Blogs from Oregon, United States, North America - page 8

Oregon 2018. McKenzie Bridge. The Middle Fork Ranger Station confirmed that the road we were to use was closed since the fire was still active. It was due to rain for most of the day so the decision was taken to use the regular roads to head towards Eugene, through Jasper and then join the Highway 126 at Springfield to head west to Harbicks Country Inn by the McKenzie river. A total of 76 miles and only 420 metres of ascent. It started to rain lightly as we set off at 8.30 and so the roads were wet and the traffic was heavy with all sorts of vehicle, rdpecylogging and other trucks. The side margin was narrow in places and they drove a bit too close for comfort at times making the first half hour a ... read more

Oregon 2018 Cottage Grove. Rain overnight and the sky was dull when we awoke at 6.15 from a deep sleep. Leona’s Restaurant was our only choice for breakfast, it was bright and clean and the service OK. The food was good but I think we took them unawares since it took 50 minutes for the first food to arrive and mine was last at 70 minutes. The bill took 12 minute to work out so 1hr 40 minutes in total. Good job we went early. Away to a full start up the hill with damp roads but at least it was not raining. The sun got out at about 10.30 and it was quite pleasant following the Umpqua River all the way to Elkton. We saw a couple of elks in a field and then further ... read more

Oregon 2018. Yachats. D10 Heading south out of town was a bit lumpy and twisty but was better than taking Highway 101 straight from our hotel. At Siletz Bay we crossed the Schooner River bridge and the site of the early indigenous settlement of the Yacona tribe as mentioned yesterday. Lots of wading birds were seen and many grey herons, as usual, along this coast. The day was less hilly than I had expected and the weather came out good when the mist lifted over the sea. The highlight of the morning was when we deviated off the 101 following the coast and we saw several grey whales. Firstly just seeing the spouting and then actually seeing them roll out of the water and their tails up in the air. What a beautiful sight. I managed ... read more

Oregon 2018. Lincoln City. D6 Correction for yesterday. We passed through Cannon Beach, not Canyon Beach. Today was rather cooler than previously and in the mid teens. The mist did not clear until after lunch and even then it was never totally clear. Jackets on jackets off, jackets on jackets off and in it went. As we left Garibaldi we passed loads of fishermen in small boats harvesting the fertile waters of Tillahook Bay. Piles of oyster shells were at the roadside. For crushing for fertilizer? Alongside was a business called Oregon Coast Railriders which operated pedal operated bogies on the railway line seating four people who have to pedal to make the bogey run up and down the track. I would need paying for that. Further on we saw Graham with his bike upside down ... read more

Oregon 2018. Astoria. Yesterday we saw several deer crossing the road but unfortunately we saw several which had come to grief at the roadside. One thing that we thought was a great idea was the cycle tool stations on the cycle trails. The tools and track pumps were chained down so secure and still usable by all. The locals don’t seem to bother collecting free fruit here. Perhaps they have plenty of money, or they have lost the basic skills for baking. We saw apple trees galore with fruit falling on the floor untouched. The same with plums, which we appreciated greatly on our way into Vernonia. The occasional pear tree was also shedding its bounty and blackberries galore, which went well with my peanut butter sandwich for lunch today. The accommodation last night was extremely ... read more