TRIP TO CA, WEEK 6

Week: 18th - 24th of June 2012

Trip: 19th - 21st of June 2012

It takes long time to obtain RN California license. To speed up the process, one can travel to California and submit live fingerprints. So ... to get it done (partly) we decided to drive to California and on the way back to explore Oregon coast.

6-19-2012 4.25 am
We had to leave so early, because the sheriff's office was open till 2 pm. Early morning and 505 miles ahead of us. Really boring drive (we already drove to Portland on I-5 few times) and no choice. I was driving and watching for out of state plates or something funny (like this Oreo truck). We stopped only few times for few minutes, so we passed some vehicles few times (like this Oreo truck).

Our destination was Yreka, California. Probably the closest town to Oregon border. We were both looking forward to get it done and start our "mini vacation".

Yreka was quiet, sleepy, and small town (population 7700). We took small walk through downtown, J. got ice cream and we got back to car. The hills (or mountains) on the border of Oregon and California were interesting and pretty (as well different). Yet, I did not enjoy it too much, because of all the driving (up and down). Funny ...

The weather was really nice. It did rain in the morning, but the rest of the day was great.
The landscape close to California was different.
We stopped in Grants Pass in Oregon, but we did not find it very interesting.
Originally we were going to spend night in Medford, but we had plenty of time, so we drove to Roseburg. We wanted to be as close to Oregon coast as possible (under our circumstances).
Even it was early, when we got to Roseburg, we were done. It was long day.
We drove 650 miles.



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6-20-2012 

We had about two hours drive from Roseburg (on I-5 freeway) to Coos Bay on Oregon coast. It was pretty drive, there was not much except forest, nature and few houses. It was somewhat overcast when we left, but when we got closer to coast, the sky got blue and clear. Nice.

 We stopped in Coos Bay, visited Information Center (got bunch of papers and maps) and walk through farmer's market. Nice town, nice day. We were still waiting to see the ocean.

 It would be really long story to describe all the details and stops, so there will be just some highlights.
The coast was really great, changing and sometimes surprising. Oregon has the law, that made whole coast public, so there is not so much development. 
We took road 101, which follows the coast (for the most part).
We stopped by Sea lions caves. You take elevator to the cave and if you are lucky, you can see some sea lions (they are stinky). We saw some lions in the cave and some more from outside viewing platform. 

We had lunch in Seaside. It was surprising how many people was there. At that moment I remembered the guy from Coos Bay Info center talking about season starting in three weeks. How many people will be here in season?

Well ... we were enjoying ourselves. Unfortunately, we had to be in Lincoln City for a night. That was probably the only thing that could be better - to have more time. The views very pretty, weather pleasant and driving ok.

What else to say?


6-21-2012
We had to get home this day. We spent a night in Lincoln City. Long and kind of boring city. We had part of Oregon coast left and then we were crossing to Washington state.
Our first longer stop was Tillamook. Sound familiar? Cheese .... Tillamook cheese.

Even we did not like it, we had to watch our time. But the coast was still pretty, the weather got a bit worse (more clouds and some gray), but what you can do.

To get to Washington state, you drive by Astoria and cross Columbia river. The river is really big and you have to cross big ass bridge (I do not really like driving on bridges). And ... we were home (state).
Very close to river was state park, that we wanted to visit (because of name).

It was not disappointing, but we did not have enough time to hike around (so it was partly disappointing). Apparently there is about 110 days of fog in the park (reason for the name).
We saw some people (possibly speaking Hungarian) being on some big trip.

Washington coast is not so diverse and pretty as Oregon's. Still, it was nice drive. But we were as well happy when we drove through Aberdeen (knowing how far we are).
Passed Olympia (capital city).
I-5.
I 405.

And home ... (Mt. Rainier in the back).

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