My Oregon vacation

[hamerfan]

Hi everyone,
Well, we made it back and are damn glad we went. A great time! As to what we found...
The I-5 corridor: Southern Oregon is MUCH prettier than Northern Oregon (but this only applies to the I-5 corridor. I still love the Wallowas!)
As for the Coast, gasoline prices were not as bad as we thought they'd be. Low was Florence at $3.51. High was pretty much everywhere else, around $3.70. Brookings and Florence were the highlights. Coos Bay was too big and crazy for us. Newport too touristy. Lincoln City was somewhere in the middle. What they all had in common were damn few jobs. Seems like in the smaller towns, tourism is the main employer. Not a whole lot else unless you own a Myrtlewood forest.....
If you ever do make it to Brookings/Harbor, stop in at Mattie's Omelettes and Pancakes for the crab omelette and hit up the Hungry Clam for fish & chips. Excellent stuff!
We did find the place we were looking for, by the way. Unfortunately it's on the Washington coast. So I think I'll be hanging out some in the Washington State conference. Thanks to all the best of luck to every one of you!
dumpbush

[here_is_to_hope]

1. Coos Bay too big and crazy for ya?

You must have stayed on 101 through town, we hide the beaches from the tourists just in case they get any idea's about moving here...:hi:

I am with you on Matties though, a fav of my family for years and years and Brookings, while an elderly haven, is a pretty neat place with great weather.

[sandnsea]

2. Awww, and you didn't even say hi

:cry:

It cracks me up that you think Coos Bay was too big and crazy. Did you not get to Eugene or Portland?? And aren't you from Kansas City? I also think you must have missed the waterfalls of the Gorge, or maybe they were drying up a bit. I love that area. Oh, and the Sisters area is gorgeous too. Although the Upper Rogue and Umpqua areas are beautiful in southern Oregon too, along with Crater Lake. So I guess I could see how someone would like southern Oregon better.

So what did you find on the Washington coast?

[here_is_to_hope]

3. Hi sandnsea!

I am thinking they found higher taxes, lower real estate prices and a few Californians!
(not that there is anything wrong with Californians...):evilgrin:

[classof56]

4. Glad you had such a great time in our incredibly awesome state!

If you're ever back in Coos Bay, head west and spend time in my favorite state park, Shore Acres. Then take a leisurely drive out to Cape Arago and enjoy the sea lions on the offshore rocks not to mention the outstanding ocean views. Listening to the the sea lions is as fun as watching them! You doubtless noticed our ocean beaches are fully accessible to the public (save for a few places you physically can't get to), the result of some hard-fought battles against evil forces who wanted to fence them off for private use. One of Oregon's best legacies to future generations, IMHO!

The Wallowas are truly spectacular, as is Central Oregon where I am fortunate to reside. I even love Southeastern Oregon, French Glen, Steens Mountain, Alvord Desert. I've been to every part of Oregon--hard to choose a favorite!

Glad you were here. Welcome back anytime!

[hamerfan]

5. Thanks to all for your kind remarks!

I guess I should've mentioned this before. I was born and raised in Oregon City. Even spent a few years in Eugene in the 80s. So I kinda know my way around the state. Now to clear up a couple of things. Coos Bay is not big. Not like Kansas City big. It just gives that impression. The town we found in Washington is almost three times the population of CB, but it feels a lot smaller, if that makes any sense. Didn't make it to Shore Acres, but we did have a bowl of good Clam Chowder in Charleston. Nice drive through there. As for the Gorge and Sisters, you are preaching to the choir here, ;-) The same with the Oregon Coast. Probably the most spectacular anywhere. Got some great sunset shots...
So I guess it's not so much what we found. More like what we didn't find.
Again, thanks to you all and I will be back to visit! OR native, remember? I never made that big a deal of it, but some residents there sure do....;)
dumpbush

[classof56]

6. Ah, a proud Native Oregonian!

Good for you! I'm eternally grateful to my spouse for "importing me" to his birth state some 40+ years ago. He was on a "hiatus" in Seattle at the time but "itching" to get back home, so he sorta smuggled me and our soon-to-be-firstborn across the border. He's one of those "Native Oregonian since ____" types and does indeed make a big deal out of it. Now have grandchildren who are fourth generation NOs. I spent much of my youth in Washington and there's some mighty fantastic country there. Always a treat to go to the Olympic Peninsula, Hurricane Ridge, Port Angeles--pretty awesome! For the last two years I haven't made it out of Oregon, but when I do, I have a feeling I'll be cruising the Hood Canal and with any luck make a trip across the big water to the San Juans. Many happy memories from previous trips in those parts.

Glad you'll find yourself back in OR for a visit. Heck, we'll even letcha stay! Tom McCall is my hero, BTW!

[here_is_to_hope]

7. When you had chowder in Charleston...

You drove past my house! I live right on the corner of Libby/Cape Arago, overlooking the bay!

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

8. Did you notice the palm trees in Brookings and Harbor?

You should drive around the neighborhoods and business districts along the south coast. There are LOTS of very tropical-looking plants there in the mild climate.