More Oregon Coast

Knox and I arrive back to the coast and our campsite at Cape Lookout State Park. The drive from McMinnville was nerve-wracking! The roads are so winding, with lots of blind curves and elevation changes. I can't seem to go the speed limit of 55mph! Our campsite is within earshot of the ocean, and the sunset is gorgeous. It is chilly outside, so I hurry to eat dinner in the dark, then we climb in the cozy car. For many hours! I awaken to hail (!) and realize it will be another very windy, rainy day. I pack up camp, and the wind at the beach is so strong that Knox is miserable and we hurry into the car. But it sure is beautiful.

Along the coast we head south towards Newport, OR, and I call to find a hotel while charging the car, as camping won't be fun tonight. There is a severe wind advisory. We make a few stops along the coast, and there is beauty everywhere! I see some evidence of forest fire, very near to where we camped.

In Newport we find our hotel, and I enjoy the adorable downtown area to grab a late lunch. Knox and I brave the wind for a few quick beach view walks. I enjoy the ocean waves much more from my room. The wind and cold are not enjoyable. While crossing a bridge over a harbor near Newport, the ocean waves were spraying over the road, including tourists and my car...I had to use my windshield wipers! So getting a salt water baptism is another first for the tesla!

The following day we continue down the coast, aiming for Bandon, OR where I have booked a room for 3 nights on the ocean. I have grown a bit road weary with the weather and frequent changes of place. The drive is challenging, with heavy rain, hail and wind. At one point my maximum windshield wiper speed is not adequate. I am thankful to pull over at a state park that is sheltered to wait it out for about 20 minutes. We make one stop to Strawberry Hill between rain bursts for some beauty and fresh air.

We arrive in Bandon, to a very cute downtown with a harbor, and a cozy, convenient room facing the ocean sunset. It is quiet, private and has an efficiency kitchen so I can cook, which feels nice after several days of hotels and rushed meals. Knox and I settle in here to take lots of long walks, mostly to ourselves. Knox embraces the off leash time. We drive to Cape Blanco State Park on a sunny day to explore the high cliffs.

Cape Blanco (with a well camouflaged elk):

Our beloved Bandon beach:

Portland and friend visits

More rain! And more rainforests!

Knox and I arrive in Portland, and the rainy, chilly fall weather continues. Having Knox with me on this trip creates some parameters regarding my free movement in towns and hotels. He doesn't do well alone in new places, especially hotel rooms, and all the dog friendly hotels we have stayed in have strict rules that dogs are not to be left alone. This means I can't leave him to go to a museum, or a long walk meandering in and out of shops, or pop into a restaurant if we are out for a walk and the rain increases. Knox feels very safe and calm in the car, which is wonderful, so I can grocery shop, grab food, load in and out of a hotel room without worrying about him, he calmly waits for me to return for him. But there are limits to car time as well, and I just don't feel comfortable leaving him alone in the car in a parking garage while I have a 2 hour meal or go a distance away to meet a friend somewhere. All this to say, I knew from the beginning that this trip would be primarily about being together with Knox for our adventures, and limiting my indoor time outside of our camping or hotel room. In the continued environment of a pandemic, and wanting to focus on being outside in nature, this is just fine with me, and I adjust to the challenges in a city accordingly. This means a lot of downtime, which I continue to simultaneously embrace and struggle with.

In Portland, I meet in person with an anesthesiologist named Matt, my peer who spent time last year on several medical missions with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) aka Doctors Without Borders. Connected by a mutual friend, we spoke a few months ago about what to expect from the application process, and he suggested I reach out when I got to Portland. We meet up for a glass of wine, with outdoor seating for Knox, and end up having tacos in an outdoor covered patio with his neighbor and her cousin. We laugh, connect and have interesting and important conversations. It is the most spontaneous fun I have had in a long time, and testament to the magic that travel and saying "yes" can bring.

Knox and I spend a rainy day hiking in Forest Park, a huge network of trails and land right next to Portland. I become mesmerized by the ferns growing from tree trunks. Enjoy some more nature photos, everyone!

From Portland, we drive to McMinnville, in Willamette Valley, heart of Oregon wine country! I am making my way back to the Oregon coast, but stopping here to connect with Renee, Annie's cousin and see her winery! They have just finished the craziness of wine harvest and processing, and she has me sample a few wines, including their gamay, fresh from an Italian amphora. Renee uses a wine thief (glass suction tube) to take a sample. So fun!

Astoria and Cannon Beach, Oregon

First stop in Oregon, is Astoria! Such a cute little town. We arrive on a sunny day, and explore the beach of Fort Stevens State Park, where we are car camping. Knox loves the beach, and so do I. The calm ocean waves greet us, and I realize that this is the vision I have had of this trip for many months. When I began to have the faintest dream of this trip, it was of Knox and me walking along a stretch of Pacific Ocean beach. And here we are.

Did you know it is legal to drive on the beach in Oregon? The state park has a car entrance, and of course I have to try it! I get nervous after driving onto the sand, so it was a quick jaunt, but I got a few pictures.

I am glad to be camping again, and take a quick video while setting up, to show you all how I created privacy with window coverings!

I keep the covers stored easily by sliding them under the foam mattress.

It is getting dark quite early, an aspect of car camping I did not anticipate. So I spend the evenings cozy in the car, journaling and reading. How does Knox spend the time? Here is a video of him with his favorite squeaky toy. I am so thankful I packed it at the last minute!

The following morning is rainy, and very blustery. And so cold. I can't resist the beach, and for about 30 seconds of checking it out in driving rain, I get chilled to the bone, and Knox and I are both sloppy with wet sand. I'm not sure the car will ever recover.

With the heat on full blast, we head south to Cannon Beach! I was here a few years ago on a truly wonderful Ladies Trip, which was my one and only visit to Oregon. I am thrilled to be back, and because of the relentless wind and rain, pivot from car camping to a hotel. Best decision. Knox and I settle in with a view of The Haystack. When we aren't outside getting wet/cold while exploring the beach and tide pools, we are cozy inside our room. After 2 nights here, I get an amazing massage (first since pre-pandemic) and hydrotherapy shower, then head to Portland!