June 2010 Camping Trip - #1

Is summer here yet???

Karen and I headed out for this months "get-away" with our friends Dave & Sandy, to Harbor Vista Park in Florence, Oregon. We have stayed here before, and just love this Lane County campground (only $20 a night). If there were only one bad thing to say... it would be that it's not a Full-Hookup park (no sewer connection), but they do have a Dump Station located on the way out.

On our drive over, it rained and rained... just letting up enough on our arrival to let us back into our camping site, but it opened up again when I was connecting the power and water to the trailer. Luckily, Karen and Abby were already inside the trailer before the monsoons returned... but I was not as lucky. :-(

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Site 18


Our secret path to Dave & Sandy's camp site

By our second day here, the clouds and rain dissipated, and the sunshine appeared. Could this actually mean that summer time was close at hand? Our weather improved again on Saturday, and we got up into the low 70's, with nothing but blue-sky and Sun. We all took full advantage of this situation, and grabbed our reclining Lafuma chairs, and relaxed in the sun and shade of the camp. The unfortunate thing about nice weather at the coast, is that it brings really strong northern winds blowing hard on the beach. In this case... the wind was blowing with gusts up to 40MPH! At this speed, the sand becomes more like a "sand-blaster", and will rub any exposed skin surface raw (ladies... this is much easier than shaving your legs). This is why relaxing chairs, brush sheltered camp sites, and beer were invented. :-)

Karen and Abby relaxing together


Here I am thinking about all I had to do today... in other words, nothing!

We did finally make it down to the jetties along the Siuslaw River that empties out into the ocean one day, but it was a short visit with the cold wind blowing.

Karen and Abby along the North Jetty of the Siuslaw River


Karen, Sandy, Dave, and Maggie & Abby at the jetty


Santa must of been close by... here's a "Sandy Paws" mark from Abby!

Something of interest (which you wouldn't expect at this campground), were the "Black Bear" warnings. This campground had recently been visited by a bear who found a few garbage cans to loot. We were fortunate, in that none were sighted during our stay here. Just a few "holey" garbage cans and lids were noticeable. And no, we didn't leave out a "pick-a-nick" basket for Yogi & Booboo either. :-)

Black Bear Warnings

Karen and I are sooooo happy that Dave & Sandy have their own "Home away from Home" now, and can take showers at any time they wish. And the added bonus of having a flush toilet, is like having a throne for the King & Queen. :-)

Dave & Sandy (and Maggies), new "Ever-Lite" camping Home

Abby wandering between our camp sites.

Wild Rhododendrons all over the place

Sadly, our time camping ended too quickly, and we had to return back home. We did have beautiful summer like weather in the Valley (80's), so it was a nice break from the weeks of rain we've gotten recently, and with the smells of Bar-B-Q's in the air, warm summer nights can't be too far off.

Until our next adventure... Happy Trails to you.

-Gary & Karen-