Summer 2009

So far:
Stinson Beach
Tuolemne Lodge, River, Tenaya Bowls
Girls Weekend June Lake
Coming Up...Oregon Coast (windsurfing??)--this was a great vacation
WINDSURFING VIDEO--LESS THAN 5 MINUTES... :)


The southern Oregon coast is hard to beat. Pistol River Beach was actually calm and warm the day we explored--the other times we've been there it's been brutally windy. Cape Blanco was one of our favorite campgrounds--I called it "the cold place", but it has semi-private campsites and good, clean bathrooms with FREE SHOWERS. We slept well, lulled to sleep by the sounds of whistling wind and fog dripping on our rainfly. See video above re the Floras Lake windsurfing experience--I had a great time, Les was incredible (as was H for filming the whole thing)--I am DEFINITELY doing this again. I am somewhat cautious, so knew that if I had one more day I'd let the wind take me away. However, my triceps were sore for 5 days, so I'll start working out and maybe spend a few days there next year so I can get it down. Another incredible hot dog from the Langlois Market to celebrate AND an Umpqua ice cream cone that was way worth $1.95 (waffle cone chock full of a single scoop with the mass of at least a triple).

Oceanside OR (west of Tillamook)--we stayed at the Clifftop Inn, not much to look at from the outside, but the rooms were well done, new spa in place, views absolutely incredible. Roseanna's Cafe is incredible (H had halibut and I had a seafood stuffed local petrale sole)--then fresh, local Marionberry cobbler for dessert. Brewin' in the Wind is a funky coffeehouse with free WiFi, but more importantly, an amazing blueberry cinnamon muffin (and lots of other breakfast and lunch goodies as well). Only two places to eat in town and they are both perfect. At Oceanside beach, there is a tunnel through the rock that transports you to incredible pocket beaches. At low tide, the tidepools are rich with sea stars, mussels, anemones, barnacles of many kinds, and lots of other interesting creatures. And then, just east of Oceanside before you get to Cape Meares, there is a hidden trail that leads down to another beach with the BEST tidepools I have ever seen in my life. There are waterfalls to the beach and all kinds of magical moments to savor. At Cape Meares, incredible views, birds, etc., but most unique of all was the "Octopus Tree", a Sitka Spruce with a very interesting form. Quite impressive.

Jacksonville, OR (5 miles east of Medford)--Britt Music Festival, historic town with great shops (try Pico's and Carefree Buffalo)--but not overdone...great restaurants (Gogi's has a $5 cocktail and small plates menu, great food, looks like reasonable prices throughout town). The music festival is incredible--we just missed Wilco, Indigo Girls were playing the night we were there, James Taylor coming in Sept...

Early in the trip, we stayed at Del Norte campground (redwoods, ferns, "extreme" walk in beautiful campsite. Prairie Creek State Park: Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon definitely worth exploring. Roosevelt Elk along the loop off of 101.

And then coming home is never bad, as we live in one of the most awesome places on earth. Best sunset of the trip from our hot tub in Chalfant. Fabulous trip, but great to be home.