Osprey Point RV Resort in Lakeside, Oregon

It took us just 10 minutes to get to this next place on Wednesday.  We are at the Osprey Point RV Resort in Lakeside, Oregon and will be here until July 5 or 6, 2011.  This resort is another one on our list of Resorts of Distinction (ROD) that we hope to visit here in Oregon this summer.  Because we are a member of ROD, we don't pay to stay here.

I like Oregon because there are lakes (reminds me of Minnesota), lots and lots of trees, and it is on the ocean.  We especially like this RV park because there is water on two sides of us that we see all day long from our windows, and the park is paved.  We like paved parks because our RV stays clean.

Here is our coach backed into our stop on the river canal.  

We are on a canal that is part of the Tenmile Lake system.  There are 185 miles of shoreline here on this lake.

Boats go past us on the canal all day long.

Jerry starting his fire that he's built every night.

And here he is enjoying his fire.  

He doesn't especially like that I take all these pictures of him, but it's not like I have a whole selection of people to choose from with this lifestyle we love so much.

Then, yesterday, we decided to rent a small boat, buy a fishing license for one day, and try to catch our meal for the evening. 

This is the dock where we got onto our little boat.  This dock is about 500 feet from our RV.

On the boat to find a good spot to fish!

And, here is VIDEO that I took as we started out.

Waiting for the fish to bite!

I might just as well tell you that we had pizza for dinner last night.  He didn't even get one bite -- so no fish!!!

Here is another VIDEO that Jerry took as we passed the place where our RV is parked.

Out in the larger part of the lake.

Coming back without fish.  But, what a great afternoon on the water!

Just have to add this last one of a mother duck teaching her two offspring to swim.  They were pretty far out, but the little ones kept up with her.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone!

Winchester Bay, Oregon

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the fathers and father substitutes!

It took us over two hours to travel 60 miles from Newport to Winchester Bay, Oregon -- with a little road construction along the way, winding road through beautiful countryside and ocean views, and just not being in any hurry.

Highway 101 from Newport to Winchester, OR

Lovely coastline in Oregon.

Taking into account stops along the way.

We settled in quickly to one of our favorite RV parks -- Winchester Bay RV Resort. Got a spot right on the bay.  (The ocean is behind us.)

Parked at Winchester Bay RV Resort

A yellow bird lands on the windshield wiper, trying to get to Jerry's basil plant in the window.

Even caught the full moon coming up over the bay.

Found a place that makes the best blueberry pies.  Even went back today to get more, but they were sold out.  Got a strawberry pie instead.  Also, delicious!

One of the reasons we came to Winchester Bay was to attend the 12th Annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championships in Reedsport, Oregon.  Reedsport is just 4 miles from here.  We first went on Friday to see the start of the competition.

The entrance to the competition.

Lots of completed artwork to purchase.

Competitors have from Friday to Sunday noon to finish their projects.  Lots of chainsaw noise throughout.

Finished bear project as seen on Sunday

Photo taken on Friday

Completed project.  Photo taken on Sunday.

Photo taken on Friday.

Completed project.  Photo taken on Sunday.

Here is a video of clips showing the actual carving and some of the finished art pieces.

Showing the detail in the bear.

And the eagle!

We will be here in Winchester Bay until Wednesday when we will move to Lakeside, Oregon, just south of here.

Newport, Oregon

Arrived here in Newport, Oregon, in the rain on Sunday.  Staying at the South Beach State Park.  We've stayed here before, but just like California, the rates have doubled since last time.  We like this park because it is big, situated within lots of trees, all paved throughout, and within walking distance to the beach.

Got all set up -- put the slides out, hooked up the water and electricity, set out all the kitchen and bedroom items, set up the computers, check to see if the DirecTv works -- and then it happened! We were resigned to put up the family of kids on the right side of us, but not the six college kids who moved into the spot to the left of us.  They came in two cars and started setting up their TENTS four feet from our coach.  They set out their beer while one guy couldn't walk 25 feet to the rest room and, instead, relieved himself against a tree.  We knew we were in trouble!

We've never asked to move to another site before -- especially after having fully set up -- but we did.  They gave us another site at the far end of the park with very few people around, the way we like it.  It is so quiet here.

Parked in our new site.

It rained on Monday.  Today (Tuesday) has been the first day that was nice and we were able to walk to the beach.  

Even the path to the beach is paved.

The ocean was calm.  The weather in the morning was still a bit overcast.

Oregon beaches are known for their driftwood.

From here you can see the high bridge that we crossed to get here.

