August 4th Cannon Beach to Nehalem

We left the warm comforts of Haystack Inn with a deep sleep under our belt and 2 Costco muffins (chocolate and blueberry) soon to be under our belts.  The plan - get to a wonderful campground right on the ocean and check in and claim a primo spot and veg out for the day.  The reality - every campground was manned and womaned by smug, arrogant employees who smiled knowingly, gave a slight titter and spoke to us as if we were mentally impaired.  Seems to be that there is no room at the Inn, Mary, as it is mid summer and every yahoo from Ontario to Yachats is here with reservations they made back in November.  How could we be so "stupid, stupid stupid"!!!

Suddenly, minds start turning to plans B or even C.  We are lowering our expectations from primo to a parking spot with a view of the back side of the local Walmart.  We spot a sign that is partially hidden by bushes advertising an RV park up on the Nehalem River.  We check it out and once again, fools are rescued from their own lack of planning.  The park is basically a spot where folks plant their single wides and launch their boats from the dock to fish for King Salmon.  They have one spot set aside for the likes of us and we take it, gratefully.  Our spot sits right on a quiet river, looking at a dock with various sorts of small boats gently rubbing against their moorings.  The place is spotless and the bathroom is our own, as everyone else has indoor facilities.

Home on the Nehalem

Nice view upriver

We register and take off down the coast to explore.  We have the idea that maybe, just maybe we will run into plan A but we are still covered by plan C.  We do find some private RV parks right on the ocean but one park is inhabited by the extra's from "Deliverance" and another sits right next to a sawmill where the sounds of the ocean are drowned out by the steady whine of a 30 inch blade making 2 X 4's.

Down by Garabaldi, we run into a massive traffic stop caused by a bicyclist becoming one with a Dodge Caravan.  We spend our time creating new and better verses to Neil Young's song, "The Needle and the Damage Done."  Each verse dealt with road damage and helped to pass the time.  All that waiting and singing can create a powerful thirst which in my mind can only be slacked by a DQ chocolate shake.

We then headed down to Tillamook, ignored the cheese factory - (whey to many curds) and took the 131 to Cape Mears lighthouse.  A very nice stroll but disappointing as the lighthouse itself was vandalized in 2010 by two 25 year olds with IQ's that matched their ages.  The good news was that they were caught and actually making restitution - they won't be doing that again!  It was a beautiful area looking out on 3 Arches Park - a series of large rocks a mile off shore with arches carved in them after eon's of the ocean's forces.

Cape Meares Lighthouse

Three Arches, one is revealed, you will just have to take our word there were 2 more.

Heading back North, it was nap time for me, fortunately, K was driving.  We spent a wonderful evening in our chairs, reading and watching Heron's, Hawks and Bald Eagles fish for their dinner.  The night was rounded out by beans and weanies and a few episodes of "Taxi".

Harry the Heron stopping by at dinnertime

Dusty, dirty worn but still going strong!