Thursday, November 6, 2008

Monday September 22, 2008~Here We Go

Bob decided to let his brother take over the negations on the sail boat they found on Craigslist. So we were finally going to be able to head out shortly after 12 noon. (Miracle of miracles~we didn't have to turn around and go back because one of us suddenly remembered something we forgot) I opened our "Road Trip" notebook and made a note of the date, time and mileage.

When we got to Olympia (about 25 miles south of here) Bob pulled off the freeway and into a gas station to get the tank filled. This very first fill up was at $3.60 a gallon. (We certainly saw that figure fluctuate during our trip.)

We continued down Interstate 5 until we reached Longview, WA. We drove thru town heading for the "big bridge" that goes over the Columbia River, into Oregon. There was a very light rain falling, really more like a mist. Heading west on Oregon's Highway 30 we notice that some of the leaves on the trees were just beginning to show a hint of fall color. We drove thru Astoria (Oh, how I love that town) and soon were are heading south on Highway 101. We'll be on 101 now all the way into southern California. We pull off and drive into Seaside. Stopping to walk around in their Carousel Mall, then past Cannon Beach and eventually reach Nehalem Bay Oregon State Campground. We picked our site, fixed something to eat and settle in for our first evening on the road.

Crossing the bridge between Longview, WA and Rainier, Oregon.

Looking back to where we just came from. That's Washington state in the back ground. Separated from Oregon by the Columbia River.

There's a lot of big freighter's that come up and down the Columbia in this area.


In the distance, the next "big" bridge that goes over Young's Bay there in Astoria. This body of water leads out to the Pacific Ocean. This used to be a toll bridge but they took the toll off several years ago. Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. It's a great town & I love to go there. There's all sorts of neat shops and a wonderful Maritime Museum in Astoria.


At the turn around in Seaside, OR. A statue of Lewis and Clark. The Oregon coast is reported to be the end of their trek.


This is a photo of the Seaside turnaround that I borrowed from Google. It's fun to walk out there and watch the cars come & go and look out at the beach and of course the Pacific ocean.

At the Carousel Mall in Seaside.


Stopping along Highway 101 at one of the many view points.

Entering Nehalem Bay Oregon State Campground.


Bob has to have a campfire if we're in a campground. There was only one night coming back that the weather was a little ugly and he didn't build a fire. He can sit out there for hours, listening to his tunes.


The Oregon State campgrounds are all very nice. Most of them require reservations during the summer season but if you're traveling during the "off" season there's not usually a problem getting a spot. In every campground both heading south and then coming home, there were never more than a dozen campers. Very nice, as you get your pick of the best spots. They all have nice facilities including free showers. In California~you'd better have a fist full of quarters if you want a hot shower.

21 comments:

  1. That is a great start looking forward to the rest of you journey. Pity about the rain but sure it got beter. Love Joan.

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  2. Linda, great opening for your new journal. You are so lucky to be able to travel like you do. Nice you have Bob as a friend and can share with thim all of the fun, Good luck with the new journal. Bill

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  3. Evening Linda, Great to see your new blog. I especially loved to see the pictures of Seaside as my best friend growing up here in Alberta has lived there for years.

    Blessings,

    Lori (Alberta)

    www.lorisletterbox.blogspot.com

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  4. Love this blog and the pictures!!!

    Robin

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  5. I love Astoria too. I haven't been able to truely explore it to my satisfaction. I was there 2 time and both were in and out trips.
    Barbara

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  6. I love having a campfire too, I can sit there all night! Linda

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  7. Well, this is great, especially since I don't travel. would you believe I have never been on a plane. And I am typing this with one hand since the dog fell asleep on me lap. Marlene

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  8. I'm glad you got this up and going, Linda; looking forward to reading more; great pictures!!

    betty

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  9. Yep, that's California for you, anything for a buck!! LOL!! I'm so glad you are doing this blog, I love it!! I love campfires, too!! I'm going to live vicariously through your travels!! (I'm SOO ENVIOUS!!)

    Joann

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  10. Oh Linda, two thoughts...I saw your comment about Carl's JR. here in Western Washington on the Footprints blog by the other Linda....hey tell me where! I love them.... and then the other thought is that this brings back so many memories of our treks to SEaside and the coast..I remember that very same carousel and the turnaround too. Your sentiment about sitting for hours by the fire and reading or listening to music makes me long to go do camping again...haven't done that for awhile...it was so peaceful...Thank-you! Maria

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  11. Linda...I don't know what happened but I can't post comments on your Latest Linda's world blog for some reason....did you change something? Maria

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  12. I'm just like Bob I need a camp fire.
    We haven't gone camping in a while so Debbie bought me a fire pit for the yard.

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  13. Linda I really am enjoying reading your new blog and the photographs are great ~ I loved this first part of your journey and looking forward to the next episode :o) ~ Ally x

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  14. How lovely we are once more off on an adventure with you ,The pictures are super and I love your narrative as we go from place to place ,who were Lewis and Clark ? ..love Jan xx

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  15. Thanks for taking us on your road trip with you Linda, I love the photos and can`t wait to start travelling with you again. :o)

    Love Sandra xxxx

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  16. Hi Linda, Glad you started this new journal (I don't like the word blog!) for your trips. I look forward to reading and seeing photos of your adventures with Bob! I've started a new journal for my travels, almost finished Madagascar now! I don't think you've been over, it's at http://jeannettesnewtravels.blogspot.com/. These don't come out as a clickable link in blogspot so you have to copy and paste it in the browser, look forward to seeing you there! Jeannette xx

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  17. I love your picture of the campfire, I can easily see why Bob enjoys that so much. Great pics, I liked the little turnaround. Are they real deer I see at the entrance to the campground?

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  18. Wow Linda is all I can say, I absolutely love your blog I dont like that word, I like journal better. Eash picture brought back so many memories of my journey down the coast into all the same places you visited. I felt like i was living it all over again through your beautiful pics and words. Your new blog is great and so well set up. Looking forward to reading more of your journey. I love the pic of the campfire, I used to love to sit out at night and just sit by the fire and enjoy the night and the stars.

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  19. hi linda enjoyed your holiday felt i was on a journey too ive tried to leave a comment to one of your other blogs but made a hash of it . read your comment on my blog will probly need a wee bit help with putting a few pics of my 2 wee westies take care god bless from nancybrownowl

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  20. hi linda...i'm slow getting around, but you have some wonderful photos here. what a wonderful trip you and bob had! oregon and washington state are beautiful.

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