Cape Lookout to Cannon Beach

Saturday, 4-18-10

We awaken to the sound of light rain pitter pattering on the roof.  It's cold out so we go back to sleep.  At 8:30 a.m. we walk to the showers.  They are the water conserving-type and turn off ever couple minutes, but no problem, just hit the button again and it turns back on.  Except it comes back on cold and then heats up just in time to turn off again.

We drive up the coast and watch clam diggers searching for clams in Netarts Bay.  Suddenly I am craving clam chowder for lunch.  But first we stop at Point Mears Lighthouse.  It's still raining as we walk the sloping path to the lighthouse.  We notice some tire tracks in the grassy area and wonder who would have driven their car off the pavement.  Once we reach the lighthouse we are told the stairs to the tower are closed because vandals drove their car down to the overlook and with a high powered rifle shot out the 100 year old light.  A $5,000 reward has turned up a couple suspects.  They estimate it will cost about $500,000 to repair it but some of the original-type glass is no longer available.  Fred and I actually get teary eyed and we make sure to put some money in the donation box when we leave.

On the road again, we head toward Tillamook, OR where we will search down clam chowder for lunch.  It's not a big town but we find an interesting old tavern called the "Rendezvous Restaurant and Lounge" complete with brown naugahyde seats and dim yellow lamps hanging over the booths.  The waitress swears they have the best clam chowder around so somewhat skeptically we each order a bowl.   When it arrives Fred puts his spoon in it and it stands up without assistance.  But amazingly it is very delicious and surprisingly satisfying.  We are happy.

A quick stop at the little bookstore nearby and Fred find some more Louis Lamour books.  I find a Carol Burnett biography and a book about women of the wild west.

We also dash into the Blue Herron Cheese Store just out of town and buy a fabulous pepper covered brie for cocktail hour at Jack and Sarah’s.

Finally we make our way to Cannon Beach and the Sunset RV Park.  We meet some nice neighbors and share notes on camping in Baja.   I fix a mew camping recipe “Camp Au Gratin Potatoes” that are made with top secret ingredients.  If you want to know, just ask and I’ll share the recipe.