Sunday July 11 2021 On to Redmond

This is a family trip to the "Coast". Janet has arranged for a house to rent in Waldport, supposedly with good access to the beach. Our two car caravan left Boise at about 8:30. We stopped for breakfast at the Sage Truck stop in Caldwell. We took the John Day route on Rt 26, which is a bit longer but a lot more interesting than the route through Burns/Bend. First stop was the giant Conestoga wagon on the hill overlooking Prairie City. We stopped at the rest area in Prairie City for a snack, which we decided was really lunch.

The weather today is sunny but really hot - mid 90s.

Next stop was the visitor center at John Day Fossil Beds N.M. For once, it was actually open! Very good film and lots of fossils on display.

We stopped for ice cream in Prineville, right across the street from my old bank branch. We arrived at our hotel in Redmond by 5:00. After  a quick swim, Shawn ordered pizza delivered to our rooms for a rather nice dinner.

Tomorrow Smith Rocks, Silver Falls and the Ocean!

Monday July 12 on to Waldport

 Up and out of the hotel by 7:45. Since they still aren't doing "real" breakfast, we found a great little spot in Redmond called Mo's Egg House. Fully fortified, we headed up to Terrebone to visit Smith Rocks State Park for a short walk, then west though Sisters, up and over Santiam Pass to Silver Falls State Park, near Salem. We only had time and energy to check out the view of the Upper Falls. If one had the time or inclination, the 8.7 mile Trail of the Ten Falls would be a good day's adventure.

We continued on toward Salem, picked up I-5 South to Lebanon, then Rt 34 up and over the Coast Range directly into Waldport. (Note to self- that is not a good route, way too twisty. Better to take Rt 20 into Newport, then south on 101).

Before checking into our house we had a great seafood dinner at a little greasy spoon called the Salty Dawg.

Our house is great! Plenty of room, all the features, easy walk down to the beach. Outside is another story. Its 57 degrees and Very windy! We'll hope for better weather tomorrow. Of course, at home is100 and smoky! Which would be better?

Tuesday July 13

 The weather is MUCH better today! Clear, sunny, windy in the low 60s. We'll take it! 

After a Shawn-made breakfast of pancakes and omelettes, we headed out for Yaquina Head and the tide pools and lighthouse. LOTS of stairs going down and nearly impossible rocks to walk on at the bottom, but it was fun! 

Picnic lunch at the Yaquina Bay State Park right by the Newport Bridge. Then we headed south, through Yachats, to Cape Perpetua and the Devil's Churn, which was awesome as usual! (See video) We started down to Haceta Head Light but turned around, it was too far and too late.

The kids got in our car for the ride back. We stopped at the candy store in Yachats, then scrambled on the rocks at Fireside Motel, before getting home for a Shawn-cooked steak dinner.

Wednesday July 14

 The morning fog had burned off by 9:00. Another clear sky, bright sun, 63 degrees and GALE FORCE WINDS! We started our day at Seal Rock at low tide, to investigate the tide pools. We saw lots of pretty colored star fish and anemones. Then we returned to the house for lunch.

After lunch we drove back up to Newport and visited the Oregon Aquarium. Then a bit further north to the Devil's Punchbowl at Otter Creek. Pretty view of the ocean far below, but way too windy to enjoy it.

We headed back to Historic Nye Beach and had a nice seafood dinner at the Chowder Bowl.

Thursday July 15

Another sunny, 60s day but with FAR LESS wind! It was very comfortable. This morning Shawn, Olivia and I returned to Seal Rock to explore the tide pools.

After lunch back at the house we headed up to Newport to walk around the historic wharf area and visit the Ripley's Believe it or Not! Interesting, but not worth the money!

All day Sam had been complaining of tightness in her chest; it was making her nervous. So, around 3:00 she decided she'd best go the ER to get checked out, just in case. The doc at the Newport hospital was very thorough and, after a blood test. decided that she had, in fact, had a heart attack! 

The doctor did not advise that we go anywhere - Sam needed to be monitored until we could get to a cardiologist. Newport doesn't have one but he would find a "bed" at either Salem or Eugene, and transport by ambulance (!). Salem had a bed available, so off she went! I returned to Waldport, arriving just in time to see a boring sunset.