Florence, Oregon – And about-
Oregon Sand Dunes: wouldn’t Hawaii love to have the beaches and sand dunes that run the length of the Oregon coast? I can’t think of any where were you cannot pull over to either a lookout or state park and not have the beach to yourself. This coming holiday, Memorial Day weekend will prove me wrong but whatever. Driftwood abounds literally along all of the beaches so with a proper vehicle and making sure that you are out there for low tide. You could gather enough driftwood to last the winter. But being that it is Oregon, me thinks that there has to be an ordinance against it somewhere.
Off the beaten track it is and is it possible to get lost and still smile about it…? From Florence you head east hitting every country road and stopping at the one person (one has to be right this day and age) Post Office for directions. If anyone tells you that Oregon is without gravel roads, they lie. Of the 200 miles I put on the Goatmobile, 50% was gravel and the bulk of it was on Federal lands. And of course every road is sign posted, the sign’s were last up dated around the late 1600’s when the Spaniards where claiming the west coast as theirs!!! Case in point, traveling along a National Forest (NF) road and though the GPS shows a continuation of subject road we meet a very robust gate that shows signs that it hasn’t been open in the last decade. No worries, munch another Power Bar, a glass of fine box red wine and the 400 miles (actually 10 but who is counting) that I have to cover to get myself out of this deep drop situation.
On another note. Since I’ll be spending so much time in Florence at a volunteer’s house. Had friends fly in from Hawaii and immediately took a chain saw to the living room floor. Cut out a hole large enough to roast a pig Hawaiian style. As there was going to be considerable smoke, a hole in the ceiling was a must. Contacted the volunteer couple and they had no problem with this modification. Their only requirement was that I cover the roof with one of those very nice blue tarps that you see the homeless with and fill the living room hole with chicken heads………… life is just so simple.
The Oregon coast cannot be passed up for its raw beauty, so with cuppa in hand it was out the door. Weather was overcast, wind out of the North at 20 mph, which brought the temp down to 60 degrees. With 17 layers of clothing on and the popcorn machine running on high, I ventured forth to battle the elements. Getting access to the beaches is a no brainer as the State of Oregon back in the 50’s bought up as much as coast line as possible that was not already in private hands. Not to belabor the days travels but Mr. Sun comes out just as I return to the house.
As Oregon has over a hundred covered bridges listed, it is with camera in hand, cuppa of its finest, and the GPS as a guide that I head east to Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove has 7 covered bridges listed in its immediate area of which 3 are in the city itself. Getting there we follow the Siuslaw River road, as the river twist and turns does the road follow. Looking at the GPS track later on it looks if the Goatmobile was on a drunken walk through the woods. Did find 2 out of 3 of the covered bridges in Cottage Grove, the third one where about is a complete mystery to me. I either read the map wrong or the good city fathers moved it.
The National Forest (NF) was the adventure for the day. A single lane sealed/gravel mixture that added a bit of excitement especially meeting someone coming from the other direction. Saw my first mountain lion or cougar crossing the road; he was probably as surprised as I was. Just kind of a humbug day with a stop at Safeway for the Sunday paper.
Access to the National Forest roads are incredible, just head in any direction and within 30 minutes you are out there by yourself. Noise and traffic is no longer a problem and the only problems that you will encounter will be the Golden Arches at an unsuspecting corner. Today was another 50 miles off the unbeaten track taking the odd picture as you travel guided by the GPS. Matter of fact the only conversation is with the GPS computer induced female voice telling you when to turn. Her pronunciation is terrible but there is at least no arguments…………!
Managed to put on over 1500 (2400 km) miles while in Oregon alone and the trip has just started.
Facebook has all of my pictures for Oregon so please enjoy.
The Greynomad
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
05/20/09 - Burn-Hines. Oregon - Florence – Redwoods National Park, Calif
Burn-Hines. Oregon - Florence – Redwoods National Park, Calif
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was the way point for the past 3 days. Image a refuge that is 65 miles long and there is no beer stops. This refuge is a birder’s Mecca, photographers sitting there with $10-15,000 camera lenses and drinking your favorite latté.
