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
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