NoWACA 10th Anniversary Rally

Alpine and Jeep, site 17

The Bend-Sisters Garden RV Resort is a great gathering spot and a well-appointed resort, close to both towns. 

Thirty-five Alpine coaches converged and looked quite awesome lined up side-by-side. 

pretty lake and pretty skies at the Bend-Sisters RV Resort

We had a great time celebrating 10 years of NoWACA rallies: 

• gathering under the big tent for meals and meetings
• spending time with old friends and making new ones
• eating far too much thanks to the wonderful meals prepared by our hosts
• chatting and laughing a lot
• exchanging travel experiences and making notes about future spots to investigate
• playing games, exploring the area, and generally having fun

Our rally hosts, once again, out-did themselves, hosting a memorable gathering. As a memento of the anniversary, each coach couple was gifted with a handmade bag to carry our utensils and plates, featuring the NoWACA logo. 

four "crafty"  NoWACA seamstresses sewed a bag for
each couple, with a name tag, and separate outside
pocket to hold utensils  - these are very handy to carry
our table setting to our meals

We look forward to future rallies with our home-territory group. The NoWACA Alpine family keeps on growing, and we welcomed three new couples and their new-to-them coaches. One first-time attendee couple were hooked on the first evening and during the introductions declared they were having so much fun that they were already looking forward to the next rally. NoWACA folks rock!

gathering under the tent

Patty (AKA Flipper) flipping pancakes, with Beth

The road to Sisters, Oregon

Our next stop was Sisters Garden RV Resort for the NoWACA Rally. To get to Sisters, we followed Route 1 south from Cape Kiwanda, connected with Route 18 east, then Route 22 through Salem. The road took us right through downtown Salem, which appeared to have expanded a lot since we were last there 35 years ago. Past Salem, we continued heading east towards the Cascade Range, following the Santiam River and Detroit Lake recreation area, enjoying the scenery and a route new to us. We crossed Santiam Pass (elevation 4,817 Ft), and continued along Route 20 into Sisters. We had perfect traveling weather.

heading towards the Cascade Range beyond Salem

following the Santiam River

Detroit Lake, above Detroit Dam, obviously a popular spot

one of many volcanic peaks along the route, possibly Mt Jefferson

Santiam River

once we crossed the pass, the terrain changed to be more scrubby and dry, with
occasional lava beds from past eruptions

evidence of new growth after the fierce fires from a few years ago

Three Fingered Jack (I believe) - it would be more helpful
if the peaks had signs identifying them;)

Hoodoo Butte 

driving through the quaint little downtown of Sisters

The pictures tell all...

Our stay was terrific.We happen to like this spot we now call our Northwest Pismo Beach.

Except for one rainy day, the weather was perfect. And by day's end during the one rainy day, the clouds cleared in time for a long beach walk after dinner. The sun goes down late in summer extending our days just that little longer.

view south towards the rock and the gigantic sand dune and cliffs

view east beyond the beach

rock pools at the base of the cliffs

view south from the top of the cliffs

view from the cliffs and on the other side of the haystack

just another perfect day at Cape Kiwanda

there are families of black bunnies that share the camp ground with us humans
and are a never ending source of amusement for the little ones who love to
watch them and chase them

Off again

We left Bellevue on Saturday and our first overnight was at the Kelso/Longview Elks. It was a convenient stop and most welcome after a miserable drive through heavy traffic and torrential downpours in spots along the I-5 corridor. 
There are 13 level drive-through RV sites with electric & water hookups, and a dump station. Our site was just long enough that we were able to leave the Jeep hooked up. The lodge itself is conveniently located next to a mall and a Safeway. That evening, there was a private anniversary party but later when we popped in to have a drink, we were welcomed to sashay with the others around the dance floor. Did someone say there would be music and dancing?! 

Sunday morning, we continued on to Cape Kiwanda RV Resort, where we will stay for the rest of the week. Cape Kiwanda, close to Pacific City, Oregon, has become our Northwest "Pismo Beach." 

We took a route new to us. From Portland we drove west along route 8, then joined route 6 which takes you to the coast through the Tillamook Forest and along the Wilson River. The scenery was pretty, first past verdant fields and then winding its way along the river.
At Tillamook we joined coastal route 101 for the short drive to Cape Kiwanda.  

fields and forests along route 6

approaching the Tillamook Forest

rounding a corner for our first sighting of Kiwanda's haystack rock

the back side of the high, steep sand dune

back at his favorite Oregon beach

site 15

Here we will stay for the remainder of the week, happy to enjoy our daily beach walks and sunsets. At some point we will attempt to scale the gigantic sand dune to the very top and run back down again. 
And we have plans to meet up with the Wynns at the end of the week in Albany at the FMCA rally and industry convention.