Monday May 23. Road Trip Road Trip Road Trip!

I said goodbye to Kim and McKinleyville, but I wasn’t too sad. I knew I would get to see her soon. I drove the 101, also known as the Redwood Highway, all the way up to Newport, Oregon. Of course stopping along the way. My first stop was in Brookings and as I left town I saw apartments right on the water I wanted to live in. I think I want to live on the water somewhere.

A brief stop was made for some Oregon info and a walk on the water. I drove out to Cape Blanco which is the farthest point west in the continental U.S and has a pretty lighthouse I couldn’t get to. I then drive along the Oregon Dunes National Area which is crazy long and beautiful. I should have stopped but wanted to make it to Leif’s by 8pm. I had called ahead to Crater Lake and Oregon Caves National Park. They were both still mostly closed for winter so I stuck to the coast and they’ll have to wait for another trip in the summer.

My next stop was at Sea Lion Cave in Florence. This place was definitely worth the money and the stop. It’s the world’s largest sea cave! And there are always lots of sea lions. It also offers a beautiful view of the Heceta lighthouse. Which I probably should have visited. I then made the long drive to I-5 on route 20 which felt like forever. As I was going to meet Leif and his family and girlfriend at a Mexican restaurant In Oregon City I saw a vivid rainbow. We spent a few hours hanging out and getting caught up which I loved. I can’t believe a year has passed so quickly since last time I saw him. His parents were awesome. They not only let me spend the night, but treated me to dinner, and gave me some good info. Thanks Palmers!

Thoughts:

Wow they do a TON of logging in Oregon.

Dropping from 60mph to 20 makes you feel like you are crawling in slow motion.

I saw TWO Connecticut license plates today!

I’m bummed I missed the Northern California Coast. I absolutely LOVED the Oregon coast but don’t have much to compare it to.

I don’t think I want to live in California. Taxes and gas are too high.

When I got to the first town in Oregon the gas was more than 50 cents cheaper!

It was sad to see so many casinos in small towns and not much more going on.