Some scenes around Seaside, Oregon:
exploring
Attractions and other places we visit.
Oregon coast lighthouses
While on the Oregon coast, we explored several of the historic lighthouses.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area:
Whale:
Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area:
Cape Disappointment State Park:
Cape Disappointment lighthouse:
Newport, Oregon
Some scenes from Newport, Oregon (fun fact: we visited Newport with a rental travel trailer in 2021, staying at the Waldport / Newport KOA Journey; that was the catalyst for our RV lifestyle):
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world.
South Jetty:
Umpqua Beach:
Redwood State and National Parks
The Redwood National and State Parks is interesting, in that it is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the state of California. Their headquarters are in Crescent City, with a small book store (not a gift store, thank you):
We visited several of the component parks, starting with the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, which includes a fun scenic drive through the redwoods:
As part of this park, we did a hike to the Grove of Titans:
A fun tunnel of fallen trees:
It’s a big tree:
Video of ambient sounds:
Continuing the drive through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park:
Tunnel:
We headed into Oregon for a side-trip:
To the Illinois Valley Visitor Center of Oregon Caves National Monument:
Then back into California:
Though the agricultural inspection station:
Since we’d been to the Redwoods National Park, it was time to add its sticker to our coach:
Another day, heading down the coast:
To Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park:
A strange historical artifact:
360 video hyperlapse of a drive from that visitor center:
Elk on the side of the road:
Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center:
Lady Bird Johnson Grove hike:
Video hyperlapse of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove hike:
Coastal drive:
A bear on the side of the road:
Battery Point Lighthouse
While at the coast, we visited several lighthouses. The first (southernmost) was Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City.
It is interesting in that you can only get to it (without a boat) at low tide. At high tide it is an island, but at low tide you can walk across to it.
Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park
We enjoyed a couple of drives along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Firstly heading north from Meyers Flat:
We stopped at the visitor center, with quite a character volunteer, super-fascinated by Jenn’s passport stamp book:
A wooden log RV:
A nice walk through the Gould Grove Nature Loop Trail:
Bridge in Rio Dell:
We had lunch at Scotia Lodge in Rio Dell:
The next morning we went to the local coffee shop, The Daily Grind… a cute shop, but unfortunately undrinkably bitter coffee:
Then a drive south along the Avenue of the Giants:
Muir Woods National Monument
We hiked in Muir Woods National Monument in California.
A map; we did the Bridge 4 two-mile loop, returning via Hillside Trail:
Gift shop:
Pressed penny machine:
Woodpecker:
Sign:
Baseball: Mariners at Athletics
While staying north of San Francisco, our Seattle Mariners happened to be in Oakland, so we attended a game.
Rooted in Oakland… but not for much longer, as they are planning to move to Las Vegas:
Tailgating:
The Coliseum:
A peek of the field:
Looking back from our seats:
Selfie from our seats:
We could see into the camera and ramp area, as the Mariners gave autographs on the way out:
Play ball:
We did a mobile order for food, which was a mistake; I spent over half an hour standing in line to pick up our food after the “ready” notification, while the ad hoc order line was moving much faster:
Finally, our chicken and fries:
Some slow-mo videos:
Sweep:
Mariners win!
Autographs:
Scores:
Napa and Sonoma wineries: Domaine Carneros, Iron Horse, Korbel
Paso Robles isn’t the only wine region in California; while in Petaluma we visited three Napa and Sonoma wineries, sampling their sparkling wines.
First was Domaine Carneros, a fancy winery:
Charcuterie platter and sparkling tastings:
Wine list:
Jenn:
David:
Next was Iron Horse Vineyards:
Lastly, something a little different: the industrial Korbel winery:
We had lunch at their deli:
Then a tasting:
