Before leaving Lincoln City we decided to check out the ocean since the park ranger at Devil’s Lake said the waves looked better than he had seen them in seven or so years. The ocean was going off but we didn’t see anyone out surfing so we decided to bog the van on the beach instead.  We had a mini epic as we stopped the van in some soft sand and got bogged down to the axles when trying to pull out.  After an hour or so of digging and negotiating the van out of the large hole we made, we finally broke free and got back on to solid ground.  It would have taken us much longer had we not gotten a hand from the same park ranger that told us to check out the beach and a local tow truck driver.  In retrospect, it was a good experience and helped us learn the limits of our van when fully loaded.

From Lincoln City, we proceeded south to the town of Florence.  We had camped near Florence before with James and Alison and on our trip up the coast after picking up the van so we decided to spend a couple nights at the same spot, Lagoon Campground, which is part of the Oregon Dunes National Rec. Area.  While staying in Florence we went to the Sea Lion Caves which claims to be the largest sea cave in America.  Unfortunately all of the sea lions were out at sea doing their thing.  It was still fun to meander through the cave and take pictures.  From one of the cave openings we could see the Heceta Head Lighthouse.  On our way back to camp we got in touch with my sister Alison in Eugene and made plans to meet up the following day.  Before heading to Eugene the next morning, we decided to try to find the legendary coffee house my sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Sean, had told us about after their Oregon coast road trip a few years ago.  We were pleased to find a great coffee shot that fit their description but won’t be certain if was the spot until we confirm with them.  So Sean & Cheryl if you see this, check out Siuslaw River Coffee Roasters and let us know if this is indeed the place where Sean found his “best cup of coffee ever!”

We arrived in Eugene and had enough time to take Bruce to the off-leash park and hit the local skatepark before Alison returned from school.  We spent the rest of the weekend catching up with Alison, going to see the musical Rent, chipping in with some household projects, checking out the local “Eug” cuisine and we even caught a movie, Collateral (three thumbs up from the Waterkotte crew).  We had a blast visiting and we were so grateful for our time with Alison.  We even got to go to mass with her and hear her sing with the choir at the Newman Center.  We always knew she was a good musician but man, we were blown away at how beautiful her voice is.  We love you buddy and can’t wait to see you and little Jackie over Thanksgiving!

After our “shake down” run up to Vancouver Island, Sarah and I adjusted our gear and the van a bit before heading south to Portland.  We arrived in Portland and met up with Adam, Sarah’s brother and my brother-in-law.  Adam was preparing to start graduate school at Portland State University so we enjoyed sharing his last few days of freedom.  His apartment is almost identical in layout (even the carpet!) as one that Sarah had in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. 

We had never spent much time in the City of Portland and I was surprised how different it felt from Seattle.  The neighborhood where Adam lives is very old and totally unique.  We spent our time together exploring the Portland Zoo, walking in the neighborhoods and taking lots of pictures in the International Rose Garden. We even found the name of an incredibly fragrant climbing rose bush that Sarah had planted in her yard in Leschi.  She’s been trying to find out the name for several years, so for those of you who had visited her place and wanted the name it is called Royal Sunset.  There is a picture of one of the last remaining flowers in bloom in our photo archive for Portland.

Sarah was recovering from a cold while we were in Portland, so we lazed about in the evenings and watched several rented movies.  Waterkotte and Waterkotte’s movie reviews are as follows:  Kill Bill: Volumes I and II (two thumbs up – three if you count Adam’s thumb – but be prepared for the typical Tarentino-esque-over-the-top violence), Bruce Amighty (two thumbs up) and Ladykillers (two thumb’s way down – we both love the Coen Brother’s work, but this one is a dog).  We are both very grateful for Adam’s hospitality and his taking time to hang out and visit with us.  Good luck with school Bro and we’ll see you at Christmas!