Weather has been excellent these past few days exploring and with this in mind, leaving the host family as early as possible to forego cleaning the toilet and leaving the seat in the up position, and stealing the last of cheap wine out of the deep drop loo.
The male member of this family comes home on Friday night, jumps into his bib overalls, Duct tapes the TV clicker to his hand and assumes the slug position in front of the TV until Monday morning. His poor wife and kids are out in the city center begging for food and lodging until he goes back to work. Strange people that live in this area of Oregon, me thinks that they were all republicans at one time and only one step away from the padded cell?
Anyhow, it’s back on the road to Florence, which just happens to be midway up and down the Oregon coast. A volunteer couple has a house in Florence, which they have offered to me with the understanding that I paint the house pink during my stay, no worries. The road from Burn-Hines to Florence was solid RV’s and motorcycles going east and not in my direction by the grace of the all mighty.
From Bend to Florence was just about all forest on a 2-lane road, which was just exceptional with Mother Nature at her best.
Shore Acres State Park was the first venture along the Oregon coast. Located just about 50 miles south of Florence on route 101. Weather was overcast and rain but this cleared up within hours. Not only does the state park have a fantastic botanical garden but also there is a seal rookie with in a short distance from the garden. Pictures of both areas will be posted on Facebook.
The Redwood National Park (NP) was next on the agenda. Florence to Crescent City, California along the Oregon coast is not to be missed. That is except for the road construction and going through every little town at 20 mph. Any how with in 3.5 hrs I was at the NP Information Center and as they did not have a sticker for the Goatmobile I was awarded, believe me on this, a Junior Ranger decal for me vehicle…………..Of course I had to sign my life away being a new Junior Ranger but being that my socks where on day number 5, something had to give.
The Redwood NP was simply amazing. All of the old growth trees still surviving regardless of political pressure from loggers and developers and lets not forget the Spotted Owl…! Met a young British lad while at the NP that was ex-Royal Air force, who was stationed at the same Royal Air force base in England as I was back in the 70's. He had been to both Iraq and Afghanistan and had not a good word about either.
The return trip to Florence was back along the interior via routes 199 – 5 – 138 – 38 -101. Routes 199 – 138 – 38 is a motorcyclists dream with all of the curves that you could want. Total mileages for that day was 440 miles or 700 kilometers and believe me when I say thank the almighty that it was not on a motorcycle for I would have been dead meat. How some motorcyclist can put on a 1000 miles (1600 kilo) in 24 hrs is beyond me.
Facebook, all of you have been notified that my travel photos will be placed on Facebook as I motor on. Please take advantage of this free service and the photos have all been certified by the Old Gummer’s Wheel Chair Racing Committee.
Norm
The Greynomad
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was the way point for the past 3 days. Image a refuge that is 65 miles long and there is no beer stops. This refuge is a birder’s Mecca, photographers sitting there with $10-15,000 camera lenses and drinking your favorite latté.
Weather has been excellent these past few days exploring and with this in mind, leaving the host family as early as possible to forego cleaning the toilet and leaving the seat in the up position, and stealing the last of cheap wine out of the deep drop loo.
The male member of this family comes home on Friday night, jumps into his bib overalls, Duct tapes the TV clicker to his hand and assumes the slug position in front of the TV until Monday morning. His poor wife and kids are out in the city center begging for food and lodging until he goes back to work. Strange people that live in this area of Oregon, me thinks that they were all republicans at one time and only one step away from the padded cell?
Anyhow, it’s back on the road to Florence, which just happens to be midway up and down the Oregon coast. A volunteer couple has a house in Florence, which they have offered to me with the understanding that I paint the house pink during my stay, no worries. The road from Burn-Hines to Florence was solid RV’s and motorcycles going east and not in my direction by the grace of the all mighty.
From Bend to Florence was just about all forest on a 2-lane road, which was just exceptional with Mother Nature at her best.
