Oregon Coast (185-187)

We enjoy driving down the Oregon Coast. In fact, we have made the trip many times and here is a link to our past adventures in Oregon.

https://mobilemosers.com/category/locations/oregon/

We love the rugged coast, the small towns, the wildlife, and the many lighthouses and bridges of another era. Each time we make the trip, we like to stay at a new town or RV Park along the way, from Astoria all the way to Bandon and in between.

We started this trip in Astoria and took a day trip north just across the bridge to Washington and Cape Disappointment. This was the only Lewis and Clark site we had yet to visit, and it did not disappoint (pun intended 🙂 They visited here in 1805 to explore and gather supplies.

This lighthouse warns ships of the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. The largest river on the west coast meets the largest ocean in the world. Ironically, it got its name because an explorer was disappointed there was no river here. He could not have been more mistaken!

To get to the lighthouse, you pass by this Coast Guard base where several rescue boats stand by ready to help. This is considered the most treacherous inlet in the nation, with large sand bars and at times, very high waves. In Astoria, the Maritime Museum provides rich information about their mission and operations.

If you visit Astoria, check out the Maritime Museum, Fort Stevens State Park, the other Lewis and Clark Historical Sites, film sites, and nearby Seaside and Canon Beach. We also love the tuna fish and chips at Fort George Brewery.

Our favorite coffee spot is Coffee Girl on Pier 39. There is a free fishing museum there as well.

We love to sit on the back patio and watch the ships go by.

Here is a photo from Canon Beach. It has a great beach and good restaurants. You may recall scenes from the movie Goonies here.

Our next stop this trip was Winchester Bay near Reedsport. We chose it for this view out our windshield. It is a very well maintained park. Most of the folks are here for the sand dunes and you may hear the ATV’s in the distance.

While we have rented ATV’s before, we decided to save that for another time. Instead, we visited the nearby Umpqua Lighthouse and also Shore Acres State Park, a little south of Coos Bay.

Note this lighthouse has both white and red beams pf light. I’d love to see that from the ocean. Note every old lighthouse used fresnel lens that were imported from France. They are a work of art and the high tech of their day.

Shore Acres interested us because it is a state park with a five-acre formal garden. It was part of a summer home built on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean by lumberman/shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson in the early 1900’s.

His ships brought plants from all over the world to his gardens.

While the gardens are still recovering from neglect during the pandemic, it was fun to stroll the grounds and imagine how is was like in its prime. It was also encouraging to see a lot of local volunteers tending the gardens.

A walk along the many bluff trails is inspiring. On this trail we could spy Cape Arago Lighthouse in the distance. Unfortunately, it was not open to the public during our stay.

Our next stop was Gold Beach. But before we could leave, I had a little plumbing issue to deal with. I guess I did an OK job because the fix held the rest of the trip!

In Gold Beach, we stayed at Honey Bear by the Sea RV Park. It was off the beaten path, and we enjoyed the quiet setting.

Apparently the elks liked it too, as a heard of elk could be found in the field across from our RV almost every morning we were there. Enjoying my morning coffee while elk watching was really enjoyable. 🙂

Gold Beach is located at the end of the Rogue River. It’s the same Rouge River that run through Grants Pass on I-5, about 60 miles inland. At both ends, jet boats will take tourists on a fast and exhilarating ride along the river. While we have ridden the jet boats from Grants Pass before, this was my first trip from Gold Beach.

We rode with Jerry’s Rogue Jets. They have been delivering mail up the river by boat for decades. In fact, on our trip mail was delivered to the little town of Agnes.

Here is what it’s like jetting up the river.

We also saw a lot of wildlife on the trip. Here is the nest of a bald eagle. You can see the Eagle sitting on a branch just above the nest.

These may have been her teenage bald eagles playing on the shore.

At the end of the journey up river is a nice stop in Agnes, where a BBQ lunch waiting for you.

The trip down river is less about the wildlife and more about going fast, 360 turns, and fast stops. You will definitely get wet!

We thoroughly enjoyed the jet boats and will plan another trip up the river the next time we pass by.

Unfortunately, it was time to head home, so the next day we followed 101 back to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Luckily, when you drive a motorhome, you get some pretty scenic spots for lunch. We definitely enjoyed our last look at the ocean here. Maybe we should have planned a few more nights in Oregon, but we’ll be back!

Al & Deb