350 miles to Portland....

We've made it!  Farther than anyone could have imagined I suspect.    Charlie has done for us what we could not have anticipated.   Over 4,000 miles with no major setbacks.  I am more than impressed with him.  We stopped right inside the oregon border in the town of Brookings.  We found a nice, quiet campsite right near the beach, Harris State Park.  The weather is slightly warmer, but the view just keeps getting better!

We now have the option of taking our time and enjoying the coast.   We stopped  many times along the way, there were just so many beautiful views to take in right off the road.

   We decided to stop in Bandon.  It came highly recommended by a co-worker.  We ate lunch at the Bandon Fish Market, deciding to get what everyone else was getting... fish & chips.  They were great!  While waiting on our order, Daniel met a man, Tom, who was inquiring about the bus and Daniel's Florida jacket.  Turns out he went to UF.  We spent an hour talking to Tom & his wife Nancy about many things.  They invited us to stay in Bandon and go clamming with them the next morning, as well as a nice home cooked meal that evening.  How could two lonely wanderers say no?    Nancy's cooking was by far the best meal of the trip!  Matza ball soup and a yummy berry cobbler.  We enjoyed the evening with good food, wine, and conversation.   Both Daniel and I were happy to have made some new friends.   A late night and then early morning of clamming.  We apparently hit Bandon at just the right time.  The tide was the lowest it had been in about 7 years, so the clamming was supposed to be good (and easy).  Unfortunately, it was not so easy, or we were just not that good.   No clams for us!  

Daniel & Nancy looking for clams

locals showing us how it's done

Tom & Nancy wanted to take us to a beach they had visited and since the tide was so low we could walk farther out onto the beach than normal.  So many amazing things.  Closer to the water the beach was nothing but rocks.  Worn so smooth by the water.  We were able to see the biggest starfish I've ever seen.  And crazy colors!    We could walk between the rocks and get close to some seals sunning themselves on the rocks.  Check out these pics....

low tide at Bandon Beach

No sand, just rocks

they blend in so well

We were sad to leave Tom and Nancy... I'm not sure they realized how thankful we were to have met them.   But Portland is in our sights!  Back in the bus and north we go.  Here are some pics of some of the things we stopped to look at.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

We stopped close to Newport at Beverly Beach state park... tomorrow we reach Astoria.  The inner goonie in me can't wait!