Trippin' and Sippin' Down the Oregon Coast

Hi Blog!

It's been a few days since we've had a chance to upload photos and create a blog. We left Cape Disappointment State Park on Thursday, October 17, 2019. As we made our way down the Oregon coast, the tide was high, the surf was up and the wind was howling. The bad weather made it difficult to take photos. As we passed through Depoe Bay, the waves were crashing against the rocks and the surf was being thrown so high in the air that it towered above our RV! It was fun watching the tourists trying to dodge the downpour!

On Friday, October 18, 2019, we drove over the coast range to Carlton in anticipation of our big family get-together. Carlton was founded by Wilson Carl, who owned the original Post Office, Stagecoach stop, and Blacksmith shop. The population of Carlton expanded to become the City of Carlton, around the railroad.  The former grain elevator towers above downtown.

Carlton Grain Elevator now Flaneur Wines Tasting Room

Our home for the weekend was the Miller farm. Our nephew, Sam, and his wife, Kim, and their daughters Laila and McKenzie have moved to the farm while they search for a new house. Kim's parents, Ted and Paula, were kind enough to let us stay in their RV for the weekend, so we could leave ours at the coast. This was our home away from home.

Breaking Bad Meth Lab

No sooner did we get settled in, than more family arrived. Dave's sister, Leslie, and her husband, Mike, arrived after a long drive from Bend. After lunch, we all loaded in the NW Wine Shuttle Van and went into Carlton for some wine tasting. This region of Oregon is known for their Pinot Nior. Our first stop was the old grain elevator which is now the tasting room for Flaneur Wines. 

Kathy, Sam and Leslie

We admired the historic structure while we sipped a little Chardonnay and several different Pinots.

View inside the old grain elevator

Just across the street from Flaneur is an old train station that has been converted into the tasting room for Ken Wright Cellars. While Mike and Leslie went to settle into their rental house, we enjoyed another tasting.

Sam, Dave, Ted and Kim

We and Sam's and Kim's two daughters, Laila and McKenzie, were soon joined by our niece, Megan, her husband, Jeff, and their two kids, Emerson and Brody. The entire clan went out to dinner at a local brew pub -- because neither man nor woman cann live by wine alone!

Happy Family

On Saturday, we were joined by Dave's sister, Maggie and her son Tyler. We all descended on Mike's and Leslie's rental house for present opening for all the October birthdays. Below, Les's and Mike's grandkids show off their new t-shirts.

Emerson, Laila, Brody and McKenzie

The entire clan squeezed into the NW Wine Shuttle Van for a tour and tasting in the Yamhill Carlton Wine Region. Our first stop was Fairsing Vineyard where we sampled rose, chardonnay and, of course, pinot noir. We managed to gather the clan together for a group photo.

More Happy Family

While the adults sampled the adult beverages, the grandkids spent their time coloring and playing video games.

The maze at Fairsing let them burn off a little excess energy.

Our weather during the day was always changing. One minute we were being drenched with misty rain, the next minute the sun was shining and rainbows appeared in the distance.

As soon as we arrived at Resonance Vineyard, we raced out to capture the moment.

"With Résonance Vineyard, we realized Willamette Valley is to the New World what Burgundy is to the Old World. There is a feeling, a spirit, an energy—a 'somewhereness' that tells us this place can produce expressive single-vineyard Pinot Noir wines with an Identity, a personality. It would be too easy to define this with words." - Pierre-Henry Gagey, President of Maison Louis Jadot

Who are we to argue with an expert? We just sat back, enjoyed the view, the wine and the lunch they provided.

An even Happier Family

After lunch, we all returned to the rental house to watch the Oregon Ducks football game. Spirits where high as the Ducks defeated the University of Washington. We celebrated the victory with a pizza party. To end the day, the adults gathered around the fireplace on the back deck while the kids and grandkids played foosball, pool and chess in the game room.

Ted, Paula and Leslie

We were having so much fun we almost forgot to take pictures; but here's one:

Dave, Leslie and Maggie

The next morning, Ted, Paula, Sam and Kim treated us to homemade breakfast burritos! While the chefs furiously fussed over breakfast, Laila treated us to a showing of Toy Story 4. It looks like Dave took the story's theme to heart and has made a new friend.

Mickey and Dave

Before long it was time to say our goodbyes. We cannot thank Ted and Paula enough for inviting the entire family to descend upon them (and allowing us to sleep in their meth lab during the weekend). Thanks also to Kim and Sam for arranging a great wine tour. Maggie and Tyler, we are so glad you were able to join in the fun. More thanks go to Leslie and Mike for arranging the rental house and providing such good goodies! Thanks Jeff and Megan for making the long drive from Bend and letting us spend more time with you and your kids (although Dave is still smarting from the drubbing Jeff gave him in foosball). We really appreciate everyone coming together.

We were sad to see the weekend come to an end. On the drive back to Waldport, we consoled ourselves with a seafood lunch in Depoe Bay.

Monday, October 21, 2019, was move day. However, we decided to take a little time to explore Waldport before heading down the road to Bandon. Our campground was right next to the Alsea Bay Bridge. The original bridge was completed in 1936, but had to be replaced in 1991. However, the new architect incorporated the original art deco decorations into the new structure.

As we crossed the bridge, we noticed several harbor seals swimming up to the bridge. They all stopped and poked their heads out. We think they were looking for a handout.

As with most stays, we wish we had more time to explore. We are putting this area on the list for Next Time!

Discovered an interesting Waldport fact - in September 1975, Marshall Applewhite gave a lecture in Waldport on UFOs which was attended by roughly 150 people. In the following days, an estimated 20 residents, nearly one out of 30 people who lived in the town, abandoned their homes and possessions and joined Applewhite's cult, Heaven's Gate. Maybe they were influenced by the space craft looking designs on the bridge.

Kathy stops mid-span to take one last look at the seals. Our campground is in the distance.

Time to move on down the road. More on the Oregon coast in the next blog.