Oregon Coast with Friends and Family

[Ally House]

Family, friends, food, fun. My sister knows a gal with a place at Gold Beach, and so we set the first weekend in May to celebrate a bunch of things. My birthday last March, Kris’s birthday at the end of May. The house is great, with four bedrooms plus a loft, awesome beach views, and a full kitchen. We ate in the whole weekend, worked a puzzle, played Yahtzee, shot some pool, and even got some extra riding in.


Karyn and I took off at about 2:00 on Friday afternoon, and rode over on Hwy 38, then south on Hwy 101 to Gold beach—just about 200 miles. When we got there, my sister had a big pot of stew, corn bread, and cake there. My nephew Jordan and his friend from 7th grade, Cory had arrived about two hours ahead of us. The last time I saw Cory was about 5 years ago, when he went out boating with us. My sister’s friend, Kris was also there. They have been friends for over ten years, and Kris has been to visit us numerous times (either to fix stuff—she is an electrician, or to go to Oregon women’s sporting events)

Saturday was filled with all kinds of stuff. Puzzling, playing Yahtzee, walking on the beach, napping, eating, talking, enjoying the views—and getting some riding and photography in!


















































On our way home, about an hour north, we had a bit of an adventure. I had noticed Karyn dropped behind, and I had slowed down. She was able to high beam me as a signal, so I dove off the road at a closed touristy business. Karyn then came into view, and she was fighting her bike something fierce. She got a flat front tire, and was able to bring the bike to a stop without dumping it. Thanks to the car immediately behind her who not only stopped, but also stayed where it was until we got the bike off the right shoulder (unlike all the other drivers, who just swerved around!). No cell service, but the folks at U-Neek Cargo (Cliff and Connie Walsh) were there, and provided us with a phone, a place to wait, and refreshment. Cliff offered to let us store the bike at his place if we couldn’t get a tow.

Long and short of it is that AAA Plus came through, we got the bike towed to the Yamaha dealer in Coos Bay (Open on a Sunday!!!), and Karyn and I finished the ride home two up. We get to go back and get the bike next weekend (oh, bummer, another trip to the coast). Karyn didn’t dump the bike, and we made some new friends, Cliff and Connie. So, if you’re ever in the neighborhood of Oregon’s south coast, stick your head in the door at U-Neek Cargo Gallery and say “Hi”. They are very BikerFriendly!


New friends, old friends, good food, good scenery, a good time, and a motorcycle. What more can you ask for??

[exwingnut]

NICE pics of what looks like a very wonderful trip.

I am soooooo jealous!

[Sbyllek]

Very nice!!! Looks like fun...even adventures are fun when they turn out well. Making new friends certainly makes for a good end!!!

[deeayers]

Alley.....nice pictures. So jealous....nothing like the Oregon coast!

[Old Surf Dog]

Nice photos,
We were at Loon Lake last August and will be back for a week on July 13th. My wifes Aunt and Uncle (Bev and Keith Fleishman) live in Gold Beach and we camp with them annually at the lake. Your sisters friend probably knows Kieth since he taught music at the high school in Gold Beach for years. Unfortunately we won't be riding up from SoCal because we have way too much camping gear. I'd like to do it some day though and just stay at motels or cabins. These old bones need a soft bed nowdays. Really looking forward to the trip though. It's so beautiful up there.
John

[Jimbo94]

Very nice. Its been years since I have been up that way. I am WAY overdue to run up that way again. Last time there, we ran across some huge sand dunes...can you tell me where that might be? Whats some other 'not to miss' stops along the coast of OR?

[HUGH]

Could it be the big dunes of Florance (sp)? A mecca for three wheelers, quads and sand rails. Also the home of Laurence of Florance (look for the striped arab type tents and camel) where one can get your pic taken with real live (smelly) camel.

[Ally House]

Yep. Oregon Dunes NRA extends from just north of Coos Bay up to just south of Florence, with a variety of State, NSFS, and County parks.

When we go to recover Karyn's bike I'm planning a trip to Sunset Bay, Shore Acres and Cape Arago. That is one of my favorite state parks, but it is off US 101, so it is harder to get to. Sunset Bay has some of the best tide pools I've found in Oregon, although I prefer to camp at Bastendorff Beach County Park that is on the same road. Shore Acres is the formal garden of Louis Simpson, a big wig in the timber industry, and there is a lighthouse (!) at Cape Arago.

Harris Beach and Samuel Boardman parks on the south coast are excellent as well--that is where the pix of arch rock are from. Cape Blanco is also a fine park, with good ocean views and camping. Farther north, Beachside and Carl Patterson are fun places--Beachside you can camp right on the beach in about 1/3 of their sites, and CP is open year round. I suggest a motor home in the winter. I am not so versed farther north, but I have seen Haystack Rock outside Cannon Beach, and it is pretty spectacular.

Thanks to everybody who's posted!
Ally

[corndog]

Wow, is there any better therapy?

I do have one major complaint regarding this thread...I'm now hungry.

[demenshea]

Great post Ally and I agree, there isn't much better therapy that a good ride, great pix and family and friends! Glad Karyn stayed with the bike, literally! Flats on two wheels are NOT fun!

Your pix made me homesick for the ocean. I love the sound and the, hmmm can't quite put my finger on it, nostalgic kind of longing the ocean gives. Sort of the "i'm so small an inconsequential". It would be nice to rent a house for a week and have all my family meet, as most of them are in the northwest. Hmmmm, need to consider the cost and make it a plan!!

Thanks Ally!!!