RICK’S OTTER CREST COAST
70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
THURSDAY, June 3
Baker City to Otter Crest
406 miles
We are off on a 7 day birthday excursion, totally (??) planned by Rick for his 70th birthday! Early departure from High Country Lane in order to deliver banana bread thank yous to the Backpack folks at the church. Delivery made and we are headed west.
It’s been a while (over a year or two) since we have driven Highway 26 beyond John Day! And it is green and beautiful as usual over the Occhocos! Rick drives to Prairie City, I drive to the rest area just over Occhoco Summit, and Rick drives the
rest of the way to Otter Crest. However, we stop briefly in Sweet Home for gas, and then again in Corvallis to shop for shoes! Rick needs new birkenstocks and I pick up a pair of rainbow tie dye Keen sandals – totally an impulse $100 purchase, but they are BEAUTIFUL! Rick also got some new watershoe Tevas. A half hour and $300 later, we are off for the last leg of the trip over to Newport and up to Otter Crest.
We check in to the resort and have the golf cart ride up to our lodgins in V 371! We are on the third level of the condo units, upstairs. A partial view of the ocean from our balcony (that’s what you get for the economy rooms!) But...two queen beds, adequate space and bathroom, microwave and mini fridge. We can certainly make it work!
Everything at the resort is up or down stairs, or along paths that go up and down! But oh, the flowers! The rhodedendrons are in full blooms everywhere – in a WIDE variety of colors and hues. So much green undergrowth – almost forgot how lush the forests on the coast can be! Also azaleas, nasturchims, petunias, fuschias in bloom. Amazing. Rick and I take a walk around to get our bearings, checking out the pool (you have to sign up each day for the jacuzzi due to Covid) and general layout. Then back to the room to eat pizza (which we picked up at Cobblestone Pizza in Newport as we went through town) while we wait for Jed’s arrival…..and wait….and wait.
But...we have no cell service. I sent Jed a FB message through the wifi with the room number and we just had to hope he would find us. Finally at 6:30pm we hear a knock on the door! He got my message, but got confused with all the Otter Crests, Otter Rocks, etc. I guess we never really made it clear WHERE we were going to be! But, he made it!
I brought three games with me and Jed brought four, so we got started right away Thursday evening playing one of them!
FRIDAY, June 4
Newport, OR
A leisurely morning – I took an 8am walk around the grounds taking flower pictures, and then another at 10am to sign up for a hot tub time. I’ll get my steps in this weekend!
After a breakfast of berry scones and zucchini bread, we head south on 101 toward Newport. Wander around Nye Beach for abit, and then drive over to the bay front and park for a more extended wander! Discover no tuna for sale (I don’t think the season has really started), watch the sea lions for a bit, poke into a few unique shops, and ultimately end up at the Ocean Bleu restaurant where Rick and Jed want to try the Pulled BBQ Tuna. I have a crabcake sandwich. All good, but Rick says he’ll stick with BBQ pork and plain tuna!
Leaving the bay front we drove around to the old lighthouse, found Luke’s first Newport house (after texting him for the address!), and then out to Yaquina Head Lighthouse. A beautiful day with blue skies and the yellow flowers on the hillsides of the head were awesome! Eventually we made our way back up to Otter Crest, a few games and relaxation before our 8pm jacuzzi time! Then sunset watching!
SATURDAY, June 5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK!
Depoe Bay!
Today’s travels take us north from Otter Crest – following the old road along Cape Foulweather. Then up 101 to Depoe Bay where we park and explore the shops lining the highway. It is crowded! Cool and an occasional sprinkle of rain. We watch the surf, Devil’s Horn, and boats coming in and out of the narrow channel. Mid afternoon lunch/dinner at the Thai restaurant overlooking the bay. Jed treats!
Coming back we follow one way south Otter Crest Lane which passes Rocky Creek Falls and winds through thick forest.
Jed and I take advantage of a late afternoon low tide and explore Otter Beach itself. Too late to walk over to the Punchbowl.
Back down for our 7:30 jacuzzi time and another sunset show!
SUNDAY, June 6
Exploring Otter Rock and Devils Punchbowl
Chowder Bowl Goodbyes
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It rained during the night, but I am still out for an early morning wander prior to my second jaunt down to the pool (heck its ONLY 125 steps down and back up!) to sign up again for hot tub time – just Rick and I tonight.
But
we all take a walk this morning on the path from the resort through
the forest about a half mile to the village of Otter Rock and Devil’s
Punchbowl. We arrive right around high tide, so it is fun watching
the surf and the crashing waves. This is also a hot spot for surfers
just south of the point as Beverly Beach winds south. Fun seeing who
gets up and who doesn’t! We walk back and Jed and I play our last
two games before he packs up to head back to Salem.
We drive two cars up to Depoe Bay to enjoy dinner together at the Chowder Bowl.
Jed then heads north to Lincoln City and home around 4pm while Rick and I return to Otter Crest. No sunset this night. :(
But...we virtually had the pool and the jacuzzi to ourselves!
MONDAY, June 7
Down the Coast to Bandon!
133 miles
We check out of Otter Crest (no golf cart this time...just three trips to car!) and head down the Oregon coast toward Bandon. It has been just shy of two years since Mom’s 100th party and internment in 2019...and I haven’t been back since.
