June 20th

This weekend we went on a little journey.  We got off work on Monday about 1:00 PM, and off we went.  Our first stop was Florence, Oregon at the Fred Meyers for fuel.  Then it was off to I-5 and heading north.  We need to head back up to Spanaway for some Doctor Appointments that Cyndy had. 

We were hoping to miss some of the Portland traffic jam, but we ended up right in the middle of it.

The traffic is getting a little better, but it was stop and go untell we got to the Washington side of the Columbia River.  Then it opened up and we were back up to speed and getting closer to home.

The kids did not know we were coming home so we got to surprise them.  It was really funny; Cyndy called our daughter and asked to talk to Jared.  He got on the phone and Cyndy asked him how he liked his surprise in the mail, he really liked it.  SO Cyndy asked him if he would like another surprise and he said YAH!!!  Cyndy said why don’t you go to the front window and look outside.  He looked out through the window and had a big ear to ear grin, and started talking real quietly to Cyndy, asking if she was coming in.  Now Janice & Jeff couldn’t figure out what was going on when he was standing by the window and laughing.    They were all surprised and we had a good visit. 

Then we called our Jason and Lisa and asked them how things were going and we went through the same thing with them.  It was good to see all the grandkids and get our hugs in.

We got up early Tuesday morning and headed out to all of the doctor appointments, we only had 3 but it took almost all day.  We also got Cyndy drivers license renewed while home.  So by 3:00 PM we were heading back to see all of the kids one more time before we head out on Wednesday morning bright and early.

We spent the nights at Denny & Rose and had a good visit with them.

Turbo enjoyed Denny’s lap the most.  I don't know who was sleeping sounder!!!

We really wanted to thank Denny and Rose for putting us up for two night while we were there.  Yes, we did play and game of hand and foot and the girls won.

We got back down here late in the afternoon on Wednesday; it was nice to be back in our own bed.  Today all we did was nothing but get a few things at the store and just relaxed a little bit.  Tomorrow it is back to work for 4 days, then off for another 3 days.

June 13th

Again this morning we woke up to a little coastal wet weather, but by 10:30 it was gone and the sun was on its way out.  Toda we are going up to Reedsport for the Chainsaw Carving Championship.  It is suppose to be one of the biggest in Oregon.  We got there around 11:00 and they were busy doing carvings as we showed up.  They were having a 1 hour contest, which they called quick carve.

 This guy carving an eagle is a friend of ours, we met him last year while working for Steve's and found out this was a job that he is finally doing real good at and making a good living at it.  He owns his own store here in Reedsport.  All of these carvings are going to be auctioned off this afternoon.
Here are a few of the carvings, their are over 20 different competitor's.

Yes, we are in Oregon Duck territory.



 

 



The artwork is out of this world what these people can do with chainsaws.

 

 

 

 

 

We did find another Duck, if you are ever in this area during Fathers Day Weekend make this one of those stops.  We had a great time watching them work on there art work.

We must at least stop at a different Light House every week we hope, today we stopped by Umpqua River Lighthouse.  The lighthouse you can read above as been moved a couple of times and it is still a working lighthouse.

 

It was another wonderful day and we are looking forward to our next days off to explore this area.

 







June 12th

What a great day!!!  Anytime you wake up and both feet are on the ground what more can you ask for.
We had a real good day, we took Turbo to get his monthly spa!!! and we think he really likes this place.  They gave him a bath and clip his nails and all that other stuff that we just as soon not talk about. 

 





We headed back to the coach and took this picture of the bridge that we go over all the time heading back into Coos Bay & North Bend.

 

 The wind wasn't blowing so we ate lunch and headed out for a ride in the sand.

Here are a few pictures of the dunes as we headed towards what we call Spinreal.

 

 

 

 Cyndy was trying to tell me something when we went over this hill, but all I heard was a scream!!!

I told her what goes down must go back up!!!!

Cyndy calls this her oh shit handle, I told her both hands on that thing.  She says do you want me to take pictures or hang on!!!!

 

 

 Really we had a great time, she says as long as her eyes are shut when going down its not to bad.

I did find a few trails to go on, and she was a lot happier.  She said this is the kind of ride I really like.  I guess I will have to find more trails.

Here are some of those beautiful flowers that are all over the place down here.

Next we headed out to the beach, we have about 8 or 9 miles of coast the we can drive on here.

 

It was a little cool but no wind, so it was a great ride today.

 We are heading back to the coach and yes I found a trail to ride on.

 My grandson Jared just loves playing in this small bowl that I am going in circles in.  Cyndy said let me out and I will take pictures.

