We rolled into Coos Bay yesterday. It’s one of those places that I always remember vividly. When I was still in college Ali and I took a trip out to Oregon. We flew into Portland, rented a car, made a beeline south on 5, and then turned to the coast at Coos Bay. I can still remember the hard time we had finding a cheap hotel, and now every time we drive by the Motel 6 I know that is where we ended up the first night of that trip. Later on, just a smidge south of Newport, we got engaged on some random beach.
Anyway, rain was threatening as we pulled into town. On our way through we stopped at the Wednesday Farmers Market where I found some melt in my mouth fish tacos. Best I’ve had in ages. I’m having to fight the urge to put miles under the wheels and beeline for the border—reminding myself that Mexico isn’t going anywhere.
We walked around town a bit, and when the rain came we ducked into the library. Actually, first we stopped in at the Tourist Information building to ask for directions. An older gentleman was in there answering questions, and after giving us directions to the library he said, “If you’re just looking for internet we’ve got a computer right over here you can use.”
I told him, “No, we’re just traveling around, and when it rains we find the libraries a nice place to spend some time reading with the kids and letting them play with some new toys for a while.”
I could see the genuine surprise in his face, and it occurred to me how surprising that answer must have been to him these days. He smiled and said, “I like to spend a rainy day doing that myself.”
Not to pat ourselves on the back, but it really is a rare day that finds us using the internet during the kids’ waking hours. Though yesterday, after five days offline, we did finally break down and pull into a McDonald’s with a playground for the sole purpose of updating the website and getting e-mail. Funny thing, as we were pulling into the parking lot some Bum friends, whom we first met up on Whidbey Island, came driving alongside of us. They’d passed us on the road (benefit of driving a big blue bus) and excitedly turned around to deliver us two bottles of their homemade wine—conveniently they had two cases in their trunk for their own road trip. We can never have too many friends like these.
The bus itself is running great. Mileage seems to be about the same, but I feel like there is a little more power on the hills. That might just be in my head. Having good brakes and a quiet cab has made for a much happier drive.
Solar panels are working great. We’ve been spending the majority of our time dry camping. The state parks usually have a much cheaper “Tent” space with no hook-ups that works perfectly for us. They are also about the only spaces that are available without reservations. The crowds are still pretty thick around here.
Another couple of days hopping down the coast from one state park to another. Humbug Mountain State Park currently, with a short path along a creek leading straight to the ocean. Quiet days. We usually pack up around noon, roll through a town for a grocery store stop and gas, then stop at the next park down the road. Maybe twenty-five miles a day. Easy days.
24 Comments on “Humbug Mountain”
Gee, I spent six hours at school today (Saturday, 103 degrees, no a/c) grading papers, planning lessons for next week, and cleaning up someone else’s mess. I’ll trade ya.
You need to work on your bargaining skills. I’m not making that trade.
That is where john picked a mess of wild blackberry then I made cobbler. Look for them along the road – if u r still there
The blackberry season seems to have finally ended. We ate a lot of them the past few months.
Oh boy, just a few more days until the kids get to see the giant redwoods of N. CA. Can’t wait for those shots.
The tallest redwood tree in the world, it use to be General Sherman, i think it has changed now, can you guess how tall it is in Meters or Feet?
Trent.
The Sherman wasn’t the tallest (274.9′), it IS the largest. The tallest is Hyperion at 379.3′.
I would love to hear what the kiddies have to say about the redwood trees if they get to see them. Would be some great pics too.
Isn’t it wonderful that you all get to spend every day all day with each other! You and your children are very fortunate! I am sure this world would be a much better place if all families could be like yours!
Love the picture of the tugs!
Mark and Cindy
I’m sure you realize it, but both kids are getting so tall…..
8th pic up from bottom, looks like a nice right on the outside!
I’ve been enjoying your pics for a while (you’ve come a long way since your catamaran days!), and even more so with your new camera. Love the depth of field feature, and the wide angle. Makes great photography even better.
Thanks for that. We’re really happy with the new setup.
Always so lovely to spend part of my hour a day internet time viewing your blog and seeing your beautiful and happy “real” American family.
It looks like the weather is changing in the good ‘ol USA, yesterday here in Western Australia we had our hottest September day on record, 34.5C, then today it was freezing cold, wet, windy and stormy, i don’t believe in climate change, but today surely gave those who do some merit!
Trent.
Love the dry camping and solar panel concept. A lot like anchoring out without having to stay in a marina. I guess you still have to empty sewage and fill up with water from time to time?
Do you have LED lights inside? We have dome lights in our sailboat that look like yours, and changing to IMTRA leds saved us a ton of battery, especially as the days get shorter.
We’ve got two days water and sewage. More if we were careful about it.
LEDs. No, we feel like we must be the only people alive that don’t have lights on all the time. We rise with the sun, no lights on. The kids go to bed right around sundown and then we are either on our computers or reading with a small flashlight. We were the same way in all our various modes of transportation. LED lights would be a big waste of money for us. Per day we use a light for no more than an hour. Are we totally weird?
Did I miss it? Are you heading back to Mexico?
I feel like my whole life I’m headed back to Mexico.
I am so impressed with your new camera. I can see the difference in your photos. You’ve always had a great sense of composition but the new camera made your photos into an art form! My complements. I’m quite envious.
Thanks, much appreciated.
So just how much sand has accumulated in the bottom of your gray tank anyway thanks to washing the “tan” off the kids?
Been following you since the cat. What a wonderful way to raise children. I envy you traveling around the country. I have ridden my Harley in 16 states.
If you want a good location to take pics of the kids with redwoods, head to Stout Grove in Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park. It’s Just east of Crescent City, CA on Highway 199. The whole park is filled with old-growth redwoods.