It has been a minute or two since our last post. Life is busy – that doesn’t change. Sometimes I sit and wonder “how did I ever have time to work?” But I realize, as with all things, we find time for the things we want to do, the things we need to do and the things we must do to maintain a life of our choosing.
In a matter of a few hours it will be a new year and as some think a new slate; a new chapter; a chance to “start over”. Many make resolutions that they will work hard to keep. From what I’ve read, most fail.
For us, the new year is a couple of things. First, a chance to look back at the past year’s adventures and lessons. A chance to laugh over funny memories, remember new friends made along the way, good meals shared over a campfire and lessons learned to make us better campers and citizens of the earth.
Secondly, the new year is a chance to expand our horizons, travel to places we’ve only dreamed of, make new friends along the way and apply those lessons learned from the previous year. Now we could promise to blog more, to have more of an online presence, to walk more, to …… well you get the idea. But we won’t make promises we have no way of knowing we can keep. Too much can happen along the way to prevent those promises being kept.
Instead we will post our adventures as time and inspiration allows. We hope you have enjoyed our 2022 and will continue to follow us into 2023. We have a great trip planned! We love hearing from you too. Suggestions of places to visit, things you’ve experienced and we are always open for good places to eat!
To finish, we want to wish you an exciting and prosperous New Year with abundant health and happiness. If you have an hour or so, below is the remainder of our 2022 travels in pictures. Please enjoy.
PACIFIC COAST CARAVAN 6/11/22 through 7/31/22
Heceta Head Lighthouses
North of Florence OR, these lighthouses were built more than 100 years ago.
Sea Lion Caves
The Sea Lion Caves is a must see if in the area. Through the building and down to the right, follow the path that takes you to the elevator that delivers you another 200 feet down to the heart of the sea lion cave where you can not only see and hear but also smell the large mammals. Back up and the path to the left leads to an overhead view of the rookery where babies are boon. As expected there are many sea birds around, looking for tidbits of food and if you are lucky…you might see the blow of a whale swimming silently by.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse/ Depoe Bay
Built in 1873 and replacing Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast and supposedly is haunted! The lighthouse is pristine and sits high on a cliff overlooking the migratory path of the gray whales. And yes, we did see a few!
When we drove a ways down the road to Depoe Bay, which by the way, is the smallest port in the WORLD (yep, you read that right!) we saw even more whales!
Warrenton OR – Next up, Washington State
Quite a bit to see here plus being a short distance from Astoria (think Goonies – the movie). We went to Fort Clatsop, which was the last stop west of explorers Lewis and Clark. Much to learn here. As one would expect elk are in abundance here and the river was a busy port too. The last few photos are what’s left of a shipwreck. For more information visit https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-wreck-of-the-peter-iredale-warrenton-oregon
Washington State
There were several stops in Washington State and many memories made including one early morning with the ladies for a rock hunting trip on the coast as the tide was going out. We enjoyed it so much we almost got caught by the incoming tide! Afterwards we had a wonderful breakfast and took donuts home to the menfolk. Great memories. We stopped in Forks WA where the Twilight Series was filmed. As far as activities, we rode bikes, watched for eagles and enjoyed the beautiful scenery that is Washington State. Crystal Lake was probably our favorite spot about 5-10 miles from our campsite at Port Angeles, WA. The trip ended with a wonderful seafood dinner with the whole group. Many of up parted with promises to stay in touch or see them again on another caravan or at the National S.M.A.R.T Muster in Gillette, WY. All in all, it was a great trip with many new friends made along the way.
Sharing the View from Here 
You guys had a great 2022. We visited many of the same places, mostly on your shirttails. Beautiful inspiring photos.
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