea Basket, bayside in Charleston, OR. She is a serious; pro-union Democrat and she is a major, major awesome person. We talked for quite a bit. No, I did not order the oyster omelet, but I am wishing I had.

This is Ron the Mormon from Erie PA who has long ago transplanted to Brandon OR area. Ron has a lifelong contract with the Muir Woods to carve Myrtlewood hummingbirds for them. As fast as he carves them they will buy them. Ron is also seen here with his creation the SLOBSTER, a jackalope if you will, of the Southern Coast of Oregon. Ron is a man who knows his scripture and is inspiring to those he meets.

Self-taken in the Redwood Forest. It took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to build my own tripod!

Mar on the unknown, unnamed beach in Cali. We wet our toes and it was sooooo cold!

crashing wave @ said beach

this is what we came for

Depoe Bay to Charleton/Coos Bay

The Devil's Churn along the Oregon coast...we did not have time to hike down and walk along it. It was high tide and the water was just churning in. It was so cool. Stunning. Spectacular. Awe-inspiring.

...and then we stopped and looked out, high above the ocean and we heard sea lions from down below. There was so many of them. We saw them swimming, basking on rocks and here on the beach. They also came in many different colors just like people. We saw; black, grey, tan & brown and of course dark grey.

So.....we are seriously behind. It is currently Tues AM---7 AM to be exact and #1, it is still dark and 2 we should be half-way down the Northern Cali coast by now. The Phillies are preventing us from doing a lot of driving since we are not driving when they are on, but part of it is that there is so much to see and do.

Last nite we pulled into Charleston, OR. A bayside fishermen's kinda town. We checked in at Capt'n Johnny's Motel for 56 dollars and walked across the parking lot to eat at the highly recomended Portside, which had wonderful views out the wind of mud---low tide. At Portside we had some serious fish--Mar had poached Salmon and I had Cajun Halibut. The fish was among the best we ever had....super fresh and simply well prepared. The Halibut was amazing...it was my 1st Halibut as well as....ready--- BAKED OYSTERS. Mmmmm dipped in butter and they were huge! The bartender (we ate at the bar to watch the rain in Philly) told us the fish was from the boats on the docks...it was her b-day and we got to know everyone at the bar. Later in the evening Alex...sitting next to me told me how the Halibut and Salmon were really from Alaska....he thinks their fish is better then Portland's. Oh well....the Oysters were from the farm 'round the corner.

We are having a great time....it is already screaming by! The sign above was in the hotel bathroom....apparently you are not allowed to clean fish in your room.....go figure.

Onto the Seabasket for a nice fried egg and then to Walmart for some supplies and Cali here we come!

The trip in

Ok, so they had TV on the plane and I could get updates of the Eagles game even though it was the KC game on. I didn't pay the 6 bucks and eventually a screen saver of clouds came on. I would have paid the 6 bucks to watch the Eagles, especially since I was flying....just like an eagle.

We met Mar's bosses son, Stephen in Portland where he lives for some grub....met a Phillies fan from Boyertown PA (next to camp) and watched some of the Phillies game and then encountered the largerst urinals I have seen to date....frankly if this was my restaurant I would advertise--- LARGEST URINALS IN PORTLAND!

and if your ever in Portland---Deschutes is the name of the restaurant brewery.

Anyway it is 11 and we need to hit the road....agate hunting @ Fogarty's Beach and Newport Beach.

The owner's of A Whale's Rendezvous, where we stayed said the whales will come right up to the back deck no more then 50' from where you stand....but alas...we are packing and thus far--no whales.

sea lions and waves

the view from the room....you can't really see them in the water in this shot, but there were about 50+ sea lions just rolling around with the waves. Watching and hearing the waves from here is amazing.

The ocean is alive, it is living and breathing. The waves come in and CRASH into the rocks cascading their spray all over and then you watch the waters recede being drawn back in to the ocean.

I cannot begin to express the gratitude for the day after waking to this. The stars last nite and this AM were insane as we stared skyward and named the constellations.

From the book of Proverbs 27---two treasures.....enjoy.

Better is open rebuke then hidden love.

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

BTW---the sun is just starting to hot the white foam of the waves and it is spectacular!

ahhhh the things that happen in a day!

Right now I am sitting next to that little fireplace in the pic typing away with the ocean about 100' away crashing into the cliff and rocks below me....it is really amazing as was the sunset as we drove to the ocean....

the waves are crashing below me and they sound like a freight train!

I am very tired what with watching the Phillies win Sat nite till 2 AM and then getting up and catching a flight clear across the USA.

The scenery here is stunning and the state of Oregon is so pristine!

So, yes we stopped in Denver albeit briefly to switch planes and about an hour or so into the 1st flight I asked Mar for a can of Peanuts and this is from the top of the can...razor sharp and on a plane, but do not bring toenail clippers!!!!

Sorry for the lack of good stunning pics tonite will make up for it tomorrow.

Go EAGLES----thank God you beat Atlanta!!!

and Philly great ready......the championship is coming home!!!!!!!!!

Tater

32.50

32.50 hours.

In 32.50 hours from the time of typing this....I will be en-route to Oregon the only other state in the Union that it is illegal to pump your own gas.

Me & the beautiful one will be driving the coast from Depoe Bay Oregon to LAX.

Are you with me?

My wife and I will be traveling the Pacific coast---my first time in seeing the sunset here.

R-E-L-A-X

my joy will be in the solitude and the people

look for daily updates as this blog becomes a daily travel blog starting SUNDAY the day the Phillies play, the Eagles play and of course The Who plays--all in Philly, I'll be in Oregon...