Travels north

Greetings!

I had no internet access Friday at my bed and breakfast so I am behind in updating.

As I left Depoe Bay Friday morning, I drove north on US 101. Before I left, I spent about 10 minutes watching a gray whale feeding. They feed very close to the shore and it was stationary for the time I spent watching.

I drove up the coast through all of the small towns with beautiful ocean views on my left. The water is so blue and is so much rougher that at the SC coast. I stopped at all the viewpoints along the way and did some shopping too. I went into a neat glassblowing shop where the artist demonstrated his craft. I drove on to Lincoln City and had a great lunch of fish and chips. From there I took the very scenic Three Capes Loop to Oceanside, OR. It was a beautiful drive and ended in Oceanside, a very small community of about 300. It is so neat. I stayed at the Sea Rose Bed and Breakfast on the side of a mountain. My room had a great view of the beach and I left the windows open for ocean sounds all night. There is only one restaurant in town and no cell reception. The restaurant was great! My hostess made banana pancakes for breakfast and they were wonderful.

I left Oceanside and drove to Cape Mears to see the lighthouse. It is an interesting place. The forest is very thick--spruce trees and ferns covering the ground. From Cape Mears, I drove to Tillamook and bought fresh cherries at a farmer's market. I also visited Manzanita and Cannon Beach today. They were all very pretty places, but Oceanside is my favorite.

I am staying tonight in Vancouver, Washington just across the river from Portland. I am going to head down the Columbia River Gorge tomorrow to visit the Cherry Festival and the Lavendar Festival.

On Monday, back to work at the conference. Please enjoy the photos.