Drive through Tacoma, and next is Kent, WA, home of Tork Lift. Knew it was the right place--they've got a picture of a truck and camper on the side of the building. Feeling better. Our kind of place. --til we got to the KOA--most expensive KOA we ever stayed at.
Friday, July 31, 2009
July 31--Kent, WA and Torklift
Well, major miscalculation on our part. And we should have figured it out sooner. We live in a seaside resort. It was the Canadian holiday that threw off all our figures. So, seaside resort + summer + tourists + ferries + reservations required all over the place + CANADIAN HOLIDAY = nothing available for campgrounds or ferries in Port Townsend or the San Juan Islands or Victoria. Picked up our marbles, and headed East.
Drive through Tacoma, and next is Kent, WA, home of Tork Lift. Knew it was the right place--they've got a picture of a truck and camper on the side of the building. Feeling better. Our kind of place. --til we got to the KOA--most expensive KOA we ever stayed at.
Drive through Tacoma, and next is Kent, WA, home of Tork Lift. Knew it was the right place--they've got a picture of a truck and camper on the side of the building. Feeling better. Our kind of place. --til we got to the KOA--most expensive KOA we ever stayed at.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
July 30--Port Townsend and Fort Worden State Park
We want to see the Olympic Peninsula, San Juan Islands, and perhaps go up into Canada from here to Victoria Island in British Columbia, so have headed for Port Townsend, and have a campsite at Fort Worden State Park.
The park is right on the ocean, and has 2 camping areas, one on the ocean. We're lucky enough to get a site on the ocean camping area. First, we drive through the center of the park. Look familiar?
Think you may have seen it before?
Or stayed here?
Well, the park was used as the setting for the movie "An officer and a gentleman", so of course it looks familiar!
Next step is to try to get reservations some place for the weekend, and try to get ferry reservations to the San Juan Islands and from there to Victoria.
The park is right on the ocean, and has 2 camping areas, one on the ocean. We're lucky enough to get a site on the ocean camping area. First, we drive through the center of the park. Look familiar?
Think you may have seen it before?
Or stayed here?
Well, the park was used as the setting for the movie "An officer and a gentleman", so of course it looks familiar!Next step is to try to get reservations some place for the weekend, and try to get ferry reservations to the San Juan Islands and from there to Victoria.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
July 28--Bremerton, WA and the Turner Joy
Next, heading west to Bremerton. Why? Because Sailorsmate's paternal grandparents used to live there; grandfather worked in the shipyards during the war, and we wanted to see how much the city has changed.
As you enter the city, the first thing you encounter is the Naval Base, where there were 3 aircraft carriers being dismantled. Not far from there is the permanent berth of the Turner Joy, the tincan that fired the first shot in Vietnam and the last shot. We toured the ship, of course, and thanks to our membership in Tincan Sailors, admission was free!
The city has changed quite a bit from Sailorsmate's memories--much bigger and busier, but it's still very much a Navy town.
As you enter the city, the first thing you encounter is the Naval Base, where there were 3 aircraft carriers being dismantled. Not far from there is the permanent berth of the Turner Joy, the tincan that fired the first shot in Vietnam and the last shot. We toured the ship, of course, and thanks to our membership in Tincan Sailors, admission was free!The city has changed quite a bit from Sailorsmate's memories--much bigger and busier, but it's still very much a Navy town.
Friday, July 24, 2009
July 24--Heading north to Mt St Helens
Making our way north, first to Mt St Helens.
We could see the volcanic trail for a long way. Will post just these pictures of the valley.
We could see the volcanic trail for a long way. Will post just these pictures of the valley.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
July 21--Glide
On the way back to the farm, we stopped in Glide. A glide is a place where two rivers meet and there are very turbulent waters in spring.
The water was low, and pretty peaceful when we were there.
The water was low, and pretty peaceful when we were there.
Monday, July 20, 2009
July 20--Wizard Island
At the end of our loop from the farm to Hell's Canyon to the coast, we find ourselves at Crater Lake.
The loop around the lake is beautiful, with breath-taking views of the water and Wizard's Island.
Luckily the snow is mostly gone. They can get over 40 ft of snow in some parts of the park. That stick beside the camper is to mark the side of the road for the plows in the spring! Nothing like the little markers we use on our driveway.
The loop around the lake is beautiful, with breath-taking views of the water and Wizard's Island.
Luckily the snow is mostly gone. They can get over 40 ft of snow in some parts of the park. That stick beside the camper is to mark the side of the road for the plows in the spring! Nothing like the little markers we use on our driveway.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
July 19--Oregon Dunes
Continuing down the coast to the Oregon Dunes.
The views are magnificent, and the dunes are much bigger than ours! But they have the same problems with storms blowing sand over the local roads that we do.
