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GETTIN’ AFTER IT IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

by Dave Friant


It was a needed time away from the 90-plus degree days of a Metroplex summer. The early Fall of 2016. We had both moseyed into that Medicare eligible fragment of life with no doctor-determined evidence of physical health limitations. An inventory of what was left on the table prompted us to realize that simply settling in for the duration was unhealthy. Such was the basis for a modified road trip West.

The cost of overseas travel scared the dickens out of us during the period when post-retirement $$$ analyses were still unclear. We had been on two cruises while still employed and enjoyed both. Canada and Colorado had been our primary default selections for getaways during pre-2016 years. It was not yet guard rails up time and the two of us felt that some new explorations of ‘Merica might be satisfying.

The decision was made. A trip to Oregon. Fly somewhere close for activation of our imprecise plans for the trek, secure a rental vehicle, and explore the shores and surrounds. Our intentions involved the usual visitor/touristry stuff with some MODERATE hiking lobbed in for good measure.

We boarded Alaska Airlines during the morning hours of 9/15. Some degree of relaxation was experienced during the 4-hour sky sprint due to only half the seats being occupied. Soaring thru the air that in some way justified the cost when considering the exhausting elements of driving.

The first major decision to be made upon landing was rental car selection. Because I’m accurately described as chintzy on such matters, picked out was a red Ford Fiesta. The luggage area of the subcompact was “you’re kidding me” small as noted by the Mrs. Thankfully, the matter never deteriorated into a verbal 10-rounder. Lesson learned. Spend the extra $100 for more available space. Luckily, the need for speed was never a major deal. The views of the Pacific from the coastal highway and maneuverings on some unfamiliar country roads made a slower drive all the more enjoyable.

Our first stop was an hour from the Portland Airport. Taken in up close and personal was Multnomah Falls; the spectacular and longest two-tiered arrangement of several sets of outpouring waters in Oregon. Top to bottom, it measures two football fields in length. With it being the first test of how we’d fare as mid-60 year olds on rather steep large hill/small mountain walking paths, the Friant duo scored a solid B. We hiked 1 & ½ miles and were moderately successful in keeping up with the often times much younger other tourists.

Next was the 2 & ½ hour drive southwest to Lincoln City. It was a selection which seemed to be a central point for our planned activities. We spent three nights at the Coho Oceanfront Lodge. It was aptly named as our room had a fantastic view of the Pacific. Continual white-capped waves made beautiful music throughout all portions of the day and night. A few cars drove on the darkened sand beach which had heavyweight rocks scattered throughout. The nighttime temps dipped to the mid 40’s. The room wavered on the edge of being acceptable regarding comfortability. The complimentary continental breakfast tallied only a 2 on the 1-5 evaluation scoresheet. Well beyond the “sell by” dates on the yogurt cups. Eating utensils that appeared to have missed the chemical soak portion of the cleaning process.

Our first full-day involved a trip south on Highway 101 to Newport. As was the case most every morning during our coastal examination, fog played havoc with our ability to take in 100% of what it had to offer. Fortunately, the sun prevailed well before lunchtime and enabled us to view unique rock formations, expensive homes, and a variety of marine mammals.

Prior to our arrival in Newport, we visited and walked the 93-foot winding staircase that makes up the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. It’s the oldest in Oregon and was still operational. Seen from an observation point were several anything but bashful gray whales who came within a pitching wedge distance of the shore. We also explored Cobble Beach which has on its’ shores tens of thousands of dark cobblestone rocks the size of small fists. Distinctive and soothing were the sounds made when incoming waves covered the smooth stones.

Newport is a tourist city of approximately 10,000; known for its’ seafood eateries, gift shops, and laid-back locals who not-so-carefully maneuver their Subaru Outbacks. Seen and heard midway through the morning were upwards of a hundred sea lions basking on docks built specifically for them. Distinctive were the unrehearsed musical medleys from these delightful creatures. We shopped. We enjoyed some tasty seafood. And we shopped again. Oh yeah. Relaxation. A general unwinding for us both also made a scheduled appearance along with temps that never broke the high 70’s mark. Billy Crystal would have described it as absolutely MAHVELOUS.

The next day of romping thru unexplored terrain by first chapter oldsters was a trip to Tillamook where the nationally known brand of cheese by the same name has its’ factory. We toured the place and enjoyed all aspects of the production and processing process. We simply melt like medium-sized slices of Gouda on lightly toasted sourdough bread when this type of diary product is discussed. As noted by Avery Aames, “Life is great. Cheese makes it better.”

The middle part of the day involved lunch at Alice’s Country Café just East of Tillamook. It’s a favorite hole-in-the-wall joint with scrumptious hamburgers being their specialty. Alice is a Philly Eagles fan who originally hails from Pennsylvania. She and her husband have owned/operated the establishment for 37 years.

The day was finished off at the Tillamook Forest Center. It’s an educational and interpretive facility which highlights the history of the adjoining forest area. Even though in moderately heavy rain, we took a 1.7 mile hike through the woods along well-maintained trails and overlook areas. Being drenched to the bone like loyal Aggie fans in the midst of a game-long downpour at Kyle Field didn’t matter. The two of us reverted back to earlier years of just plain fun.

Skipped was the freebie breakfast on our departure morning from Coho. Splurging is probably too strong a term, but we found the Pig ‘N Pancake restaurant (kinda’ IHOP-ish) and enjoyed for the first time an above-average breakfast. Experienced was a light drizzle for most of the day as we headed North on 101. As is always the case during times away from home, we tended to remembrance purchases from unique shops along the way.

Cannon Beach ranked highest on our list of enjoyable small towns. Wonderful seafood restaurants. Specialty stores galore with souvenir items that did not cost an arm and a leg. Very walkable stretches of beach. Of particular interest was the much publicized 230 foot tall Haystack Rock a hundred yards or so from the shore. We and a few other tourists in bare feet braved the chilly waters for further examination when tides allowed us to do so.

We continued our escapades and made a stop at Fort Stevens State Park. Observing the area where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific was fascinating. I walked 50 yards or so onto some jetties that extended a quarter mile into the Pacific. Waves crashed. Rocks became very slippery. Gutsy move? Hardly. Rational thought left the scene for 30 minutes. As a result of not my first divine intervention, I remained upright and did not slip into the ocean.

We spent that night and another at a Comfort Suites in Astoria. Our room was within shouting distance of it, but not one of the 10% that had viewable access to the mighty Columbia River. Some additional cash to the guy at the front desk would not have landed us a scenic room. Just wasn’t gonna happen.

The final day of our Beaver State adventures included a 2 & ½ mile hike close to the Lewis and Clark National Discovery Center. The trail runs along a river for most of its’ length. No hint of rain. Perfect conditions. Only a hint of exhaustion upon completion.

The latter part of the day had as its’ main feature a visit to the 125-foot-tall monument known as the Astoria Column. Access to the top can be managed by handling a flight of 165 stair steps. Observed from the top are spectacular views of the city and the Columbia River. From a “here’s the deal” challenge by my bride based on the exhibition of nuttiness on the jetties, I huffed and puffed my way to the top.

Our fanciest and final dinner was at the Bridgewater Bistro. We were fortunate to have secured a window table overseeing the Columbia River. The food and service was top-notch.

A fitting end to interacting with an absolutely beautiful portion of the lower 48. A sense of awe associated with the days of environmental mastery conducted by our Creator.

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