Shortly after the winter solstice comes the yule and I
have become inclined to travel at least for a few days, to entertain myself
with non-Christmas events. This year I went to the Oregon coast as far south as
Coos Bay. That was on December 23rd.
I took I 5 to Eugene, the college town. It may be a
nice place but I’ll have to learn that some other time. From there I got on
state road 126 west to Florence where my motel for the next three nights was.
This is quite a pretty drive once you get about 10 miles out of greater Eugene.
During those 10 miles there is a traffic light about every 9 feet.
Conde B. McCullough Memorial Bridge
Then it winds through the Siuslaw National Forest
which is gorgeous for about 45 miles. It climbs into the Coastal Cascades and
into many diverse ecosystems including wetlands, vast sand dunes and what may a
rain forest. It certainly appeared to be during that drive as a hazy mist
lingered above the ground as sunlight peeked between the small breaks in the
forest canopy. Green moss clung to every surface possible.
There were many tracts of marshland which if brackish,
I think would make them salt marshes with all of the ecological benefits
therein. They looked very much like those wetlands I had become so accustomed
to near the Chesapeake Bay.
The last few miles into Florence was along a small
river (or large creek I suppose). There were plenty of private docks. I saw no
human activity on this water but it looks perfect for a place to be on a summer
day.
I made it to Florence too early to check in so I
cruised this resort town for a while in order to establish some first
impressions.
The next day I was up before 6:30 after falling asleep
before 10 the night before. It is rare for me to get a good night’s rest on the
first one of any trip. I took advantage of being well rested that night.
Breakfasts in most motel lobbies are more or less
identical to each other. The eggs are essentially scrambled yolks forced into a
standardized mold and cooked (baked?) into a rubbery, barely palatable disc.
There are toasters and a variety of bread like products including actual bread
as well as a bagel variety, some number of bagels and English muffins. Juice is
poured into a glass by an electronic dispenser. The yogurts are small, highly
sugared conveniences closer to pudding than to a “healthy” food. There is
usually a pot of oatmeal and 4 or 5 choices of cold cereal in individual
packages. Individual packaging has become a mainstay for American consumers.
Often there is a pot of gravy that makes for one component for a biscuit and gravy
meal. There are sausages and or thin slices of lean bacon.
That is pretty much the fare at the motel I am
spending these holidays at in Florence, Oregon. One difference was that the
eggs are scrambled such as you might fry at home. They were laid out in
stainless steel containers with lids and sterno lights to keep them warm(ish).
I ate and headed out for Coos Bay, a historical shipping port about 50 miles
south from the motel along coastal highway 101.
I drove through the miles of seaside dunes stopping
often. The dunes buffer both sides of the highway from the Pacific to the west
and spans across for many miles. At times the grand forests of Douglas fir and
a large number of lakes can be seen to the east. There also are two historic
bridges one over the Smith River and the other crossing Coos Bay. I stopped
several times to take photos. Sometimes it was raining so I merely pulled over
for a view.
There were rises along the coastal range of the
Cascades followed by dips so it kept the drive lively. Occasionally during the
drive, I could over look gorges and valleys. Unfortunately there were no turn
offs of scenic viewing so it’s left to memory rather than recorded digitally.
That is how I spent Christmas Eve of 2019.
12/25
I woke up early and took a long walk around the
deserted town of Florence. There were holiday decorations but apparently all
were still tucked into bed for their long winter nap when I walked. I intended
to drive about 50 miles north to Newport which was my most southern point in my
last coastal trip. I was waylaid by the stunning glory of the natural beauty of
the coastal mountains, rampaging Pacific waves and more rolling dunes. I only
got about 25 miles north since I stopped too many times to count in order to
absorb all of the wonders around me.
Highway
101 Oregon Coast
While heading north much of the road was surrounded by
either cliffs which exuded waterfalls at times, or 150 foot Douglas firs or
both. After several hours I drove back to Florence and this time explored the
town a bit. It is a major resort town during the warm seasons. I thought maybe
I would have a late lunch. It also was a major holiday so finding a good local
restaurant was easy. Finding one that was open not so easy. I went back to the
motel and ate food that I had brought with me in the event that fate would bar
me from eating out.
During this trip I learned about the Oregon National
Dunes and saw so many lakes that I was reminded of the rural parts of Michigan
that I would see during family road trips. When I got up the next day I lolled
around until rush hour was past and returned to Vancouver using the same route
I took to get down there. Before leaving I wrote down a list of things I wanted
to look up in geology field guides or want to prioritize for my next Oregon
Coast trip probably next September.
Oregon
Dunes with Pacific in background
Other than a few day trips and going up to Seattle,
this accounts for my trips during the winter of 2020.
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