Easy Guide For A One Day Trip On The Central Oregon Coast

Locals generally refer to Oregon’s coastline as North, Central and South.  Lincoln City is undoubtedly considered the core of the central coast. The main road from Portland and Salem (hwy 18) terminates  at hwy 101,  this is the Oregon Coast Highway.  From this point travelers go north and south along the coast. Starting with Lincoln City we have thousands of overnight lodging rooms available, from hotels to private vacation homes for rent. Lincoln City is home to Chinook Winds Casino and of course many seafood restaurants offer excellent quality. The beach is seven miles long, all public and is accessible from numerous points. While in Lincoln City don’t miss driving around Devils Lake, stopping at several City parks. For camping choose Devils Lake State Park, it is walking distance to the beach and yet right on the lake. Lincoln City is also home to a popular outlet mall as well as hundreds of stores including many antique malls. Heading south about 10 miles on hwy 101 don’t miss a short stop at Boiler Bay State Wayside, at the very least you will have spectacular ocean views.  if you’re visiting in the winter you may see waves shooting 100’s of feet in the air as ocean swells are funneled into a hole in the cliff.  Continuing south

Should you plan your next trip or just let it happen?

While browsing for quality content for this web site it suddenly occurred to me how much I disagreed with an article I was considering.  In fact I opted to immediately jot down a few thoughts racing around in my head.  For instance, how 30 years ago on a Friday afternoon, we would go to our favorite mountain lake campground and stake out our family site and maybe one for my sisters family too.  It was my obvious chore because I was the only one that could leave work early and beat the rush.  Then as years went by and the campers turned into mobs, I had to take Fridays off and claim our sites on Thursdays.  Soon though if we wanted a Weekend waterfront site I had to show up on Wednesday to corner people, asking when they were leaving so I could be first in line when they vacated. I remember all too well how stressful it was, not knowing if we would get a good site or any site at all.  I remember being forced to take sites we didn’t want, because the option was to go home.  Then one year it was all over, the forest service hired a reservation service, we no longer stressed out over getting the perfect spot. All we had to do was reserve a

News Flash

I just heard on the morning news titled "No Vacation Nation" They said 57% of Americans do not take or use all their vacation time.
Lets get some perspective here, are they taking into account we may be in the midst of the worst recession in modern times? That around 10 to 30% (depending on how they spin the numbers) of Americans are unemployed or under employed. Many people, myself included, are worried about our short term economic future and have reduced or cut back travel plans.
My observations are that the campground I have used for 40 or more years is booked to capacity, of course it could be that, so many more people are on this planet our campground capacity can't keep up even during down times.  I also have an inside look at local beach vacation rentals, and know that those bookings are strong now and were moderately strong at the onset of our bad economy. I have no idea if people are traveling to far off places.  I think the price of gasoline is going to rule many travel plans, I see gas guzzling cross country road trips off for many people.  For me I have no plans except some sailboat trips which use very little fuel.  More to come later.

We had a mini vacation yesterday

Yesterday, I said come on lets go on a vacation, grab a coat and umbrella.  Out the door and into the car we went with no idea where we would travel. Heading down Multnomah blvd. I asked the big question, "where do you want to go?" no hurry, its still two miles before I have to turn or get on the freeway.  While we discussed possibilities I was thinking of all the mud we may find on some of our favorite hiking trails. Without asking again I guided us to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland, a place we have enjoyed many outings with and without children. What luck, I forgot that they had free admission days, we  arrived on Wednesday, one of the free ones. Walking down the tidy well kept  manicured trails we pointed out to each other changes we noticed.  We tried to walk all the trails, the new bridge is looking old now, some rot is showing on the carved posts.  Many birds, squirrels and nutrias are just as we left them last time, except they are the offspring of generations that have lived in the park. The ducks and geese still walk and foul the trails, making us go around them and their messes.  Nutria keep back five feet.  The squirrels approach to within touching distance wanting a handout, but retreat as soon as they determine our hands are empty. Its spring and a good time to visit, the rhodies are mostly blooming, some are now way over twenty feet tall, and big enough to build a tree fort. We pop open the umbrellas as needed and then close them as fast. None of the ducks have ducklings yet so we look in the bushes for nests with eggs, no luck they are too will hidden. After circling back to the entrance we back track and pick up a new loop we missed, the new rock and masonry work is spectacular. Back in the parking lot its 1pm so we discuss what restaurant to go to, nothing sounds outstanding so we go home for sandwiches.  When kids start coming home someone says what did you do today? Oh were just back from vacation, hows your day?

Are your vacations over?

Is your traveling, and vacation time dead? With the economy in the dumps, I can't afford to risk my savings.  A few years ago I took my family of nine to Hawaii.  We spent our savings we did not use credit or increase our debt, but now the money is gone and I don't see it being replaced in the near future.  So now what? Should we take another vacation? spend more savings! We may need our savings.  I feel like my life has been put on hold, yet when I look in the mirror or work in the yard it is obvious, life does not go on hold. If anything life accelerates.  We all have a finite period of time to inhabit this world, whether we choose to go on vacation or sit out life is a personal choice.  For me, I'm already taking action. Last night I went to my thirty year old sailboat moored in the Columbia river. I brought with me three gallons of gas and filled the tank. Now I'm thinking of a book to bring on my next vacation, and maybe some special camping food (read red wine).  Soon I hope, very soon; I will cast off and motor-sail five miles to a park with a free public dock on an island where I will read my book, drink some wine and watch nature. After a night or two I will come back and begin the process of planning my next vacation again. What are you doing?