Plan B

 Moving Day today.  Our original plan was to move from Sutherlin, OR to Redding, CA which we would use as a base to explore Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Unfortunately the park is closed because of wildfire.  

Our new plan took us west on WA 38 along the Umpqua River 

then south on US 101 past the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area 

and south between the Cascade Ranges and the Pacific Ocean.

Somewhere south of Port Orford we found the perfect spot for lunch.

 

For remainder of our 5 1/2 hour, 250-mile drive the US 101 hugged the coast between  the Klamath Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

At the California border we declared we had no plants, fresh fruits, or firewood and were waved through with a smile.

We encountered our usual road work stops but were delayed only a couple of minutes.  Most of the time we drove through coastal cities and towns and enjoyed views of the beautiful ocean.

About 30 miles into California we found our new home for the next two weeks.

From here we will be exploring Redwoods National Park.

Hoping the smoke doesn't come to the coast,

Louise and Duane

Let's See....

During our two week stay in southwest Oregon we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We

walked in the woods

watched wildlife

jackrabbit

elk herd

wild turkeys

visited a couple of covered bridges

watched grown-ups playing in the sand

found a motorcycle show at a local festival

stood on the edge of the Pacific Ocean

harvested some local fruit

took some legendary bike rides through the Umpqua National Forest 

and along the Umpqua River

noshed and gabbed with friends

and were left speechless by our first view of Crater Lake.

Not bad for a two week visit!

Louise and Duane

Sidewinders

 Our last ride in Oregon consisted of a little 80 mile jaunt on country roads running parallel to I5.

The roads led past farms and ranches

and through tunnels of trees.

They had their ups and downs,

but most of the time we wound sideways around mountainsides and along narrow valleys  on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

Packing day tomorrow, moving day on Friday.

Louise and Duane

Smokin'

Yesterday when we entered Crater Lake National Park from the north, we stopped for our first view of the lake at Discovery Point

then proceeded south to Rim Village to stamp our passports, learn about the lake, and find a picnic area for lunch.

From there we started our 32 rim trip around the lake.  We retraced the way we came in on the West Rim Drive so that points of interest were all on the right side of the road.

First stop--Discovery Point again

then Watchman Overlook

where we found ourselves 1/4 way around Wizard Island.  We also found the Jack wildfire smoke had moved into the lake basin and was rapidly obscuring the features we had come to see.

View of Llao Rock (8049' high) on the far left with the deepest part of the lake (1943' deep) in the light blue area across the lake.

Cloudcap Overlook, the highest paved road access point in the park at 7865'

Pumice Castle Overlook

close-up of Pumice Castle

Our last overlook was Phantom Ship Overlook.  We were hoping for a clear view of the formation, but it was almost completely hidden in the smoke.

close-up of the "ship"

view of mountains on the east rim--somewhere out there in the smoke.

The smoke continued through the drive north 

and west on WA138, until we exited the Umpqua National Forest.

At Glide, about 40 miles from home we tried this little bar for supper.  It turned out to have a friendly and welcoming staff, really good food and very clean restrooms.

The rest of the ride we enjoyed views of the Umpqua River in the evening sun.

Next, back on the bikes again.

Louise and Duane