Charleston Turns Out to be a Good Choice!

Tuesday 6/12 Charleston, OR

Took a short walk around the harbor here first thing in the AM, lots of fishing boats already out based on the number of cars in the lots near the commercial piers and a few boat trailers in the public lot by the boat ramps.

After breakfast we headed North to take a look at our next destination, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. Along the way we were looking for a carwash as the smart was absolutely filthy from the wet roads coming out to the coast.

Drove into Umpqua Lighthouse State Park campground and checked out our site. Looked pretty tight, probably doable, but that combined with 10 nights without being able to dump our tanks (which meant a long walk to the shower house to conserve water) meant nixing this park as well. We will receive a full refund if we cancel now. 

Stopped and looked at Umpqua Lighthouse, looks like a cool place with an ocean overlook for whale watching. We will stop back here later on when we are up this way to visit the museum and tour the lighthouse which is still an active light.

Drove into Winchester Bay and found a nice commercial RV park, Winchester Bay RV Resort, which had space for five nights starting on Tuesday the 19th. Called Charleston Marina RV and confirmed that we could stay four more days through Monday the 18th. So that gets us through Saturday (6/23) and we have reservations at Beachside State Recreation Site starting on Monday 6/25. So we will have to find a spot north of Winchester Bay for Sunday night.

Drove back into Coos Bay, stopped and finally got the car washed at Hot Stuff Car Wash, a small place that did a combo hand wash and machine wash; stopped at Porter’s RVs for a new nylon disc for the fifth wheel hitch (our old one broke and fell off when I unhitched last night!); then parked in downtown Coos Bay to take a look around.

On the way through town going to Porters Nancy had spotted the Blue Heron, a German/seafood restaurant, so we stopped there for lunch, turned out to be excellent choice! They had more than a half dozen German beers on tap and we both had excellent meals. Young man who runs the place was quite personable and very proud of the remodeling that he has done. Nice place.

After lunch walked down to My Yarn Shop, a place Carol had told Nancy about, but they were closed for the next 45 minutes, so we took a walk around the downtown area. Stopped at Remember When Toys and found some good gifts for certain young people in Colorado. Stopped at Jennie’s Shoe Store where I bought a pair of slip-on loafers and then the Coos Bay Visitors Center for a fistful of brochures. Finally made it to My Yarn Shop where Nancy picked up yarn for several projects.

Back at Charleston Harbor we did some closer looking at our upcoming state park reservations and all of them through the middle of July look eminently doable for us. So our small crisis is almost completely solved. We will have to look at the last two weeks of July as we go along.

Walked to nearby restaurant Miller's at the Cove for dinner. Good beer on draft and good food. Nice to have nearby eatery's that we can walk to!

Wednesday 6/13 Charleston, OR

Fog and drizzle this morning, overnight temps pretty much match water temperature here, 52 degrees the last couple mornings. Lazy morning and lunch at home, then we drove down the coast to Cape Arago State Park, just a few miles past Sunset Bay State Park, one book I have called it the prettiest coast drive in the state and they weren’t far off!  

On the we stopped at Shore Acres State Park which is the site of the former Simpson Mansion built in 1905 and destroyed by fire in the early 20’s. Spectacular scenery from the overlook where the house was, magnificently carved sandstone cliffs. While we were there we could see 3 or 4 orca whales several hundred yards off the shore.

Walked through the beautiful formal gardens including an amazing rose garden. Lots of spectacular trees as well. Beyond Shore Acres we stopped at Simpson Reef Overlook, another great view and rocks on the reef covered with sea lions. In fact the picture in that link is just what it looked like when we were there! Then on a little ways down the road to Cape Arago State Park where there is also a nice overlook with great views of the coast. nice view of Cape Arago lighthouse This is the end of the road south of Charleston. On the way back there was a nice view of Cape Arago lighthouse which is out on an island off the coast and not accessible for visits.

Nice afternoon with breaking clouds in the 60’s. We are sure enjoying this weather! Supposed to warm up a bit next week. Turned into a pretty evening, we took a walk around the harbor after dinner at home, Lots of commercial trawlers and some pretty ratty looking small time fishing boats.

Thursday 6/14 Charleston, OR

Quite windy this morning. Headed out mid-morning for Bandon, about 25 miles south. Took Seven Devils Road southeast out of Charleston to US 101. Up over a mountain past a lot of freshly logged areas, look pretty bad with a lot of forest debris. Some areas where there was new growth starting, but still covered with stumps.

Along the way we stopped at Bullard Beach to see the Coquille River Lighthouse. Picturesque spot, not much to see except a nice beach that was exposed to a very stiff wind out of the northwest. Beautiful day in the 60’s if you can stay out of the wind! Walked across the beach and Nancy dipped her hand in the Pacific just before she had to trot back out of the way of the waves!

Bandon, billed as a ‘picturesque’ town was very touristy. A fair number of gifts shops, book shops, and eateries. Supposed to be a nice walk out onto the jetty and south down the beach, but the wind was just too strong and too cold.

Visited the Bandon Historical Society Museum which was very nice. We like small town museums. Spent a fair amount of time there. Lots of pictures telling the story of small town life, the Native Americans, the logging industry, the fishing industry, and the cranberry industry. A lot went on in this small town's history! The town burned twice, first in 1914 and again in 1936 when it was totally destroyed by a fast moving forest fire. The town history is divided between BF (Before Fire) and AF (After Fire).

Walked back into the shopping area and had nice sandwiches and pastry at the Bandon Bakery and then head back home.

Walked over to Millers at the Cove again for dinner. Quite busy this evening, much more so than earlier in the week.

Friday 6/15 Charleston, OR

Up early to take the truck in to Gold Coast Truck Repair to have the air leak fixed. Stopped at Walmart to arrange for a prescription to be sent from my doctor in IL, then back home. Took a short walk around the harbor to stop at the Charleston Marine Life Center, but not open yet. Another bright sunny day in the 60’s, but still a cool wind off the ocean. We are enjoying this cool weather!

Found an RV park for Sunday night the 24th, Darling’s Marina & RV Resort near Florence.

Drove back into Coos Bay for Lunch at 7 Devils Brewery. Really good beer, poutine, tuna and mac & cheese. Picked up the truck and returned to Charleston. 

Walked over to the Charleston Marine Life Center. A great little natural history museum with live and still exhibits. Fascinating variety of sea life in the live tanks. 

Quick run back into Coos Bay late in the afternoon to pick up prescription for sinus infection and then dinner at home tonight.