We got back to the RV, had lunch and decided to walk the bridge.  Had to drive the car over to it as it is too far to walk from this park.  The fog had disappeared and the weather was beautiful.

Parked the car below the bridge and walked up to the road/walkway.

Jerry walking up to the bridge.

Top of the bridge.

Jerry looking over to the marina.

The marina as seen from the top of the bridge.

After that experience, we decided to stop at a fudge place and load up on all different types of homemade candies.  I know -- we shouldn't -- but what we ate thus far was fantastic!  

Tomorrow we leave here and drive just 60 miles to the next place, Winchester Bay.  Been there before, too.  

Albany, Oregon - Week Two

The weather has been overcast most of the week, with temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s.  A few drizzles on some days.  And today, right now, in fact, it is sunny and 66 degrees.

We waited all week for a nice day to drive around (in the Tahoe) and look at some of the covered bridges here in Oregon.  When you think of "covered bridges," what do you think of?  The average person may say "bridges in PA or on the East Coast."  But, no -- here in Oregon, there are 51 covered bridges, some of these bridges date back to the mid-1800s.  Jerry asked a guy why did they cover the bridges?  He was told that, when they were built back then, they covered them to protect the wood decking on the bridge from the sun, rain and elements which could ruin them.  As you will see by the pictures, these bridges are way too small for an RV our size to cross.

There is actually a Covered Bridge Tour Route one could follow.  We didn't exactly follow the Tour Route -- but did get to see three different bridges here in Linn County, outside of Albany, Oregon.

The first bridge we saw was the Hoffman Bridge.

Hoffman Bridge

Rafters inside Hoffman Bridge

From the Hoffman Bridge, we could see people fishing below.

Almost the same, but not quite -- this is the Hannah Bridge

Rafters inside the Hannah Bridge (the sides are open on this one)

Taken from the Hannah Bridge

The Shimanek Bridge

Rafters inside the Shimanek Bridge

We almost feel as if we are in Alaska as the evening doesn't really get dark until 9:30 p.m. because we are that much farther north than LA.

We've cleaned the whole coach (inside and out), washed the Tahoe, did all of the laundry and cleaned the house.  We are set to move on tomorrow for Newport, Oregon, right on the coast.  We've been there before and love it.  We look forward to spending the whole summer here in Oregon.

Albany, Oregon

Did not really have a problem driving to Albany, Oregon -- but it was a long day on Wednesday, with rain most of the way.  Stayed one night at a KOA park and even saw a double rainbow.

On Thursday, we moved over to the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) regional Rally held at the Linn County Fair Expo Center in Albany.  We lucked out once again with the parking spot they gave us.  It was very close to the center of all activities.

We were parked on the one way drive around the Expo Center and only had to walk to the buildings behind us for all activities.  Only six RVs were parked on this strip.

All of the other 400 plus RVs had to park in the adjacent parking lots, with some RVers parked on gravel and rather close to their neighbors.

But, the weather was beautiful!

Each morning, they started the day with free coffee and doughnuts.  Donuts are something we have long eliminated from our diets -- except for special occasions, like this one and when I am in Cold Spring, Minnesota where one can't leave the place without having visited the Cold Spring Bakery.

(Taken with cell phone.)

Every time we attend one of these Rallies, we pick up new information.  Jerry learned how to unhook the Tahoe from the RV in a simpler and much faster manner.  Of course, he had to buy some locks first to deter some other person from deciding that he needed the bar that will now remain attached to the front of the Tahoe with the new locks.

Last night we attended a show by a very talented and entertaining young man named Brady Goss who performed in the style of Jerry Lee Lewis for all these old people who attended.  Kind of felt sorry for him having to work so hard to get this type of audience to go along with him.  After nearly an hour into his concert (which Jerry and I thoroughly enjoyed), he asked if it were okay with the audience if he went over an hour.  No one responded -- so Jerry, on the spur of the moment and from the back of the room, yelled "We've got to take our medications."  The audience cracked up, but I think the people sitting at our table wanted to hide.  Brady, who was quick-witted during the show, said, "I don't have a come back for that."

One thing we always look forward to at these Rallies is that we get to see the latest RVs and see what new things the manufacturers have added to them.  

Today, with the Rally over, we drove a total of 1/8 of the mile or just directly across the street from the  Expo Center where we will be for a week.  The reason we are hanging around here is because we have to have our fridge fixed with a new piece under a manufacturer recall.  It looks like the weather here will be nice for the week, so we are looking forward to some good bike rides.

Have a great week.