10/3/20

Winchester Bay, Oregon

We're back from our little getaway. We left Tuesday morning with our truck camper and ATV's and a sincere wish for an uneventful trip.


We were badly in need of some relaxation, and we definitely got that. When we arrive at a new place, the kitties always run to the windows to see where we are. Sadie spied some people and some woofies.


Smitty, do you think they can see us in here?


Maybe I should keep a low profile. What do you think?


Come look over here, Sadie. Birds!!!


Yes, indeed. This seagull was very interested in what we were having for dinner...which happened to be chicken. I wouldn't think that would meet menu requirements for a seagull, but there you go.


I've become sort of enamored of seagulls lately. You'll see why eventually. For now, please just indulge my fascination.


We tried and tried to get a call back from our usual place when we come here. Apparently they have so much business they don't even bother returning calls any more, even though they tell you to leave a message. Whatever. We actually found a place we liked better. We could ride the ATV's out to the dunes from our campsite, and it cost about half what the other place cost, with full hook-ups.


Our site was nice. It backed up onto a grassy and wooded area, and it was very quiet at night.



Across the way was a marina. There was some smoke in the air this first night.


There were sea lions swimming around.


To the left was this memorial.


If you're having difficulty reading that sign, it says: "This memorial is dedicated to the men and women from this port who have been lost while seeking their livelihood from the sea." I tried to find more information about Jack Unger, but could find nothing. The display below the sign has placards to memorialize those who have been lost.


Some of these were quite old.


There's another seagull.


The next morning we got out for a ride. The weather was overcast, but still fairly warm. We rode up and down hill for many miles. In the image below, you can see the Pacific Ocean off in the distance. There is no beach access in this area, but there are other places in Oregon where it is permissible to ride on the beach.


The dunes go on and on. Here is a pano shot that I'm hopeful will give you some idea how vast they are. Remember you can make the image larger by clicking on it.



Here's another shot showing how the trees come very near the ocean.


We rode for a few hours, then went back to the camper. There was a skillet cookie on the menu for that night. We were well-behaved diet-wise the rest of the time we were there.


We took a little walk around the campground. There isn't much blooming this time of the year, but I did find one blooming thing along the way. This was a large cluster of very tiny flowers.


Below was a little display of painted rocks. We often see this in our travels.


We rode again the next day, but Mike's ATV wouldn't go into 4-wheel drive, and so we turned around and came back. Along the way, we passed the Umpqua River Lighthouse.


We didn't actually visit the lighthouse, and in any case, it isn't open to the public. On a previous visit, I took a picture of the information about the light:


As we rode back, we noticed more sea lions in the water. There is a jetty, and just beyond that a dock for crabbing.


Although there were lots of people and woofies out and about, Smitty was very brave and got out for a walk.


The grass had his mouth watering.


Miss Sadie took a nap in her cubby. She was back inside with the door closed, and I disturbed her privacy taking this picture. So rude.


Since our ATV riding was curtailed, there was plenty of time for relaxation, napping, reading, and slow-stitching. I made quite a bit of progress on my newest embroidery, In the Good Old Summertime.


On our drive home, we passed by an elk reserve, and there was a herd grazing there. I wasn't able to capture the largest part of the herd, but they were spread out over many acres. I'm going to guess there were a hundred or more.


This young bull was kind of off by himself.


Also, we saw a few old barns on our way home. This is Oregon State Hwy 38 between I-5 and Reedsport, Oregon, and it's a very scenic area.


I regret I didn't get this whole barn, but that's kind of the way it goes when you’re snapping pictures from a moving vehicle.

So, we're home again, and that will probably be the last traveling we'll do in 2020. We'll do a little more after the first of the year...at least that's the plan.

Today we'll be unpacking, but that shouldn't take long. After that I have one short housekeeping chore, and then I'll get busy with my quilting.

18 comments:

Quilting Babcia said...

We know those barns well, have many photos of them from our yearly anniversary trips to Bandon. Our favorite stop along Hwy 38 was Tomaselli's Pastry & Coffee Shop in Elkton. Always a scenic fun trip.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

A tremendous trip for you both and lots of fun to boot. Riding the ATV's is definitely fun...I get to ride one a few yards around the property and like it. Sure is pretty country there too so thanks for showing it. Stitching is wonderful too of course and a skillet cookie is a little deserved indulgence.

Julierose said...

What a beautiful site you found; that is a lovely beach, too.
Nice that you could get away for a bit...
hugs, Julierose

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Sounds like a pretty perfect vacation. Beautiful surroundings too. Of course you know I love those amazing old barns!

QuiltShopGal said...

What a fun getaway trip. I love all your pictures and I'm also proud of Smitty for his bravery with those woofies. I've been to dunes in a desert, but never on, or near a beach, nor dunes with trees. Absolutely beautiful.

Doreen said...

Really luv your "alternative" camp spot! Those dunes are gorgeous and the barn & setting is beyond "real"....picture perfect! Always nice to be home...........hugs......

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Glad you had a much better little get away. Beautiful photos - I love old barns, thank you. I love Sadie stretching for that window peek.

Auntiepatch said...

Glad you're back safe and sound!
I once lost a piece of chicken to a seagull at Sea World. It swooped down and it took off with the largest piece before I could do anything about it! I had just paid $30.00 for two plates of chicken and fries, and was unhappy about the prices there, which made me all the more unhappy when the gull struck. D**n bird!

SJSM said...

Welcome back. It looks like it was a lovely trip save for Mikes ATV issue. And what luck to have a spot that you enjoyed better than your usual. Skillet cookie....mmmmmmm.

piecefulwendy said...

Looks like a fun trip. I know why you are so taken with gulls, so I'm waiting to see it. Meanwhile, I might actually start mine this week. Good grief. At least I have a plan. We'll see if I can make it work in fabric. I think I could sit and watch the sea lions for hours. Was Sadie a bit more calm on this trip?

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

what a great getaway! Love to see the scenery in Oregon. I will never get there, but the pictures really spell RELAXATION! HUGS

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Glad you got quiet away time. I imagine the campsites are taken by some that fled the fires. Our air quality has been in the 150s the past few days.
Be well and be safe.
xx, Carol

Quilter Kathy said...

Oh how beautiful the sites are to enjoy as you stitch your flowers! Have a wonderful getaway!

Deb said...

Looks like a wonderful place to get away your photos are lovely and the stitchery is coming along nicely.

Karrin Hurd said...

Great getaway! I spent time with my brother and SIL in Brookings, Oregon about two years ago, and we traveled around to about 5 of the lighthouses at that time, including the one you saw.

Joni said...

Spent many fun vacations fishing out of Winchester Bay. Jack Unger was a mortician, fisherman (hobby) and mayor. His wish was to have a memorial for those fisherman lost at sea. He was never able to get that accomplished when he was alive, but the city council made his dream a reality a few short years later. I love all of your pictures! Makes me want to take a trip.

Jenny said...

Seems like you had a great little holiday this time. Its always so interesting to see your scenic photos.

Lyndsey said...

That was a fun break and the scenery is beautiful. Smitty is so good with his harness. Our daughter is hoping to train her kitten to wear a harness but it isn't going that well at the moment.