Day 92 (Wednesday): October 9, 2019
Woke up at 5:30 AM for a loud diesel truck wake-up call, clear sky, 36 oF. After shower and breakfast, started to pack and left the RV Park of Yakima. Drove on the scenic Hwy 12 in the Naches River Valley, surrounded with well kept farm lands, then we arrived to the Canyon, where we took few photographs. Continued on Hwy 12 which took us into the Wenatchee Mountains and Wenatchee National Forest. When we arrived to Rimrock Lake then to White Pass, the temperature dropped to 24 oF, the light rain changed to snow and we were on a very slippery, icy, snowy road conditions on high elevation, on a steep, curly, challenging mountain road. However, when we arrived to the summit, the Sun came out and the whole snow covered landscape turned to a wonderland. Took few pictures, and as a special gift, the snow covered Mount Rainier showed up from the clouds. Slowly we drove down to Packwood, then continued in the river valley on Hwy 12 to I-5, where we turned south to Longview WA, then on a long bridge over the Columbia River, drove to Hwy 30 to Westport then to Astoria, where on an another long bridge, finally we made it to the Oregon Coastal scenic drive 101. Drove through several small villages, we arrived to Cannon Beach, where we camped in the Heritage Sea Ranch RV Park. After setting up our base camp for two days, we hiked to the beach and enjoyed the scenery, the Haystack rock and other famous rocks in the deep orange light of afterglow. We were excited and happy to see and experience all of these things during the day. Hiked back to our camp around 8 PM in dark. After dinner, we worked on our files and journals, read few books then when we saw the clear sky, filled with bright stars, we relaxed and felt ourselves blessed again.
Day 93 (Thursday): October 10, 2019
Woke up at 6:30 AM, after a quick shower and shawing in the cold bath-house, we set up for the day trip and drove to Ecola State Park’s Indian Beach part. Hiked down to the shore and enjoyed the water, the scenery, the rocks and the number of surfers, looking for the best waves to ride on. Got few nice 4×5 shots, then hiked back to the car, then drove to another viewpoint, hiked a bit there, then ate our sandwiches at picnic tables. That was so funny to remember yesterday’s ice and snow on the White Pass and blue sky, sunny day with blooming dandelions. Drove back to the camp late afternoon, parked the car there and walked to the city. Enjoyed the small stores, ate Dungeness Crabb meat at local seafood market and eatery, then checked out art galleries, book stores, and pubs. Early evening we ate dinner and drank few fine micro brewed beers at the local Brewery, then walked home. worked on journals and images, maps and more plans. Today was a relaxing nice day. We got tired, but were happy. We had clear sky, starry night and 51 oF at 9 PM. Good night sleep.
Day 94 (Friday): October 11, 2019
We had a clear starry night, the wind picked up few times, but mostly was calm. Got up at 6:30 AM, after a hot shower and shaving in the cold bath-house, made strong coffee and tea, then packed and closed our camp. Drove on the scenic Oregon Coast Hwy 101, stopped many nice places and viewpoints. Passed charming small towns and nice scenic areas in the Tillamook State Forest, then back to the Coast and stopped at Otter Rock, at Boyler State Park, where as a special gift from Nature, we ere able to see a Gray Whale, from the rocky viewpoint at close range. That was amazing to see how this huge sea mammal blew out the air with thousands of water droplets. We watched and photographed as long the whale was there, then continued on Hwy 101 to Devil’s Punch hole, then to Seal Cave, finally we arrived to Florence then to Woahink Lake, where we camped for two nights. After setting up our camp, I walked to the dunes and took few reference shots for tomorrow’s 4×5 photography hike. Ate good dinner then visited the community camp fire, told stories and talked to other campers. Clear sky, starry night, 41 oF. We slept well and dreamed about the whales. We were happy.
