Coast-in'

My first visit to the Oregon Coast was when I was about 9 years old.  It was the biggest trip of my life up to that point, that I remembered.  Our move up to Klamath Falls when a baby was bigger but of course I don't remember! 

We headed north and reached Bend in time for lunch.  We stopped at a store to get cold cuts for sandwiches.  Next thing I remember was reaching Portland.  I was overwhelmed--the big city!  We went to Lloyd Center, which was fairly new then.  The escalators almost undid me!  I was terrified. 

The next morning we hit Hwy. 30, on the road to Astoria.  Oddly, the only thing I remember here is Dad explaining the Tillamook Burn to us.  You could still, at that time, see the scars on the hills where the fire wiped out the timber.

Eventually we arrived at Winchester Bay.  This was a big hit with my Dad--we have the most pictures of our trip from here.  Tons of pictures on the docks near the boats.  I think we must have photographed all of them! 

Down towards Gold Beach, we stayed at a little motel on a hill overlooking the ocean.  I remember the smell of the air; the crispness of the breeze; and of course the everlasting view.  Heavenly!  I firmly fell in love with the Coast here, I do believe!

Since then I've been back many, many times to our Coast.  I've been the entire length of Hwy. 101 several times; I consider myself deprived if a year goes by without my "coast fix".  I especially love Astoria, Lincoln City, and Bandon.  But anyplace on the Coast is a good time!

Now I want to go...who's with me??