The views are magnificent, and the dunes are much bigger than ours! But they have the same problems with storms blowing sand over the local roads that we do.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
July 18--Oregon Coast
From McMinnville, we headed to the Oregon Coast for a few days. Got a campsite at Cape Perpetua, and Saturday morning we started out with a nice breakfast at the Drift Inn Cafe in Yachats. Neat place with an umbrella over evey table. You just don't know when (or where) it will rain in Oregon! The bar had parasols over the seats.
On to exploring Cape Perpetua!
Breathtaking views of cliffs and ocean.
Lots and lots of viewing areas to just pull over and enjoy the scenary. And lots of campgrounds too, federal, state and private. We like the federal ones that take the Grumpy Card.
This tunnel was a little scary--the height at the sides was posted as 11ft 6in, and we're 11ft 10in! So, if no one is coming the other way, we can hug the middle, but...
On to exploring Cape Perpetua!
Breathtaking views of cliffs and ocean. 
Lots and lots of viewing areas to just pull over and enjoy the scenary. And lots of campgrounds too, federal, state and private. We like the federal ones that take the Grumpy Card.
This tunnel was a little scary--the height at the sides was posted as 11ft 6in, and we're 11ft 10in! So, if no one is coming the other way, we can hug the middle, but...
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July 16--McMinnville
We went to McMinnville to visit the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, which houses the Spruce Goose.
This is looking at the inside of the plane.
And it mostly birch, not spruce at all!
Looking out towards the rear of the hanger.
It's so big, they park other planes under the wings.
And did I mention that the Evergreen Museum has its own winery?
This is looking at the inside of the plane.
And it mostly birch, not spruce at all!
Looking out towards the rear of the hanger.
It's so big, they park other planes under the wings.
And did I mention that the Evergreen Museum has its own winery?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
July 14--Lunch with Cousin
Had lunch today at the King Estate Winery in Eugene. What a beautiful place.
Got a picture of the picture taker!
Got a picture of the picture taker!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July 12--Family Time
Family cookout time, with Uncle Mike officiating. Semper Fi!
We managed to get 7 of the 12 cousins in the same place at the same time, and I still didn't manage to get pictures of everyone!
And what do we talk about? How much we all look or talk or act like our parents! And the good old days on Grandpa's farm or at Gramma's house. But it was good to be together, and the location was perfect.
We managed to get 7 of the 12 cousins in the same place at the same time, and I still didn't manage to get pictures of everyone!
And what do we talk about? How much we all look or talk or act like our parents! And the good old days on Grandpa's farm or at Gramma's house. But it was good to be together, and the location was perfect.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
July 11--Library dedication
Ok, so this is Sailorsmate's second library dedication in 15 months. But this one was special. The former Lebanon Public Library was a very, very small building, with a lot of problems.
If you look closely under the window behind the flagpole, there's a cornerstone. There's a picture below, but the stone is so worn, it's hard to read. It says "Lebanon General Hospital and Library." This building started as the general hospital in Lebanon, and then became the library building.
It needs a lot of work, and here's hoping the town fathers choose to keep it as an historic landmark. When it came time for a new library, the old high school building and community pool, a few blocks away and closer to Main Street, were razed, and in their place, there is now a new senior center, and a brand new, much needed library.
Below is the meeting room, which is accessible even when the library is closed, so groups can use it.
This is the main section of the library. There are huge glass panels separating the adult section from the children's and young adult sections.
The glass panels are 2 sheets of glass with grass between them, constructed in much the same way as Sydenstricker Glass on Cape Cod.
Appropriate, as Lebanon is in Linn County, and Linn County produces more grass seed than any one else!
If you look closely under the window behind the flagpole, there's a cornerstone. There's a picture below, but the stone is so worn, it's hard to read. It says "Lebanon General Hospital and Library." This building started as the general hospital in Lebanon, and then became the library building.
It needs a lot of work, and here's hoping the town fathers choose to keep it as an historic landmark. When it came time for a new library, the old high school building and community pool, a few blocks away and closer to Main Street, were razed, and in their place, there is now a new senior center, and a brand new, much needed library.
Below is the meeting room, which is accessible even when the library is closed, so groups can use it.
This is the main section of the library. There are huge glass panels separating the adult section from the children's and young adult sections.
The glass panels are 2 sheets of glass with grass between them, constructed in much the same way as Sydenstricker Glass on Cape Cod.
Appropriate, as Lebanon is in Linn County, and Linn County produces more grass seed than any one else!
Friday, July 10, 2009
July 10--back to base camp, the farm in Eugene
Went with family Friday night to Sweet Cheeks Winery, for a picnic supper. Bring your picnic and get your wine directly at the winery. And what a view!
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