Ready to Roll

With roofing finally out of the way our schedule was clear to make our way to the Oregon coast. On the way, we decided to just hang out in a dappled forest service campground of the Willamette National Forest just north and east of Oakridge named Salmon Falls Creek. The internet description said there was the sound of the falls from every site and that sounded relaxing. We found the creek side spots all taken by tenters but we easily fit into a long and shady back-in with the advertised sounds.

Although with the much higher humidity on this side of the Cascades it felt hot, we enjoyed a nice BBQ steak dinner and had a quiet night. On our morning walk it became apparent that the prime spot in this entire campground was site #4, a huge area off to itself whose bluff overlooks a small waterfall and rushing waters. We immediately decided it would be high on our list for any future trips where we might be able to spend a little more time here.

We arrived Tuesday afternoon to a welcoming reunion with friends Paul and Virginia, whose new home sits just north of Coos Bay, in the country, snuggled against thick forest and the coastal dunes. Our little rig fit easily in beside Paul’s shop, where Marc unpacked my son’s smoker. The salmon and tuna boats will be back to port on Friday and I think more smoking and canning of fish is on tap.

The men kept themselves busy this morning with golfing in Reedsport while Virginia whisked me off to the Coos Bay Farmer’s Market. This Empire Bakery bread kiosk was just too good and aromatic to pass up. Their kalamatta olive ciabatta sourdough loaf was just over the top!

Ah, it’s great to be back to the sublime coastal smell of verdant and damp forest, salt-tinged soft breezes, and cool temps.