The Bridge to Oregon

It is a beautiful drive out of Washington heading to Oregon and as we reach the Astoria Bridge which will deliver us to the start of our coast drive, we start to truly anticipate the excitement that awaits. This drive has been on our wish list for quite awhile and it's about to become a reality! Yeah!!!








The bridge is the perfect entryway for our excursion, and after the initial traffic in Astoria, the coastal trail opens and peeks of the magnificent Pacific Ocean begin. It has been over three months since we left the Atlantic, and we are welcoming the ocean smells and sounds fully!


Though we've had rivers, sounds, canals, lakes and straits, along our journey, there is nothing like the ocean and we embrace it's magic! As different as the two coasts are in their terrain, it still almost feels like home for us and that feeling is just wonderful.

As we pull into Manzanita, the quaint little village proves to be the perfect first stop on our Oregon Coast adventure. Cathie, Linda's friend, has provided a cozy little beach cottage, complete with fire pit! (It's the same one we had back home - a gift from Linda, of course) and it finishes our nostalgic moments. Settling in for our stay here, the fire is lit, yes, a fire in August! Unheard of, we know. But, the 50 degree temperature on this balmy evening allows such a pleasure and we enjoy thoroughly after our busy travel day.




Welcome to Oregon!

Sunflowers and Wine

So, we've been fortunate enough to have several days of pampering here in Union. Sunning on the deck, massages, reading, hot tub soaks, and on our final evening, with one more beautiful sunset to watch, Linda and her husband, Greg, invite us for a little wine tasting. Can it get better!?










As morning dawns, we reluctantly ready for our next adventure. Columbo, their very sweet dog, looks a little sad, as well. We know he'll miss us as much as we'll miss being here. We take one final stroll around our little haven with Linda and Greg, Columbo and coffee, and realize that, of course, Linda has placed fresh sunflowers in her side patio the morning before we arrived.













They each grab a shovel and watering can to aid in a very special planting this morning. Linda is wearing sunflower yellow for the occasion. In their beautiful garden, we are sure to have a sprouting, no doubt!


















Goodbyes are especially difficult this morning. But, in the continuing vein of helpfulness, Linda has connected us with a friend of hers who has a little beach cottage on the Oregon coast. We'll have yet another special place to call home for our initial trip into Oregon. It eases our departure having this comfort. And, we'll be in touch with these special folks for a very long time coming!
















As we exit Union, it is a must stop at the winery that produces the delicious wine we sampled the evening prior. Walter Dacon Winery is en route to the coast, just outside of Shelton, Washington. And, what a lovely place we find. Holly is our hostess as she shows us about and allows us to taste many of their beautiful wines, including the 2006 C'est Syrah Magnifique. (Be sure and click on this link, the website is really special as it includes several videos created by our new friend, Linda. They are really good! Especially take time for the Appanage and Robin Hood Restaurant video, you'll see why we loved it so!)


It is incredible and we purchase this and a few other for our long road trip ahead. The perfect finale for our Washington experience. This is a state certainly asterisked on our list. And, the Hood Canal area a dream spot. With all it offers, and Seattle less than two hours away, we will be hard pressed to find a more special place!