The day is cool and damp – actual rain at times but not too bad. We pull into Old Town around noon and visit Cranberry Sweets and Windjammer Store. Sadly, Washed Ashore is closed until the 15th for remodeling. We eat a brief lunch from the back of the car and then head over to Mark and Sabra’s house (quick stop at McKays to pick up a couple bottles of wine for tonight)
Next three hours spent just visiting with Mark and Sabra. It was 4 oclock before I realized it. Time to go! They will meet us also at Kirsty’s for dinner. We check into the Sunset Motel enroute down Beach Loop drive – small, older room with no view, but all we need is a bed really!
Surprise! My sister Liz and husband Dave stayed an extra night of their visit to see us. So glad – it will be a full crew for dinner!
Erik and Kirsty are now planning on making Bandon their full time home and doing the upgrades necessary! When we pulled up, the fireplace unit is in the driveway – all the rock is gone and a new pellet stove awaits installment. They had already removed wood stove from basement and put in a pellet there. New artwork on the walls, new furniture...the house feels like Kirsty now...as it should! They are having the windows replaced and new cement siding going in this summer. Further research on the beach access revealed dad’s easement was NOT through Muriel’s property, so they use the public access just up the road. The monster house next door is modern imposing, but fortunately only the guest room has windows on that north side!
Homemade clam chowder, salad, and crab dip and sourdough bread for dinner. Wow! The kids are set up in the living room with Erik and the rest of us at the dining room table. Everything is delicious!! PLUS Kaila made two rhubarb custard pies for Rick’s birthday dessert, and Everett pulled out candles!
In spite of it being Rick’s birthday, I received a nativity present from Kirsty – one she and Gretchen bought for me several years ago! Plus Kirsty had homemade macrame earrings for Sabra and I, and a lovely necklace for me she had made. She is enjoying her art and craft space at the bottom of the stairs.
Nearing 9pm when everyone left after goodbyes.
Only comment on the Sunset? The bed sags and it was just a double. :(
TUESDAY, June 8
A Return to Crater Lake
241 miles
I would have been sad to get to Bandon without some beach time, so I was up at 6am, filled in my prayers, and headed down the access stairs at 6:45. Low tide was at 6, so perfect for walking down to Tunnel Rock and then back up toward Coquille Point. I even found ONE limpet shell...and several ‘letters’ in the sand. A peaceful, memory-filled walk.
But...no breakfast here due to Covid, so thankful that Sabra brought us some chocolate chip muffins last night and along with the one berry scone left...we have breakfast! We are on our way east by 8:15!
Forecast WAS for rain and snow showers today up at Crater Lake, but other than a couple brief showers between Bandon and Roseburg, the weather turned out WAY better than anticipated. (We did have a brief adventure in search of a bathroom in finding a county park which was actually five miles off Hwy 42 near Winston!) Gas at Love’s in Roseburg and then up the Umpqua!
First part of highway was busy with wood salvage from recent fires – blackened trees everywhere, often with the bright green of new grass underneath. We were halfway to Diamond Lake before we drove out of the fire areas, only to find more right up at the base of Thielsen and the lake!
North entrance open and through quickly with our Senior Pass. Rick was excited to return to the deep blue of the lake and we stopped at nearly every viewpoint for pictures and just ‘gazing’. It was cold and windy, but views were great and blue sky was visible along with the clouds. Lots of people! We got down to the South Rim, parked, and walked all along the edge there. I had hoped to run in to the gift shop, but it was limited numbers inside and a line 6 deep waiting to enter! Forget it!
We left Crater around 3pm for the hour drive up to Crescent and the Woodsman Motel. I LOVED the décor….all bears and deer, rustic and ‘woodsey’!! Most unusual toilet seat and cover – clear resin with bullets embedded. We went next door to the Mohawk Restaurant for a meal. The cafe is known for its collection of taxidermy and glass bottles. Nearly overwhelming! Quiet evening reading, etc.
WEDNESDAY, June 9
Home to Baker City
288 miles
Heading home! Woodsman was serving a continental breakfast, but not until about 8:15, and we wanted to get going (but not TOO early because JoAnn’s doesn’t open until 9am!) An hour up to Bend, where we find the JoAnn’s and a Subway next door. Breakfast at Subway, and by then JoAnn’s is open and I can grab the needlepoint canvas I need before we head back east!
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| Had to take a few pictures of our room before leaving because the decor was perfect (at least as far as I was concerned!) |
Leaving
Bend, we explore an alternate route east out of town and then up the
Powell Butte Highway to intersect with 26 halfway between Redmond and
Prineville. New highway to mark off!!
We got a text from Tom yesterday that he had to make an emergency trip to Salt Lake City due to a death in the family, so our planned lunch visit with him is canceled. But, I still want to drop off the rock statue I made for Diane, so we head up to his place and I leave my gift on the little table near the front door.
Return trip over 26 – I drive the Occhoco Rest Stop to Prairie City stretch again as we listen to the last portion of our audio book – another Spenser for Hire mystery! Into Baker City shortly after 3, a stop at the post office, and home! Great trip!!
