One of our main focuses that we’ve had in our travels was to escape the heat of Texas and Oklahoma. We finally…FINALLY…got our wish to enjoy cooler temperatures and it’s been absolutely heavenly. We left Memaloose State Park in Northern Central Oregon on a Wednesday had a decent sized travel day to Sutherlin Oregon for a one night stopover on our way to our long awaited destination – THE OCEAN. Thursday just before 2pm (I was in a panic because I had therapy at 2 and the last part of our drive had no cell service at all) we got to the ocean at Beachfront RV Park in Brookings-Harbor, Oregon.
I would not say this is the prettiest park we’ve ever stayed at. The sites are a bit on the small side and quite close together (though we’ve had closer a few years ago), no real grass to speak of, the amenities are iffy (the cable doesn’t really work although the internet seems okay after our first night here), and it’s not exactly what anyone would call aesthetically pleasing on the eyes. HOWEVER, what it does have is the ocean. I’m currently sitting in my usual spot in our theater seating while I write this and I can hear the waves of the ocean – it is absolutely amazing. The warmest day we’ve had here was in the mid 70’s with the evenings in the 50’s and we’ve hardly run the AC. The main reason we’ve run it is when we’ve left the dogs to go eat or run errands so they aren’t barking out the windows like fools.
As we headed to the beach our route took us through a small part of California which involved crossing the border to then re-enter Oregon. Crossing the border into California is an interesting experience. Because of invasive species of bugs attacking specific parts of the agriculture in some states there are checkpoints to enter to make sure you may not be transporting an invasive species into the area. However, it led to an interesting question, as we entered into California the agricultural inspector asked us where we were from. We said Oregon as that’s the state we just left – she said no what state are you from? While we are technically and legally Oklahoma residents these days I was born and raised in Upstate New York, lived in Michigan 20 years and then Texas for 2 – Michael was born in one place and lived all over as a kid due to his father’s work and then he was in the military before living in Texas for many years where we actually met. When we sold the house we kind of became Oklahoma residents which has helped us in many ways for mail and medical purposes. But it’s led to a weird question when people ask where we’re from or where our home is. Our neighbors in the RV park tonight asked where home is – I said right here as I pointed to our RV. I then explained that we are full time RV living at this time and don’t really consider anywhere home other than wherever we’ve parked at the time.
One main thing this park has had is dogs. Dogs are everywhere here – Little dogs, Big dogs, old and young, quiet and barky ones. I wish more of them were on leashes as they are supposed to be but, we are making it work. Our Bella seems to be slightly afraid of small dogs especially when they come running at us off of a leash – we’re working on it with treats as a distraction. Bella will squeak when she sees bigger dogs and people – she thinks all people are there to pet her and tell her she’s pretty. She also squeaks at bigger dogs I think she wants to play but was never socialized well so we try to keep our distance. We’ve also started to believe she’s older than we first were led to believe. In the last month and a half her face has started showing more white in the blue/gray fur parts of her face and we are starting to think she’s about 2 years older than we originally thought and closer to 6 instead of 4. Moki seems to be adapting wherever even though his right hip is trying to slow him down some. He’s gotten a bit of a limp and stiffness in it lately but we’re trying some meds to help him and we’ll see if it starts helping soon. I’m pretty sure that the evening dampness here is slowing him down as well – I know come evening the fog and dampness in the air slows me down as well.
Labor Day weekend was slightly crazy and packed at the RV park – we expected that especially when we realized exactly how on the ocean this place is. We made the best of it and knew things would quiet down as the Labor Day weekend ended. We had a quiet afternoon Monday and Tuesday morning – but then it started filling up again some. Not nearly as packed as the weekend but more people than we thought would be here for the weekdays. Honestly though – we get it. The campground seems to be city/port of Harbor-Brookings owned, there’s the road to the sites and a road to a day use parking area and then the ocean between us at our campsite. However, it’s still, even with as many people as are here now – quieter than the weekend it’s the end of summer camping/school is starting crowd than was here over the holiday. We’ve been grilling a lot of delicious foods – be prepared for another food picture blog soon of our latest attempts including baking/grilling brownies on the grill – and have eaten at a pretty decent restaurant as well.
It’s hard to believe we are wrapping up our first week here but we still have plans for the next week coming. We’re heading to the Redwoods in northern California on Friday, we’re only about 10 miles from the Cali border here and about 20 miles from the Redwoods so it will be an easy trip from here. We also want to take the pups to a beach while we’re here and let them put their feet in the water as well.
Have a great week everyone and thanks for checking us out!
GnomadicLife 