Moseying Along

We are about to leave Bandon, Oregon, a great spot that we have always wanted to explore, but have instead zoomed through on the way to somewhere else. It's one of those lovely seaside communities along the Oregon Coast, definitely Oregon and not California, with a lot of vacation rental homes that look very inviting, an only slightly touristy harbour area, lots of seafood eateries, a working harbour, and miles and miles of sandy beaches with some amazing rock formations. We've had two days here, and this is a place I would come back to for sure. (Didn't to too well on the photos, but here are a few...)

Coquille Lighthouse

Jetty Beach

Table Rock

Before arriving here, between this post and the last one, we spent time in Fortuna, CA, in order to wait out a high wind warning, where, despite the wind and rain, we managed to get in a quick look-see at Ferndale, a beautiful Victorian town that is so historic that it is national historic monument; a visit to Centreville Beach, just past Ferndale, a wild and woolly Pacific Coast spot if there ever was one with evidence of  hard winter storms cast all about; and a visit with Annie and a nice dinner at Brick and Fire, (one of her favorite restaurants in Eureka, tucked away in a storefront on a back street and well worth going to if you're ever in town). Added bonus: the people next to us at Riverwalk RV Park included a four-year-old named Jack and some nice playtime for H. Jack's dad was a police officer and their dog (a lovely German Shepherd) was also a police officer which was all very interesting.

Ferndale Main Street. Lots of galleries, collectible & antique shops, and restaurants. Very pretty place. (These are all A's photos since I forgot my iPhone/camera.)

Detail of building on Main Street. Authentic Victorian.

Ferndale Cemetery, on a hill overlooking the city. Danes, Italians and Portuegese settled here in 1850s. Kind of evocative.

Yup.

Centerville Beach. Beautiful and wild.

Old house, brought to its knees. Centerville Beach.

Patriotic barn, Centerville Beach Road, outside Ferndale. Gorgeous flat riverbottom land; lots of dairy farms.

Old truck, outside of Ferndale.

Then we moved on to -- TA DA! -- the Elk Country RV Park!!!! which is the place I wanted to stop at on the way down, but couldn't. We were rewarded by beautiful sunny days AND ----- ELK!!! Lots of 'em. So many pictures it's embarrassing. We were also rewarded by some memorable characters at the RV Park and visits to nearby Stone Lagoon Beach and Dry Lagoon Beach. It was at  remote Stone Lagoon Beach where we saw a lone hiker, marching along the dunes with a big pack on his back. R, as he is wont to do, began to chat with the fellow, who told him that he had been out for several months and had eaten people. When R asked if he (R) was in any danger, the fine fellow replied, "I can see you on a bed of nails." And then he marched off up the road, muttering to himself all the way. It was a remote beach down a narrow road off a remote part of Hwy 101. There was no cell service. H-E-L-P!!! We left then,  trying not to upset H, smiling confidently, looking over our shoulders the whole time. Ah, the open road. You meet such interesting people.

Elk in the RV park. Signs warn you not to approach, and you don't, but c'mon!!

Elk, obeying the signs. They left the park at dusk, all 60 or them, crossing Hwy 101 in small groups, stopping to breathe in the night air mid-highway, having a wee bit of a look around, singing silent songs, and miracle of miracles, no one was hit. It probably took half an hour for all of them to get across. In their own sweet time. Stopping for traffic as required. Causing traffic to stop for them as they saw fit. La-de-dah.

More elk. The herds here are Roosevelts.

Love 'em!

Stone Lagoon Beach. Look over your shoulder. Always. Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

Despite that, we all really enjoyed being one with the elk. It was a funky RV park which had seen better days, but a very special place. We'd definitely go back. Still lots to explore.

In the sunshine we left the elk and headed on up 101 past all those childhood memories instigated by familiar roadside attractions, leaving California behind. We all have developed a fondness for Northern California and have good memories.

Once into Oregon, the first towns you come to are Harbor and the adjacent Brookings. Our friend Val had emailed a warning about a huge sink hole via friends who had passed that way recently. We didn't find anything online about it, but when we passed through Harbor we saw it. It was HUGE! right on the 101, maybe a couple of acres. The detour was minimal and caused us only minor delays, but it was very impressive. HUGE!

It was one of those rare sunny, windless days on the Oregon Coast, no fog, only amazing scenic view after amazing scenic view. It was a nice ride up to Bandon, where we stopped after some discussion, since we've never stopped here before, but have had contemplations in that direction. And, as I mentioned, we will be back.

Pix to follow. I have been taking advantage of decent wifi, but the bus is moving, it's time to shut 'er down.