July 2010 Camping Trip - #1

Karen and I just finished camping along the Oregon coast again, and this time we camped with family and friends at the Nehalem Bay State Park. As it turned out, we got to experience "Natures Air-Conditioning" first hand. Just a few miles inland, the temperatures were in the low 90's and in the Willamette Valley the heat pushed near 100 degrees. You'll note by the following pictures, that we all wore jackets and sweatshirts most of the time because we remained in the low 60's. We got to have lots of campfires during the day and into the evenings, as Kevin (our Son), kept the wood pile shrinking by keeping us all warm around the perfect fires, where the beer, wine, mint mojitos, and conversations flowed.

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Camp Site A46

Kevin & McKenzie preparing a warming fire


Oregon's "cooling" fog bank in the background

During the daytime we would walk on the beach, tour local area attractions, go crabbing, or just sit and relax in camp. I got the opportunity to teach both Kevin & McKenzie some Dutch-Oven cooking, which turned out some great tasting deserts and a fantastic "Mountain Man" breakfast. Our camping neighbors loved our cooking as well... as they got to have our left-overs, and gave us all some salt-water taffy and wine the night before we left.

Abby & Scout playing with a stick on the beach
Talk about a couple of "Salty Dogs"!


Abby and her stick in the Bay


A day visit to the Tillamook Cheese factory


Karen trying some of the free cheese samples


(Left to Right) Helen, Dan, McKenzie, and Kevin do some wine tasting at the Blue Heron Cheese factory

McKenzie introduced one of her favorite beach traditions with everyone, by preparing fresh oysters over an open fire. Now not everyone has a taste for oysters, but that didn't stop those of us who love em' from having some... or for one poor soul, an "attempt" was made in trying them for the first time.

Fresh Oysters cooking on the fire grate


McKenzie enjoying the fruits of her labor


Karen just could find a way to swallow her first Oyster
Dan & Sandy (in the background) enjoy the moment! :-)

As a mentioned earlier, I had the chance to teach Kevin & McKenzie a few tips and tricks with Dutch-Oven cooking. Both of them helped to make one of the dinner deserts, by making a "Chocolate Cherry Surprise" cake, while I made a "Pineapple Upside Down" cake.

The Chocolate Cherry Surprise Cake (The white areas are the surprise cream-cheese filling)


The Pineapple Upside Down Cake


Kevin adding the dozen eggs to the "Mountain Man" breakfast. It had hash-browns, sausage, bacon, scallions, eggs, and was topped off with "Tillamook" cheddar cheese. Yummmmmmm!!!


The finished product. Our neighbors got to share our leftovers as well

Camp evening times are always magical. Under the darkening skies, we'd gather around the campfire telling story's, laughing, and sharing in the moment of family and close friends. Karen frequently tells me how glad she is that I brought outdoor camping to our family, and how our own children are continuing on with those tent camping traditions. Even though our experiences have now become a bit more comfortable in our fifth-wheel trailer these days, we still love the beauty of the outdoors, and the closeness and warmth a simple fire can bring... even in the Summertime.

Happy Trails and warm fires wherever you may roam...

-Gary & Karen-

July Camping Trip

Karen and I just returned from our latest camping trip, which took us to the Nehalem Bay State Park along the North Oregon coast. In true fashion... it turned out to be one of those "Thurlacki" trips as well. Even though we did not see any bears (they have a bear problem along the central Oregon coast), or feel any of the 2 large earthquakes Friday out off the Oregon coastline, poor Dave ended up catching his hand (more notably his right-hand little finger) in a park shower door, which ended up needing 6 stitches.

Our camp site at the park.

What's really nice during the Oregon summers, is that while the interior valley areas are subject to hot temperatures, along the coast the temperatures can range between 20 - 30 degrees cooler (natures air-conditioner). We just happen to hit one of those times. We would dip down into the low 50's during the nights (great for sleeping with your bedroom windows open), and would warm up into the high 60's during the daytime.

Looking out at the beach.

During the daytime, we would drive into the smaller surrounding towns, and checkout the local ice cream shops, the antique stores, and of course... run Abby on the beach.

Abby cooling off from playing with her stick.

The off-shore wind keeping the fog at bay.

A wind-surfer having fun.

Abby and Maggie (Dave & Sandy's dog - part basset hound and boxer), both are best buddies. The problem comes when playing with a stick out in the water. Abby stands much taller and will swim out to retrieve the stick, then bring it in for Maggie to carry up onto the beach in much shallower water. It was fun to watch how the two of them have learned to play and work together as a team. Not only was this great exercise for the two of them, they both slept very well during the night. :-)

Abby bringing in the stick for Maggie...

Abby getting ready to drop the stick...

Maggie (bringing in the stick) just dropped it.

All of us had a wonderful time (except for the finger episode), with lots of rest and relaxation, cold beer, red wine... and sharing time with best of friends.

-Gary-