tiptoe tommy
Seattle
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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I am not a huge clam chowder guy since I worked in seafood restaurant for several years, but you might look for "Mo's" on the coast. This local chain runs up and down the coast and offers decent seafood at a reasonable price. Several of their restaurants have great views.
Family that loves to camp 30 days a year! Two kids, 13 and 9
1999 Coleman SeaPine PUP
GO COUGS!
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Don and Eileen
Here, there, and everywhere (formerly MA)
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Joined: 09/28/2003
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Just wanted to post a follow-up for our trip and recommendations to maybe help others doing a search.
At this point, we're in Winchester Bay RV park. We're here another evening and hoping that the high-wind forecasts aren't too accurate.
We really appreciated all your input. It helped so much with our planning. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we stayed at Diamond Lake Resort. Very nice, wooded campground.
Went to Bend and had hoped to stay in Tumalo State Park. The ranger was running late, the host folks were "off duty", but he came out to greet us and let us know that getting a site was an unknown since the ranger hadn't shown up and there might have been computer issues. We were advised to go across the street and wait in the parking lot of the day park. He said that others had just taken sites, but it would be a mistake since they might need to move. As we were readying to leave, the ranger came along, yelled at us and said, "Check in's not until 4:00!" The host fellow looked embarrassed and said that he must be having a bad day. Given the uncertainty of getting a site at all, we headed back to Crown Villa RV Resort and stayed there. It was well-kept, but knowing that we had barely made the "cut" since our RV is a '99, we were a bit put off. We've seen plenty of older, well-kept RV's, but that argument is best left for another posting.
We had a quick lunch in Sisters (Burger place) and then took the drive up to McKenzie Pass. What a surreal experience. The lava fields, as previously mentioned, were amazing! We followed the entire loop thereby seeing Belknap Lodge and Hot Springs. Great spot.
We want to go back to Bend and Sisters. We loved the area and will do it justice another time. The lava tube and other spots recommended were closed for the season. :-(
We took route 97 as recommended (boy, does the terrain change!) to The Dalles and drove east. We didn't have time to do the visitor center (next time.) We drove through Hood River and stopped at Viento State Park for one night. Nicely wooded. Not busy. The campground was recommended here on this forum without mention of the train that goes right alongside the campsites. Now, as the daughter of a railroad conductor, I truly love trains and their sounds, but all night long -- sounding like it was running right next to our bed -- that's another story! From there we drove in the Jeep up to Mt. Hood and had lunch at Timberline Lodge at 6,000 feet -- again, recommended here. We missed the main dining room, but ate in the pub. Good, but pricey. Nice historic lodge. The ride up was beautiful. The views amazing. We drove through Government Camp, back down into the orchard area (Odell area) stopping for fruit smoothies (yummy), some pie, some jams.
Next, we moved to Ainsworth State Park about 20 miles east. Nice campground. Very wooded. From there we took a ride up the “old highway” – route 30 to Crown Point to see the views. The road was twisty and windy and slow and pretty. The view was wonderful. We stopped at all the falls -- Bridal Veil, etc. making our way back to Multnomah Falls where we had a nice lunch in the lodge and walked up to the bridge. Hiking to the top will have to be another trip, also.
The next day, we drove our Jeep along WA route 14 on the other side of the Gorge into Portland and were frankly glad that we stuck to the OR side. The drive on this side was not nearly as nice as the OR side.
In Portland, we went to Washington Park where we walked around the International Rose Test Garden, which was free and beautiful. The city can be seen from the area. We also went to the Japanese Gardens in the same area. A fee, but worth it. We found our way to the Pittock Mansion, which is perched on a hill overlooking the city and beyond. Pittock was the publisher of the Oregonian Newspaper. The house is uniquely shaped inside and out. It’s built in a hexagon style. The rooms inside are rounded and flow differently than most mansions we’ve visited (we've done most of the Newport, RI mansions,the Hearst Castle, etc.)
We drove down towards the waterfront looking for a place to walk and get something to eat. Nothing appealed to us, so we left and drove towards old route 30 into Troutdale. We stopped at a Chinese restaurant with some hesitation, but had one of the best meals ever. We drove the rest of the way back on route 30.
The next day, we were on our way to the coast. We drove along route 26. Very beautiful.
We stayed at Ft. Stevens State Park in the Astoria area. We loved the campground. Thank you for the recommendation! Heavily wooded (rainforest type.) You can drive your 4 wheel drive along the beach about 10 miles south. We did it coming back to the campground as the fog was rolling in. Eerie.
We drove over to Cape Disappointment, WA and enjoyed the views of the mouth of the Columbia River. Access to the lighthouse was closed.
We went to the Maritime Museum in Astoria. Very well done, comprehensive center. As a former Coast Guardsman, Don enjoyed the Coast Guard boat and displays.
The bike trail within the campground was beautiful.
The tour of Ft. Stevens from the back of an army truck was well-done.
We toured Seaside and Cannon Beach by car while staying at Ft. Stevens. Seaside has a great 2-mile walkway along the beach. Small town with shops and restaurants. Cannon Beach was more upscale and the beach views were gorgeous. Don't miss the view from Ecola State Park - which had to be done by car.
We moved to Beverly Beach campground further down the coast. It was also pretty, but we were ruined by how much we loved Ft. Stevens.
We've been awed by the beauty of the coast and pleased that so much of it can be easily seen by our RV.
We just had lunch in the little Fish 'n Chips place here in Winchester Bay. Converted house boat. Very good.
Thanks again, all.
Don and Eileen
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Glad you are enjoying Ore-Gun! Now for the rest of the trip South Somewhere South of Bandon there is a sign for a county park with camping facilities. Go there. It is quite small,but appears well kept. There is a short hike to the beach and a small lake in the dunes. Next is Humbug Mountain State Park. Just South of Gold Beach you will come to Pistol River State park. Day use only but the views! All I can say is I think it is one of the prettiest places on the entire Ore-Gun coast. Brookings comes up fast after that and a night at Brookings harbor RV park is a must. Basically a parking lot, but the view across the lot to the beach and ocean is great. If you are so inclined, just into California is First Chance Liquors. About the cheapest place in California to buy. Again, glad you enjoyed MY state and please come back and spend some more money. We need all the help we can get as the government is chasing all industry out as fast as possible.
Donn
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Don and Eileen
Here, there, and everywhere (formerly MA)
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Joined: 09/28/2003
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Thanks, Donn.
We're heading to Brookings tomorrow. We have reservations there for 3 nights. We had hoped to do our sightseeing (Mail Boat, too???) in our Jeep while we stayed there. Given the weather, we may be enjoying the view out our RV windshield, but resting is good, too.
We'll stop along the way using your recommendations.
Thanks again.
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