Cape Kiwanda continued

When my friend, Hanne, said that we would like Cape Kiwanda, she was quite right. We plan to return here again. This may become our Pismo Beach equivalent in Oregon. It's a small, quiet, and also more remote area, which suits us just fine. The location of the RV Resort and the proximity to the beach is what attracts us. 
The beach is perfect for our daily walks and runs. And for a more vigorous workout, there is the giant sand dune to climb. The only difference is that because we are much further north than Pismo, it can be quite cold here when the wind blows, even in June...as we experienced yesterday. I suspect that the winter here is every bit as stormy, rainy and freezing cold as our Washington beaches. That would be a good time to head south to Pismo.
Here are a few more of my favorite shots from Cape Kiwanda:

homes clustered atop the hill beyond

Nestucca River that empties into the ocean, at Pacific City, where we walked

sundown at the beach

low tide with the big rocks exposed

Haystack Rock, standing in over 90 feet of water, located
almost a mile off shore, rising 32 stories tall, covering 8 square
acres, and sanctuary to many species of shore birds

life at the beach is good!

Dories landing after a morning of fishing

Tomorrow we move on to Winchester Bay, where the Northwest Alpine Coach Association will host a rally. We look forward to meeting more Alpine members from our neck of the woods.

Spectacular Cape Kiwanda

We discovered a gem, right here along the Oregon coast. 
An RV Resort right across the street from the beach.  
A gigantic haystack rock. 
Spectacular cliffs.
Miles of flat golden beach for walking and running. 
The largest sand dune we have ever seen.
Even a couple of restaurants and a brewery.
Cape Kiwanda is simply capital.

We clambered up to the top of the colorful cliffs and saw more spectacular views.

My explorer hubby decided to climb higher up until he reached the top of that gigantic sand dune.

At the top, he joined the groups of others who were having a grand time running back down the dune, sinking into the soft sand.

The reward was emptying his sand filled shoes...

We watched several Dories land on the beach. The Dory Fleet originated here, evolving from the double-ender powered with oars to the present day 22-foot flat bottomed, high speed craft. 

Dories launch directly off the beach that is right across the street from the RV Park. Their flat bottoms allow them to return through the surf straight on to the beach.

There is a monument to the Dorymen right at the beach.

Our first morning of exploring successfully over, we headed back to Alpine and the bunnies that are all over the RV Park, content and munching all day long.

On to Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon coast

I know the routine now when we stop at Cummins to have work done on the "boy parts" on our Alpine. We get up early, gather our laptops, books, and my knitting or crochet, and make ourselves comfortable in the Cummins lounge for the duration while the technicians drive the coach into one of many bays to work on the engine. With only an oil change today, it did not take too long and we were off again mid-morning to our next appointment at Amazing Creations in Junction City, a few miles away.

Scott and Bobby have done a lot of custom woodwork on many Alpines and other coaches, and their reputation for fine craftsmanship has spread. We first met them this past March on our way down to California. Today's visit was to finalize plans for the desk that will replace the second couch, and a few other changes we would like to add. 
As we pulled in, there was another Alpine parked in the lot. It was Leda and Ray Wynn, whom we met at the Valencia rally! They too were having work done on their coach. It was fun to catch up with them and we got to see their upgrades. Which gave us more ideas for things we could do too.
Scott spent a long time with us going over the plans that Michael had drawn up for a desk cabinet that we discussed previously on our first visit. We need to make a few adjustments to the original plans, but at least we are on their schedule for work to begin.

Before, with second couch

The best part of today's stop at Amazing Creations is that Scott and Bobby removed the second couch.  I have wanted to get rid of it since we first took ownership of the Alpine. Yay! Mission accomplished. 

After, with couch removed and the area for the new desk unit

That is the space where the new desk will be installed.  Each of us needs desk space for our computers. Once the desk is completed, it should look good and be more practical than a second couch. It can also double as sewing space for me. I am excited about the "remodel" we will be having done in a couple of months.

From Junction City to Cape Kiwanda is 103 miles. 
We took the road less traveled, Route 99W, which wound through fertile farm country. 

The scenery was pretty.  We had to share the road with farm equipment returning home after a day's work, which also slowed traffic.  

Beyond Corvallis we veered in a northwesterly direction along Route 22, heading for hills and forests. 

As if on cue, a grey overhead cover appeared and blocked out the sun, the mist hanging heavy and coating the windshield. 
We wound our way along the scenic corridor through the Van Duzer Forest, eventually dropping on to coastal Route101, and headed north for another 25 miles arriving at Cape Kiwanda RV Resort after 7PM.  

It had been a long day.
Tomorrow we would investigate the beach.