Shore Acres State Park was the first venture along the Oregon coast. Located just about 50 miles south of Florence on route 101. Weather was overcast and rain but this cleared up within hours. Not only does the state park have a fantastic botanical garden but also there is a seal rookie with in a short distance from the garden. Pictures of both areas will be posted on Facebook.
The Redwood National Park (NP) was next on the agenda. Florence to Crescent City, California along the Oregon coast is not to be missed. That is except for the road construction and going through every little town at 20 mph. Any how with in 3.5 hrs I was at the NP Information Center and as they did not have a sticker for the Goatmobile I was awarded, believe me on this, a Junior Ranger decal for me vehicle…………..Of course I had to sign my life away being a new Junior Ranger but being that my socks where on day number 5, something had to give.
The Redwood NP was simply amazing. All of the old growth trees still surviving regardless of political pressure from loggers and developers and lets not forget the Spotted Owl…! Met a young British lad while at the NP that was ex-Royal Air force, who was stationed at the same Royal Air force base in England as I was back in the 70's. He had been to both Iraq and Afghanistan and had not a good word about either.
The return trip to Florence was back along the interior via routes 199 – 5 – 138 – 38 -101. Routes 199 – 138 – 38 is a motorcyclists dream with all of the curves that you could want. Total mileages for that day was 440 miles or 700 kilometers and believe me when I say thank the almighty that it was not on a motorcycle for I would have been dead meat. How some motorcyclist can put on a 1000 miles (1600 kilo) in 24 hrs is beyond me.
Facebook, all of you have been notified that my travel photos will be placed on Facebook as I motor on. Please take advantage of this free service and the photos have all been certified by the Old Gummer’s Wheel Chair Racing Committee.
Norm
The Greynomad
Saturday, May 16, 2009
05/16/09 Las Vegas – Tonopah – Winnemucca – Hines, Oregon
Las Vegas, - Tonopah – Winnemucca- Hines, Oregon
Leaving Las Vegas with a smile on my face knowing that I am getting out the city of sin, republicans and a depleted bank account. Heading North West across the state line into California where the state’s deficit exceeds 90% total of all the states in the US. Another fine example of the elected officials working together.
Death Valley it was and if my GPS is right we did hit a minus 246’ below sea level. Got to the last camp site around 1330 hrs and just knowing that I had another 3-4 hours of baking in the sun and 100 plus temperatures made me push onto Tonopah.
Tonopah is out in the middle of Nevada, its desert, mining and the biggest golden arches (McDonald’s) that I’ve seen yet. Of course this is my first night trying to sleep in my vehicle and I’ll look back on these initial days roughing it with fond memories at the amount of crap that I bought. But as I am towing the 60’ trailer behind with the popcorn machine, I have no worries. And does it get cold at night in the desert; I must have wrapped the sleeping bag around me 3 times over. But knowing that the wind was blowing 10-15 knots and the temp was down in the low 40’s(8 degrees Celsius) life was good in the Goatmobile.
The next morn it was rearranging all of the gear back in its proper order, a senior discounted cuppa at McDonalds and the open road north through the Great Basin.
With cruise control, the heater on, coffee in the big cuppa, flatulence to the max, can life get any better then this…! Try finding a radio station that wasn’t Christian or western while traveling through the Great Basin is impossible. What ever happen to Hip-hop??
Winnemucca was the next stop via every speed trap possible as you travel through the small mining towns going north. Believe me if you see the locals driving at the posted speed limit, you best follow their example before deputy dog nails you for speeding. The RV site was just outside of town and it gave me a chance to put the tent up in earnest. Six hours later and having a very heated conversation with myself, thy Taj Mahale was finally up. The snooker table fitted quite nicely in the corner along with plasma TV.
Next morning it was north again through the Great Basin up to the great town of Denio, which was out of gas and the nearest fuel was 80 miles away. Turning left on route 140 heading for the Sheldon NWR, next a turn for Hart Mountain NWR, which for the first 20 miles was a sealed road. After that it was 50 miles of good gravel, matter of fact once the turn was made from Denio the road was made for motorcyclist. The gravel was in excellent condition and the view going across Hart Mountain was outstanding. Once you were back on the sealed road your next stop was Frenchglen, population 12, for a cuppa and a quick visit to the deep drop (loo).
