05/26/09 - Florence, Oregon – And about

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