We made it back in one peace, RZR still running good so it was a good ride all the way around.  Tomorrow we are heading up to Reedsport for the chainsaw carving contest that is starting tomorrow and going through the weekend.

June 10th

This morning I had to work until 1:00PM, and then it was time for us to do something that we needed to do.  First the weather has been really pretty good the last few days, other than the wind it has been great.  We are hoping that come tomorrow the wind is not blowing so hard and we will head out for a ride in the dunes.  The sand really is smooth and I am looking forward to the ride.  I think we may even try taking Turbo out with us.  I hope that will not be a mistake.  We hope he likes riding with us.  Cyndy thinks taking Turbo I will not get to crazy out there.

Now back to what we wanted to do this afternoon, we have been trying to find a place that can serve a good bowl of clam chowder.  So off to Florence we went looking for a great bowl of clam chowder.  What a great drive the sun is out and the wind is still blowing!!!! 

When we got to Florence we went to Fred Meyer’s to see if they had any sockeye salmon, as always we were late.  They had closed down the fishing in Alaska and they sold the last fish about 20 minutes ago.  Oh well, they had Halibut so we got 4 pounds of it instead.  Sure miss going to Alaska and fishing for fresh Halibut, maybe next year if not for sure in 2015.  I think we are going to head up there in late May and stay through the Sockeye run in July on the Kenya River.  Its nice to dream about a trip like that and I know we will be going again very soon.

Ok, we were in Florence to find a good, no great bowl of Chowder.  So we went to our favorite place MO’s, and had a big bowl of chowder.  The only place we have found that you at least get potatoes and clams, along with a little bacon and onions in the soup and have it nice and creamy base.  It was almost as good as mine, I am going to have to break down and make a pot of chowder this next week. 

All I have left to say is hope you had a great day also!!!!

June 4th

What a day, the weather is great, suns out and no rain.  I got up this morning and took the truck in for its oil change and look over, I call it the truck doctor.  They gave me a good report and said see you in another 5000 miles.  Its good when the truck comes out without a major problem.  I think next time I will need to do the read brakes.
Here is a picture of the nice wind block we have for the trailer.

 

Not a bad wind block, the wind blows out of the north 90% of the time so we are well protected.  The bad thing or maybe the good thing we are close to work.  Also the other good thing is I have a nice big shop to park my RZR in.

We are also real close to the dunes, like 100 yards away.  It is easy to go out for a short ride after a days work or on our day off.

 

We took a drive today, it is something Cyndy & I like to do when new to and area.  SO today we went to Charleston to explore the area and see what is there.

 



 First stop is always the visitors center, Cyndy likes to go into these place and find out were the neat places are and good stores to shop in.

 

 Me I like to take pictures, I found Charlie the tuna!!!!
Next stop was heading out to Sunset Bay State Park.  It is only a couple of miles out side of Charleston.  We really like exploring the Oregon coast.  As you can see in the following pictures we found some neat spots.
Our first stops was at the end of the park called Cape Arago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The view was great from this area, next we head to Simpson Reef Lookout.  We could hear the Sea Lions barking when looking out from Cape Arago.  But when we got to the lookout they were really loud.

 

They were enjoying the nice sunny day.

Here are a couple more pictures of the rocks along the coast line.  It is amazing how much the sea and mother nature works against this shore line.  It is just beautiful what mother nature gives us to look at.

 

 I can set here all day and watch the waves role in over the rocks and break up hitting the shore line.
We also found Cape Arago Lighthouse today.

 

 

 Cape Arago Lighthouse stands 100 feet above the ocean on an inlet just off Gregory Point. Light atop 44-foot high tower illuminated in 1934. Although newest in terms of service, earlier structures were built on site in 1866 and 1908, both succumbing to weather and erosion.  We are hope to see more of the lighthouse's that are along the Oregon coast this summer. 
On our way back through Charleston we stopped to try out a Restaurants in the area, we have been trying to find one that has good fish and chips, along with a good bowl of clam chowder.  Today we tried the Sea Basket, (we rate our food from 1 to 10, 10 being real good)  the chowder was a 1, the fish was a 4 and the chips were a 6.  Food was hot, service was good.  So far we have not found any clam chowder that is as good as the one I put together, but Mo's comes close.  I like to be able to at least have clams and potatoes in every spoon full, or at least one of them.  So I guess I am going to have to make up some clam chowder in the next week so I know what is good.
Tomorrow we are going on a road trip to Roseburg for a couple of things from Costco and check out a few more places.