Finally reaching Hines, Oregon and staying with a family that I had met back in my Midway Atoll days. Six kids, 3 dogs, the wife who runs the Portland Mafia and last of all thy head of the household (not according to wife/kids) Mr. I can’t turn down desserts……
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for the next couple of days.
Norm
The Greynomad
Leaving Las Vegas with a smile on my face knowing that I am getting out the city of sin, republicans and a depleted bank account. Heading North West across the state line into California where the state’s deficit exceeds 90% total of all the states in the US. Another fine example of the elected officials working together.
Death Valley it was and if my GPS is right we did hit a minus 246’ below sea level. Got to the last camp site around 1330 hrs and just knowing that I had another 3-4 hours of baking in the sun and 100 plus temperatures made me push onto Tonopah.
Tonopah is out in the middle of Nevada, its desert, mining and the biggest golden arches (McDonald’s) that I’ve seen yet. Of course this is my first night trying to sleep in my vehicle and I’ll look back on these initial days roughing it with fond memories at the amount of crap that I bought. But as I am towing the 60’ trailer behind with the popcorn machine, I have no worries. And does it get cold at night in the desert; I must have wrapped the sleeping bag around me 3 times over. But knowing that the wind was blowing 10-15 knots and the temp was down in the low 40’s(8 degrees Celsius) life was good in the Goatmobile.
The next morn it was rearranging all of the gear back in its proper order, a senior discounted cuppa at McDonalds and the open road north through the Great Basin.
With cruise control, the heater on, coffee in the big cuppa, flatulence to the max, can life get any better then this…! Try finding a radio station that wasn’t Christian or western while traveling through the Great Basin is impossible. What ever happen to Hip-hop??
Winnemucca was the next stop via every speed trap possible as you travel through the small mining towns going north. Believe me if you see the locals driving at the posted speed limit, you best follow their example before deputy dog nails you for speeding. The RV site was just outside of town and it gave me a chance to put the tent up in earnest. Six hours later and having a very heated conversation with myself, thy Taj Mahale was finally up. The snooker table fitted quite nicely in the corner along with plasma TV.
Next morning it was north again through the Great Basin up to the great town of Denio, which was out of gas and the nearest fuel was 80 miles away. Turning left on route 140 heading for the Sheldon NWR, next a turn for Hart Mountain NWR, which for the first 20 miles was a sealed road. After that it was 50 miles of good gravel, matter of fact once the turn was made from Denio the road was made for motorcyclist. The gravel was in excellent condition and the view going across Hart Mountain was outstanding. Once you were back on the sealed road your next stop was Frenchglen, population 12, for a cuppa and a quick visit to the deep drop (loo).
Finally reaching Hines, Oregon and staying with a family that I had met back in my Midway Atoll days. Six kids, 3 dogs, the wife who runs the Portland Mafia and last of all thy head of the household (not according to wife/kids) Mr. I can’t turn down desserts……
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for the next couple of days.
Norm
The Greynomad
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
05/12/09 Hawaii to Nevada
5.12.2009
HONOLULU, HAWAII – LOS ANGELOS, CALIFORNIA – LAS VEGAS, NEVEDA
As we travel,
Having to bribe a low life friend with a gift certificate for subject ride to the airport wasn’t bad enough. As he showed up to pick me up, this is at 0500 hrs, he required me to pass the certificate through window and validate same prior to opening the door.….!!?
Flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles (LA) was a no brainer in less then 5 hours. Movie was terrible and all purchases had to be via credit card, cash is no longer an option. Just another step in the paperless world! Arriving in LA managed to grab the wrong shuttle bus to the hotel but did see the airport in the best of comfort.
Spent the night in the Best Western where I watched TV until 0300 hrs due to the time change between Hawaii and LA. Down to the shipper to pickup vehicle and promptly got loss trying to get out of LA. One benefit of going via the desert (there is no other way either) to Las Vegas (LV) is the temp is 100 plus but dry. Thinking that the longer I spend in the desert, the longer I can go without a shower (3-4 weeks) and no worries as far as washing clothes……..toe jam could be a problem though.
