Vacation day 9 - homeward

After a great night of sleep on comfortable beds at the Inn in Pendleton, we started the journey home. While the drive isn't bad it is on the boring side as the landscape gets pretty flat and bare. I was happy to see wide open spaces that I am familiar compared to the thick forests of the coast.  I got more great knitting done and just have the toe to complete on the first sock of a blue pair of socks that I am naming after Depoe Bay.

We pulled into home just after 1030 pm and was greeted by Amy. So very good to see her. She helps us unpack the van with her amazing wagon. We made an appearance to greet Bear and Emily. Back in our domain, China and Fergie made an appearance and both were vocal about our return. I am glad to have one day at home before returning to work.

Vacation day 8 - back

We spent our last morning on the coast having breakfast at the seaside restaurant from the night before. It was fun to zone out and watch the waves.

We headed inland after breakfast back to Beaverton outside Portland to visit an old college friend of mine. My friend and her husband bought a store that specializes in legos and minifigs a year ago. Lynnette and I had a great time visiting, I even got to speak to her husband the phone. He works weird shifts so I didn't get to see him. I definitely want to go back and spend more time with them. After a few hours it was time to leave.

We stopped at Garlic Jim's on our way out of town you know it is good pizza when you don't miss the cheese. We left during rush hour traffic so it took a while. But soon se were head back up the Columbia river. This time we called ahead for a room in Pendleton. Their beds are very comfortable at Knights Inn. Don't know if we will make it all the way home on day nine or not

Vacation day seven - down the coast

We woke up to a beautiful day, a little chilly and a little dew on the tents. After coffee, we did the slow pack up allowing the parts to dry before packing. But soon we were on our way.

We traveled to Newport, making stops along the way. Ate lunch at the Chalet which had gluten free options. Then we set out to find a motel. We found an inexpensive one and then ser out to explore the town. We found the old Baytown and walked its street along the pier.  We like how the stores were very different from each other and that we could see workers on the dock. We had a coffee while we finished our walk.

We took a scenic ride around the port that lead us to Toledo, Oregon. A few minutes later we were back in Newport.

Preston found a great restaurant at the sea side for dinner. It wasn't in any of my lists but it had a great gluten free menu. We had a table at the window and enjoyed a filling and wonderful meal.

Back at the motel, i finished the second sock and cast on another pair with yarn i brought along with me. A shower ended the day.

Vacation day six - the north coast

We woke to cloudy grey skies again but after we left those behind when we left the campground. We headed north today up to cannon beach with a stop on the way at Rockaway beach for fudge.

Soon we found ourselves in the charming beach town of Cannon Beach. We stopped and checked out haystack rock and then head to the main tourist area. We found a delightful yarn shop that lead us next door to a cafe that served wonderful gluten free sandwiches. Pictured is the triple club. As gluten free bread is small they do 2 sandwiches to equal a normal sandwich.

After that amazing meal we continued our journey to Astoria and over the bridge to Washington. We turned around and headed back to the campground. We stopped at Rockaway for pizza. So very yummy.

Back at the campground and across the water some one is setting off fireworks. I wonder if they are from Utah as the 24th is pioneer day.

Vacation day 5 -Whalen island

The morning came very grey and foggy with the tide out low. We enjoyed our coffee out on the little patio.

We then went down the coast, finding camp lookout completely booked. The ranger did give us a list of local campgrounds. We found a great site at the county campground at Whalen island. We pitched our tent then headed down the coast stopping as we went. We made Depoe bay for fish and chips at baywalk cafe where a friend had told me about last week when she was there.

After a chilly walk at Depoe bay after dinner we headed back to the campground, where it was sunny unlike everywhere else.

Vacation day 4 - the coast

We made it to the beautiful coast!

Sunday night was great at the oxbow regional park. We got more raspberries from Burns farms on our way to see Emily's friend Heather. Heather and her husband run oblique coffee in Portland. The coffee is amazing, they roast it themselves. They were also nice enough to receive a package Amy overnighted for me that contained my medicine that I forgot. We enjoyed great coffee as we planned where to go next.

A couple hours later found us on fumes in Cannon beach at the only gas station in town at the RV park. We were so happy to see it. We continued down the coast expecting to camp at Camp outlook or lookout. But Rockaway beach caught our eye and Preston found us a room on the beach.

We took a walk on the beach then a walk to a great fish joint for Preston. The only gluten free food they had was calm chowder and Cole slaw. As milk isn't agreeing with me that much we just fed Preston. I did have a few spoonfuls of the chowder, it was incredible. The man at the restaurant directed me to upper crust pizza. He was so right, that was amazing gf pizza. I will come back to both places.

Back at our room we watched the waves and I knitted. We took another walk on the beach. Then I knitted until bedtime, watching the ocean. It did get colder but it was so amazing.

Vacation day 3 - Portland

Sunday found us on the roads through and around Portland. Due to a bad address we were detoured to the wrong part of town but the view going over the many bridges was worth it.

We made stops at a gluten free bakery, a wonderful yarn store and found delightful gluten free pizza. We found a wonderful campsite in Oxbow Regional park just a few miles from Portland. We were asleep by 1030.