Next stop, Cummins Coach Care

Today's destination was Cummins Coach Care in Coburg, Oregon. Cummins is conveniently located along the I-5 corridor and we have an appointment scheduled first thing Monday morning for a routine oil change. 

We left the pretty rural location along the Columbia River late this morning and headed back towards I-5. 
But first we stopped at the Walmart conveniently situated right at the exit and on-ramps, to stock up on a few grocery items. 













The trip took a lot longer today, again because of heavy traffic through Portland and beyond. 













Good Sam's mapping software always routes us along 1-5 and across this drawbridge into Oregon - 

The highway skirts downtown Portland, with its numerous bridges across the Columbia River. The network of highways is quite a jumble of concrete. It must have been a nightmare to build.

Portland sparkled in the sunlight as we inched our way along.

Eventually the traffic thinned out and we continued along at regular speed. 














This section of the I-5 corridor is quite familiar, with its tilled and cultivated fields, scenic barns, dairy cattle and sheep. 

We spied a VW Eurovan camper exactly like the one we once had, which took us to the four corners of the States and in between, as well as to parts of western Canada. We toured just about all the National Parks, National Monuments, and other notable attractions. Those adventures are what got me hooked on RV-ing and vagabonding around the country. 
Now, the Eurovan looked so small as it whizzed past us, but back then it seemed so luxurious, and was so cleverly outfitted, especially compared to tent camping. 
I wondered where this Eurovan was taking the couple in it. We definitely had wonderful adventures in our Eurovan, and I have the photos to prove it!

As we pulled in to the Cummins parking lot in the late afternoon, we were surprised to see so many coaches already there. We felt lucky to nab the last spot with electrical hook up. 
Once we were all set up and enjoyed our cuppa', we relaxed in our home on wheels. I feel so lucky to be able to continue our travels and now in such luxury. 

Off again and how we spent our 40th

We're off on the next adventure. This one will take us to the Oregon coast first, then inland to Bend next.
The Northwest Alpine rally is being held in Winchester Bay, immediately followed by the FMCA regional rally in Coos Bay.

We have an important anniversary today, our 40th.  So we decided this was worthy of a celebration, and are going to spend several days in Cape Kiwanda prior to the rallies.
Our daughter reminded us that 40 is a ruby anniversary.  Michael was quick to tell me that my ruby is the Alpine!  We had a good laugh, and I have decided that is a good name for her...she will be our Ruby.

So, off we set early in the morning to retrieve our Ruby out of storage.  To fill in a few blanks since I last posted, Ruby was set up in Fidalgo Bay,Anacortes, through the end of May. We got a call to let us know that an enclosed storage unit had become available and decided to take it, beginning June 1st.  It is located nearby Anacortes in Burlington, so this morning we set off to the storage unit, about a 70 mile drive north.
Michael had disconnected all the batteries so it remained to be seen if our Ruby would start.  No problem there!  It sounded wonderful to hear the growly diesel fire up again.  The next hurdle was backing her out of that incredibly tight space. We came armed with our old walkie-talkies and with my driver's expert maneuvering, backed out of the storage garage. Then we retraced the trip back home with me following in the Audi, dropped if off at home, transferred the fridge and freezer items into the coach fridge (which had now been running for nearly two hours), shut the house down, and set off for our first destination in Woodland, Washington, about 140 miles south on I-5.
The traffic out of Bellevue through Tacoma was heavy today, likely because of all the sports events in addition to three university graduations and a bridge closure. So the trip took a lot longer than normal, but we eventually arrived at Columbia Riverfront RV Park.
We set up and of course I put the kettle on immediately for that well needed and deserved cup of tea, which we enjoyed sitting on a bench along the Columbia River, watching the boats, the barges and the fishermen.  And in the glorious sunshine we contemplated our 40 years together.... I, for one, would never have imagined way back when we were married, that 40 years later I would be gadding about in a 36 foot Alpine. Michael's response: Would you have thought that about our golden anniversary too?
My reply: I wouldn't have it any other way!  In fact, I would want to spend my golden anniversary somewhere in our 36-foot Alpine. However, we will need to rename her. She would have to be called Goldy.

heavy traffic travel day

I love these old bridges crossing the rivers

the Nisqually River, one of many in our state

can you spot the capitol dome amongst the tree tops...that is the Capitol in Olympia
...those darned trees keep growing and obscuring my views!

heading south along I-5

spotted a train

approaching our exit

Toutle River

Columbia River RV park is located off the highway in this rural setting

enjoying my cup of tea along the banks of the Columbia River, which my
boyscout hubby reminded me is where Lewis and Clark sailed, down this
very spot

looking back towards the RV park and my beau of 40 years

along the Columbia

chatted with several hopeful fishermen, fascinated with
their set up with the bells which alert them to a catch...
but we didn't hear any bells along our walk