4-5-2025

4-5-2025 Whalen Island

We got started later than planned.  Traffic was dead slow at Ft. Lewis, and then through Portland.  Hwy 6 was very poorly maintained in places.  Stopped at Blue Herron creamery in Tillamook.  They have an interesting selection of specialties.  Stopped at Tillamook cheese as well for my cheese curds and everyone else’s ice cream. 

There were 5 or 6 sites taken when we got here.  One big pair of sites with tents.  Teagan brought his fishing and clamming gear and we got both boys fishing licenses. He was eager to try his hand at it.  

4-6-2025

Teagan fished for a while.  No bites.  Then both boys went looking for clams.  They found a couple each and some crawdads.  I steamed their catch and served with garlic butter.  They both agreed the butter was the best part. 

It’s really raining today.  Everyone spent most of the morning and early afternoon out exploring and fishing.  We are waiting the rain out and hope to do a little more hiking.  All the campers left this morning and we have the place to ourselves.

4-7-2025 Bay Point Landing RV Resort

The tide is up +5. Raining hard and then the wind comes and blows hard.  

Drove to Coos Bay.  Rain off and on, but a good drive.  North Bend / Coos Bay hasn’t changed much in 35 years.  There’s a Walmart parking lot where the Sizzler used to be.  That’s about the only thing I noticed that’s different. 

This place is parking lot camping.  Fancy, but no privacy shrubs, and you are as close to your neighbors as they can get away with.  Lots of giant 5th wheels.  The amenities are pretty fancy.  Coffee room for mornings, indoor pool, workout room, fancy shower rooms, laundry, WiFi, cabins, etc.  For the price we are paying I expect a mint on my pillow in the morning.  

4-8-2025 Walked out to the tide flats with the boys and the clam gun. Found a bunch of whatever the invasive species is.  Cleaned them up and steamed them for the boys.  They say the Butter clams at Whalen were better.   

4-9-2025

Drove out to Cape Arago this afternoon.  Watched the seals out on the reef for a while.  The trail to the cove was closed for the seals, or whatever.  I think I still want my ashes spread there.   Stopped at Sunset Bay to sit on the beach and enjoy the sun and warm weather.  Back at camp we wandered out on the mudflats and watched the fishing boats drive by.  Mama and Teagan have been enjoying the pool in the evening.  I’ve been enjoying the peace and quiet and an Old Fashioned.

4-10-2025

Matt, Misha, and the grandkids showed up today.  We rented them one of the on-site Airstreams.  Used the Pavilion for dinner.  

4-11-2025 

Took the boys and grandkids out on the mud flats for clamming.  Leon found the only cockle. 

4-12-2025 Lacomb

Drove to Lacomb to camp in cousin Traci’s yard and go over her camper to see what needs to be done to make it road and camp worthy.  Needs work, mostly nickel and dime stuff.

4-13-2025 home again

Drove to Troutdale where Lorena had a cousin meet-up planned.  She doesn’t get to see these cousins much.  Drove home, unpacked and unloaded the camper in record time.  The boys really missed their computer time apparently and were very motivated to make it happen fast.