Camping on the Coast

Note: This post could also be titled "Pictures of Ruben climbing on stuff"

Way back in March, when summer was just a dream, I reserved a yurt for the end of July.  Usually July is nice weather so I took the chance and booked two nights. The weather was forecast to be over 90 degrees in Salem Monday and Tuesday the 28th and 29th so the natural air conditioning of the beach was actually something I was looking forward to.  As usual we packed way too much and forgot one important thing.

We drove south on I-5 then took 34 to Corvallis and finally Waldport. We stopped along the way for snacks and a possibly the nastiest pit toilet on the planet.  I sat on some tree roots, watched the little fish swimming along and Ruben went to climb on a fallen down tree.

Still braided from Faire

It was when we reached the tidewater that Fred remembered that none of us had brought coats.  Fortunately we had left early, and we drove past our destination of Carl Washburn State Park and straight to the Goodwill store in Florence where we all found jackets. Ruben actually LOVED his jacket because he said it made him look cool. While in Florence we went to old town and got some clam chowder.

We all helped. I don't know why they don't have coloring pages for adults. 

We headed north again to the campground, unpacked the car a bit and took off exploring the campground. If you are under 12 this means climbing a lot, if you are over 12 it means stretching after a long time in the car.

One of the main reasons I love this campground is the phenomenal hike from the campground to the Heceta Head Lighthouse. The trail goes through some beautiful woods, by a pond, up a steep hill and down the other side, to a lighthouse, and back up and down to the Hobbit trail to the beach.

Ru moved the picnic table closer to the fire pit so we wouldn't freeze.  The temp in the campground was near 60 with a steady wind.I told Fred I thought the wind was about 30 degrees.  Just below freezing.  Ru was heating his dinner that Fred and I were content to eat cold.

We made a very fortunate discovery that if you make pepermint tea, then add hot chocolate mix, it tastes just like junior mints.  MMMMMMmmmmmmmm.

Fred even washes dishes camping! 

After breakfast on Monday we took off on our hike. We had blue sky, a backpack full of water and snacks, and a good attitude.

Not only did he climb on anything climbable, he climbed under anything he could too. Here he's hiding under a giant rhododendron. 

Skunk Cabbage

A lovely path... at first

There is a blue heron in this picture.  We watched it for several minutes before it flew away.

We crossed the 101 for the second part of the hike and within minutes we were surrounded by a cold mist.  It was dripping wet everywhere and the trail was so muddy in patches we were leaping mud puddles.

Right click this image and choose "open in new tab".  I saved it as my desktop background. 

I'm sure there is a big bad wolf in these woods. They were dark, damp, cold, and spooky. Even at noon.

We made it to the lighthouse and sat down for a rest, then Ru and Fred took the tour.  I waited and took a selfie. Yes I was hiking with headphones on quietly, listening to really pretty music.

So pretty

and then he climbed it

You're taking another picture...

Really tired legs

We went back to camp and Fred and I cooked dinner while Ru relaxed with some computer time.  Did I mention how much I love camping with electricity and a HEATER. The yurt is fantastic. Wednesday we got up, packed, ate, packed more and headed for the beach.  I found a spot with a windbreak while Fred waded and Ruben discovered that if your mom forces you to put on sunscreen and then you roll down small sand dunes, you have lots of sand stuck on your face.  He was not pleased. I may have been a little amused. It was cold on the beach, so we only stayed an hour.

He climbed on EVERYTHING

When we got back to our apartment I did an emergency watering and then we had a water fight.  We all won. We hook the hose up to our bathroom faucet and use warmish water so its not bad to get sprayed. Eventually I went in and I showered off 3 days of grime while Fred and Ru hit the pool.  It was weird to come from the coast to the valley and have a 30 degree temperature difference, but boy I was glad for some heat!

Fred and Taylor against Ru and Bryce