Day 95 (Saturday): October 12, 2019
We had a clear starry night, few clouds showed up at dawn, and the dawn painted reddish orange colors gave me heartwarming peace at Woahink Lake. After this special gift, the wind picked up and the colors paled out. After strong espresso, we walked to the Dunes to photograph the shapes and forms of sand hills and sand falls. Around 11 AM ate breakfast, then drove to Florence Old Town, where we enjoyed the harbor, market, street life, art galleries and ate good pastry and drank strong espresso in a charming old fashion Coffee Shop. Early afternoon we drove to the Sea Lion Cave, but the sea lions are in the cave only during spring and summer, but we liked and photographed the views and were amazed with the infinite Pacific Ocean and how its blended into the sky. Drove back to south on the scenic Hwy 101 to Darlington State Natural Area, where we photographed the large group of unique Cobra Lily carnivorous plants. Back to Florence, where we bought food supplies and ate good dinner in one of the harbor’s fine seafood restaurants, enjoyed the good food and the river landscape sitting at a window table. Back to camp around 8 PM, unpacked and organized our stuff, learned that one of my images won an Honorable Mention Award at the IBlack and White Spider Awards International Photography contest, and when we finished, the rain started… Rained almost all night, but we had a great, happy day again.
Day 96 (Sunday): October 13, 2019
We had a rainy night, rain stopped at early morning, scattered clouds on the sky, temperature slowly rising from 50 oF. Shower, shaving, packing, after breakfast broke our camp and pulled out at 10:30 AM. Drove on scenic Hwy 101 to Reedsport, then turned east on Hwy 38. Stopped at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, took few photographs from elks and Canada geese. Continued in the the River Valley to Green Acres and Elkton then on the narrow, winding Hwy 138 to Kellog and on I-5 to Roseburg, then Medford, finally arriving to Phoenix Holiday RV, where we had reservation for tonight. Passed through the mountains on least four high elevation passes then before Medford we stopped to see and enjoy the view to the layered mountains. Our RV park is clean and nice, almost completely full with travelers. Ate yesterdays leftover for dinner, then worked on files, journal, walked around, relaxed. Dark at 7 PM. We had a good day again.
Day 97 (Monday): October 14, 2019 Columbus Day
Woke up at 5:30 AM, clear starry night, my friend the Orion Constellation was so bright. After regular morning routines, long walk to the bathroom… made strong espresso and tea, for the morning and for the road. Got gas, then started to pack ,ate good breakfast then hitched and left our camp at 9 AM. Drove on I-5 to Hanbrock, then at the rest area we got nice vie to the Klamathon Mountains, to the Klamathon Creek. Continued on the steep, winding, but scenic I-5 to Yreka, Weed, then Mount Shasta. We got nice views to Mount Shasta and to the smaller peak, Mount Shastina. Continued to Dunsmuit through the high mountain winding road through the forest, up and down, passing Shasta Lake then to Redding, Anderson and Red Bluff, finally we made it to Corning and found our Heritage Camp, where we set up our tiny house, then walked to the old town, which unfortunately is a declining small town, many businesses are for sale or out of business, closed. Walked back on the other side of the road, stopped at Olives specialty store, where we got few gourmet items, the got a case of good beer next to it on the other side of the road. Back to the camp, Lexi started to do the laundry, then cooked good food for dinner then we ate it and read books, finished journal, pictures and talked about the beauty of nature which we experienced in the last few days. We had clear sky warm
Day 98 (Tuesday): October 15, 2019
Got up at 6 AM, still dark, clear starry night. After morning routines, coffee, tea, and breakfast, we started to pack and closed our camp, pulled out from Heritage Camp around 10 AM. Drove on I-5 through Willows to Sacramento. The traffic was very heavy, fast and filled with fearless eighteen wheelers. After Sacramento we stopped in a rest stop, where we found the first eucalyptus trees, reminded me to my good old days in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The landscape changed again, the forest disappeared, yellow colored dry grass land covered the mountain slopes and trees were found only near to the river in the valley. Safely made it to Stockton, then in heavy traffic to Santa Nella, where we stayed in a peaceful, quiet RV park. Set up our tiny house in warm, 96 oF, then walked to the nearby Chinese buffet for dinner, then back . At 7 PM was dark, and we were ready to sleep at 9:30 PM.