Las Vegas (LV), Nevada: The city of glitter, slot machines, beautiful people and 15 Wal-Mart’s. Pushing your grocery cart through any store reminds you of riding the bumpy-bump cars where no quarter is given. Did manage to buy enough gear to support a standing army of a hundred men. I’ll probably litter the highways with discarded gear before the first fortnight. Las Vegas has been hit big time with this major credit crunch. You find malls empty, buildings with only the steel work completed, roads that go nowhere, teachers – fire fighters - police taking a major cut in salaries. I’ll guarantee that the elected politicians haven’t suffer at all as the case in Hawaii with their latest pay increase…
While still in Las Vegas did venture forth to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), 15 miles North-west of LV, for a day of 100 degrees plus and gravel roads that literally covered you and vehicle with a fine coating of dust. Being that you are the only one for miles in all directions, stopping in the middle of the road to take pictures is at your pleasure. For the 6 hours that I spent on the NWR I saw one vehicle and nothing else.
But of course once you are back on the main roads, life is back in the fast lane where everyone is red lining the tachometer from one stop light to another.
We leave Las Vegas for Death Valley and the first night of setting up camp, brew a cuppa, beat off the bugs and watch the stars as they gravitate across the nightly sky. And most likely curse myself for buying too much crap and moving it ten times over and still trying to look like I know what I am doing to the other campers.
Norm
The Grey Nomad
HONOLULU, HAWAII – LOS ANGELOS, CALIFORNIA – LAS VEGAS, NEVEDA
As we travel,
Having to bribe a low life friend with a gift certificate for subject ride to the airport wasn’t bad enough. As he showed up to pick me up, this is at 0500 hrs, he required me to pass the certificate through window and validate same prior to opening the door.….!!?
Flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles (LA) was a no brainer in less then 5 hours. Movie was terrible and all purchases had to be via credit card, cash is no longer an option. Just another step in the paperless world! Arriving in LA managed to grab the wrong shuttle bus to the hotel but did see the airport in the best of comfort.
Spent the night in the Best Western where I watched TV until 0300 hrs due to the time change between Hawaii and LA. Down to the shipper to pickup vehicle and promptly got loss trying to get out of LA. One benefit of going via the desert (there is no other way either) to Las Vegas (LV) is the temp is 100 plus but dry. Thinking that the longer I spend in the desert, the longer I can go without a shower (3-4 weeks) and no worries as far as washing clothes……..toe jam could be a problem though.
Las Vegas (LV), Nevada: The city of glitter, slot machines, beautiful people and 15 Wal-Mart’s. Pushing your grocery cart through any store reminds you of riding the bumpy-bump cars where no quarter is given. Did manage to buy enough gear to support a standing army of a hundred men. I’ll probably litter the highways with discarded gear before the first fortnight. Las Vegas has been hit big time with this major credit crunch. You find malls empty, buildings with only the steel work completed, roads that go nowhere, teachers – fire fighters - police taking a major cut in salaries. I’ll guarantee that the elected politicians haven’t suffer at all as the case in Hawaii with their latest pay increase…
While still in Las Vegas did venture forth to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), 15 miles North-west of LV, for a day of 100 degrees plus and gravel roads that literally covered you and vehicle with a fine coating of dust. Being that you are the only one for miles in all directions, stopping in the middle of the road to take pictures is at your pleasure. For the 6 hours that I spent on the NWR I saw one vehicle and nothing else.
But of course once you are back on the main roads, life is back in the fast lane where everyone is red lining the tachometer from one stop light to another.
We leave Las Vegas for Death Valley and the first night of setting up camp, brew a cuppa, beat off the bugs and watch the stars as they gravitate across the nightly sky. And most likely curse myself for buying too much crap and moving it ten times over and still trying to look like I know what I am doing to the other campers.
Norm
The Grey Nomad
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