KatieBugs morning chirps woke us early and after family hugs all around, we were on our way.  First moving down the coast, then inland to Eugene for the next few days.

All along Hwy 101 are incredible views of the aqua blue ocean foaming up against huge boulders and spreading thinly across the black sand.  Forests of tall rigid green pines intermingled with patches of naked white Birch, their feathery limbs stretched out as if to shield the ground that has been stripped bare from logging. Stately bridges with interesting colors and designs.  The beauty of Oregon offers surprises around every corner.

Brilliant yellow is everywhere as if it were planted for its intense color now that winter has removed the leaves from the trees. As pretty as it is, the fields of giant ragweed are taking a toll on my sinuses and I see Sudafed in my near future.  The dogwood’s huge white puffs and Redbuds deep rosy red blossoms line many of the narrow streets of  whistle stop town’s we pass by every few miles.

We passed acres of cranberry bogs on both sides of the highway.  For some reason I never connected the name Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice to an actual ocean.  It was a “duh” moment driving up this part of the coast.   For some reason it struck me as funny to see all these Ocean Spray fields and never connecting the dots.  I worked for an environmental engineering company where my job was to count the number of cranberries in the bogs that abutted power plants in New York and feed the information into a computer to determine the amount of radiation per cranberry.  Reason enough to stick with the name brand Ocean Spray.

A quick stop at the Mill Casino in Coos Bay for a sweet juicy fresh crab roll before continuing on to our stop for the night, Winchester Bay, Oregon.   Our front window faces the harbor which is dotted with sail boats sandwiched between weather worn wooden docks.  Low tide invites anyone with hip boots to trudge out and gather crabs.   If insanity happens to hit, we may pick up some boots from a local resale shop and give it a try for tomorrow’s low tide.

A quick clean-up of the water that splashed down out of our forward lighting fixtures and we were set for the evening.  Our view is awesome on all sides.  Sunset views while we walk the dogs, then a bowl of fantastic home made clam chowder before ending the day.